BISP chairperson assails PTI for ‘corruption'
Talking to the media here, Senator Rubina Khalid announced that PPP would hold a massive protest campaign on May 26 to save the province. She urged people to support the protest for removal and accountability of corrupt elements.
The PPP leader said PTI has shattered the ideals of justice by engaging in large scale corruption, particularly in KP where the province has seen no progress in the past 13 years. 'Instead of development, the region has plunged into decline due to poor governance and lawlessness,' she said.
Rubina Khalid urged the public to rise against those who looted national wealth. 'It is the time for people to question how billions of rupees were gobbled overnight,' she remarked, calling for public trials of corrupt figures. She said that billions of rupees were misappropriated that were meant for the development of Kohistan.
She praised the Pakistan Army for its role in defending the country, stating, 'We salute our armed forces for burying the enemy in their trenches. But it is unfortunate that some internal actors now question their sacrifices and demand proof just to seek the release of a corruption-tainted political leader.'
She lauded PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for raising Pakistan's voice on international diplomatic fronts particularly highlighting the Kashmir issue globally. She reiterated that India has proven to be neither a friend nor a trustworthy neighbour.
The PPP leader announced that the party's Women's Wing would actively participate in a major protest rally on May 26. She appealed to women to join in large numbers alongside their brothers in what she described as a historic movement against injustice and exploitation.
Criticizing the current state of governance, she highlighted increasing unemployment, failing education and healthcare systems and widespread lawlessness in KP. She accused the provincial administration of mismanaging the NFC Award funds and fostering a culture of corruption. 'The time has come to unite and oust the group that has plundered the hard earned money of people,' she said, adding that attacking the federation is treason and not patriotism.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
ATC convicts 167 in May 9 riots; top PTI leaders jailed
Listen to article A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faislabad sentenced on Thursday top Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders to up to 10 years in prison in cases pertaining to May 9 protests. Opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub, opposition leader in Senate Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza and former MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq - former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed's nephew - were among the 108 PTI leaders convicted out of the 185 implicated in the cases while 77 others were acquited. Around 60 of those convicted including Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul and Hamid Raza were sentenced to 10 years in prison each while other convicts were each handed prison terms of three years. Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry was acquitted along with Zain Qureshi, Khayal Kastro, Faizullah Kamoka, Rana Asad Mehmood Khan, Bilal Ashraf Basra, Haroon Rasheed, Amara Rasheed, Sahibzada Hassan Raza, and Kamran Warraich. Shafiq was absent from court during the hearing and did not appear. He has reportedly gone into hiding to avoid arrest. Warrants issued Earlier today, ATC issued arrest warrants for 50 PTI leaders in connection with various protest-related cases registered at multiple police stations in the federal capital ahead of PTI's August 5 protest. The warrants were issued by Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja called for a nationwide protest on August 5 last week, urging the public to support what he termed a 'historic movement' for national sovereignty rather than mere political survival. Raja condemned what he described as unconstitutional actions against PTI lawmakers and a broader crackdown on dissent. He specifically 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, and asserted that PTI members would continue to raise their voices against this step. The warrants for 41 PTI leaders were issued on Thursday, while arrest warrants for nine others had been issued earlier. The warrants were issued in a case number registered at Karachi Company Police Station. Prominent names among those facing arrest include former President Arif Alvi, Abdul Qayyum Niazi, Shibli Faraz, Faisal Javed, Salman Akram Raja, Rauf Hassan, Murad Saeed, and Ahmad Niazi. Arrest warrants have also been issued for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Asad Qaiser, Hammad Azhar, Atif Khan, Shoaib Shaheen, Azam Khan Swati, Omar Ayub, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza. Other PTI members named in the warrants include Aleema Khanum, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Kanwal Shauzab, Shandana Gulzar, and Sher Afzal Marwat. Faizabad protest case In the Faizabad protest case, which pertains to demonstrations held over former prime minister Imran Khan's disqualification, the court maintained that the status of CM Ali Amin Gandapur as a proclaimed offender remains unchanged. The court ordered Islamabad Police to arrest Gandapur, stating that the arrest warrants remain in effect. The court further directed that if any order exists from the Peshawar High Court, it must be complied with. PTI leader Faisal Javed Khan and others appeared before the court. Upon a request from lawyers, the hearing was adjourned until August 6. The case against Ali Amin Gandapur and others is registered at Industrial Area Police Station. March 18 protest In a separate case pertaining to PTI leaders' protest on March 18, the ATC issued arrest warrants for PTI MNA from Faisalabad, Ali Afzal Sahi. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, who also presided over this case, noted that "Ali Afzal Sahi has not appeared before this court to date". Arrest warrants were also issued for other absent PTI workers. Hearing for the case registered at Golra Police Station was adjourned till August 9. November 26 protest Meanwhile, in the case registered at Secretariat Police Station related to the November 26 protest, the court dismissed the bail of an accused who repeatedly remained absent. Arrest warrants were issued for those not present at the hearing. A forensic report related to the case was submitted, and the next hearing was set for August 5. The hearing of the November 26 case registered at Kohsar Police Station was also adjourned until August 4. Arrest warrants were issued for accused individuals who failed to appear. Non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued for 15 PTI leaders, including Arif Alvi, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Kanwal Shauzab, Zubair Niazi, and Asad Qaiser, in connection with ten cases registered in Rawalpindi related to the November 26 protest, government prosecutors said Thursday. Addressing a press conference outside an ATC in Rawalpindi, prosecutor Syed Zaheer Shah, flanked by district prosecutor Chaudhry Muhammad, stated that bail cancellation requests for 68 accused individuals have also been filed, along with separate applications against their guarantors. Zaheer Shah said that delaying tactics by the accused will no longer be tolerated. In the case registered at Sadiqabad Police Station, nine out of 111 nominated individuals have already been convicted. A total of 31 cases related to the November 26 protest have been registered in the Rawalpindi Division — including 20 in Attock, 10 in Rawalpindi, and one in Chakwal. Thirteen accused are currently on interim bail. According to the prosecutor, the accused appear in court once and submit outdated medical reports to request adjournments. He said that investigations in all 31 cases have been completed, and after the issuance of non-bailable warrants, the accused typically secure protective bail from high courts. Cop's killing in Taxilla In a case involving the killing of a police officer in Taxila, Imran and Bushra Bibi are among the nominated accused. ATC has further issued non-bailable arrest warrants in the Wah Cantt and Naseerabad cases for Arif Alvi, Ali Amin Gandapur, Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, Hammad Azhar, and 20 others.
