31st December 2023 News Headlines
A summary of today's important and breaking news regarding PTI and the country that the mainstream media of Pakistan will never show you.
Today, 148 days have passed since Imran Khan was imprisoned unlawfully.
The unlawful detention of the founder chairman of Tehreek-e-Insaf and former prime minister, Imran Khan, commenced on August 5 following the unjust verdict in the Tosha Khana case, and it persists. Despite being granted bail in the cipher and Tosha Khana case, Imran Khan remains in custody throughout the investigation into NAB cases. In the face of all oppression and authoritarianism, Imran Khan continues to endure imprisonment in the pursuit of genuine freedom for his nation.
The base of the Tosha Khana reference case proved to be hollow in the preliminary investigation report itself.
The investigative report on the Tosha Khana reference exposes the absence of a systematic approach in Pakistan to ascertain the value of rare gifts. All institutions fell short in providing NAB with the valuation of the graph jewellery set. NAB acknowledged the absence of evidence of bribery or financial benefits against officers who determined lower prices for Imran Khan. This report substantiates that Imran Khan is not involved in any corruption, but rather, he initiated a standard payment system for the value of gifts received from Tosha Khana. Penalising Imran Khan in such a spurious case sets a troubling precedent for political vendettas.
We will obstruct Nawaz Sharif's path at every cost.
Chairman Imran Khan's lawyer, Intizar Hussain Panjutha, tweeted, "Upon learning that nearly a thousand candidates of our primary preference might have their nomination forms rejected, Imran Khan responded, "Proceed with whatever needs to be done, that's why many forms were submitted. Even if Nawaz Sharif doesn't find our first, second, or third choices, our fourth choice will still ensure competition. Even the candidates we consider our last resort will challenge Nawaz Sharif's party because the nation has resolved not to let thieves go unpunished."
ROs imposed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa rejected the papers of Tehreek-e-Insaf candidates, while approving nomination papers of PML-N candidates.
Returning officers appointed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa throughout the country dismissed the nomination papers of 95% of Tehreek-e-Insaf candidates. In contrast, the papers of convicted, criminal, wanted, and corrupt PML-N candidates were endorsed by the courts. The pre-election manipulation by the Returning Officers substantiates Tehreek-e-Insaf's petition in the Lahore High Court, confirming the correctness of the High Court's decision. The bureaucracy under the caretaker government appears entirely aligned with the interests of the PML-N.
Returning Officers delaying tactics in issuing decisions rejecting nomination papers.
A peculiar injustice is unfolding at various levels. Previously, the nomination forms of all Tehreek-e-Insaf candidates were rejected without any legal basis. Now, certified copies, which should be promptly provided according to the law when a decision is rendered, are being withheld. The sole intent seems to deliberately prolong our appeals.
The person who filed objections against Sanam Javed's nomination papers is also unaware of the objections.
Sanam Javed is contesting elections from jail against Maryam Nawaz. The Sharif family was so afraid that they objected to her nomination papers and rejected them. However, the person who filed the objections himself turned out to be unaware of the objections. When the media reporters asked questions, the person who raised the objections had no answer and seemed bewildered by the questions.
Police stopped FAFEN representatives from reporting on pre-election rigging.
Yesterday, FAFEN's representative attempted to cover the constituency of Gujranwala, but the returning officer denied permission for coverage. Subsequently, the police escorted the FAFEN representative out of the constituency boundaries. This incident suggests extensive pre-election rigging orchestrated by the Returning Officer and the police.
The Election Commission has become a party against Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, a prominent lawyer in the country, said while discussing the role of the Election Commission. "Is the Chief Election Commissioner overseeing the election or participating in a contest against Tehreek-e-Insaf? What is the Election Commission's role in taking a party to court? Individuals from Tehreek-e-Insaf are being apprehended without any inquiries. Conversely, the Election Commission appears to have aligned itself with a particular party."
The Supreme Court Bar Association also spoke on pre-poll rigging.
The Supreme Court Bar Association, in its press release, condemned the fascism against Tehreek-e-Insaf candidates across the country. Expressed serious reservations about the role of returning officers and demanded a level playing field for all the parties in the elections.
The surge in gas prices has raised concerns among citizens, fearing the potential closure of businesses.
Following the unprecedented surge in electricity prices, gas prices in the country have also experienced a notable increase. The substantial rise in gas bills, ranging from 137% to 300%, has led to the cessation of small traders' businesses, resulting in the unemployment of thousands. In response to queries from traders, the federal government, the petroleum minister, and the chairman of OGRA emphasized the necessity to generate 380 billion rupees.
The tariff for Dhaba Bakery Restaurant, comparable to a hotel, has been revised under the Five Star category. Instead of disproportionately burdening the less affluent, authorities should consider scaling back on their luxury expenditures. Following the surge in gas prices, prominent hotels have resorted to using firewood as an alternative.