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Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Nuclear power: PTI pays tributes to scientists, engineers and unsung heroes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary (CIS) Sheikh Waqas Akram paid growing tribute to the scientists, engineers and unsung heroes who burned midnight oil to make Pakistan's defence impregnable and invincible despite immense hurdles and international pressures. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, PTI CIS said that on this day Pakistan emerged as the first nuclear power in the Islamic world and the seventh globally and this momentous achievement sent a powerful message to the world that Pakistan is a resolute and indomitable nation. He emphasised that this achievement was not the legacy of any single political party but a national day of pride and honour for every Pakistani. He paid special tribute to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Dr Samar Mubarakmand, and countless others who dedicated their lives to securing Pakistan's sovereignty and turned the dream into a reality. 'It is deeply regrettable that Dr AQ Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, was forced to apologise on national television,' Waqas added. 'The founder of PTI Imran Khan was the only political leader who condemned this humiliation and stood by Dr Khan, because he is, was and will forever remain our national hero, a symbol of Pakistan's pride and resilience,' PTI CIS maintained. Shifting focus to the current political and judicial crisis, Waqas strongly criticised the 26th Constitutional Amendment, calling it the burial ground of the Constitution. PTI CIS declared that justice has become a rare commodity in Pakistan, as the judicial process is plagued by delays, inefficiency, and a blatant disregard for constitutional principles. He lamented that the current system was stealing justice rather than merely delaying it. 'The most alarming example is that we are forced to protest just to get the PTI founder's case heard,' Waqas added. PTI CIS went on to say that members of provincial and national assemblies from Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been compelled to take to the streets—simply to demand a hearing for a political leader's case. He lamented that despite repeated assurances from the acting Chief Justice of IHC, no progress has been made so far, as Punjab police disregarded the court's orders with complete impunity. PTI CIS warned that Pakistan's judiciary has become a global topic of discussion for all the wrong reasons, adding that the judiciary today appears powerless or unwilling to uphold justice. 'We are not asking for special favours—we are demanding the release of our leader, who is being held unjustly,' he asserted. Reminding the nation of PTI's unwavering stance against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Waqas quoted the PTI founder as saying: 'Modi is a shameless man; he will betray again.' He reiterated PTI's commitment to Pakistan, saying, 'We are ready to sacrifice our wealth, our lives, and even our children for this nation—but unity is the need of the hour.' However, he made it clear, 'Unity not just in war, but even in peace, we deserve justice, dignity and our constitutional rights.' Addressing the Al-Qadir Trust case, Waqas called it a mockery of justice, saying that not a single rupee was received by the PTI founder or Bushra Bibi. 'The entire world knows that Imran Khan has never been involved in corruption, yet he is being denied basic human, constitutional and legal rights—no meetings with his children, no contact with his sisters, not even access to books,' he added. He asserted that the form-47 government was suffering from Imran Khan's phobia, as Punjab Police was preventing political leaders from meeting the founder, violating fundamental constitutional rights, besides surveillance cameras monitor every movement. 'This is authoritarianism, not justice,' Waqas declared. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI seeks to snub talk of talks with govt
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) central information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram on Wednesday dismissed reports of ongoing negotiations with the government, saying dialogue "does not work like this". Addressing a news conference, the party's central information secretary clarified that PTI founding chairman Imran Khan has denied initiating talks. "You can't drive daggers of hatred into someone's chest and still expect goodwill in return," he added. He further clarified that the negotiation committee had been constituted by Imran himself and that his participation was at his direction. "No one can claim we didn't sit with them, we did so only on the founder's instructions." Criticising the "rigged" political landscape shaped by the February 9 polls, Akram asserted that the "Form-47 government" must stop its "campaign of cruelty and repression" against political opponents. Taking a jibe at the judiciary amid PTI's legal woes, he alleged that verdicts could now be predicted based on the composition of the bench. "Our lawyers already inform us what the judgment will be, the system stands naked," he said. Vowing to resist until the very end, he said the PTI will fight "till the last ball". "The world is watching. We will not surrender. We will not concede defeat." Waqas also demanded the repeal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, calling it detrimental to the country. "It has caused irreparable harm, everything is being dismantled." Commenting on the Al-Qadir Trust case, he reiterated that no financial benefit had accrued to either the PTI founder or his spouse, Bushra Bibi. "The whole world knows he is not corrupt. Pakistan has been turned into a joke." "He is not even allowed to speak to his children or meet his sisters. Books are not being permitted. This government is haunted by his presence," the PTI leader said, calling it a "regime of paranoia". He alleged that the Punjab Police was blocking political leaders from meeting Imran and that surveillance cameras had been installed, "noting every move". "We are demanding the rule of law and constitutional supremacy. This path of tyranny must end." He also rubbished all speculation of a backdoor arrangement. "The PTI founder does not want a deal. He said ten months ago he would rather spend his life in jail than enter a compromise." "He has not bowed and will not bow. Even Rana Sanaullah admitted this publicly." Citing an example, he said a young man named Raza Ali, imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat Jail for two years, had recently been granted bail by the Supreme Court. "His ailing grandmother repeatedly told the court her grandson was innocent." "The person he was accused of injuring wasn't even on the list of the wounded," he said. "This child spent two years behind bars for no reason." He said the party's legal team would soon present detailed information about all such unjustly imprisoned individuals. "The Supreme Court must ensure its judgments are implemented."
