The true protagonists in the February 8 national polls in Pakistan were two individuals — Army Chief General Asim Munir and former Prime Minister and founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party, Imran Khan. Munir used all levers of state power from behind the scenes and through other institutions and individuals to try to grind Khan into electoral dust. With results of 250 of the 266 general seats contested in the elections announced so far, it is certain, that he has failed to do so.
Archiv: assassination attempt on Imran Khan 03-11-2022 / arrest 09-05-2023 / mass protests / power struggle / new arrest 05-08-2023 / Pakistan
Delays spoil the party for PTI backed independents
Even after a lapse of more than seven hours, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has not given any reason for the delay leading to the expression of suspicions from contesting parties.
Prior to the elections, the electoral watchdog had introduced a new system called the Election Management System (EMS) to organize the results, but so far, the performance of the system has belied the ECP claims.
Twitter down in Pakistan after ‘controversial election under internet blackout’
ISLAMABAD: Social media platform ‘X’ is down across Pakistan as reported by Netblocks, on Saturday.
“Live metrics show a nation scale disruption X/Twitter across Pakistan: The incident come amid political turmoil after controversial election held under an internet and mobile network blackout”. the post on ‘X’ by Netblocks read.
Delays, deals, nepo babies, trends and vote rigging: Five takeaways from Pakistan’s elections
Candidates observing the count at polling stations said they saw significant leads suddenly disappear or results that were announced in their favor only to be reversed to declare an opponent the winner. They said they were marched off polling station grounds or barred from entering once voting ended and that polling agents were stopped from collecting results.
The majority of irregularities and impediments were reported by independent candidates backed by imprisoned ex-premier Imran Khan’s party.
Pakistan Army Chief Says Need To Move On From „Politics Of Anarchy“
Politicians and political parties rise and fall with the backing of the military, which this year was widely believed to be backing the party of three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Nawaz Sharif declares victory in Pakistan‘s election, despite failing to win a majority of seats
Mr Sharif‘s party won the most seats by a single party in Thursday‘s election, but supporters of imprisoned former prime minister Mr Khan, who ran as independents instead of as a single bloc after his party was barred from the polls, won the most seats overall.
In shock result, allies of jailed ex-leader Khan win most seats in Pakistan election
(Updated 3:01 AM EST, Sat February 10, 2024)
Khan’s opponent, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, claimed that his PMLN party had emerged with the largest share. He admitted that his party did not have the “majority to form a government” and was looking for coalition partners.
Sharif, who once saw one of his terms end in a military coup, is considered by analysts to be favored by the country’s military establishment. The military has previously denied backing Sharif.
Pakistan: Election-day internet shutdown is a reckless attack on people’s rights
(08.02.2024)
On 6 February, Amnesty International and other members of the #KeepItOn coalition — a global network of over 300 organisations from 105 countries working to end internet shutdowns — wrote to the caretaker Prime Minister Mr Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, to ensure unfettered access to the internet, social media platforms, and all other communication channels throughout Pakistan’s general election.
Pakistani authorities have already imposed multiple shutdowns that violated the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including of opposition leaders and parties, during this election cycle.
After the whole system has been sent in panic mode by #MassiveTurnout for PTI, they have stopped the results and now filling alternate Form 45. Pakistanis, protect your vote by going back to polling stations to get results before they change the results.
We have heard that they are planning to tell PTI Polling Agents and supporters to collect Form 45 from another location e.g. Election Commission office. All polling agents and supporters are requested to stay at the Polling Station as per Rules, this is where Form 45 shall be given. Stay peaceful as they might try to create chaos to push people away.
#ProtectTheVote #RespectTheVote
Despite every possible method employed to undermine the will of the people, our people have spoken via #MassiveTurnout for vote today. As we have repeatedly stated, „no force can defeat an idea whose time has come.“ It is now critical to guard the vote by getting Form 45.
Despite jailing and sidelining, Imran Khan’s party leading
Imran Khan complicated the possibility of Washington providing moral support, even if it were inclined, by framing his removal from office through a vote of no confidence as a U.S.-backed regime change conspiracy. This move heightened anti-American sentiment in the country.
Pakistan elections are a sham without Imran Khan
It is election day in Pakistan. But in the world’s fifth largest democracy, people are not able to vote for the most popular leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who cannot contest elections after having been disbarred. Khan will spend today – and potentially 14 more years – in jail. So how did the situation get so bad and what lies ahead?
Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), are leading in opinion surveys, but their electoral symbol has been banned, and observers are predicting that the vote will be a fait accompli for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N).
