web analytics

ARY NEWS

Zahid Mashwani

  • ECP disqualifies Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz other PTI lawmakers

    ECP disqualifies Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz other PTI lawmakers

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers including Opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub and Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz after conviction in May 9 riots cases, ARY News reported.

    The ECP issued notifications confirming the disqualifications under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, which bars convicted individuals from holding parliamentary seats.

    Among the disqualified lawmakers are National Assembly member Zartaj Gul, as well as MNAs Rai Haider Ali, SIC chairman Hamid Raza, and Rai Hassan Nawaz.

    Additionally, MPAs Ansar Iqbal, Junaid Afzal Sahi, and Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal have also been disqualified, with the ECP issuing notifications.

    The disqualifications notified after an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad sentenced PTI leaders including Omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, Shibli Faraz to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9 riots cases.

    As per details, former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro were acquitted in these cases. On the other hand PTI MPA Junaid Afzal Sahi received a three-year prison term, while Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, nephew of Sheikh Rashid, SIC head Sahibzada Hamid Raza was also handed a 10-year sentence.

    Other convicted PTI leaders include Rai Hassan Nawaz, Rai Murtaza Iqbal, Chaudhry Bilal Ijaz, Mrs. Farrukh Agha, Farkhunda Kokab, Kanwal Shauzab, Mohammad Ahmad Chattha, Chaudhry Asif Ali, Shakeel Ahmad Khan Niazi, Sardar Azimullah Khan, Mehr Muhammad Javed, and Muhammad Ansar Iqbal.

    Click here for latest updates on Imran Khan

    It is worth mentioning here that on July 22 an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore sentenced several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, and Senator Ejaz Chaudhry to 10 years in prison and acquitted Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a case pertaining to arson and vandalism on May 9.

    The court also ordered the acquittal of Hamza Azim and five other accused individuals, clearing them of charges related to the May 9 riots.

    The trial court pronounced its reserved verdict in the case related to rioting at Sherpao Bridge on May, 2023 following PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest.

    Ali Hassan, Afzal Azeem Khalid Qayyum, Riaz Hussain, and former Punjab Governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema are among those jailed for 10 years.

    May 9 violence

    Violent clashes were broken out across Pakistan after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested on May 9, 2023.

    The protests were held in remote and major cities as the party workers were agitated due to their chairman’s arrest, with Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order.

    Army installations, including Corps Commander’s house in Lahore, had come under attack during the protests by PTI workers.

  • Another PTI lawmaker disqualified after conviction in May 9 case

    Another PTI lawmaker disqualified after conviction in May 9 case

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed MNA Abdul Latif Chitralli and declared his seat vacant, ARY News reported.

    According to a notification issued here, NA-1 (Chitral), the seat held by Abdul Latif Chitralli fell vacant. The ECP announced its verdict, which was reserved earlier, following a series of hearings. The election watchdog is now expected to issue the schedule for the by-election in the constituency in the northernmost district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    It is pertinent to mention here that an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad sentenced the PTA MNA and others to 27 years in prison in a case pertaining to an attack on a police station amid the violent riots on May 9, 2023.

    Abdul Latif Chitralli was elected as MNA from NA-1 in the general elections, securing 61,834 votes followed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s Muhammad Talha Mehmood who could bag 42,987 votes.

    Read More: Three PTI lawmakers disqualified following convictions in May 9 cases

    Earlier on Monday, the ECP disqualified three PTI lawmakers following their convictions in cases related to May 9 riots.

    The election watchdog declared the seats held by Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bhachar, and Ahmed Chattha vacant.

    Ahmad Chattha and Malik Ahmad Bhachar were elected from NA-66 Wazirabad and PP-87 Mianwali, respectively while Senator Ejaz Chaudhry was elected as member of the upper house in 2021.

  • Three PTI lawmakers disqualified following convictions in May 9 cases

    Three PTI lawmakers disqualified following convictions in May 9 cases

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified three lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) following their convictions in cases related to May 9 riots.

    The ECP has issued notifications disqualifying Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bhachar, and Ahmed Chattha.

    The ECP also declared seats held by Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Ahmad Khan Bhachar, and Ahmad Chattha vacant.

    Ahmad Chattha and Malik Ahmad Bhachar were elected from NA-66 Wazirabad and PP-87 Mianwali, respectively. The election watchdog has also vacated the seat held by Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, who was elected as member of the upper house in 2021.

    The ECP plans for by-elections on these seats in near future.

    Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) in Lahore and Sargodha sentenced the three PTI lawmkers to 10 years in prison in different May 9 cases of same nature.

    Senator Ejaz Chaudhry along with other party leaders including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, former Punjab Governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed was awarded 10 years imprisonment each in a case pertaining to arson and vandalism on May 9, 2023.

    The court acquitted Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the same case.

    The trial court had pronounced its reserved verdict in the case related to rioting at Sherpao Bridge on May, following PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest.

    Read More: Yasmin Rashid among others convicted, Shah Mahmood acquitted in May 9 riots case

    Another ATC in Sargodha jailed Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bhachar, and Ahmed Chattha in the case, registered at the Musa Khel police station, pertained to the violent protests and vandalism that erupted in Mianwali following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a graft case.

    Earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed deep concern over the potential disqualification of 39 parliamentarians belonging to the party in cases pertaining to May 9 riots.

    In a statement, the PTI chairman feared that that 25 members of the Punjab Assembly, 11 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), and three senators might be convicted in the cases.

    Barrister Gohar said all PTI members in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly are also under threat of similar actions. He said that the total number would rise to 75 if their members are convicted November 26 cases.

    “There is no parliamentarian, including myself, who does not face a case,” the PTI chairman said and added that at least six cases are registered against him.

  • ECP issues notification for reserved seats restoration

    ECP issues notification for reserved seats restoration

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notification regarding the restoration of reserved seats, ARY News reported.

    Following the issuance of notification, the membership of previously suspended lawmakers has been restored.

    According to the official statement, the ECP has formally reinstated the reserved seats that had earlier been withheld or suspended, effectively restoring the parliamentary status of the affected members.

    The move comes in light of recent legal and procedural developments, with the ECP exercising its constitutional authority to ensure representation on the reserved seats is maintained as per electoral mandates.

    The SC’s Constitutional Bench on Friday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council’s plea, seeking reserved seats in the national and all provincial assemblies on the basis of its general seats.

    Read more: PTI reacts to SC decision in reserved seats case

    The bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, set aside the apex court’s earlier judgment and restored the Peshawar High Court ruling that ruled that the reserved seats would be distributed among other parties.

    This includes the restoration of eight women National Assembly members from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11 women members on reserved seats Assembly from Punjab as well as three non-Muslim seats.

    The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz secured 14 seats in the National Assembly, while the Pakistan People’s Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl managed to get five and three reserved seats in the lower house.

  • Senate unanimously passes resolution condemning Indian allegations

    Senate unanimously passes resolution condemning Indian allegations

    The Senate of Pakistan Friday unanimously passed a resolution to condemn recent actions and accusations by India following the Pahalgam attack, ARY News reported.

    The resolution was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar during a special session chaired by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani.

    The resolution asserted Pakistan’s firm stance against terrorism and its readiness to respond decisively to any aggression.

    According to the resolution, Pakistan categorically condemns all forms of terrorism and firmly rejects all allegations levelled by India. It further declared that any adventurism or hostile move by India will be met with a “befitting response.”

    Addressing the House, Ishaq Dar warned, “Anyone who casts an evil eye on Pakistan must know that we are fully prepared.”

    Read more: India arming TTP for attacks in Pakistan, says Khawaja Asif

    He also referenced statements from national security officials, emphasizing that any attempt by India to block Pakistan’s water supply would be tantamount to an act of war.

    The resolution also called for global accountability over India’s actions and demanded that the international community take note of the Indian government’s malicious campaigns. It condemned India’s narrative-building efforts as deceitful and rooted in hostility.

    The Senate’s unified stance sends a clear message amid rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following the recent incident in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

    Speaking during ARY News’ program “Khabar” on Thursday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called Taliban “Indian agents” and added that New Delhi is preparing terror attacks on Pakistani soil.

    Asif said that Pakistan possesses credible intelligence indicating India’s involvement in orchestrating attacks through the TTP.

  • Hajj 2025: Pakistan issues key directives for private operators

    Hajj 2025: Pakistan issues key directives for private operators

    ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government Friday issued key directives for the private operators for Hajj 2025, ARY News reported.

    A total of 23,620 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj 2025 under the private scheme.

    According to details, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued guidelines regarding the Private Hajj Scheme 2025, urging all approved Hajj operators to ensure visa issuance by April 18.

    The ministry has asked the private operators to immediately submit copies of service agreements as per the newly allocated quota.

