Latest news with #Swabi
Express Tribune
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC grants bail to PTI's Khadija Shah
Khadija Shah is a renowned Pakistani designer accused of instigating and leading an attack on the Corps Commander's residence in Lahore following Imran Khan's arrest.—File photo The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has extended the protective bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Khadija Shah and Tehsil Chairman Swabi, Attaullah Khan, until April 15. A two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Aurangzeb heard the petition filed by Khadija Shah. During the hearing, the petitioner was represented by Advocate Alam Khan Adenzai. Assistant Attorney General Daulat Khan informed the court that the Ministry of Interior's report had not yet been received and requested additional time to submit it. He also mentioned that an inquiry against Khadija Shah was ongoing at the FIA Lahore. NAB Prosecutor Sartaj Khan also stated that NAB's report was still pending and would be submitted to the court once available. The bench extended Khadija Shah's bail, preventing authorities from arresting her, and issued a notice to the Ministry of Interior, seeking a response. Similarly, while hearing the petition regarding the case details of Tehsil Chairman Swabi, Attaullah Khan, Assistant Attorney General Daulat Khan informed the court that there were no cases against the petitioner under the federal government, FIA, or NAB. However, cases were registered against him in Punjab. The court extended the petitioner's protective bail and directed him to appear before the relevant courts, subsequently disposing of the petition.
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI's internal rifts sideline governance
Envision a hospital where two doctors are embroiled in an ugly tussle over competency. As time goes by, more medics start picking sides and what originated as a minor dispute, spreads throughout the facility. With the executive nonchalant, the resultant polarization aggravates to the point where the medical staff no longer remembers its true job, and patients start dying. This hypothetical hospital is not much different from the PTI government in K-P, where internal differences among leaders have distracted the party from its fundamental duty of alleviating the suffering of its people. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) is in power for the third consecutive time in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) however, disputes over legitimacy among the leaders have persisted throughout the current tenure. The founder of PTI has removed the provincial president, Ali Amin Gandapur, from his party post. Since Gandapur is also the Chief Minister of the province, his removal from the position has led to divisions within the PTI. Junaid Akbar, the newly appointed president, along with MNA Atif Khan and MNA Arbab Sher Ali, are part of a faction that has altered the political landscape of K-P. According to sources from within PTI, the party currently has two factions: the Gandapur group and the Junaid Akbar-Atif Khan group. Gandapur's faction includes Sher Afzal Marwat and other members. The expulsion of Sher Afzal Marwat from the party was a major setback for this group. Despite holding the position of Chief Executive of the province, opposition to Gandapur within the party was intensifying. The divisions within PTI were evident during a recent Swabi rally, where Marwat was neither given a chance to speak nor allowed to sit on stage. Likewise, Mashal Yousafzai, the spokesperson of PTI founder's wife, Bushra Bibi, was removed from the position of advisor to the chief minister. Similarly, the positions of other ministers in the cabinet were also changed for the third time while dozens of PTI workers in jails continue to await bail. Political analysts are of the opinion that factionalism developing within the ruling party, PTI, was detrimental to the province's economic situation especially since K-P was already being used as the breeding ground for rebellion against the federation. According to Hafeez Ullah Khan, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, K-P's political situation is worsening since the province has become a buffer zone due to conflicts between the bureaucracy, provincial, and federal governments. "Internal disputes over power sharing have resulted in the formation of various factions within the party. Moreover, nepotism and non-existent participation in international politics have further undermined its legitimacy," explained Khan. Khan further highlighted the fact that the province was suffering across various sectors, including health, education, education, and law and order since the provincial government had stopped providing funds to local body members, leading to protests and blockades. "The K-P government has also taken land from colleges and universities while simultaneously halting promised projects. There are 28 universities with no permanent vice chancellors. Similarly, the province's roads are also in a state of rack and ruin. Changing the name of a cricket stadium will not alleviate the suffering of the local population," noted Khan. Conversely, PTI's Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram claimed that differences of opinion existed in every political party however, the situation in PTI was being exaggerated. "During the Islamabad protest, about 1,000 of our workers were arrested, of which 500 party workers hailed from Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa. Our workers imprisoned in jails are not even allowed to meet their relatives," criticized Akram.
Express Tribune
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Maulana Hamidul-Haq's funeral held amid heavy security in Akora Khattak
Listen to article A large number of people, including Afghan Consul General, attended the funeral of Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani - chief of the (JUI-S) - who was martyred in a suicide blast at the Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak area of Nowshera district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The bombing, which occurred after Friday prayers, killed Maulana Hamidul-Haq Haqqani and others. Following the tragic incident, a large crowd gathered at the madrassa, where Maulana Hamid al-Haq's funeral prayers were led by his son, Maulana Sahibzada Abdul Haq Sani. Tight security arrangements were in place around Darul Uloom Haqqania, with police forces deployed in large numbers, and scanners installed at the entry points of the madrassa. Along with the funeral of Maulana Hamidul-Haq, the funerals of two other martyrs from Swabi, Abdul Waheed and poet and writer Tajamul Shah (known as Tajamul Farhan), were also held. Abdul Waheed's funeral was conducted in his village of Zida, while Tajamul Shah's was in his village of Jalsai. Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed visited Nowshera to assess the security arrangements for the funeral of the deputy head of Darul Uloom Haqqania. He also attended a meeting at the DPO office in Nowshera with regional and investigation officers, as well as officials from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). During the meeting, the Regional Police Officer provided a detailed briefing on the progress of the investigation into the bombing. The Inspector General condemned the attack on the sacred madrassa, calling it a cowardly act by the nation's enemies. He urged his officers to use their professional skills to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. He reassured that such terrorist acts would not weaken the resolve of the nation, stating that the police would work with the public to foil the enemies' plans and restore peace in the country.
Express Tribune
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI supports talks with institutions
MARDAN: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Provincial President Junaid Akbar has stated that while he and the party support negotiations with institutions, these institutions should not impose their decisions by force. Speaking at a workers' convention held at Pakhtunkhwa House, Mardan, in connection with the February 8 Swabi protest, Akbar emphasized that there is no room for corrupt individuals in PTI. He vowed not to allow politics to be turned into a business. He acknowledged that PTI had made mistakes in the past, which have contributed to the party's current challenges. However, he assured that sincere and dedicated workers would be given due respect and priority over those who secured positions and tickets through financial influence. Other speakers at the event included PTI Provincial General Secretary Asghar Ali Khan, MNA Ali Muhammad Khan, Atif Khan, Mujahid Khan, Health Advisor Ihtisham Khan Advocate, Abdul Salam Afridi, and Tufail Anjum. Addressing internal party matters, Akbar admitted the existence of multiple factions within PTI but pledged to present performance reports of all groups to Imran Khan. He reaffirmed his support for Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, stating that as long as the PTI founder trusts Gandapur, he will stand by him as well.