Asim Munir (general)
Syed Asim Munir[1][3] NI(M) (Urdu: سید عاصم منیر)[1] is a Pakistani army general and the current Chief of Army Staff since 29 November 2022.[4] Prior to becoming the army chief, he was posted at the GHQ as Quartermaster general.[5] He commanded the XXX Corps in Gujranwala from 17 June 2019 to 6 October 2021.[6] He served as the 23rd Director-General of the ISI until he was replaced by lieutenant general Faiz Hameed on 16 June 2019.
Pakistan’s former premier Imran Khan and wife convicted of marriage law violation in a fourth case
(04.02.2024)
Analysts say Khan’s multiple and apparently hasty convictions are seen by his party and supporters as punishment for his rhetoric against Pakistan’s powerful military leadership, which has ruled the country for half of its 76-year history. During his final months in power, Khan had broadened his fight with opponents to include the military.
After 2016 — first Brexit, then Trump‘s win — Western elites decided populations could no longer be trusted with basic freedoms: they choose and think wrong. That‘s what led to the censorship/“disinformation“ regime. Now they‘re barring the leading candidate from running:
Imagine if Biden wins with Trump banned or jailed: US sermons about „democracy,“ or condemning Putin imprisoning Navalny, will be seen as an even bigger joke than now.
One of the West‘s key dissidents (Assange) is jailed. They censor dissent. Now they‘re trying to ban Trump.
It‘s always been a huge propagandistic mystery that the US media succeeds in convincing Americans that the US Govt defends freedom as it props up the worst dictators (Saudi, Egypt, etc.).
They‘re now escalating it in desperation: first after 2016, now seeing Trump/Biden polls.
Fear of free populations is a global trend. In Brazil, they imprisoned Lula in 2018 when leading all polls, then banned Bolsonaro from running.
In Pakistan, CIA engineered removal and imprisonment of Imran Khan.
All Western countries are increasing online speech controls.
Pakistan sets election for January, likely minus Imran Khan
(September 21, 2023)
The election commission has already questioned the impartiality of the caretaker government led by Kakar, who comes from a pro-military party, saying it appears to be aligned with the opponents of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
As it stands, former premier Khan, the main opposition leader, cannot fight this election after he was barred from public office for five years after a corruption investigation.
Did US ask for Imran Khan’s removal as Pakistan PM after he visited Russia?
(10 Aug 2023)
Khan was sacked from power in April 2022 after he lost a no-confidence vote in parliament. He alleged he knew of the “cypher” while he was in office which, according to him, proved the US hatched a conspiracy with the help of his political opponents and the Pakistani military to remove him.
He later made a U-turn, saying he wants good relations with the US, but continued to blame his successor Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the military for orchestrating his removal.
Secret Pakistan Cable Documents U.S. Pressure to Remove Imran Khan
(09.08.2023)
One month after the meeting with U.S. officials documented in the leaked Pakistani government document, a no-confidence vote was held in Parliament, leading to Khan’s removal from power. The vote is believed to have been organized with the backing of Pakistan’s powerful military. Since that time, Khan and his supporters have been engaged in a struggle with the military and its civilian allies, whom Khan claims engineered his removal from power at the request of the U.S.
The text of the Pakistani cable, produced from the meeting by the ambassador and transmitted to Pakistan, has not previously been published. The cable, known internally as a “cypher,” reveals both the carrots and the sticks that the State Department deployed in its push against Khan, promising warmer relations if Khan was removed, and isolation if he was not.
National Assembly to be dissolved on August 9
(04.08.2023)
The Constitution provides that if the assembly completes its tenure, elections are to be held in 60 days, but in case of premature dissolution — which will be the case here — this period is extended to 90 days. (…)
Earlier in the day, the prime minister listed reasons why he was taking Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir along on major issues and initiatives.
It has been observed for the last few days that the COAS accompanied the PM at different occasions and ceremonies.
‚I would like to thank my brother Saudi Crown Prince,‘ says Pak PM on receiving $2-bn financial support
(Jul 11, 2023)
In April, Saudi Arabia made a commitment to provide financial assistance and subsequently awaited the arrival of the aid package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before depositing it into the State Bank of Pakistan.
This much-needed support will help bolster the central bank‘s dwindling foreign exchange reserves, which had declined to a level barely sufficient to cover a month‘s worth of regulated imports.
چیئرمین عمران خان کا خصوصی پیغام (گرفتاری کے امکان کے پیشِ نظر یہ خصوصی بیان پہلے سے ریکارڈ شدہ ہے)
چیئرمین پاکستان تحریک انصاف عمران خان کا خصوصی پیغام (گرفتاری کے امکان کے پیشِ نظر یہ خصوصی بیان پہلے سے ریکارڈ شدہ ہے)
Imran Khan’s pre-recorded video goes viral after his arrest in Toshakhana case
The clip, which was recorded before much-anticipated arrest, was shared by PTI accounts as the arrest of popular politician holds potential of changing country’s political landscape.
