
FATF: Azma criticises Gandapur's ‘irresponsible' statement
She said the episode not only brings disgrace to Gandapur but also reflects PTI's overall political immaturity. 'The core problem with these individuals is their chronic inability to think before speaking,' she remarked.
Azma Bokhari reminded that it was Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's tireless efforts and effective diplomacy that successfully removed Pakistan from the FATF grey list. 'This achievement opened the doors for access to Western markets and created new economic opportunities with the European Union,' she added.
Criticizing PTI's leadership further, she stated that the party played a major role in dragging the country toward economic instability. 'They not only staged protests against the IMF but also held demonstrations outside its headquarters and engaged in letter-writing campaigns to tarnish Pakistan's image globally,' she added.
Azma emphasized that expecting national interest from PTI is pointless. 'The party's record is filled with incidents of mocking state institutions, displaying irresponsibility in matters of national security, and attempting to weaken Pakistan's global standing.'
She also slammed India, saying, 'After facing defeat in conventional warfare, India is now globally isolated. The Modi regime is resorting to false propaganda in a failed attempt to launch new offensives against Pakistan.' Azma concluded that India's narrative against Pakistan at forums like FATF gains strength due to the recklessness of individuals like Gandapur, which amounts to playing with national security.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Opposition slams govt for Kashmir-like treatment at home
Listen to article The Opposition in the Punjab Assembly lambasted the government for its double standards, stating that, on one hand, it expresses solidarity with Kashmiris against their mistreatment and cruelty, but on the other hand, it subjects the Opposition to similar treatment. Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, condemned the act of setting fire to houses, banks, and state properties under the guise of a protest or rally. Speaking to journalists, he said, 'Peaceful protest is everyone's right, but turning such an event into chaos and violence cannot be allowed under any circumstances.' He added that August 5 is the day of 'Youm-e-Istehsal' (Day of Exploitation), and everyone should stand by the Kashmiris. However, PTI created division by announcing protests on August 14, a national day. 'Today, the focus should have been on voicing against the cruelty towards the people of Palestine and Kashmir, rather than damaging the national cause under the guise of protests,' Speaker Khan warned. He further stated that turning protests into anarchy is unjustifiable. On the other hand, the Opposition's parliamentary leader, Ali Imtiaz Warraich, condemned the government's dual conduct, adding that, on one side, the government observes August 5 as a day to voice against the exploitation of Kashmiris and Palestinians, but on the other hand, it treats the Opposition with the same cruelty. He mentioned that PTI had called for a nationwide protest on August 5. In response to this call, PTI lawmakers assembled outside DHA Rehbar, but the police arrested nine of their lawmakers. 'PTI conducted a peaceful protest, yet even its lawmakers and workers were arrested,' he said. Warraich warned that PTI would devise a future strategy if its lawmakers and workers were not released.


Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
ECP disqualifies several PTI lawmakers including Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday disqualified several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislators including Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul as well as its ally Sahibzada Hamid Raza, following their conviction by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad in the case pertaining to May 9 riots. In a notification, the election commission announced since they had been convicted by the ATC, therefore, they were disqualified and de-notified. Hence, the ECP said, their seats have become vacant. 'Senator Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub Khan, MNA from NA-18 Haripur, Rai Haider Ali Khan, MNA from NA-96 Faisalabad-II, Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, MNA from NA-104 Faisalabad-X, Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, MNA from NA-143 Sahiwal-III, Zartaj Gul, MNA from NA-185 DG Khan-II, Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, MPA from PP-73 Sargodha-III, Junaid Afzal Sahi, MPA from PP-98 Faisalabad-I and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, MPA from PP-203 Sahiwal-VI, have been convicted and sentenced for imprisonment.' As a consequence, the election body said, they had been 'disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution and are hereby de-notified' as well. ATC Faisalabad on July 31 sentenced more than 100 members of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party to prison terms on charges related to riots that targeted military installations in 2023, a court order seen by Reuters said. Fifty-eight of the defendants, who included parliamentarians and senior officials, were sentenced to 10 years in prison and the rest were given sentences ranging from one to three years, the court said. May 9 riots: Court sentences Omar Ayub, Shibli, Zartaj to 10 years imprisonment The accused included Ayub and Faraz, the leaders of PTI in the lower and upper houses of the parliament respectively, the court order read. 'The prosecution has proved its case against the accused without a shadow of doubt,' it said in announcing the sentences. Imran, who has been in prison since 2023 facing charges of corruption, land fraud and disclosure of official secrets, is being tried separately on similar charges related to the riot. The government accused him and other leaders of inciting the May 9, 2023, protests, during which demonstrators attacked military and government buildings, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. The former prime minister denies wrongdoing and says all the cases are politically motivated to dismantle his party. Imran's arrest had prompted the countrywide violent protests. The ATC ruling does not directly affect the incitement case against him in which prosecution is still presenting witnesses. The PTI party said it will challenge the verdict. The ruling is the third such mass conviction in a month.


Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
ECP disqualifies nine PTI lawmakers including Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday disqualified nine Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislators including Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Zartaj Gul, following their conviction by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad in the case pertaining to May 9 riots. In a notification, the election commission announced since they had been convicted by the ATC, therefore, they were disqualified and de-notified. Hence, the ECP said, their seats have become vacant. 'Senator Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub Khan, MNA from NA-18 Haripur, Rai Haider Ali Khan, MNA from NA-96 Faisalabad-II, Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, MNA from NA-104 Faisalabad-X, Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, MNA from NA-143 Sahiwal-III, Zartaj Gul, MNA from NA-185 DG Khan-II, Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, MPA from PP-73 Sargodha-III, Junaid Afzal Sahi, MPA from PP-98 Faisalabad-I and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, MPA from PP-203 Sahiwal-VI, have been convicted and sentenced for imprisonment.' As a consequence, the election body said, they had been 'disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution and are hereby de-notified' as well. ATC Faisalabad on July 31 sentenced more than 100 members of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party to prison terms on charges related to riots that targeted military installations in 2023, a court order seen by Reuters said. Fifty-eight of the defendants, who included parliamentarians and senior officials, were sentenced to 10 years in prison and the rest were given sentences ranging from one to three years, the court said. May 9 riots: Court sentences Omar Ayub, Shibli, Zartaj to 10 years imprisonment The accused included Ayub and Faraz, the leaders of PTI in the lower and upper houses of the parliament respectively, the court order read. 'The prosecution has proved its case against the accused without a shadow of doubt,' it said in announcing the sentences. Imran, who has been in prison since 2023 facing charges of corruption, land fraud and disclosure of official secrets, is being tried separately on similar charges related to the riot. The government accused him and other leaders of inciting the May 9, 2023, protests, during which demonstrators attacked military and government buildings, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. The former prime minister denies wrongdoing and says all the cases are politically motivated to dismantle his party. Imran's arrest had prompted the countrywide violent protests. The ATC ruling does not directly affect the incitement case against him in which prosecution is still presenting witnesses. The PTI party said it will challenge the verdict. The ruling is the third such mass conviction in a month.