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Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Imran plans jail-led protest, sons to join after return from US
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan intends to lead a protest movement from jail against the 26th Constitutional Amendment, while his sons Sulaiman and Qasim will join the campaign after returning from the United States, his sister Aleema Khan said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, Aleema conveyed the jailed former prime minister's message to supporters, claiming he remained resolute despite solitary confinement and harsh prison conditions. 'He [Imran Khan] said he is free inside jail, while those outside are imprisoned,' she said, adding, 'People must come out for themselves, for democracy, for the rule of law, and against the 26th Amendment. Anyone who cannot bear the weight of this movement should step aside now.' 'جب ایک قوم اپنے حق کے لیے خود کھڑی ہو جاتی ہے پھر اس کو کوئی طاقت جھکا نہیں سکتی۔ میں جیل میں بھی آزاد ہوں مگر میری قوم باہر ایک ایسی قید میں ہے جہاں نہ آزاد عدلیہ ہے نہ آزاد جمہوریت نہ ہی آزاد میڈیا۔ تمام پاکستانیوں کو اب اپنی حقیقی آزادی کے لیے باہر نکلنا ہو گا!! دو سال سے… — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 8, 2025 Imran, she said, had asked that the protest movement should reach its peak on August 5 — the date that will mark two years since his imprisonment. 'After the 26th Amendment, all public rights have been effectively taken away,' she added, noting that their entire family would participate in the campaign while former prime minister sons will join the campaign after returning from the United States. "Imran Khan's sons, Qasim and Sulaiman, will first go to the United States to raise awareness about the injustices faced by their father, and then they will take part in the movement being launched in Pakistan. Imran Khan has been informed of this," he said. Read More: Imran, Bushra seek expedited hearing to suspend convictions in £190m case Aleema, accompanied by her sisters Noreen and Uzma, said she had been denied access to her brother, although other family members were eventually allowed to meet him. She expressed concern over his treatment in custody, describing it as unprecedented. 'What is being done to him is unlike the treatment of any other prisoner. He has been denied access to television, newspapers, and reading material for a week. His books are lying in the deputy superintendent's room,' she said. She added that PTI founder has been held in solitary confinement and has not been allowed to see his doctor for the past ten months. 'They think they can break him. But they cannot,' she said, adding that she herself had also been barred from meeting him. عمران خان کے بیٹے قاسم اور سلمان پہلے امریکا جائیں گے وہاں اپنے والد پر ہونے والے ظلم کے بارے آگاہ کریں گے، پھر پاکستان میں شروع ہونی والی تحریک میں حصہ لیں گے، عمران خان کو بتا دیا گیا ہے، علیمہ خان۔ — PTI (@PTIofficial) July 8, 2025 Earlier in the day, dozens of PTI supporters gathered at the Gorakhpur checkpoint as Khan's sisters attempted to walk toward the prison. Police contingents were deployed, and party workers raised slogans. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja was also present at the scene. While Aleema was stopped near a local hotel and not allowed to proceed, other family members were eventually granted access. Former First Lady Bushra Bibi was also allowed to meet her sister-in-law Mehrunnisa. Also Read: K-P govt dismisses senior officials after Swat river incident Separately, PTI focal person Niazullah Niazi Advocate and MNA Munawra Baloch were stopped by police at the Dahgal checkpoint. Senator Faisal Javed and Advocate Zahoor Abbas Chaudhry were also denied entry at Gorakhpur. However, according to party sources, Barrister Gohar, Salman Safdar, and Zahoor Abbas Chaudhry were later allowed to meet the former premier. Speaking to reporters before the jail meeting, Safdar said the visit was as significant as any earlier one. When asked why the legal team had not been able to secure relief despite over 700 days of Imran's detention, he said, 'We are fighting the cases in courts and doing our best.'
