Latest news with #Form-47
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Raja seeks masses' support for PTI protest
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja speaks to journalists outside Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on February 25, 2025. SCREENGRAB PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has called for a nationwide protest on August 5, urging the public to rally behind what he described as a "historic movement". Framing the party's struggle as a fight for national sovereignty rather than mere political survival, Raja appealed for mass participation to defend democratic rights. Addressing a news conference in Lahore on Monday alongside senior PTI leaders, Raja condemned what he described as unconstitutional actions targeting PTI lawmakers and a broader crackdown on dissent. He criticised the Punjab Assembly's decision to send references against 26 PTI members to the ECP, calling the move unlawful and politically motivated. "Our members will continue to raise their voices against this unconstitutional step," he said. Raja accused the government of systematically sidelining over 100 elected PTI members through the manipulation of Form-47 during the electoral process. He further alleged that the May 9 protests were deliberately misrepresented.
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Salman Akram Raja announces nationwide PTI protest for August 5
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has called for a nationwide protest on August 5, urging the public to rally behind what he described as a 'historic movement.' Framing the party's struggle as a fight for national sovereignty rather than mere political survival, Raja appealed for mass participation to defend democratic rights. Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday alongside senior PTI leaders, he condemned what he called unconstitutional actions targeting PTI lawmakers, describing a broader crackdown on dissent. He criticised the Punjab Assembly's decision to send references against 26 PTI members to the Election Commission of Pakistan, calling the move unlawful and politically motivated. 'Our members will continue to raise their voices against this unconstitutional step,' he said. Raja accused the government of systematically sidelining over 100 elected PTI members through the manipulation of Form-47 during the electoral process. 'This is not just political engineering—it is an assault on the people's mandate,' he asserted. He further alleged that the May 9 protests were deliberately misrepresented, claiming that what began as a peaceful demonstration was later portrayed as a violent conspiracy. He called for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events and demanded the release of CCTV footage to substantiate the allegations made against PTI supporters. 'In jail, Imran Khan continues to praise our assembly members for standing firm,' Raja noted, adding that the PTI founder has been denied both legal and family access and is being subjected to harsh conditions, including long hours without ventilation. He warned that Pakistan's political and judicial systems were at a critical juncture, describing July 21 as potentially 'a dark day in political and judicial history.' Raja criticised the state's use of anti-sedition laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to suppress dissent in both politics and journalism. He also rejected speculation about internal deals within the party, maintaining that PTI members remain united and committed to their political stance. 'We are not stepping back. If someone dropped their reference, it does not mean there was a deal,' he clarified. Reaffirming the party's constitutional position, Raja said, 'Disqualification is only possible under Articles 62 and 63. No one can be disqualified beyond that.' He added that truth-telling had effectively been criminalised and expressed concern over the erosion of freedom of expression. The press conference took a contentious turn when a journalist asked whether Raja's rhetoric was aimed at keeping PTI's founder behind bars, and inquired about the nature of the planned protest. Raja responded calmly, stating that he had recently met with PTI leader Aliya Hamza to discuss organisational matters. However, PTI MPA Farrukh Javed Moon interrupted, labelling the journalist's question 'stupid' and telling him to 'lower your voice,' accusing him of being disrespectful. The confrontation prompted Moon to walk out of the press conference, while other journalists protested his behaviour. Raja attempted to de-escalate the situation and urged restraint. Despite the disruption, he reiterated PTI's willingness to engage in dialogue and accountability. 'We want the truth to prevail—if someone deserves punishment, let justice take its course. But let us not punish political dissent,' he said. Raja concluded by affirming that PTI remains strong both inside and outside Parliament and dismissed ongoing efforts to sideline the party as futile. 'The people are still with Imran Khan,' he said. 'Whether it's the 27th or 28th constitutional amendment—it won't change the truth.'