In the 2-minute clip, the ousted PM said ‚My dear Pakistanis, this clip of mine will reach you by the time I got arrested in an unlawful case.‘
PTI calls core committee meeting; Qureshi asks party workers to remain peaceful
Reacting to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s arrest, party stalwart Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Saturday that a meeting of the core committee has been summoned and urged supporters to not take the law into their hands.
“Peaceful protest is our right but no state asset is to be damaged. Don’t take the law in your hands,” he cautioned, in a video statement released shortly after the PTI chief was handed a three-year prison term in the Toshakhanna case.
Pakistan’s Imran Khan sentenced to three years in prison, arrested
In a video recorded before his arrest and posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Khan called on his supporters to take to the streets in protest.
“I only have one request, one appeal for you. You must not sit quietly inside your homes. The struggle I am doing is not for my own self, it’s for my nation, for you. For the future of your children,” he said.
“If you don’t stand up for your rights, you will live lives of slaves and slaves don’t have a life.”
Two of our senior members from the negotiations committee I had formed, Pervez Khattak and Asad Qaiser, were called for a meeting by the intelligence agencies. They have now been illegally detained in a safe house and are being forced to quit PTI for their release.
(Jun 1, 2023)
In the law of jungle, might is right and the weak have no protection.
Imran Khan left alone, PTI leaders left the party, Pakistani Army Chief’s plan successful!
(03.06.2023)
Several analysts, as well as PTI members, say the army chief is now trying to break his party before arresting him and putting him on trial in a military court.
Why Imran Khan’s Enemy No 1 is Pak army chief General Asim Munir
(May 15, 2023)
The rift goes back to when Khan was the prime minister and General Munir was the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) – Pakistan’s spy agency.
Munir, who was appointed by the then Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, in October 2018 had the shortest stint as the ISI head.
Eight months after taking over as the spymaster, he was replaced by Lieutenant-General Faiz Hamid.
As per reports, this was done at the insistence of the then-Pakistan prime minister Khan.
Déjà vu as Parvez Elahi arrested for third time
(June 03, 2023)
LAHORE: In an interesting turn of events, a trial court on Saturday discharged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Yasmin Rashid along with 23 others, accused of vandalising the Corps Commander House (Jinnah House) in Lahore on May 9 and ordered authorities to set her free.
Separately, a court in Gujranwala also acquitted former Punjab chief minister and PTI President Parvez Elahi in two separate corruption cases. However, Punjab’s anti-corruption watchdog re-arrested Elahi soon after his release in a fresh case involving “illegal appointments”.
Fear for democracy in Pakistan as ISI gets power over civil service
(12 Jun 2022)
Before ousting the former prime minister, Imran Khan, in a no-confidence vote in April, opposition parties now in power had criticised the military for its meddling in politics, rigging elections and bringing Khan into office.
Ayesha Siddiqa, an author and expert on military affairs of Pakistan, said it was depressing that none of the senior leadership of the major political parties had condemned Sharif’s move.
Pakistan‘s ruling alliance questions PM Sharif‘s decision to empower ISI to conduct verification of civil servants
(05th June 2022)
PML-N former information minister Pervaiz Rashid also questioned the move in a tweet, saying if the task of investigating civilian officers was included in ISI‘s responsibilities, then the spy agency should also be placed under civilian control and be accountable to the parliament.
Today the oppression and repression of all martial laws has been surpassed. There’s a complete crackdown on PTI plus anyone who dares to criticise the blatant violations of all fundamental rights of our citizen. Jibran Nasir‘s abduction only reinforces the fact that we are headed to the Nazi Germany era post 1933.
(02.06.2023)
President of Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan‘s party arrested in Lahore
(01.06.2023)
Pervez Elahi, president of Khan‘s Tehreek-e-Insaf party, joins a long list of key PTI leaders arrested in the security swoop to halt turmoil that has threatened to worsen instability in a country reeling from a crippling financial crisis.
Imran Khan finally leaves IHC premises after hours-long drama
Khan was at the IHC for hours after he decided to stay within the court’s premises till he got a written verdict of his bail as he feared that the police might arrest him again once he got out.
When he got the written order, Khan tried to leave, but a police officer told Khan — a former prime minister who was ousted through a no-confidence move last year in April — that he had „orders from above“ to not allow the PTI chief to leave the IHC premises.
