Imran, Bilawal voice grief over martyrdom of Ikramullah Gandapur

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has voiced grief over the death of his party’s candidate Ikramullah Gandapur in a suicide attack. Gandapur, a PTI candidate from PK-99, was killed when a suicide bomber hit his vehicle in Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday. “Saddened to learn that Ikram Gandapur succumbed to his injuries. My prayers go to his family. May Allah give them the strength to bear this loss,” Imran Khan tweeted.Separately, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned the terrorist bomb blast in which PTI candidate Ikramullah Gandapur and his driver were martyred today.In a statement, the PPP Chairman expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Gandapur and his driver and sympathized with the members of bereaved families.Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that terrorist attacks on the election candidates was a conspiracy and stressed the need for curbing extremism to eliminate menace of terrorism.Meanwhile, the PPP Chairman has also condemned firing on the vehicle of JUI-F candidate Akram Khan Durrani and urged the authorities to provide protection to the contesting candidates.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2LEEwp4

ECP postpones election in NA-60 after Hanif Abbasi's conviction

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s electoral body has postponed elections in NA-60, Rawalpindi a day after PML-N candidate Hanif Abbasi was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in an ephedrine quota case. “Only two days are left to the conduct of poll when Hanif Abbasi, a political candidate from NA-60 Rawalpindi, has been disqualified which has resulted in a heated debate in the media and political circles rendering the atmosphere as fully as negatively charged,” ECP said in a statement on Sunday. “Whereas the serious criticism is afloat qua the provision of level playing field in the general elections 2018.”"The ECP having taken cognizance of all the attending circumstances is bound to provide level playing field to the contestants under the constitution and law particularly Section 4 of the Election Act 2017 read with Article 218 (3) of the construction and the powers of the commission defined by the August Supreme Court of Pakistan in famous Workers Party case reported in PLD-2012 SC 681 and further in order to do complete justice between the contestants and the parties,” it said.Hanif Abbasi was contesting against Sheikh Rashid of Awami Muslim League (AML) in NA-60. 

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2JKyyRK

Foreign Secretary in Kabul for inaugural session of peace action plan

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Affairs Secretary Tehmina Janjua Sunday arrived in Kabul along with a 28-member delegation to participate in the inaugural session of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).In her opening remarks to the media, the foreign secretary said their arrival in Afghan capital just two days before the general elections in Pakistan showed their commitment to APAPPS, Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said on his Twitter handle.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2NzX2iR

Former cricketers turn to support Imran Khan in Pakistan elections 2018

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani cricket stars have come out in support of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan as the country prepares to go to the polls on Wednesday. "It was in your leadership skip @ImrankhanPTI that we became world champions in 1992. It is in your leadership that we can again become a great democratic country," tweeted Wasim Akram. "You have got what it takes Skipper @ImranKhanPTI but it will take everything you have... No one can doubt your Honesty and thats what is require in our country...An honest LEADER," tweeted former captain Waqar Younis. BehindYouSkipper became one of the country´s top trending hashtags as celebrities and former cricketers came to Khan´s support. Former Australian star Dean Jones also lent his support."I am not a political person... but @ImranKhanPTI I would have loved to play under.... great leader and would do well for Pakistan if given the opportunity," he tweeted. Imran Khan was catapulted to global fame as a World Cup cricket champion, but the man known in the West as a celebrity playboy is now seeking to lead Pakistan as a populist, devout and anti-corruption reformist.Khan´s chances of becoming prime minister on July 25 are believed to be his best since entering politics two decades ago. But critics allege the electoral playing field is being fixed for the erstwhile fast bowling all-rounder by the powerful military. Khan has denied the claims and decried the venality of Pakistan´s political elite, promising to build an "Islamic welfare state" if his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party forms the next government.Recent polls show PTI´s popularity climbing nationally.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2JKHbf7

Army asks Supreme Court to probe Justice Siddiqui's allegations

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army on Sunday demanded Supreme Court of Pakistan initiate "process to ascertain the veracity of allegations levelled against state institutions" by  the Islamabad High Court judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.Also read: CJP Nisar responds angrily to Justice Shaukat’s statement "An honorable judge of Islamabad High Court of Pakistan has leveled serious allegations against state institutions including honorable judiciary and the premier state intelligence agency," said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations in a statement  without naming the judge.More: IHC CJ approached for choice benches: Justice SiddiquiThe statement said in order to safeguard the sanctity and credibility of the state institutions, honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan has been requested to ascertain the veracity of the allegations and take actions accordingly.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2Lz6wNU

