Nawaz Sharif says 'Pakistan has become a circus'. The leader is upset as Pak's Supreme Court has ruled in PTI's favour, snatching the Punjab CM's post from Hamza Shahbaz Sharif. PML-N now plans to impose governor's rule in the province. Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: Nawaz Sharif cries foul as Imran Khan wins Punjab

Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, has moved the High Court with a plea to dismiss PM Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet. The petition filed by senior PTI leaders Andleeb Abbas and Hassan Niazi attempts to corner PM Shehbaz and his principal secretary on money laundering charges.

Reportedly, the petition argues that despite money laundering cases active against the PM, he and his cabinet undertook a trip to London to meet the proclaimed offenders in the case, which was in ‘clear violation of the law’.

It is being reported that PM Shehbaz met former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his trip to London and sought advice to steer his party through the ongoing political, constitutional and economic conundrums.&nbsp;

Moreover, PM Shehbaz took his son Salman and his wife on an official three-day trip to Turkey, raising eyebrows of the opposition.&nbsp;

Imran Khan continues to gain ground

Pervaiz Elahi, a Pakistan Muslim League (Q) leader who recently won the Chief Minister seat in the crucial province of Punjab by beating the PM’s son, has extended his support to Imran Khan and his petition.&nbsp;

Ever since Imran Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician was voted out of office, he has upped the ante in targeting the Sharif government.

Khan received the booster shot of confidence earlier this month by winning 15 of the 20 seats for the provincial parliament, including the aforementioned Punjab seat.

The elections have altered the balance of power in the provincial parliament, where the PML-N and its allies now have 179 lawmakers to the PTI’s 188.&nbsp;

Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-sweeping-punjab-by-elections-imran-khans-pti-discusses-forming-government-498637">After sweeping Punjab by-elections, Imran Khan's PTI discusses forming government</a>

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz and his policies have not gone down well with the masses. To secure a loan from the International Monetary Fund&nbsp;(IMF), Shehbaz’s cabinet&nbsp;has cumulatively hiked the price of fuel in the country by 50 per cent whilst also raising the cost of electricity.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, has moved the High Court with a plea to dismiss PM Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet.

Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, has moved the High Court with a plea to dismiss PM Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet. The petition filed by senior PTI leaders Andleeb Abbas and Hassan Niazi attempts to corner PM Shehbaz and his principal secretary on money laundering charges. Reportedly, the petition argues that despite money laundering cases active against the PM, he and his cabinet undertook a trip to London to meet the proclaimed offenders in the case, which was in ‘clear violation of the law’. It is being reported that PM Shehbaz met former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his trip to London and sought advice to steer his party through the ongoing political, constitutional and economic conundrums. Moreover, PM Shehbaz took his son Salman and his wife on an official three-day trip to Turkey, raising eyebrows of the opposition. Imran Khan continues to gain ground Pervaiz Elahi, a Pakistan Muslim League (Q) leader who recently won the Chief Minister seat in the crucial province of Punjab by beating the PM’s son, has extended his support to Imran Khan and his petition. Ever since Imran Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician was voted out of office, he has upped the ante in targeting the Sharif government. Khan received the booster shot of confidence earlier this month by winning 15 of the 20 seats for the provincial parliament, including the aforementioned Punjab seat. The elections have altered the balance of power in the provincial parliament, where the PML-N and its allies now have 179 lawmakers to the PTI’s 188. Read More: After sweeping Punjab by-elections, Imran Khan's PTI discusses forming government Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz and his policies have not gone down well with the masses. To secure a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Shehbaz’s cabinet has cumulatively hiked the price of fuel in the country by 50 per cent whilst also raising the cost of electricity. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Imran Khan moves High Court to oust Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

PTI chief and Former Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan has expressed his gratitude for support against 'foreign conspiracy'. However, Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif has questioned judiciary over ruling.

Politics in Pakistan over Punjab polls continue; Imran Khan rules out dialogue with govt

SCO Foreign Ministerial meeting is currently underway in Tashkent. Foreign Ministers of India, China, Russia & Pakistan have convened the meeting.

SCO foreign ministers meet: Indian FM likely to hold bilateral with Chinese counterpart

Pakistan is used to rainfall at this point of the year which is meant to irrigate crops and replenish lakes and dams but this year the rains have brought a wave of destruction. The result is widespread flooding particularly in low-lying areas with poor neighborhoods.

WION Climate Tracker | Monsoons bring wave of destruction in Pakistan

Change of guard in Pakistan's Punjab province as the top court voids Hamza Shahbaz's election victory and declares PTI-backed Parvez Elahi as the duly elected chief minister. Imran Khan's party calls the verdict 'supremacy of the constitution'.

WION Dispatch: Parvez Elahi becomes Pakistani Punjab's new CM, Imran Khan and PTI celebrate victory

A day after the Supreme Court declared former premier Imran Khan-backed candidate Chaudhry Pervez Elahi as the chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned that if his entry into the province was restricted in the politically important region, he will impose governor’s rule in the region.&nbsp;

Following the apex court’s verdict that saw Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz losing his status as the “trustee” chief minister, Elahi took oath as the chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province.