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
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JIT to issue arrest warrants for 20 PTI leaders
In a major development in the ongoing investigation into anti-state propaganda on social media, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has decided to issue arrest warrants for 20 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, sources confirmed on Wednesday. According to sources, the decision was made after the PTI leaders failed to cooperate with the investigation, despite receiving multiple summons from the JIT. Notices were reportedly served at the residences of all individuals concerned. Among those facing arrest are senior PTI figures including Waqas Akram, Hammad Azhar, Zulfi Bukhari, Aon Abbas, Mian Aslam, Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Taimur Saleem, and Jibran Ilyas. Warrants are also expected to be issued for Khalid Khurshid, Shahbaz Gill, Azhar Mashwani and several others. State broadcaster Radio Pakistan earlier reported that the JIT possesses solid evidence against these individuals. The JIT, which is headed by the inspector general of Islamabad, was formed under Section 30 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 to probe anti-state activities linked to social media content. Several prominent PTI figures — including party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, and Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan — have already appeared before the JIT during the course of the investigation. According to sources, those summoned were questioned extensively about their social media handlers and controversial posts related to the military and state institutions. They were reportedly shown specific content and asked to clarify its origin and purpose. In addition to questions on social media activity, the probe has also delved into the party's financial matters. Barrister Gohar and others were also questioned about party's financing. PTI has submitted complete records related to party funds to the JIT. The JIT had previously warned of strict action against those who failed to appear before it.
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI to move court against Adiala authorities
The PTI will move a contempt of court petition against Adiala Jail administration for violating an order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), allowing incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan to meet visitors twice a week. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram made this announcement on Saturday in a press conference in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's provincial capital. "Courts should be shut down if they could not implement their orders," the PTI leader added. Last week, on March 24, a three-member larger bench of the IHC restored Imran's biweekly meeting with visitors at Adiala Jail but also imposed a ban on the visitors to talk with the media after such meetings. The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and including Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, noted that only those persons could meet the PTI founder whose names were provided by Imran's coordinator Salman Akram Raja. However, on March 27, the administration of Rawalpindi's famous jail where Imran Khan has been detained since September 2023, did not allow PTI leaders to meet the party founder. According to Sheikh Waqas Akram, the PTI is going to move a contempt petition against the jail administration after Eidul Fitr. "Court orders are being ignored. This impunity must end," he added. Akram said the PTI would not go solo but would rather stage protests after Eidul Fitr under the aegis of a brewing opposition parties' allianceTehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan. The PTI leader also rejected all rumors about formation of a forward bloc in the former ruling party. Talking with reference to the inclusion of Maulana Fazlur Rehman's JUI-F in the alliance, Akram said there has been a lot of acrimony between the PTI and the JUI-F in the past. "However, it is a big step that the two parties now sit together." Apparently referring to the JUI-F's Friday statement against K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who belongs to the PTI, Akram said such exchange of statements was not a big deal. The JUI-F on Friday accused Gandapur of trying to sabotage attempts to form a grand opposition alliance against the ruling coalition, stating that despite PTI founder Imran Khan's clear instructions, Gandapur had been issuing statements against the JUI-F chief. "Gandapur has been continually badmouthing JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. This criticism will only benefit the government and undemocratic force," JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said in a statement. Sheikh Waqas Akram said many PTI workers have been imprisoned for the past two years. "Our mandate was stolen; we are not allowed to engage in political activities and businesses of a number of PTI leaders and workers have been shut down," he claimed. He complained that a former chief justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, took away their election symbol. He questioned why the Senate elections in the K-P have not been held yet. "The nation will never forgive you for this," he added.