Marriage to Reham Khan 'the biggest mistake of my life': Imran Khan

Imran Khan with former wife Reham Khan-File photoISLAMABAD:  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has said marriage to  Reham Khan was  biggest mistake of his life, in rare remarks  about his past marriage with the former TV show host.In an Interview with Dail Mail, he said:  "Normally I don't say anything about Reham, but I will say this: I've made some mistakes in my life, but my second marriage has to be the biggest" Speaking of third marriage with Bushra BB, he said "I did not catch a glimpse of my wife's face until after we were married. I proposed to her without seeing her because she had never met me without her face being covered with a full veil". Photo of Imran Khan and his wife along with relatives at nikkah-AFPThe interview came just days before the country goes to poll on July 25 and  a few days  after his former wife Reham Khan launched her controversial book.He told the newspaper that Bushra Maneka, 39, is a leading scholar and spiritual guide who will not meet men other than her husband with her face uncovered, nor venture unveiled outside her house, which she rarely leaves.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2O6QdXb

From gutters and war zones, Pakistan´s colourful election candidates

Ayaz Memon Motiwala (left) and Nawab Ambar Shahzada. File photoISLAMABAD: There is the ecologist, the "semi-corrupt", the opportunist, and the indestructible. Alongside Pakistan´s mainstream politicians a battery of flamboyant candidates are contesting nationwide elections on July 25.Here are five who each embody the myriad challenges facing the country. Ayaz Memon Motiwala, the ecologistTo make his point, Ayaz Memon Motiwala campaigns from the gutters.Running as an independent in Pakistan´s largest city of Karachi, Motiwala prefers to get his anti-corruption, pro-environment message out as he lies in pools of sewage -- all while draped in Pakistan´s green and white flag."If they do not cover the gutters then this is my right to sit inside the gutter and protest," Motiwala tells AFP.Motiwala has chosen the water tap as his election symbol.Water is a highly charged issue, with experts saying Pakistan faces "absolute scarcity" -- less than 500 cubic metres available per person nationwide -- by 2025."Vote for me -- but even if you don´t -- please remember that clean water is the need of hour," Motiwala tells voters. Radesh Singh Tony, the braveRadesh Singh Tony is the first independent candidate from Pakistan´s Sikh minority to run in conservative, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.The odds are already heavily stacked against Tony in a constituency populated with around 130,000 mostly Muslim registered voters, compared to just 160 Sikhs.His two opponents come from parties backed by religious organisations. The contest comes just months after local Sikh community leader Charanjeet Singh was shot dead, and weeks after an bomb attack killed over 20 people at an election rally in the provincial capital.If elected, Tony has vowed to serve all communities equally, but is still wary of simmering threats."We are vulnerable targets," Tony says. "We are campaigning in an atmosphere of fear." Ali Wazir, the indestructibleHailing from militancy-wracked South Waziristan, Ali Wazir´s losses in the country´s long war with insurgents are horrifying. Wazir has had 10 relatives killed by militants, who have also destroyed his home, orchards and petrol station since the military first took the fight to the Pakistani Taliban more than a decade ago.But he has never backed down."I am contesting elections at the demands of my people," said Wazir in an online video. "I will struggle for their rights." Nawab Amber Shahzada, 41 times defeatedShahzada´s moustache is surmounted by sunglasses and a garnet headdress, while a thin red scarf adorns the neck of a candidate seeking to be the "king of politics".But Shahzada is a lonely king at the head of a party of which he is the only member, who in the last 32 years has competed in 41 elections, and never won one.In 1990 his party was refused registration when he vowed to provide Pakistanis with residential plots on the moon. In 2013 he won just seven votes. But he says it´s all satire. "Politicians are making us fools, they are misleading the public, and I try to make people aware with my funny style," he told AFP.His slogan? "Need-based corruption". If elected, Shahzada vows to be "semi-corrupt".That is opposed to the "full-corrupt" politicians currently in power, he says. Mir Abdul Karim Nousherwani, the weather vaneOpportunism is his ideology. Since 1985, Abdul Karim Nousherwani of southern Balochistan  has changed party seven times and been elected twice as an independent. This time he will compete for the Balochistan Awami Party, a local provincial organisation. By aligning with the ruling parties that he gets development projects for his territory, he says. "The moment he feels the power ship is sinking, he will be the first to jump out for another ship," says another parliamentarian, on condition of anonymity.Nousherwani, who first worked as a driver, was unable to run in the 2002 and 2008 elections because he did not graduate from school.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2uFfVdc

