ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has reiterated the call for early elections and said that the revolution is knocking at Pakistan’s doorstep and a passage should be created for political stability by organising early elections, ARY News reported on Sunday.
The Punjab cabinet members held a meeting with PTI chief Imran Khan in which they exchanged political and administrative matters of the province. Khan congratulated the provincial cabinet members for grabbing outstanding victory in the Punjab by-polls.
During the meeting, Imran Khan reiterated the call for early elections and said that a passage should be created by organising peaceful polls.
He said that PTI’s victory in the Punjab by-polls exhibited the nation’s confidence. He added that Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is a practical politician and PTI will fully support him. “In Punjab, the nationals expect the fulfilment of the real independence’s promise from the PTI.”
The former prime minister asked the Punjab cabinet and parliamentary party to firmly stand with the nation with the narrative of real independence. “Nation is with us and we have to go ahead for elections soon. The early election is not the requirement of the PTI but inevitable for the betterment of the country,” said Khan.
Addressing a public rally in Charsadda, Imran Khan once again reiterated that the only way to bring the country out of the crisis by holding free and fair elections.
“Nation wanted a peaceful revolution through the ballot and I am giving a message to everyone to let this changer happen,” he said and warned that if peaceful revolution is resisted that it might change its course and eliminate all stakeholders from the game.
CHARSADDA: Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday lashed out at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying that he was visiting London to meet an absconder, referring to former PM and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, ARY NEWS reported.
“Shehbaz Sharif is travelling to London to meet an absconder on public expense,” he said while speaking exclusively to ARY NEWS.
He lamented that a suspect is being given VIP protocol. “How a nation could progress if it is going against Amar bil Maroof,” Imran Khan said.
شہباز شریف اشتہاری نوازشریف سے ملنے لندن جارہے ہیں — وزیراعظم شہباز شریف سرکاری خرچے پر لندن جارہےہیں، چیئرمین پی ٹی آئی عمران خان کی اے آر وائی نیوز سے خصوصی گفتگو#ARYNewspic.twitter.com/8t9hgux0Vp
It is pertinent to mention here that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today left for the United States via London to participate in the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) beginning September 20th.
The PM would first land in London to attend the funeral of deceased British monarch Queen Elizabeth II at the British government’s invitation.
The PM is also expected to meet his elder brother Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif before leaving for the UNGA session.
n August 25, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cancelled his visit to London while considering the flood situation in the country.
Additionally, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in a press conference on Saturday, said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit China in the first week of November at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan has clarified that he did not talk about the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extension but urged to maintain merit and defer the appointment of the army chief until fresh elections, ARY News reported on Tuesday.
Imran Khan clarified his previous statement related to the new army chief’s appointment that he delivered during an interview with a private news channel yesterday.
While talking to journalists today, Khan said, “I have always talked about merit. I had said that the army chief’s appointment should be made on merit but Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari are not eligible to approve the important appointment.”
“During the private channel’s interview, I had not talked about the extension [of COAS Bajwa’s tenure]. I have just asked [the government] to defer the important appointment until fresh elections.”
“I am waiting for the arrival of Nawaz Sharif [Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid] in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif would remember the welcome when he will arrive in Pakistan.”
Imran Khan confirmed that he will make an announcement regarding the date of the PTI protest this month. “The nation is with me, people will hit the roads whenever I give them a call.”
“The selection of judges is also an important matter. Judiciary should also devise a powerful system [for judges selection]. We want to see a strong and independent judiciary. At this time, Pakistan has a relatively independent judiciary. The country cannot make progress without an independent judiciary.”
The PTI chairman criticised that 20 FIRs including terrorism case were lodged against him when he demanded legal action. “People cannot find such examples from [military dictator] Zia-ul-Haq’s era. Pervez Musharraf’s era was a relatively liberal one as compared with today.”
Khan said that a few persons were damaging the whole country just for their personal gains. He hinted at revealing the names of the persons.
He said that PTI core committee members have been given instructions not to stay quiet anymore. Khan said that they will not step back from their stance at any cost.
