Latest news with #WaqasAkram
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI assails SC verdict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday criticised on the Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench verdict in the reserved seats review case, alleging that it was violation of the party's constitutional rights. Speaking at a presser following the apex court's ruling, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram termed the verdict a blatant attempt to trample on the will of the people and desecrate their votes. He alleged that the judgment was a dark stain in Pakistan's constitutional and democratic history, exposing the catastrophic fallout of the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment. 'This amendment has crippled the judiciary and wiped He alleged that the judiciary was siding with a 'privileged elite' while stabbing fairness in the back, redistributing 'PTI's hard-earned seats to parties rejected by the voters'. Labelling the verdict as part of a vicious, ongoing campaign against PTI, Akram dredged up what he called a blatant electoral fraud of the February 8, 2024 polls to the relentless harassment and intimidation of party workers and candidates. He claimed that the prolonged imprisonment of PTI chief Imran Khan and senior leaders was a punishment for daring to defend constitutional supremacy and democratic freedoms. He opined that the country can no longer claim to be a constitutional or representative democracy. However, he reiterated his g faith in the masses and in Imran Khan's leadership. 'Truth will prevail. The constitution will be restored. And the people's mandate will roar back to life.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI denounces US strikes on Iran
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vehemently denounced the US strikes on Iran's key nuclear facilities and urged the government to immediately convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to thoroughly deliberate on the rapidly deteriorating regional situation and formulate a consensus-based and clear-cut policy on belligerent Israel, pushing the entire region to the brink of a devastating war. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, in a statement on Sunday, expressed alarm that the regional situation was fast changing and the government's ostrich-like approach could prove disastrous. He emphasised that the current policy of burying heads in the sand and hoping the storm will pass is futile, as the flames of war have already reached Pakistan's doorstep. He underlined that Pakistan can undoubtedly weather the storm, just as it did against India, but the power elites must take the nation into confidence and forge a consensus-driven approach because Pakistan is currently caught between a rock and a hard place. He criticised the government for its 'habit of flattery', which he said now had crossed our national boundaries and it is now visible internationally. He pleaded that Israel could not have invaded Iran without the strong backing and support of the US. He said that the US has not only violated Iran's sovereignty but also breached the UN Charter. He maintained that the excuse for the Israeli attack on Iran was even more absurd than India's recent strike on Pakistan under the pretext of the Pahalgam attack. He said that the US and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a blatantly contradictory and biased approach towards the Muslim world in its pursuit of nuclear capability, while remaining conspicuously silent about Israel's widely acknowledged nuclear arsenal. He demanded that the UN and OIC urge the IAEA to inspect Israel's nuclear sites and work toward a nuclear-free Middle East, rather than targeting Iran under false pretexts—just as was done with Iraq—despite the IAEA's repeated and clear stance that Tehran is nowhere near acquiring a nuclear weapon. Waqas added that Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes. He called for the immediate release of PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan and his inclusion in strategic decision-making regarding the situation arising from Israel's unprovoked attack on Iran and the subsequent US strikes on the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Tehreek-e-Insaf slams US strikes, demands APC
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday came out swinging against the United States for launching strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, calling it a dangerous escalation and demanding that the government urgently convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to forge a consensus-driven and unequivocal policy on an increasingly belligerent Israel, which it said is pushing the entire region to the brink of a devastating war. Slamming the blatant violation of international law and Iran's sovereignty, the PTI decried Washington's actions and accused the coalition government of burying its head in the sand while the region teetered on the brink of a devastating conflict. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram warned that the flames of war have already reached Pakistan's doorstep, and the government's current "ostrich-like approach" was both futile and perilous. He insisted the rapidly changing regional dynamics required swift, strategic, and united action. PTI Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said that the US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities was condemnable, saying the action was not only a violation of international norms, laws and UN resolutions but also a violation of the sovereignty of the Iranian state. "Such unilateral actions pose a serious threat to global peace and security, as well as the sovereignty of every country," the senator said. Zafar said that the UN and the international community must intervene and resolve the issues quickly to prevent further tension in the region. "We stand with Iran and the Iranian people in this difficult time," he said. The PTI information secretary underlined that Pakistan can undoubtedly weather the storm, just as it did against India, but the power elites must take the nation into confidence and forge a consensus-driven approach because Pakistan was currently caught between a rock and a hard place. In light of the escalating crisis, the PTI spokesperson called for the immediate release of PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan and his inclusion in strategic decision-making regarding the situation arising from Israel's unprovoked attack on Iran and the subsequent US strikes on the country. Waqas praised Khan's foresight, noting that a week earlier, he had sent a message through his sisters to postpone the protest for two weeks due to the Iran-Israel conflict. Meanwhile, he added that US President Donald Trump issued a deceptive signal, claiming he would not engage in the Israel war for the next two weeks. He said that Khan's famous quote, "No one understands the West better than me", proved to be true. PTI leader lashed out at the imposed government for its habit of flattery, which he said now had crossed the national boundaries and was visible internationally. He recalled that PTI patron-in-chief had stated on the floor of the House that Pakistan could partner with the US in peace, but not in war, as the country had already paid an immeasurable cost in terms of both lives and resources for siding with the US in its meaningless and unnecessary wars. He pleaded that Israel could not have invaded Iran without the strong backing and support of the US, which was evident from the airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities even after Tehran was given a two-week ultimatum, simply at the behest of the Israeli premier. The party said that the US not only violated Iran's sovereignty but also breached the UN Charter, an act that could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences at both regional and international levels. He maintained that the excuse for the Israeli attack on Iran was even more absurd than India's recent strike on Pakistan under the pretext of the Pahalgam attack. Waqas observed that the US and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a blatantly contradictory and biased approach towards the Muslim world in its pursuit of nuclear capability, while remaining conspicuously silent about Israel's widely acknowledged nuclear arsenal. He demanded that the UN and OIC urge the IAEA to inspect Israel's nuclear sites and work toward a nuclear-free Middle East, rather than targeting Iran under false pretexts, just as was done with Iraq, despite the IAEA's repeated and clear stance that Tehran is nowhere near acquiring a nuclear weapon. He added that Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes.