CJP Nisar responds angrily to Justice Shaukat?s statement

RAWALPINDI: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar expressed anger on the statement of Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui in which he alleged that an agency was interfering in the superior judiciary’s matters.During hearing at the Karachi Registry on Sunday, the CJP remarked that the judiciary is working freely.“I felt saddened to read the statement of an Islamabad judge. As the head of judiciary, I assure you that we are not under any sort of pressure,” the CJP observed.Justice Shaukat of the Islamabad High Court, who is facing a reference of misuse of authority against him in the Supreme Judicial Council, threw barbs at the agency for its alleged interference but he gave no evidence in support of his allegation."I was told that if I pass judgments on ‘their’ directives, then the references against me will be withdrawn," he said, while addressing at the Rawalpindi District Bar Association (RDBA) officer here."I was also assured that I will be made chief justice of Pakistan in September and not even November. But I don’t care about my job, as you do not become a judge through your post but through just ways," Justice Siddiqui upheld.He said the judiciary was 50 per cent responsible for the country’s current situation while the institutions were responsible for the rest."For a while now I have been wanting to present myself before the bar for accountability. I wanted to do that because only my bar can hold me accountable and there have been no corruption charges against me to date.""Whenever I pass a judgment in a crucial case, a group starts a campaign, claiming that there are corruption references ongoing against me," he added."However, I am clean and thus requested the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to conduct my open trial and invite lawyers to see if there is any truth in the corruption allegations. If any corruption charges are proven then I will resign," Justice Siddiqui continued.He also urged lawyers to become a source of decreasing crime."Do not become a facilitator, as there is no shortcut for success," he said,He further lamented, "Today, even the independent media has cowed down."Agencies add: Justice Siddiqui claimed that this agency had also approached the IHC chief justice for constitution of choice benches.He claimed that the IHC Chief Justice Anwar Khan Kasi had been conveyed that they did not want Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on a particular bench.The IHC judge said that the law students are still not aware of Justice Munir’s role which is revealed every now and then.He said the judicial freedom had been compromised and now it was in someone else’s hands.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2O8PVPK

Shots fired at MMA candidate Akram Durrani's vehicle in Bannu

Gunmen on Sunday targeted  vehicle of Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA) candidate Akram Khan Durrani.Police said the attackers managed to flee after the attack.   The candidate remained unhurt in the incident.It was the second attack on Durrani  who earlier  targeted in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  during election campaign.At least four people were killed in the attack and several others injured.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2uR0L3W

PTI candidate Ikramullah Gandapur injured in DI Khan blast

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate Ikramullah Gandapur and three others were injured when a bomb went off in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday.According to  Geo News, the blast took place near the vehicle  of Ikramullah  Gandapur, a PTI candidate from  PK-99.The incident took place in Kalachi Tehsil of the district. The injured were moved to a near by hospital.Ikramullah's elder brother Israrullah Gandapur had lost his life in a terror attack in 2013.The  blast comes days after  Awami National Party leader Haroon Bilour  was killed in  an attack at a corner meeting.In another incident, Mutthida Majlis Amal (MMA) candidate Akram Durrani was targeted in Bannu district of the during election campaign.At least four people were killed in the attack while the candidate remained unhurt.  

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2Ltc5gN

SHC issues contempt of court notice to Civil Aviation Authority

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has issued a contempt of court notice to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan.Director General, Deputy Director General and Lahore Airport Manager have been named in the contempt of court notice, served after CAA continued with its motive of suspending all international flights of Shaheen Air International (SAI).The SHC also rejected all allegations and barred CAA from taking any further action against SAI. Earlier, the court had nullified the CAA’s letter dated July 13 where CAA threatened SAI to withdraw its services for international flights except flights to Saudi Arabia. The court also nullified the letter dated July 19 where the Lahore airport manager threatened to stop SAI flights from operating.Zohaib Hassan, Director Marketing, SAI said “The civil aviation authority of Pakistan with this step has not only cost the airline but also to the national exchequer billions of rupees.”He said as per today’s court orders, our international flight operation has been resumed and soon flights will be operated as per the schedule”.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2LbxKed