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI parliamentary committee rejects SC verdict on reserved seats
Listen to article The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary committee has categorically rejected the Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench verdict, which set aside its July 12, 2024, judgment. That ruling had reinstated PTI as a parliamentary party and allowed it to secure reserved seats in the legislature. Last week, the Supreme Court overturned its July 12 ruling on reserved seats, accepting review petitions and upholding the Peshawar High Court's decision. As a result, the PTI lost its reserved seats. In response to the court's ruling, PTI held a crucial meeting of its parliamentary committee in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the implications of the recent verdict. The meeting, attended by PTI members of the National and Provincial Assemblies, senators, and central leadership, focused on analysing the political landscape post-verdict and formulating a parliamentary strategy. It also saw heated exchanges between some leaders, suggesting internal party tensions. 🔴 LIVE | Imran Khan Announces Massive Tehreek After 10th Muharram | PTI's Leadership Important Press Conference — PTI (@PTIofficial) July 2, 2025 "تحریک انصاف کے مشترکہ پارلیمانی اجلاس میں مخصوص نشستوں کے فیصلے، تحریک اسیران جیل کے خط اور عمران خان کے حکم پر تحریک چلانے پر غور کیا گیا۔ ہم سب عمران خان کی قیادت میں متحد ہیں۔ انشاءاللہ تحریک کا اعلان اور لائحہ عمل جلد عوام کے سامنے آ جائے گا۔" بیرسٹر گوہر علی خان — PTI (@PTIofficial) July 2, 2025 Amir Dogar, a member of the National Assembly, initiated the discussion by presenting a written message from imprisoned PTI leaders, expressing concern over their mistreatment and lack of medical facilities in jail. Sheikh Waqas Akram revealed that seven party workers had lost their lives due to illness while in jail, and prisoners' basic rights were being denied. Nisar Jutt criticised K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur over the provincial budget, stressing that party leaders should avoid making contradictory statements without mutual consultation. Jutt also reaffirmed support for PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, stating that he was appointed by the founder and, therefore, has the full mandate of the party. Ali Muhammad Khan supported inter-party negotiations during the meeting, mentioning that if the leadership chooses to negotiate, the party would support it. However, if protests were chosen, the party would also participate. Zartaj Gul proposed that protests should be held at the constituency level instead of in Islamabad and suggested forming an empowered committee for negotiations. Read: PTI loses court battle for reserved seats A unanimous resolution was passed during the meeting, calling for every possible effort to secure the release of the founding chairman, ensuring the health and well-being of other imprisoned leaders, and rejecting the court's verdict on reserved seats. The resolution also demanded that PTI leaders and lawyers be allowed to meet Imran Khan immediately. After the meeting, Barrister Gohar, Salman Akram Raja, Gandapur, and Akram held a press conference to clarify the party's stance. Gandapur said the party is ready to sacrifice everything for the release of founder Imran Khan. He added that if anyone attempts to topple their government through unconstitutional means, he would quit politics. Raja stated that Pakistan's resources have been looted for eight decades and emphasised the need to fight for the basic rights of the people. Barrister Gohar reiterated that the party follows the instructions of the founder, and any decisions regarding negotiations, protests, or other political actions will be made with his approval. Akram maintained that there is complete unity within the party and that the political and legal struggle will continue under the founder's leadership. He also reaffirmed the party's unanimous rejection of the court's decision on reserved seats. SC overturns PTI's claim to reserved seats The Supreme Court overturned a 2024 judgment that had allowed PTI to claim reserved seats in national and provincial legislatures. The order issued by a 10-member constitutional bench allowed multiple review petitions filed by the ruling coalition and dismissed its earlier decision that had recognised PTI, through its alliance with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), as eligible for reserved seats. With a majority of seven judges the top court ruled in favour of the review, effectively annulling the apex court's July 12, 2024, verdict. That judgment had previously restored PTI's status as a parliamentary party and ordered the ECP to allocate reserved seats for women and minorities. Following the new decision, nearly 80 reserved seats in national and provincial assemblies will be reallocated among other parliamentary parties, excluding the SIC. The move gives the ruling coalition a two-thirds majority in parliament. It is worth noting that the Peshawar High Court had earlier dismissed the SIC's challenge to the Election Commission of Pakistan's decision, which had refused to allocate reserved seats to the party. Earlier, in its short order on July 12, 2024, eight out of 13 judges concluded that 39 out of 80 MNAs on the list were elected candidates of the PTI, positioning it as the largest party in the National Assembly.