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PTI assails govt for growing unemployment in country
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram on Sunday accused the federal government of pushing the country into a severe economic crisis, marked by historic unemployment and deepening debt. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Akram said the country's economy had been derailed from a robust growth rate of over 6 percent to a negative trajectory within a short span, severely impacting the purchasing power of the average Pakistani. He claimed that since the change of government in 2022, purchasing power has declined by 58 percent. 'Someone earning Rs 50,000 per month in March 2022 now has the purchasing power of only Rs 20,833,' he stated. 'Similarly, a monthly income of Rs 100,000 now equates to just Rs 41,666 in real terms.' Akram further claimed that over 18 million people in the country are currently unemployed, with the unemployment rate soaring to 22 percent — the highest in Pakistan's recent history. Lashing out at the coalition governments of PDM-I, PDM-II (caretaker setup), and PDM-III, he said they collectively presided over what he described as the 'most catastrophic period' in the nation's economic history. With oil prices increasing from $64 to $75 per barrel, Akram warned that both the trade and current account deficits are set to widen further. He added that the Pakistani rupee is expected to face more depreciation. He also criticized the government's revenue target of Rs 14,131 billion, calling it unrealistic and burdensome on citizens at a time when the economy is contracting. Responding to official claims of steering the country out of IMF dependence, the PTI leader dismissed such assertions as misleading and disconnected from ground realities. Citing recent reports by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, he noted that both institutions highlighted Pakistan's ongoing economic decline, rising joblessness, and reliance on external support. 'The IMF's May 2025 report makes it clear that Pakistan will need to enter another program. Without IMF backing, the country's economy would collapse,' Akram said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI slams govt over 'bad economy, load-shedding'
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday lambasted the federal government over the worsening electricity crisis, economic mismanagement and a growing assault on constitutional rights. In a joint press conference held at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, senior PTI leaders, including Sheikh Waqas Akram, Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub and Taimur Jhagra, blasted the government. Referring to the controversial February 8 elections, former provincial minister Taimur Jhagra warned the public not to forget how the current coalition government led by the PML-N and PPP came into power. He said electricity tariffs under the present administration have become massively expensive compared to the previous PTI government. "Where there used to be just a few hours of loadshedding in Punjab, now people are enduring outages lasting over 12 hours. In K-P, the temperature has hit 46 degrees Celsius and there is still no respite from prolonged power cuts," he said. He dismissed the government's economic claims as "fabricated figures", arguing that it had failed to protect even the most basic rights of ordinary citizens. "From agriculture to industry, all sectors are in decline. The required electricity supply is simply not reaching those who need it most," he said. Jhagra also drew comparisons with regional competitors, lamenting, "Today, Bangladesh is miles ahead of us in the power sector." He criticised the government's plans to privatise only three distribution companies – LESCO, FESCO and IESCO – asking, "What national benefit can come from selectively privatising just three utilities?" He said over six million people in the former FATA region remain without electricity access, and no one in government has taken responsibility. "The K-P budget has been presented. Let the people see for themselves what makes the difference," he said, referring to the provincial government's unveiling of the budget with a total outlay of Rs2,119bn for the fiscal year 2025-26, a day ago. Jhagra also protested that PTI leaders were being denied meetings with the incarcerated party founder, Imran Khan, questioning under what law or constitutional provision such restrictions were being imposed. Electricity shortfall Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Waqas Akram lamented that the country was facing a growing shortfall between electricity demand and supply. "The situation in rural areas is especially dire. Loadshedding in K-P and Balochistan now spans 12 to 18 hours daily. Even in Punjab, there is a minimum of four hours of outages," he said. He slammed the utility privatisation narrative, saying, "Go ahead and privatise FESCO if you wish, but what about improving the performance of LESCO, IESCO and others?" Akram also raised alarm over the treatment of political prisoners, particularly those held in Kot Lakhpat military trials. "These prisoners are being subjected to political vengeance. In this heat, they are being denied their basic rights, including the right to appeal," he said. Senior leader Shibli Faraz stressed the power sector's centrality to the economy. "Electricity is the engine that drives our economy. Our power sector is vast but has seen no meaningful development in recent years," he said, accusing PML-N and PPP of damaging the sector. "Today, there are long hours of loadshedding in most major cities. When there's only one buyer for your power company, problems are inevitable. We introduced competition in the power sector during our tenure," he added. Faraz also highlighted the growing burden of circular debt and unpaid dues of petroleum and power companies. Omar Ayub said his speech during the federal budget session was deliberately taken off air. "Even WiFi access was suspended during the session. They feared I would hold up a mirror to their failures," he claimed. He noted that international markets are becoming unstable due to the Israel-Iran conflict, which could severely disrupt oil supplies. "If this war continues, the country's Rs6.5 trillion deficit could worsen. Iran, a key oil hub, exports to Japan, Europe and others. Any disruption there will impact us all," he warned. Ayub accused the current government of shelving PTI-era power projects and said the nation had access to significantly cheaper electricity during PTI's rule.
