PTI flays formation of Anti-Riot Force
In a statement, the provincial PTI chapter expressed concern over the expenditure, particularly in light of the recent salary hikes for the speaker and other parliamentarians. The party argued that such fiscal decisions appear tone-deaf at a time when the nation is grappling with inflation, poverty, and soaring unemployment. "The extravagance of the elite feels like rubbing salt in the wounds of the people," the statement asserted. It highlighted ongoing governance challenges in Punjab, including a deteriorating drainage system, inadequate basic healthcare in public sector hospitals, and the alarming number of out-of-school children - reportedly over 10 million in the province.
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Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
PTI faces internal rift over August 5 protest plans
Listen to article The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is grappling with internal divisions over the timeline and strategy for a nationwide protest aimed at securing the release of its jailed founder, former prime minister Imran Khan. The discord, primarily between the party's central leadership and its Punjab chapter, has escalated tensions as the proposed August 5 protest date approaches, marking two years since Khan's imprisonment. The central leadership — including Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur — has advocated for a 90-day campaign culminating in a decisive protest, emphasising a strategic build-up to maximise impact. Gandapur, speaking at a Lahore press conference on July 13, described the movement as a 'do-or-die' effort to challenge what PTI calls a 'fascist regime' and to secure Khan's release. Read More: Aleema Khan welcomes PTI Parliamentarians' unity at Lahore meeting He stressed that the campaign would involve mobilising supporters across every district and tehsil, peaking by August 5, after which a new phase would be announced. In contrast, PTI Punjab Chief Organizer Aliya Hamza Malik has firmly backed an immediate protest on August 5, aligning with a call attributed to Imran Khan via his sister, Aleema Khan. Malik has reportedly threatened to resign if the party deviates from this date, highlighting a lack of coordination with the central leadership. Sources indicate that Malik has already directed Punjab's party organisation to prepare for the August 5 protest, mobilising workers in districts such as Okara, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Faisalabad, and Chiniot. The rift became public when Malik, excluded from a key strategy meeting in Lahore, voiced her frustration on X. ویسے تو میرے تک پہنچنے والی کچھ اطلاعات کے مطابق میں پچھلےدو دن سے بہت مصروف تھی 🫣 ایسی مصروفیات جن کا شاید مجھے بھی عمل نہیں تھا! کیا کوئی روشنی ڈالے گا؟ وزیراعظم خان کی رہائی کے لیے کس لائحہ عمل کا کل یا آج اعلان ہوا ہے؟ تحریک کہاں سے اور کیسے چلے گی؟ 5اگست کے مقابلے میں 90… — Aliya Hamza Malik (@aliya_hamza) July 13, 2025 In a series of posts, she questioned the origins of the 90-day plan and sought clarity on the movement's objectives, stating, 'The focus and target is only the release of Imran Khan.' Her absence from the meeting — which included Gandapur, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, and Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bhachar — was dismissed by Raja as due to 'other commitments,' a claim Malik refuted sarcastically, noting she was unaware of her supposed busyness. However, Aleema Khan, speaking to the media, welcomed the Lahore gathering as a sign of unity among PTI parliamentarians but expressed ignorance about Malik's exclusion, stating, 'We were told this was a meeting of parliamentarians.' She reaffirmed Imran Khan's call for protests to peak on August 5, noting that his entire family, including his UK-based sons, would participate. 90 دن یا 5 اگست کا سوال ہم عمران خان کے ساتھ کھڑے ہیں انہوں نے 5 اگست کہا ہے تو بس وہ ہی تاریخ ہے ہم اپنے کام پر فوکس کر رہے ہیں ہمارا نشانہ عمران خان کی رہائی ہونی چاہیے باقی باتیں فضول ہیں ۔ چیف آرگنائزر پنجاب عالیہ — Ahmad Hassan Bobak (@ahmad__bobak) July 14, 2025 Barrister Gohar has attempted to quell the discord, urging leaders to address concerns through internal party channels rather than public forums. 'If any leader has a complaint, they should inform me directly,' he said, promising to escalate issues to Imran Khan. However, the public spat has raised concerns about PTI's cohesion at a critical juncture, with some analysts suggesting it reflects deeper issues of centralisation and trust within the party. Meanwhile, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has signalled a firm stance against potential unrest. Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but accused PTI of a history of violence, referencing the May 9, 2023, incidents. 'No political party is allowed to attack with weapons,' Bukhari said, warning that disruptive tactics would be met with strict action. As PTI navigates these internal challenges, the party also faces external pressures, including a government crackdown following past protests. The November 2024 'Final Call' protest in Islamabad — led by Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, and Gandapur — resulted in at least six deaths, including four security personnel, and nearly 1,000 arrests, according to independent reports. Amnesty International has called for a transparent investigation into the use of lethal force during those clashes, highlighting a pattern of intolerance for peaceful assembly in Pakistan. With the August 5 deadline looming, PTI's ability to unify its leadership and mobilise supporters will be critical to the success of its campaign. The ongoing rift risks undermining the party's momentum, potentially weakening its position against a government already fortified by security measures and legal actions against PTI members.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Aleema Khan welcomes PTI Parliamentarians' unity at Lahore meeting
