
Abbasi blames injustices for terror
He further lamented that the people's mandate in the general elections was trampled upon to install the current rulers.
Speaking to journalists and public delegations during his visit to Kallar Syedan on Monday, Abbasi stated that elections were manipulated to sideline those genuinely elected by the people, while those rejected by the electorate were placed in power.
"In our country, the decisions of the people are thrown into the dustbin. This approach is neither democratic nor ethical," he lamented.
Abbasi also slammed the "forces" that once brought PTI founding chairman Imran Khan to power, questioning why, out of 250 million Pakistanis, they deemed Asif Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif the best alternatives after Imran.
He stressed that Pakistan's progress depended solely on upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.
Referring to his past association with the PML-N, Abbasi stated, "As long as the party stood by its 'Respect the Vote' slogan, I was with them. But when they shifted to 'Respect Power,' I distanced myself".
Expressing concern over the worsening security situation, Abbasi said, "Our conflict was in the east, but we are now collecting bodies from the west".
He lamented the enforced disappearances of young men, questioning where their families should turn for justice. "If people's children go missing, and no one even tells them where they are, where should they seek justice? Who should they knock on for help? There is darkness all around," he added.
Criticising the current state of politics, Abbasi said that during his tenure as prime minister, he neither interfered in others' affairs nor allowed anyone to meddle in his authority.
"Today, however, politicians are engaged in a race to prove who is the most obedient," he added.

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Express Tribune
5 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. 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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
Information minister steps up criticism of PTI
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Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
‘Reports that Qasim, Sulaiman have been asked not to come are baseless': PTI
LAHORE: Conflicting statements over whether Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's sons, Qasim and Sulaiman, will participate in the planned August 5 protest in Pakistan have sparked political debate and fuelled media speculation, prompting a formal clarification from the party. Earlier this week, journalists reporting from outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail quoted Khan, currently imprisoned on serious corruption charges linked to a UK-based money laundering case, as saying that his sons would neither return to Pakistan nor take part in any protests. This statement, attributed directly to the PTI founder, was swiftly picked up and widely circulated by national media outlets. However, the PTI has since rejected the reports, labelling them misleading and 'deliberately spread to create confusion and undermine the protest movement.' In a written statement, PTI Central Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram categorically denied that Khan had asked his sons not to come to Pakistan. 'The reports that Qasim and Sulaiman have been asked not to come are baseless,' he said. 'They will come to Pakistan; the only matter pending is the confirmation of travel dates.' He emphasised that the former prime minister's sons intend to support the ongoing political struggle and participate in the protest demonstrations, rejecting speculation that family disagreements or security concerns were behind their absence. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, offered a somewhat vague response when asked about the matter. 'Imran Khan's sons are currently campaigning in Washington, DC. It was their choice; they can come whenever they wish,' he said. His remarks did not confirm any travel plans, further adding to the confusion. The issue has also become a political talking point for government figures. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari mocked the PTI's protest preparations, declaring the August 5 demonstration 'a flop before it even began.' In a statement issued Wednesday, Bukhari remarked, 'Phuppo (aunty)'s wish did not come true, and the nephews are not coming,' a reference to the party's internal dynamics. She accused Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, of anticipating the protest's failure and suggested that even close relatives had lost confidence in the movement. 'When the so-called revolution does not even have the support of the leader's children, how can it succeed?' she said. 'The current PTI leadership doesn't seem interested in the protest either.' Bukhari also shifted focus to alleged financial irregularities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's local governments, claiming that over Rs354 billion in misappropriated funds had been identified. She criticised PTI leaders for championing anti-corruption rhetoric while allegedly presiding over record levels of corruption during the past 12 years. 'Those now being declared ineligible were part of a failed mutiny. Instead of expressing remorse for the May 9 incidents, they continue to defend them — a deeply shameful stance,' she added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025