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Dream of toppling KP govt will never come true'
PESHAWAR: Advisor to KP CM on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Dr Mohammad Ali Saif has said that the dream of toppling the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government will never be realised. He emphasised that a genuinely representative government, established on the basis of Form-45, is in place in KP. It is not a fabricated government formed through Form-47 that can be easily dismantled. Dr Saif asserted that under the leadership of the chief minister, all members of the assembly are united and have full confidence in him. Every MPA in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands as a soldier of Imran Khan, and Ali Amin Gandapur enjoys the complete trust of Imran Khan. He highlighted that the public has repeatedly rejected opposition parties in the past three general elections. Now, these parties are attempting to fulfill their ambitions through conspiracies rather than through public support. He further stated that apart from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), all other political parties in KP have been politically wiped out. Dr Saif said that those involved in conspiracies are living in a delusion. Even if the opposition has secured a few seats as spoils, their aspirations will remain unfulfilled. The conspirators will face disappointment, as there is no possibility of the government being overthrown. All members are united under the chief minister's leadership. He advised opposition parties to refrain from indulging in grand illusions, as such dreams will only result in disappointment. KP remains a stronghold of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and the public has shown unwavering trust in Imran Khan. This trust will not be compromised under any circumstances. Dr Saif concluded that the opposition parties will continue to occupy the opposition benches, and their dream of forming a government will never be realised. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI warns oil reserves may run out in 10-12 days
ISLAMABAD: The opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub on Wednesday issued a stark warning that the country's oil reserves could run dry in just 10 to 12 days, underscoring what he called the government's catastrophic economic collapse and ruthless political manoeuvring. Speaking at a presser flanked by senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Asad Qaiser, Senator Ali Zafar, Zartaj Gul, and others, Ayub tore into the government's 'flawed and inflation-fuelling' budget – accusing it of squeezing citizens with billions in fresh taxes while bungling the nation's already precarious finances. He further revealed a jaw-dropping admission by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of a multi-billion-rupee miscalculation – a fiscal blunder that threatens to deepen the country's economic abyss. Ayub also alleged the government continues to conspire against PTI lawmakers despite 'stealing' the February 2024 general elections and riding to power on a rigged mandate. 'The installed regime of Shehbaz Sharif remains obsessed with election rigging,' Ayub declared, pointing to the Punjab Police's blatant manipulation during the recent by-elections in Sialkot to favour a government-backed candidate – an act he branded as 'shameful' and a direct assault on democracy. The opposition leader did not hold back on the government's crackdown on dissent either, accusing it of stifling opposition voices and tightening control over the media – highlighted by the censorship of PTI lawmakers' speeches during the budget debate and blackouts of press conferences on critical national issues, especially the faltering economy. In a dramatic revelation, Ayub disclosed that three of his nomination papers were mysteriously rejected ahead of the last year's polls and alleged that election results were tampered with after 2am – a blatant undermining of democratic norms. Asad Qaiser condemned the current administration as 'born out of Form-47 manipulation,' blasting the government's media blackout of opposition members while ruling party officials bask in prime airtime. Senator Ali Zafar added to the chorus, warning that even the Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani is being sidelined in what he described as a 'serious institutional meltdown.' Meanwhile, PTI launched a scathing attack on the government's targeting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's family – particularly his wife, Bushra Bibi – while dismissing the recent visits by foreign delegations as mere 'luxury trips' that delivered no tangible benefits to Pakistan. With jail terms dragging on for key PTI figures, including cancer patient Dr Yasmin Rashid, PTI leaders vowed to fight back hard, pledging to win the ongoing battle for 'real independence' as envisioned by the jailed party founding chairman, Imran Khan. In a separate presser, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram, alongside MNAs Usman Mela and Mubeen Jutt, raised concerns over Pakistan's widening primary income deficit and escalating national debt. Citing economic reports, Akram said the deficit, currently estimated at $7.1 billion annually, is being driven by increased profit repatriation by foreign companies and declining returns from Pakistani firms abroad. This growing gap, he warned, is intensifying pressure on the country's external accounts. Mubeen Jutt claimed that Pakistan's total debt has surged to Rs76 trillion, up from Rs44 trillion three years ago when PTI was in power. He said that domestic banks now hold Rs51 trillion of this debt, while foreign banks account for Rs25 trillion. According to Jutt, annual interest payments total Rs7.5 trillion to local banks and Rs800 billion to foreign banks. Despite the central bank's policy rate being slashed from 22 per cent to 11 per cent and maintained at that level, domestic debt remains elevated – raising alarm among economists. Usman Mela criticised the recent budget's tax measures, which reduced levies on banks lending to the government but increased taxes on individual loans. 'The average borrower now faces a tax rate of 25%, up from 10%,' he said, calling the policy regressive. He noted domestic debt has nearly doubled from Rs28 trillion prior to the IMF programme to Rs51 trillion. While a three per cent interest rate cut could save Rs1 trillion annually, projected savings remain limited, with Rs7 trillion in interest payments expected this year. 'There appears to be disproportionate benefit to banks, with ordinary citizens effectively paying much higher rates,' Mela said, also questioning official projections of 9% industrial growth, citing a lack of on-ground expansion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan Economic Survey: Economic performance misrepresented: PTI
ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday strongly criticised the Economic Survey for the fiscal year 2024-25, dismissing the reported 2.7% GDP growth rate as both embarrassing and manipulated. The opposition party accused the government of misrepresenting the country's economic performance ahead of the annual budget, due to be presented in the National Assembly Tuesday. Speaking at a presser, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram said: 'At least 30 million people in Pakistan have fallen below the poverty line. These were the very people brought in by the current regime to fix the economy, yet they ended up extinguishing household stoves instead.' The remarks came shortly after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb unveiled the Economic Survey for 2024-25, which reported GDP growth of 2.7% and an inflation rate of 4.6% for the outgoing fiscal year. According to the finance minister, the economy had begun to recover after the 2023 fiscal year and was showing signs of stability and consolidation moving into 2025. The survey, released a day ahead of the 2025-26 federal budget, provides an overview of Pakistan's socio-economic performance, including GDP trends, tax revenue, industrial output, and other fiscal indicators. Akram challenged the government's economic claims, drawing comparisons with growth under the PTI-led administration of former prime minister Imran Khan. 'They used to scoff at the 6.5% growth rate achieved under our government. But over the past three years, the average growth has been only 1.5%,' he said. Describing the current figures as 'fake and misleading,' he likened the growth numbers to Form-47 – a reference to alleged rigging during the 8 February general elections. He also questioned the credibility of the Economic Survey for 2024-25, saying it failed to reflect the economic hardships being faced by the general population. 'The people have become economically orphaned under this government,' he claimed. Akram further cited a reported 13.5% decline in the agriculture sector, accusing the government of pursuing policies that were anti-farmer and, in his words, akin to enmity with the nation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