Regarding the rumoured political adventure by PTI rivals in Punjab, Imran Khan said that an attempt to change the Punjab government will be a conspiracy to start chaos.
He said that fresh elections were the only solution to end political instability in Pakistan and that PTI will not accept any delay. He added that he was not in favour of delaying the fresh elections till March.
Answering a question, Khan rejected the option of an extension to the parliament’s tenure. He slammed that the coalition government was running away from fresh polls, whereas, the chief election commissioner (CEC) was working for PML-N.
ISLAMABAD: An Anti-terrorism court on Monday extended interim bail of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan until September 20 after he appeared before the court today in a terrorism case pertaining to hurling threats at a female judge and Islamabad police officials, ARY NEWS reported.
The ATC judge Raja Jawad Abbas resumed the hearing after a gap with counsel representing Imran Khan, Babar Awan, saying that his client has appeared before the court.
The prosecutor has sought cancellation of Imran Khan’s bail citing his failure to appear before the investigation team probing the matter despite issuing three notices to him.
Babar Awan argued that they have submitted Khan’s statement to the police and it was not directed anywhere that his client should join the proceedings in personal capacity. “Where it has been written that he’ll have to go to police station,” he asked.
After hearing to arguments from both sides, the judge extended the interim bail plea until September 20.
During the last hearing, the ATC extended the interim pre-arrest bail of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan till September 12 in a terrorism case registered against him.
ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan heard the former premier’s interim bail petition in a terrorism case registered against him for allegedly threatening a female judge in a PTI rally held on August 20.
PTI chief Imran Khan appeared before the court to attend the hearing in person this noon, in response to summons issued by the court.
While extending the interim bail till September 12, the court directed the former prime minister to submit Rs100,000 as surety.
During the hearing, the court was told that four new sections – 186, 504, 506, and 188 – had been added to the First Information Report (FIR) against Imran Khan.
Imran’s lawyer, Babar Awan, that the former premier should be granted bail for these charges, to which the judge replied that notices would be issued instead.
A terrorism case was registered against Imran Khan in Margalla police station for allegedly using derogatory language and threatening Additional Session Judge Zeba Chaudhry in his speech in Islamabad on August 20.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to move courts against a ban on speeches of party Chairman Imran Khan and imposition of section 144 in Islamabad, ARY NEWS reported.
The decisions were taken during a meeting headed by Imran Khan today.
During the meeting, the legal experts said that imposition of section 144 of the penal laws for a longer duration is against the basic constitutional rights.
It was also decided to challenge a ban on live speeches of Imran Khan in the court with Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) to be made respondents in the case. The chief secretaries and inspector generals of police in provinces will also be made respondents in the case.
“The court has already lifted a ban on speeches and therefore there is no justification for a ban on live speeches of Imran Khan,” the party agreed during the meeting.
On September 06, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) nullified the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) order to ban the live telecast of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s speeches.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued three-page written order on ex-prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s plea challenging the Pemra ban against his live speeches.
In a written judgment, the court observed that counsel, who appeared on behalf of PEMRA, was not able to satisfy the Court that a blanket prohibition order could be passed under section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance.
The judgment further reads: “if media channels “fail to implement directions regarding delaying mechanism, then PEMRA will be expected to proceed against such delinquent licencees in accordance with the law.”
The petition – challenging the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) ban on live telecast of speech – was filed by Imran Khan’s lawyers, who requested the court to set aside the order of the ban.
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Chairman PTI Imran Khan appeared before the Islamabad High Court in a contempt of court case against him for threatening a female judge, ARY NEWS reported.
The police made strict security measures before the arrival and only allowed those inside who have their names on the list provided by Registrar of the IHC.
In an informal chat with reporters upon his arrival, Khan while refereeing to strict security measures said that it seems that Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav is appearing before the court. “I am unable to understand why they are being so afraid,” he said.
During today’s hearing, the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that Imran Khan’s remarks come under criminal contempt and the intent does not matter in such cases.
“We have told you during the last hearing that it is a criminal contempt. Your client has spoken regarding a judge hearing an ongoing case,” the court remarked.