Express Tribune
10-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PTI slams Budget 2025–26 as anti-people and elitist
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Tuesday vehemently rejected the federal budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, calling it 'anti-people' and 'crafted for the elite,' while accusing the government of worsening economic hardship for ordinary citizens. The comments came as the finance minister presented the federal budget for the next fiscal year, with a total outlay of Rs17.573 trillion, outlining ambitious proposals aimed at achieving 4.2 per cent economic growth in 2025–26. In a press conference alongside Senator Shibli Faraz, Salman Akram Raja, and Sheikh Waqas Akram, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub said that his party and its allies 'completely reject' the budget, describing it as unrealistic and disconnected from ground realities. انہوں نے جی ڈی پی گروتھ 2.7 فیصد دکھائی یہ ممکن ہی نہیں زراعت کی گروتھ 0.6 فیصد دکھا رہے جتنی بڑی فصلیں وہ تو تباہ ہوگئیں اب یہ گروتھ آئی کہاں سے؟ انہوں نے مویشیوں کی تعداد میں اضافہ دکھایا کہ 36 لاکھ مویشیوں میں اضافہ ہوا کوئی عقل مند بتا دے کون بچھڑے کٹے گنتا رہا یہ فگر کہاں سے… — PTI (@PTIofficial) June 10, 2025 'The claim of 2.7% GDP growth is simply not possible,' he said, questioning the credibility of official statistics. 'Who exactly went out and counted the increase in donkeys?' he remarked sarcastically, adding: 'Tell us how many four-legged and how many two-legged donkeys have increased.' Criticising the government's economic narrative, he noted that while services like IT were being cited as growth areas, major industries and the food sector were registering negative trends. 'Purchasing power has declined drastically,' he said, citing the price hike in essential commodities. 'Wheat was Rs58 per kg during our time; it's now Rs75. Eggs were Rs135 a dozen; now they're Rs288.' PTI's Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram also lambasted the budget, referencing the finance minister's earlier remarks. 'He himself admitted that $10 billion losses were incurred due to anti-farmer policies,' said Akram. 'You didn't have $2 billion, yet you inflicted $10 billion in losses.' Calling the budget a "sham document," Akram added: 'This is the budget the government couldn't even name. We've given it a name: Leila Budget (referring to a sacrificial goat).' یہ ایک لیلا بجٹ ہے اس بجٹ میں لیلے کی طرح عوام کو ذبح کیا گیا ہے کل ہم نے بتایا تھا کہ ٹوٹل خسارہ تقریباً 5 فیصد بتایا اس رجیم نے آج منفی 3.9 فیصد بتایا جو حقیقت میں 5 فیصد سے بھی زیادہ ہونا ہے پاکستان تحریک انصاف اس کی اتحادی جماعتیں اور پاکستان کی عوام اس بجٹ کو مسترد کرتی ہیں۔… — PTI (@PTIofficial) June 10, 2025 He said the budget provided no real relief to the public. 'The salary increase for government employees translates to just Rs20,000–25,000 a year. It would have been better to apologise rather than announce such an insignificant raise,' he said. 'A 7.6% increase in pensions—how, exactly? Even government servants are now being treated the way we are.' Meanwhile, Opposition Leader in the Senate Shibli Faraz also tore into the government's economic management. 'Other countries in the region are growing, but we're in decline,' he said. 'These are not the representatives of the people; these are Form-47 products.' وزیر خزانہ صاحب نے کچھ عرصہ پہلے یہ بیان دیا تھا کہ یہ جو ہماری غذائی اشیاء ہیں ان کے حوالے سے جو ہمارا نقصان ہوا ہے اس کی لاگت 10 ارب ڈالر ہے جو 2850 ارب روپے بنتا ہے جو دو ارب ڈالر کے لیے بھکاری بنے ہوئے یہ درآمد کرنے کے لیے کہاں سے پیسے لائیں گے؟ میں ان سے پوچھتا ہوں جو نقصان… — PTI (@PTIofficial) June 10, 2025 He accused the government of spreading false narratives. 'They run stories as if milk and honey are flowing in the country, while the poor man is dying. Most people couldn't even afford to perform sacrifice this Eid.' Faraz added that the elite had been granted Rs5 trillion in relief, while the country's total debt had risen from Rs73 trillion to Rs76 trillion. 'They suck the blood of the poor but cannot touch the elite.' 'No nation that runs on IMF crutches can maintain its dignity,' he said, blaming the government for a situation where most of the country's tax revenue goes toward debt servicing. 'How can we call Pakistan a sovereign nation when we're begging?' بجٹ کسی بھی حکومت کی پالیسیوں کا عکاس ہوتا ہے بجٹ عوام کی سہولت کے لیے ہوتا لیکن یہ حکومت بجٹ اشرافیہ کے لیے بناتی ہے جب سے عمران خان کی حکومت میں 6 فیصد گرو کرنے والی معیشت کو پہلے سال ہی منفی میں لے گئے، تمام بڑی فصلوں کی گروتھ منفی ، کسان گندم کو مٹی کے داموں بیچنے پر مجبور… — PTI (@PTIofficial) June 10, 2025 Referring to Tuesday's protests by government employees, Faraz said: 'The police sealed off the Parliament House and Red Zone. It was difficult for us to even get here. This is state oppression against its own employees.' He concluded by criticising the budget's underlying philosophy: 'In this country, the budget is always a reflection of the ruling class's priorities. This budget, especially under the PDM government, has broken all previous records. The poor are squeezed so the elite can thrive.' He also noted the negative growth in industries and accused the government of attempting to sell wheat at throwaway prices, causing significant losses to farmers. 'Even cotton, a key contributor to GDP, has been ignored.'