PTI struggles for a respectable Pakistan, says Imran

LAHORE: Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan said on Saturday that PTI was struggling for a new and respectable Pakistan to secure bright future of our young generation.Addressing public meetings during his election campaign here at Joray Pul and Shalamar areas, Imran Khan said he wanted such a Pakistan where foreigners come for employment instead of a Pakistan, where people queued up to get other countries’ visas to have jobs there. “We want such a Pakistan, which provides aid to poor countries as well as restoration of Pakistani passport’s credibility in the world”, he added.He assured that if elected to the government, the PTI would put Pakistan on its own feet and make Pakistanis a great nation.“A changed and developed Pakistan is my dream for which the youth is playing an eminent role to bring this positive change here and made PTI a success story”, he mentioned.Imran Khan said Nawaz Sharif’s conviction had brought a great revolution in Pakistan and now its PML-N cronies’ turn, asserting that police had registered the Ephedrine case against Hanif Abbasi of PML-N seven years ago and awarding of life term to the guilty proved another epoch day for the country. Khan said if he (Imran Khan) could not form the government, he would sit on the opposition benches in the parliament, asserting that N-League President Shehbaz Sharif had realized that if he (Shehbaz) lost the election, then he would go nowhere but in Adiyala Jail.“Shehbaz Sharif; Adiyala Jail is awaiting you”, he said and continued that Nawaz Sharif’s sons were denying their nationality as Pakistanis, and Khawaja Saad Rafique was involved in Paragon City (housing society) scandal.Imran Khan said upcoming general election would be a great opportunity for the people to get rid of those looting and plundering the country’s recourse and public money for the last 30 years.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2LpCrjP

PML-N condemns verdict against Hanif Abbasi, terms it ?politically motivated?

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has strongly reacted to judgement against Hanif Abbasi and condemned the malafides behind the timing of this decision.PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, in a series of tweets shortly after an anti-narcotic court on Saturday sentenced party leader Hanif Abbasi to life in prison in an ephedrine quota case, said “the timing and manner of judgement of Hanif Abbasi clearly shows a discriminatory attitude towards PML-N, targeting our party on the eve of the polls when PML-N is on the verge of winning the polls.” Shehbaz Sharif went on to say, verdict, like judgement in the case came after an inordinately long wait on Saturday close to midnight, and that too in the midst of the election campaign. All cases against other politicians, including Imran Khan and Asif Ali Zardari have been deferred till after elections.”“Only an exception has been made in case of PML-N’s Hanif Abbasi. We condemn the malafides behind the timing of this decision, which is politically motivated and seeks to undermine the election campaign of the PML-N,” he tweeted.Notwithstanding such discrimination and targeting of PMLN, I appeal to all our candidates and workers to resist and reject such nefarious designs and remain loyal to the single-minded objective of ensuring victory for PMLN in July 25 polls, Inshallah. He said the verdict against Abbasi is also harsh and unfair.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2O60cvT

PPP always fought against dictatorship: Zardari

Islamabad:  Former President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the leadership and workers of PPP have rendered great sacrifices for restoration of democracy in this country and today democracy is being strengthened due to the pro-democratic policies of his party.Former President said this while addressing Party workers at the residence of Zulfikar Khadim Zardari in Shahdadpur. PPP did not have majority in 2008 parliament but even then PPP forced General Musharraf out of power and brought Pakistan in the comity of nations with democratic credentials, he said.He said that after 2008 his first priority was to restore 1973 constitution for which PPP has suffered immensely. He said that political autonomy was promised by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Shaheed and PPP fulfilled that promise too. He said that PPP has always provided employment to the youth of the country whenever it has come into power. With employment comes roti, kapra aur makaan. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has come out to complete the mission of his mother Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.Former President also paid a visit to the residence of former MNA Roshan Ali Jonejo and condoled with him on the death of his son Abbas Jonejo.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2mypB4H

HEC denies rejection of any universities chartered by KPK government

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) clarified the circulating news story regarding the establishment of universities in Khyber Paktunkhwa, terming it 'fake.'The regulatory body clarified that the news circulating that claimed "HEC recognizes only 4 out of 9 varsities PTI claims it built in K-P" was not issued by its officials and went on to term the story as 'false.'The issued statement read: "This is with reference to a news story published subject in Express Tribune, on July 20, 2018 entitled HEC recognizes only 4 out of 9 varsities PTI claims it built in K-P". It is neccessary to correct the ensuring miscommunication. The Higher Education Commission has not rejected any university chartered by KPK Government."The declaration went on to state that the process involves the provincial federation to endows the charters subsequent to which the institutions apply to the regulatory body for their certification. 