The court directed the Khan’s counsel Hamid Khan to read section 9 of the contempt of court ordinance. “District courts are a red line for our court,” the CJ IHC said.
Justice Babar Sattar said during the proceedings the show-cause sent to Imran Khan clearly states that he has committed criminal and judicial contempt.
“Do you submit a similar response if you’ve uttered similar words against a supreme court or a high court judge?” the IHC CJ asked Hamid Khan, adding that district court judges are more important than the higher judiciary.
The IHC chief justice said that Justice Babar Sattar rejected a contempt plea against Fawad Chaudhry recently and even if remarks of Daniyal Aziz and Talal Chaudhry would have fallen under their ambit, they would have never taken notice of them.
“We will never issue a contempt notice for scandalizing this court. However, your case pertains to criminal contempt,” the judge said to Khan’s counsel.
Attorney General and judicial assistants argue before court
The court also summoned the attorney general to the rostrum after Hamid Khan concluded his remarks. Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf said that Khan was forgiven in a similar case of contempt in 2014.
“The intention and purpose behind any contempt is important,” he said.
Lawyer Munir A Malik opposed the contempt plea against Imran Khan and the courts always expresses restrain while exercising their power under contempt charges. “I will be the last person to accept that a speech has impacted this court’s decision-making,” he said.
He shared that a contempt notice could be eliminated on two things which included an apology and conduct of the suspect. “Here the conduct shows respect for the court.”
Senior lawyer and former Attorney General of Pakistan Makhdoom Ali Khan, who appeared before the court as a judicial assistant, also asked the court to forgive Imran Khan.
Imran Khan submits second reply
Imran Khan on Wednesday submitted a second reply in contempt of court notice against him by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), expressing deep regrets over his unintentional utterances during the Faisalabad rally, ARY NEWS reported.
Imran Khan in his reply before the IHC expressed gratitude towards the IHC bench for giving him a second chance to submit his response in the case and said that he could not think of uttering anything against the judiciary.
He further said that his words were not meant to hurt the feelings of Judge Zeba Chaudhry and if her feeling have been hurt, it is deeply regretted. The reply from Imran Khan further said that he assures the court that he would not shy away from expressing his remorse to her.
Last hearing of IHC
During the last hearing, the IHC declared Imran Khan’s response to the contempt of court case ‘unsatisfactory’ and gave him another 7 days to submit a revised response.
The hearing of the contempt of court case against the PTI Chief was held at the IHC. Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed disappointment over the response to the contempt notice submitted by the former prime minister.
During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that he had read a response from Imran Khan and was not expecting this reply from him.
“The lower courts are not elite courts and they should be given importance. We did not expect such a statement from your client,” the chief justice said to Hamid Khan who was representing the PTI chairman.
The chief justice said that he expected that there would be a realization regarding the mistake and that the statement would be regretted. “However, the written response does not indicate if Imran Khan realizes what he has done,” he said.
ISLAMABAD: A security vehicle of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan caught fire near Rawat town of Islamabad, ARY News reported.
According to details, a security vehicle included in convoy of Imran Khan met with a road accident when he was returning to his residence in Islamabad after addressing a public gathering in Gujrat.
The people jumped out of the burning car to save their lives. Rescue and the Rawat police station teams rushed to the site and put out the fire.
According to details, the former premier remained unhurt as he was travelling in a car behind the affected vehicle. No lives were lost in the accident. The affected vehicle is a part of Imran Khan’s personal security squad.
A day earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan hinted at another long march towards Islamabad if the coalition government continues using negative tactics against his political party.
Imran Khan, while addressing a public gathering in Gujrat, warned the coalition government of another long march towards Islamabad if it continues negative tactics against PTI. He announced that the PTI’s movement will march to Islamabad and the current rulers will find no place to hide in the federal capital.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sought details of security expenses on former prime minister and party chairman Imran Khan from Interior Ministry, ARY News reported on Friday.
According to details, the PTI has sought details of security expenses on Imran Khan a day after Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan claimed that the government was spending Rs20 million annually on former PM’s security.