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Aleema Khan on Monday welcomed the gathering of PTI parliamentarians in Lahore, calling it a positive step for the party and the province of Punjab. Speaking to the media at the Gorakhpur checkpost, Aleema said the meeting in Lahore was encouraging for Punjab and reflected unity among party lawmakers. "It is a good sign that all PTI parliamentarians came together in Lahore," she said. "We had always said that MNAs and MPAs from Punjab would demonstrate unity, and this meeting confirms that." She stated that Punjab had witnessed significant injustices over the past two years and that such gatherings were necessary to address those issues. She praised the Lahore event and said all members supported the initiative. "The meeting should be appreciated. We all welcome it," she added. Responding to questions about the absence of certain Punjab-based leadership from the event, Khan said they were not informed of any such exclusion. "We were told that this was a meeting of parliamentarians. We are not aware of why Punjab's leadership was not invited," she said. Expressing optimism, she concluded, "God willing, everything will be fine." On the other hand, a new internal dispute has emerged within the PTI after the party's Punjab Chief Organiser, Aliya Hamza, publicly questioned the rationale and strategy behind PTI's recently launched 90-day protest movement. The party had earlier announced a 'do-or-die' campaign intended to challenge the government and shape PTI's political direction. However, tensions surfaced when Hamza was excluded from a key strategy meeting held in Lahore, raising eyebrows within party ranks. When asked about her absence, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja stated that Hamza had been 'too busy over the past two days' to attend the gathering. In response, Hamza took to the social media platform X, posting a sarcastic remark: 'Such busyness that perhaps even I wasn't aware of!' ویسے تو میرے تک پہنچنے والی کچھ اطلاعات کے مطابق میں پچھلےدو دن سے بہت مصروف تھی 🫣 ایسی مصروفیات جن کا شاید مجھے بھی عمل نہیں تھا! کیا کوئی روشنی ڈالے گا؟ وزیراعظم خان کی رہائی کے لیے کس لائحہ عمل کا کل یا آج اعلان ہوا ہے؟ تحریک کہاں سے اور کیسے چلے گی؟ 5اگست کے مقابلے میں 90… — Aliya Hamza Malik (@aliya_hamza) July 13, 2025 She went on to question the movement's planning and objectives, asking where the strategy for Imran Khan's release had been outlined and how the campaign would be executed. She also challenged the origin of the 90-day timeline, comparing it to the previously mentioned August 5 deadline.
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
UK launches eVisas for students, workers in Pakistan
Most students and workers applying for study or work-related UK visas for more than six months will no longer need a physical sticker visa in passports from today (July 15), as the UK has launched eVisas in Pakistan. This step will make the visa process simpler and safer, and you can hold on to your passport at the same time. As per the UK government website an eVisa is a digital proof of immigration status. It is an online record of a person's immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply, which can be viewed by creating and accessing an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. In a video on question/answer related to UK visas, UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott confirmed that the online facility is available only for the applicants seeking a study or work visa for longer than six months, for now. To a query, Marriott said the applicants will have to take the passport for scanning, but they will get it back the same day if they're applying for a study or a work visa. '…because on the 15th of July we're going digital,' she said. She said the online system was designed to make the process faster. 'No back and forth, less waiting, more time for pack,' she said. To a query pertaining to how to show the immigration officials about the visa approval, she said: 'So you can show you've got a visa because you'll get an email with your decision and an eVisa in your UKVI account. 'Show officials at the border using the 'view and proof' tool on The UK high commissioner said it would not affect one's immigration status. 'Same visa. Same right. Just less paperwork and who doesn't love less paperwork?' she stated. 'Create an account on the visa portal today. Apply early. Get your supporting documents ready and please always stick to the official source. Go to Gov. Uk/ evisa. See you in the UK,' she added. According to the UK's official website, e-Visas are being rolled out for the main applicants for:
