Latest news with #PTI-led
India Today
28-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pak Army has a big war to fight as Imran Khan blows bugle
While the Pakistani army is reeling from India's Operation Sindoor, it would now find itself entangled in a bigger crisis at home. Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, Imran Khan, has called for a nationwide agitation, which will not be restricted to Islamabad. The proposed mass agitation follows several protests by PTI supporters seeking the release of Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August message, conveyed by Khan's sister Aleema Khan, made it clear. "Start preparing for a mass movement; I will not call people to Islamabad, but we will launch the movement across Pakistan", Pakistan Daily, The Express Tribune, quoted her as a post on X, PTI Senator Ali Zafar, who went to meet Imran Khan on Monday, also shared that his party was planning a nationwide movement. "Some very important matters were discussed. Amongst them was a countrywide movement for which the party should prepare and be well-organised," the senator MOVEMENT, NO SURRENDER: EX-PAK PM IMRAN KHANKhan's sister Aleema reiterated Khan's steadfastness in resisting any pressure, saying, "Imran Khan has made it clear that even if he spends his entire life behind bars, he will not surrender to pressure".advertisementShe further revealed the former PM was being denied basic rights typically granted to regular highlighted Khan's commitment to the party's core values, quoting him: "No matter the extent of the torture, I will never accept subjugation. I will not give in."He also made clear there was no space in PTI for disloyal members, stating there is no place in the party for those who play on "both sides of the wicket."Aleema also spoke about Khan's wife Bushra Bibi's imprisonment, describing it as a tactic to increase pressure on Imran. "Even if I am kept in prison for life, I will not bow down," Khan reportedly WAS EX-PAK PM IMRAN KHAN JAILED?Khan was ousted from office through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022 and was later arrested in August Khan's arrest, for the Toshakhana case, where he was sentenced to 3 years and disqualified from office, widespread PTI-led protests erupted across his sentence was suspended on August 29, he was re-arrested in the cipher case. In January 2024, he received a 10-year sentence for leaking state secrets, which was overturned on June had blamed the Pakistani army for having a "personal grudge" against him. Since then, he has been vocal in his criticism of the Pakistani military establishment and the coalition government of PML(N), led by PM announcement of the nationwide agitation call by the PTI chief follows the party's mass protests seeking Imran Khan's release in November 2024, when PTI leaders and supporters flocked to the federal capital and blocked roads for days. The protests saw intense clashes between PTI protesters and security forces. The party's leadership was ultimately forced to make a swift still remains jailed due to other cases, including a 7-year sentence related to his marriage. PTI-backed candidates won the most seats in February 2024 elections but were excluded from power as rivals formed a coalition AGITATION LOOMS AS PAK ARMY IS IN BACKFOOTThe Pakistan Army, which is the de-facto head of the Islamic Republic, is on the backfoot after India's Operation response to the Pakistani establishment-sponsored Pahalgam attack, Indian forces dealt a severe blow to the Pakistan Army, exposing its a 25-minute precision strike destroyed nine terror camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, killing over 100 terrorists, including Yusuf Azhar and Abdul Rauf New Delhi's advanced airpower overwhelmed Pakistan's air defences, in to the latter's strikes on Indian military installations and civilians. In retaliation to Pakistan's strikes, Indian counterstrikes crippled its key military installations like Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan military setbacks and economic strain, Pakistan, on the lookout for a face-saving exit, declared a victory and elevated the army chief to the post of Field Marshal, a move which was widely seen as before India's Operation Sindoor, the army was already under fire from civilians, particularly PTI supporters, and Munir's popularity was waning. Now, with the regime already stretched thin, it faces the prospect of another major confrontation at the home front when the PTI launches its nationwide agitation against the hybrid setup of Islamabad and Watch
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal slams PTI's 'fascist' govt in K-P
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government of trying to shield "rampant corruption" by blocking the PPP's peaceful protest, calling the move a failed attempt to suppress dissent. In a statement, Bilawal condemned the use of tear gas against PPP's political workers, who had taken to the streets in K-P to protest against lawlessness and rising unemployment in the province. "It is deeply regrettable that peaceful political workers were targeted with tear gas shelling," he said, adding, "We are not the ones to be cowed by such cheap tactics. Our pursuit of this corrupt and incompetent provincial government will continue." The PPP chairman further lambasted the PTI-led K-P administration, terming its action against unarmed political activists as an act of cowardice. "By unleashing violence on unarmed workers, the PTI government has shown its true colours," he added. Bilawal said the 'Save the Province Movement' (Suba Bachao Tehreek) had now become the voice of every citizen of K-P. "We will not be intimidated by batons and brute force," he asserted. He maintained that PPP workers were fully prepared to confront the corrupt K-P government head-on. "The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have now seen the real fascist face of the PTI's provincial government," he added. Meanwhile, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also raised serious concerns regarding the performance of the provincial government, accusing it of widespread corruption and a failure to maintain law and order. While speaking to journalists outside the Balochistan Assembly, Governor Kundi criticised the provincial government, claiming that key members of the provincial cabinet, including the chief executive, were involved in major financial misconduct. He said that mismanagement and embezzlement involving billions of rupees had weakened the governance structure and left the public without relief. He expressed alarm over the security situation, alleging that the provincial authorities had effectively ceded ground to militant elements. "The public is suffering, but those in charge are not responding. Terrorist groups are acting freely, and the government appears incapable of stopping them," he added. Referring to a recent bombing that claimed the lives of several children, the governor said the incident highlighted a pattern of repeated security failures. He pointed out that similar attacks had taken place in the past, notably in Khyber, and lamented that vulnerable communities remained frequent targets of such violence.
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
No support for IMF terms unless IK given access to PTI leaders: CM
ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur issued a blunt warning Thursday, declaring that his provincial government would not back the federal government's efforts to meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions unless jailed party founding chairman Imran Khan was granted access to party leaders. Speaking to reporters outside Rawalpindi's notorious Adiala Jail following a meeting with the former prime minister, Gandapur demanded that five to six senior PTI members be permitted to meet with Khan to finalise the KP budget for the next fiscal year. The high-stakes ultimatum comes as both federal and provincial governments prepare their budgets, with Islamabad seeking a crucial new deal with the IMF to stabilise Pakistan's ailing economy. Gandapur, a close confidant of Khan, reiterated the PTI's long-standing claim that the party's 'mandate' in the 2024 elections was 'stolen,' emphasising the need for 'constitutional supremacy' and 'real democracy.' The CM also called for swift judicial action on pending cases against PTI leaders, urging the judiciary to deliver final verdicts and demanding Khan's immediate release. He emphasised that the PTI chief was ready for talks, stressing national reconciliation as a priority. On the budget, Gandapur confidently touted KP as the only province to meet its performance targets, vowing that the upcoming budget would be the 'best' yet. Taking aim at the federal government, Gandapur again warned that KP would refuse to participate in IMF negotiations unless the Islamabad leadership shifted its 'attitude' toward the PTI-led province. In response to the ongoing corruption scandal allegedly involving Rs40 billion, Gandapur directed pointed criticism at former KP CM Mahmood Khan and ex-finance minister Taimur Khan Jhagra, calling for an investigation into their roles. He claimed his administration had already recovered Rs20 billion and vowed to retrieve the remaining funds. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PPP, PML-N two facesof same coin: PTI
Shaikh Waqas Akram said that the first phase of the civil disobedience movement is ongoing, and it is aimed at Pakistanis living abroad. PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS The PTI has strongly condemned the PPP for its "hypocritical stance" over the controversial canals projects. The former ruling party alleged that while the PPP was publicly criticising the imposed regime over the water crisis, it was secretly striking backdoor deals betraying both Sindh's water rights and Balochistan's mineral wealth. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram asserted that PTI-led K-P government will staunchly defend the province's mineral wealth as an inalienable right of its people. He said that the provincial government would never compromise on the people's rightful ownership of mineral resources. He stressed that the proposed mineral bill would only move forward after comprehensive deliberations and the final approval of PTI founder Imran Khan. Waqas said that PPP and PML-N were two sides of the same coin, willing to "sacrifice national interests and plunder the country's resources to serve their vested political interests and personal financial gains". He alleged that the leadership of the PPP and PML-N were hand in glove and equally complicit in causing catastrophic damage to Pakistan's political, social and economic fabric.
Express Tribune
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Khawaja Asif blames Bajwa, Faiz Hameed for settling Taliban in Pakistan
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during an interview with Voice of America (VoA). SCREENGRAB Listen to article Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday accused former military officials and ex-premier Imran Khan of orchestrating the resettlement of Taliban in Pakistan — a move he claimed had worsened the country's security situation. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Asif alleged that former Army Chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa, former ISI chief General (retired) Faiz Hameed, and Imran Khan collectively decided to bring Taliban fighters back into the country. He said the decision had led to a resurgence of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and other parts of the country. "This was a joint decision... all three played a role in allowing militants to return," Asif said, adding that his stance on the matter was on record in the National Assembly. He criticised the PTI-led K-P government for its inaction against terrorism, saying it was prioritising political battles over the security of its people. "The K-P government is busy fighting Imran Khan's political war rather than addressing terrorism. They must share responsibility for the worsening situation," he added. The minister also dismissed opposition calls for political reconciliation, saying repeated attacks had closed the door on dialogue. "How can there be reconciliation when they have attacked the state four times and are threatening another attack after Eid?" Asif said. "Resistance politics is the only option left." He linked the rise in militant activity to leftover US weapons in Afghanistan following the American withdrawal in 2021, calling it a major contributor to Pakistan's security challenges. Asif defended Pakistan's decision to hand over a wanted terrorist to the US, saying the country remained on the front lines in the fight against terrorism.