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2zTVZIw

Maryam Nawaz tweets for the first time since arrest

KARACHI: Former first daughter Maryam Nawaz's Twitter account published the first message by her since her imprisonment at Adiala jail.The message by the former PML-N leader was delivered through her official twitter account which was a couplet by the lauded Urdu poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The tweet was concluded with the distinguished slogan, '#VoteKoIzzatDo' (respect the vote), which was widely used by the ousted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif before he was detained in the Avenfield reference case last week.The father-daughter duo was convicted upon their arrival at the Lahore airport from London on July 13th and were taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.The Avenfield case verdict sentenced Nawaz to 11 years worth of prison term with a fine of £8 million while Maryam received eight years jail time with £2 million fine. On the other hand, Capt (retd) Safdar, is serving his one year jail term. 

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2uTBia9

Imran's picture should be used for u-turn sign boards: Shehbaz

SARGODHA: PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday that all u-turn sign boards should carry the picture of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan.While addressing a rally in Sargodha, the PML-N leader said he cannot see Punjab getting ruined like Peshawar and pledged to evolve Sargodha into Lahore.Taking a jibe against PTI's chief,  he said  Imran has  a  history of taking u-turns, where at  a time he   aims at building a college and  later he steps back.He said Imran has already ruined the Peshawar metro mass transit project  by handing it over to a black-listed company. He  added that the metro has been revealed of Rs.40 billion corruption.He said that the high court has given the orders to run a probe into the Peshawar metro project.Taking aim at defeating Imran   in the election, Shehbaz said he will bring Nawaz Sharif and  Maryam Nawaz out of jail through the power of vote.He  said  that the former premier has been  forced into jail  despite  no  corruption charges.He added that those who have been looting the country are now a part of the PTI.Shehbaz also apologized for any misconduct on behalf of his party workers in Sargodha.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2O8cu74

Imran Khan under fire for pushing party candidate during Karak rally

KARAK: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan was caught shoving a party candidate amid his rally here on Saturday.The footage shows the PTI chief shoving the party candidate Shahid Ahmed Khattak while escalating the stairs during his rally at Karak.Khattak had been given the PTI ticket to contest from NA-34 constituency.Earlier, the party supremo was also spotted elbowing a member while going down the stairs which had gained rapid social media attention.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2Nzd78J

Elections 2018: Imran Khan vows to eradicate corruption

ISLAMABAD: PTI chairman Imran Khan on Saturday said that he had waged a long struggle against corrupt mafia.“I will introduce a new system to combat corruption which is the biggest menace in the country after coming into power,” Khan told a gathering of supporters in Karak. “We will improve the existing local bodies system across Pakistan to bring the development to grass-root level” Khan said."Development work is not the job of an MNA or an MPA. Their job is to do legislation," he explained. Khan lamented that international media had been supporting Nawaz Sharif despite his conviction for corruption. He promised that he would address the problem of water shortage being faced by the people of Karak. Launching a tirade against his opponents, Khan said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were sentenced to jail over corruption, adding that the Adiala jail was awaiting the corrupt elite.He said that the PPP and PML-N had signed a charter of democracy (CoD) and the increasing price of dollar is the first gift of that agreement.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2uTTssf

Armed forces requisitioned for assisting ECP in holding free, fair polls: ISPR

The Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) has requisitioned Pak Armed forces to assist them in holding free, fair and transparent conduct of elections 2018, ISPR said."ECP has requisitioned Pak Armed Forces under Article 220&245 of Constitution to assist them in free, fair & transparent conduct of Elections 2018," DG ISPR Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted. "Shall undertake this mandated duty enabling people of Pakistan to freely exercise their democratic right in safe & secure environment.Pakistan will hold the general elections on July 25 amid heightened security. Troops will be deployed inside and outside the polling stations.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2uEUBES