    The ministry further announced that the updated list of authorized operators has been published on the official website and the Pak Hajj mobile app.

    Pilgrims can check the status of their applications and the services being offered through these platforms.

    Private pilgrims are strongly advised to use the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile app for real-time updates and service tracking to ensure a smooth and transparent experience.

    Read more: 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims deprived of performing Hajj 2025

    Meanwhile, around 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims have been deprived of performing Hajj 2025 due to delays in agreements and payments to the Saudi government, according to Hajj organisers.

    The main reason for the rejection of these applications was the failure to make timely bookings and payments to the Saudi authorities.

    Saudi Arabia had allocated a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Pakistan this year, which included 89,605 spots each for the government and private tour organisers. However, only 14,000 applications were accepted under the private scheme.

    The organisers claimed they had made bookings for the 67,000 pilgrims and sent SAR 7 million to Saudi Arabia for these pilgrims.

  • ECP registers Shahid Khaqan’s Awam Pakistan party

    ECP registers Shahid Khaqan’s Awam Pakistan party

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially registered the Awam Pakistan Party, led by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, following the recognition of its intra-party elections, ARY News reported.

    According to the ECP, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi serves as the party’s convener, while Miftah Ismail holds the position of Secretary General. The party had submitted details of its intra-party elections on June 26.

    With this registration, the total number of political parties registered with the Election Commission has reached 168.

    Meanwhile, intra-party elections of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are still pending recognition, although the party remains listed with the commission as a registered entity.

    Read More: ‘Awaam Pakistan’: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Miftah Ismail launch new party

    Earlier, in July 2024, former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Miftah Ismail and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi formally launched a new party named Awaam Pakistan party.

    Speaking at the ceremony in Islamabad, the former finance minister Miftah Ismail said that Awaam Pakistan would not follow the “hereditary politics”.

    The newly formed party also announced its slogan ‘Awaam Pakistan: Badlein ge nizam’ (People of Pakistan: We will change the system).

    The former finance minister invited people to join them and rebuild Pakistan. “If you believe that we have the right to move forward […] then join us,” Ismail said.

    Addressing the ceremony, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi lamented that politics has become more about self-preservation than serving the public interest.

    Abbasi expressed his disappointment with the priorities of politicians, stating, “It is upsetting that we worry about our seats more than our country.” He questioned the moral authority of those who prioritize their political survival over the nation’s well-being.

    However, Abbasi offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the public’s desire for a better future could be the catalyst for change.

    He presented his new political initiative, Awaam Pakistan, as an unconventional alternative to traditional political parties. Abbasi emphasized that Awaam Pakistan is not a structured political party but an idea that prioritizes ability and influence over mere electability.

    The former Prime Minister took a jab at traditional political parties, stating that anyone can assemble a group of electables and call themselves a political party.

    “Electables are a part of politics, but not all electables are recognisable,” Abbasi continued.

    “In contrast, Awaam Pakistan aims to bring together individuals who possess the ability and influence to drive meaningful change,” he said.

    Abbasi clarified that the initiative has not yet extended invitations to join but will do so when the time is right.

    The launching ceremony was attended by former governor of KP, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, former health minister Dr Zafar Mirza, ex-provincial minister Zaeem Qadra and other politicians.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Miftah Ismail, and other leaders have been working on this project since leaving their respective parties in 2022 and 2023 due to policy disagreements.

  • ECP meeting concludes without decision on reserved seats, KP Senate elections

    ECP meeting concludes without decision on reserved seats, KP Senate elections

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday concluded its meeting without deciding on the allocation of reserved seats and Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ARY News reported.

    According to details, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja presided over the meeting that failed to yield any concrete results, the sources said.

    The ECP meeting focused on the allocation of reserved seats and the upcoming Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). A briefing was provided to the commission on the preparations for the KP Senate elections.

    The meeting also discussed the allocation of reserved seats, with members of the Election Commission, the Secretary, and relevant officials in attendance.

    The ECP will reconvene tomorrow to continue discussions on the matter.

    They added that the ECP’s another meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday under the chairmanship of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja.

    Reserved seats issue

    The issue came to limelight after over 80 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed independent candidates emerged victorious in the February 8 elections.

    The SIC then approached the ECP on February 21 seeking allocation of reserved seats.

    However, the PTI suffered a setback after the electoral body, citing the party’s failure to submit its list of candidates, denied allocating the reserved seats to the SIC via its 4-1 majority verdict on March 4.