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Punjab Assembly: opposition member suspended for 15 sessions
LAHORE: Acting Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Zahir Iqbal Channer suspended a member for using inappropriate language in the House. The Punjab Assembly session began two hours and 30 minutes late under the chairmanship of Acting Speaker Malik Zahir Iqbal Channer. At the outset, Deputy Opposition Leader Mian Riaz Qureshi addressed the House, stating that peaceful protest is everyone's right. He said, 'Our party has called for a protest on August 5. For the past two days, the police have been harassing our workers and raiding their homes. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman responded, 'I am not aware of any raids on their homes. I will check with the police and Home Department. Peaceful protest is indeed everyone's right. If needed, we may even stand with them.' The previous day's session included questions related to the Finance Department, with only one question submitted by Uzma Kardar. However, due to her absence, it was postponed. Later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman presented the Principal Policy Annual Report for 2023 and the six-month progress report on the implementation of the NFC Award for the fiscal year 2019-20. Government member Amjad Ali Javed raised an objection, stating that reports were supposed to be submitted but were not available. As usual, the Punjab Assembly witnessed verbal clashes between opposition and treasury members. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister urged the Speaker to proceed with assembly business, emphasising that debates should not hinder proceedings. The Speaker deferred opposition member Nadia Khar's adjournment motion regarding local government due to her absence and lack of response. Similarly, Qazi Ahmad Saeed's adjournment motion on Services and General Administration was also postponed. Opposition member Tayyab Rashid Sindhu raised concerns over an incident in Sheikhupura where a poor man's kidney was allegedly removed by a mafia. 'Such incidents have been happening for a long time. The government must take notice,' he said. Qazi Ahmad Saeed highlighted farmers' distress, stating, 'Influential people divert water to their lands, leaving poor farmers helpless. The Chief Irrigation Officer is highly incompetent. Despite repeated complaints, no action has been taken. My constituency in Rahim Yar Khan faces severe water shortages, which must be addressed.' Government member Amjad Ali Javed emphasised the Punjab government's focus on promoting computer education to boost Pakistan's exports. 'However, the Punjab Higher Education Commission's policies are creating obstacles. They have imposed a condition that computer science degrees will not be recognised without accreditation from a specific council. The council's fees are so high that major universities are shutting down their computer science departments. Students who have completed semesters are distressed. The commission must review its policy or relax the conditions,' he said. Acting Speaker Zahir Iqbal Channer suspended opposition member Ijaz Shafi for 15 assembly sittings for using unparliamentarily and inappropriate language. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
13 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Information minister steps up criticism of PTI
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari, said that the August 5, protest had already failed before it even started. She stated that the protest is nothing but a flop show, with even the current PTI leadership, party workers, and their close relatives showing complete disinterest. She remarked, 'Phuppo's dream remained unfulfilled; the nephews are not coming to Pakistan. The former sister-in-law has stopped her children from returning.' She added that when even the Mahatma's own children aren't participating in the protest, how could any so-called revolution succeed? She further noted that Aleema Baji herself had already predicted the protest's failure, and the current PTI leadership does not support the movement either. She strongly criticised the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling the Rs 354 billion corruption in local government institutions a 'public charge sheet.' Funds meant for the welfare of the people, she said, are being misused and squandered. Azma Bokhari highlighted the irony that those who consistently accuse others of corruption have themselves been setting new records of misappropriation for the past 12 years. Speaking on the May 9 incidents, Bokhari labelled them a dark chapter in Pakistan's history. 'Instead of expressing remorse or shame, these people continue to justify those disgraceful events,' she said. She concluded by saying, 'Those who set fire to martyrs' statues are now despised across the nation. Those being disqualified today are, in truth, guilty of a failed rebellion.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