In a statement, former information minister Fawad Chaudhry noted that it was government’s primary responsibility to provide security to Imran Khan.
He criticised the Sharif brothers and Zardari family for ‘using state resources for glory’, claiming that Sharif brothers have lavished billions on themselves under security. “Almost 3,000 security personnel were deployed around Jati Umrah,” he alleged.
The former federal minister further said that Imran Khan stayed at his residence throughout his tenure. “The PTI chief spent his own money on the security wall built around the Bani Gala,” he added.
“Imran Khan saved the public’s money by reducing the expenditure on foreign visits and Prime Minister House,” Fawad Chaudhry said, demanding the Interior Ministry to provide details of security expenses on Imran Khan.
It is pertinent to mention here that IGP Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir claimed that 266 security personnel had been deputed for security of the PTI chairman, which was costing the government Rs20 million per month.
The IGP told Senate committee on Interior that the Frontier Constabulary, Rangers, Islamabad Police, KP police and GB police, personnel from two private security companies were also performing security responsibilities of the former premier.
Like former premiers Raja Pervaiz Asharf, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Yousuf Raza Gillani, Mr Khan was also provided with five security guards, IGP Nasir said.
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has decided to personally reach out to overseas and top donors ahead of a telethon tonight to generate funds for the flood victims, ARY NEWS reported.
Imran Khan has mobilized all overseas chapters of the PTI and decided to personally reach overseas donors in United States, Britain, and European countries. He will also reach out to top donors in his personal capacity ahead of the telethon.
“I am with the flood victims in their testing times and will try to collect as much as money needed to fulfill immediate needs of the affectees,” Khan said. The PTI chairman will also hold multiple meetings on telethon today to make it a success.
On Sunday, prior to the telethon, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan gave an important message to the nation sayin that it is a testing time for all Pakistanis after being hit by a major flood that brought more disasters than the 2010 flood.
Khan said that he will raise funds for the flood victims through a telethon at 9:00 pm on Monday. He appealed to Pakistanis including overseas nationals to participate in the telethon as the funds will be distributed among the flood victims across the country.
The funds collected through the telethon will be supervised by the Sania Nishtar-led committee. The Sania Nishtar-led committee will include members from all provinces, he added.
Moreover, the PTI chief also chaired an important session to finalise the strategy for fundraising for the flood victims and relief activities across the country.
The meeting was attended by Fawad Chaudhry, Dr Sania Nishtar, Senator Saifullah Khan Niazi, Shibli Faraz, Faisal Javed, Iftikhar Durrani and others. Imran Khan will hold an international telethon for raising funds for the flood victims.
The political party will also start an ad campaign to encourage the nationals to give donations to the flood affectees. The PTI volunteers will also take part in the relief activities following the directives of Imran Khan.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he would not come under any pressure come what may and vowed to continue his struggle for real independence, ARY News reported.
The prime minister made these remarks while chairing a meeting of the PTI parliamentary party here in Islamabad. The participants of the PTI parliamentary party session discussed the political situation and nationwide rallies of the party chief.
“I will not step back from the struggle for real independence,” Khan told participants of the meeting.
Sources told ARY News that the parliamentary party decided to intensify pressure on the coalition government for early general elections. The meeting also decided that Imran Khan’s countrywide rallies schedule will go as planned.
The parliamentary party session also briefed Imran Khan on preparations regarding upcoming by-polls on nine National Assembly seats.
According to the schedule announced by PTI, the former prime minister would hold a public gathering in Haripur on August 24.
Similarly, the PTI chairman will address a rally in Karachi on August 26.
According to the schedule, the PTI will hold power shows in Sukkur on August 27, in Peshawar on August 28, in Jhelum and Attock on August 29 and on August 31 respectively.
Moreover, PTI will hold massive public meetings in Sargodha and Gujarat on September 1 and September 2, respectively.
Imran Khan will also address public meetings in Bahawalpur on September 3, Faisalabad on September 4, Mardan on September 6, Bahawalnagar on September 7 in Multan and Sheikhupura on September 8 and September 9, respectively.