    The election commission distributed the reserved seats for women and minorities among other political parties.

    The PTI-backed SIC had approached the court after the ECP refused to allocate the seats due to the party’s failure to submit its list of candidates before the deadline. The Peshawar High Court (PHC) upheld the ECP’s decision, leading the SIC to appeal to the Supreme Court.

    Read More: Reserved seats: ECP legal team ‘advises’ to restore suspended lawmakers

    Earlier on July 12, a 13-member bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, ruled that the PTI is eligible for the allocation of reserved seats.

    Justice Mansoor Ali Shah announced the 8-5 majority verdict, setting aside the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) order wherein it had upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision denying the reserved seats to the SIC.

    Then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Naeem Afghan, Justice Yahya Afridi, and Justice Ameenuddin Khan opposed the majority decision.

    KP Senate elections

    Citing the oath non-administering scandal and a related Peshawar High Court (PHC) judgment, the ECP issued an order moments before the Senate elections were to start on April 2. The ECP postponed the Senate elections on 11 KP seats.

    Voting was initially planned for 48 Senate seats, including two Islamabad seats, 12 seats each from Punjab and Sindh, and 11 seats each from KP and Balochistan. Apart from Khyber Pakhtunkwa, the Senate elections were held in the National Assembly, and all other provincial assemblies.

  • Former ANP stalwart set to join PML-N

    Former ANP stalwart set to join PML-N

    PESHAWAR: Awami National Party’s (ANP) former spokesman and senior politician Zahid Khan has decided to part ways with the party to join Nawaz-Sharif led Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), ARY News reported citing sources.

    Zahid Khan will formally announce joining the PML-N on Sunday in a presser alongside Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs, Engineer Amir Muqam.

    Zahid Khan had served as Senator twice from 1997 to 2003 and then 2009 to 2015. In addition to serving as a member of the Senate Committees on Communications, Information Technology & Telecommunication, and Parliamentary Affairs, he also chaired the Senate Committee on Water and Power.

    Earlier in September, Zahid Khan announced to quit politics, saying that the situation made it difficult for him to pursue a career in politics.

    He said that money has invaded politics and that he has never entered politics in order to profit from it. Zahid Khan had stated that he would want to distance himself from the day-to-day politics since he has been excluded from the party leadership’s agenda.

    It is worth mentioning that earlier, the ANP central leader, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour had also announced to quit the politics of electioneering.

    Read More: ANP senior leader quits politics

    The veteran politician, who lost last three elections from Peshawar, announced goodbye to politics and decided to move to Islamabad.

    The former railways minister went onto say that his brother Bashir Bilour and nephew Haroon Bilour were martyred and he did not find any reason to stay in Peshawar as he had no interest in politics anymore.

    “I was declared a loser in four elections, which I had won. My brother, son and a nephew were martyred by militants,” he has said, adding, “Now I am thinking of shifting to Islamabad.”

  • ECP summons Nawaz Sharif, PTI founder

    ECP summons Nawaz Sharif, PTI founder

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, ARY News reported.

    The ECP directed Nawaz Sharif to appear in the reference filed by him seeking disqualification of ‘PML-N MNA’ Adil Bazai while Imran Khan has been summoned in the contempt case.

    Contesting as an independent candidate Adil Bazai was returned winner from NA-262 (Quetta) and later displayed on the National Assembly’s website as joining the PML-N.

    Adil Bazai repeatedly denied about joining the PML-N on social media accounts.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by ARY News (@arynewstv)

    The PML-N reference dispatched to the Speaker that the party’s lawmaker Adil Bazai has become dissident. Nawaz Sharif in his reference asked the electoral body to de-seat Adil Bazai from his seat.

    The ECP will conduct the hearing on Nawaz Sharif’s reference on November 5.

    ECP contempt case against PTI founder

    Meanwhile, PTI founder Imran Khan has been summoned in the ECP contempt case. The case was filed against Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry for allegedly using derogatory language against the ECP.

    Read More: Speaker sends Adil Bazai MNA’s disqualification reference to ECP

    It is pertinent to mention that PTI founder Imran Khan and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry were indicted in the ECP contempt case on January 3, 2024.

    In August 2022, the ECP issued notices to the founder of PTI and others for allegedly using “intemperate” language against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja and the electoral watchdog.

    The political leaders repeatedly lambasted the commission and CEC Sikandar Raja and termed the electoral body a “subsidiary of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz”.