“Open Islamabad’s routes within 15 minutes or I will announce my next plan of action,” Khan had told police officers stationed at the high court for security. After his assistance, senior police officers reached the IHC, ended the deadlock between PTI and the law enforcers, and allowed Khan to leave.
Imran Khan’s video message.
Breaking News Imran Khan has released a video message calling for a protest.
Internet restored in Islamabad.
Protesters are turning on Pakistan’s military after Imran Khan’s arrest. Here’s what you need to know
(May 11, 2023)
Unrest has spread across multiple major cities, resulting in unprecedented scenes of defiant crowds breaking into military properties and setting the homes of army personnel ablaze, directly challenging a usually untouchable force that has long sat at the apex of power in Pakistan.
Since it won independence in 1947, Pakistan has struggled with political instability, regime changes and coups with the military having a historically decisive role in who stays in power.
The events following the arrest of #ImranKhan are mind-boggling and unbelievable; it is my pragmatic belief that, for the first time in this country‘s 75-year history, our nation protested at the right places against those who are the root cause of the problems. 1/
I completely agree with those who say the protest should be peaceful, but if people are denied their constitutional right to protest, they will protest unconstitutionally. You cannot control an enraged mob that has been oppressed for the past 75 years. 2/
Regrettably, this fascist government banned internet and social media sites in order to conceal their incompetence and failed governance, as well as the lack of trust placed in them by the people of Pakistan. As a result, thousands of daily bettors are out of work. 3/
I am hoping that Pakistan‘s stakeholders will come together and accept the legal and constitutional demand for elections. Release all innocent people and reverse all fake cases so that a strong political government can take over Pakistan and avoid economic default.
Imran Khan will address the nation as soon as he leaves the court.
عمران خان کورٹ روم نمبر 2 سے کورٹ روم نمبر 4 جارہے ہیں ایک اور درخواست پر سماعت وہاں ہوگی۔۔!!!
Islamabad Court granted 2 weeks bail to Imran Khan #imranKhanPTI #bail
Pakistan court orders ex-PM Imran Khan’s release
A Pakistani court has granted a two-week bail to former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was arrested earlier this week.
The Islamabad High Court on Friday granted the bail to the country’s main opposition leader arrested by the country’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday.
Pakistan: PTI leader Shireen Mazari arrested
In a late-night raid at her residence in the federal capital on Friday, PTI Senior Vice President Dr. Shireen Mazari was taken into custody, continuing the police crackdown on PTI leaders.
Officials claim that the Islamabad police raided her home early on Friday. Shireen Mazari was detained after a number of other PTI leaders, including Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and Ali Mohammad Khan, were also taken into custody.
Imran Khan reaches IHC amid strict security
Former prime minister Imran Khan arrived in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday in line with the Supreme Court’s orders for bail in multiple cases, including Al-Qadir Trust case.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman was brought to IHC from the rest house of Police Line Headquarters amid tight security as a huge number of his supporters have gathered there.
President Alvi holds hours-long meeting with Imran Khan
„I would like to draw your attention to the way Imran Khan was arrested,“ the president wrote in his strongly-worded letter two days after the PTI chief was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, which led to widespread deadly protests.
„The people of Pakistan and I were shocked to see the video of this incident. The video shows the abuse of a former prime minister. Imran Khan is a popular leader and the head of a major political party.“
Peshawar celebrating
Imran Khan: Pakistan‘s Supreme Court rules arrest was illegal
Pakistan‘s Supreme Court has ruled that former prime minister Imran Khan‘s dramatic arrest on corruption charges this week was illegal.
The court ordered Mr Khan‘s immediate release.
Pakistan arrests top tier of PTI leaders including former FM Qureshi
Qureshi was arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Islamabad police spokesperson confirmed that scores of PTI leaders, including Qureshi, Umar, Fawad , Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Falak Naz Chitrali, Mussarat Jamshed Cheema, and Maleeka Bukhari, were arrested, Geo TV reported.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrested amid crackdown against top PTI leaders after deadly clashes
(11.05.2023)
The government and armed forces started a crackdown as mass protests turned violent on Wednesday as thousands took to the streets to protest the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, who was arrested on Tuesday.
After Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar, now the former foreign minister was detained in the wee hours on Thursday during a raid at Gilgit-Baltidstan House.
Hello world! The internet is blocked in Pakistan again, but we are publishing this using a VPN
(May 10, 2023)
The interior ministry has turned the switch off yet again. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has said that mobile broadband services will remain suspended nationwide for an “indefinite period” on the interior ministry’s instructions, amid protests following PTI chief Imran Khan’s arrest on Tuesday.