Citing Article 63-A of the Constitution, the Pakistani Supreme Court had declared Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari’s controversial decision to reject 10 votes in the Punjab chief minister’s election as “illegal”.

Blaming the apex court’s decision for the plummeting of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, Sanaullah said it created complications and destabilised the political situation.

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The Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to de-seat 25 dissident PTI lawmakers who had voted for Hamza in the April 16 election was contradicted by the Supreme Court’s decision.

After refusing to form a full bench as demanded by the coalition government, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justices Ijazul Ahsan and Munib Akhtar announced the decision.

While Khan’s PTI now rules the sensitive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Punjab through Elahi, the Sharif-led government is now confined only to the capital Islamabad.

Ousted premier Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party on Wednesday approached a top court seeking the dismissal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government after being emboldened by Pakistan’s Supreme Court verdict in the Punjab Chief Minister’s election.

(With inputs from agencies)

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&nbsp;

A day after the Supreme Court declared former premier Imran Khan-backed candidate Chaudhry Pervez Elahi as the chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned that if his entry into the province was restricted in the politically important region, he will impose governor’s rule in the region.

A day after the Supreme Court declared former premier Imran Khan-backed candidate Chaudhry Pervez Elahi as the chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned that if his entry into the province was restricted in the politically important region, he will impose governor’s rule in the region. Following the apex court’s verdict that saw Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz losing his status as the “trustee” chief minister, Elahi took oath as the chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province. Citing Article 63-A of the Constitution, the Pakistani Supreme Court had declared Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari’s controversial decision to reject 10 votes in the Punjab chief minister’s election as “illegal”. Blaming the apex court’s decision for the plummeting of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, Sanaullah said it created complications and destabilised the political situation. × The Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to de-seat 25 dissident PTI lawmakers who had voted for Hamza in the April 16 election was contradicted by the Supreme Court’s decision. After refusing to form a full bench as demanded by the coalition government, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justices Ijazul Ahsan and Munib Akhtar announced the decision. While Khan’s PTI now rules the sensitive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Punjab through Elahi, the Sharif-led government is now confined only to the capital Islamabad. Ousted premier Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party on Wednesday approached a top court seeking the dismissal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government after being emboldened by Pakistan’s Supreme Court verdict in the Punjab Chief Minister’s election. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Pakistan’s interior minister warns of governor’s rule in Punjab if his entry is restricted

Pak SC declare PTI official-backed Chaudhry Parvez Elahi as the CM of Punjab. Imran Khan celebrates while PML(N) fumes. While economy is on the brink of meltdown. PKR loses ground against dollar, & energy & gas prices soar. Hem Saroya brings you Full Context on Pak crises.

The Full Context | Pakistan trapped in political chaos & fragile economy

SCO Foreign Ministerial meet: Foreign Ministers of India, China, Russia & Pakistan convene

Parvez Elahi took oath as the chief minister of Pakistan's Punjab on Wednesday. The Pakistan Supreme Court on July 26 ruled that Pervez Elahi will be the new Chief Minister of the Punjab Province.

Parvez Elahi takes oath as Pakistani Punjab's CM amid political crisis

Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi was recently engaged in a heated conversation with Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad during a debate on a news channel. Things got heated up between the duo when the two were having a discussion about Shehzad's ouster from the Pakistan cricket team.

The right-hand batter had last played for Pakistan in a T20I match in 2019 and has since failed to make his comeback to the team. Shehzad had last month criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team management for denying his opportunities at the international level to 'spoil' his career.

Shehzad recently appeared on a debate on Pakistani news channel Samaa TV where Afridi was also part of the discussion panel. During the debate, Afridi spoke about Shehzad's downfall in international cricket and pointed out how his exit from the Pakistan team played a role in the latter being dropped from the team.&nbsp;

Afridi said he supported Shehzad a lot as a captain and backed him but it turned out to be a negative thing for the batter when he left captaincy. Afridi said people had started thinking that Shehzad was his favourite and it worked against the batter later in his career.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-rohit-or-kohli-former-wicket-keeper-names-indias-biggest-match-winner-in-white-ball-cricket-currently-501035">Not Rohit or Kohli! Former wicket-keeper names India's biggest match-winner in white-ball cricket currently</a>

“Ahmed was targeted because of me because I supported him a lot. I gave him a lot of chances, which turned out to be a negative thing for him when I left captaincy. I think people thought he was my favourite,” Afridi said during the debate on Samaa TV.

“I supported him a lot because I wasn't finding an opener of his ability in Pakistan. He was performing as well. Obviously, he couldn't perform in all games but he was targeted because of me as well," he went on.

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Shahid Afridi: I Just want from you to scored a lots of runs whenever you get chance. 
 
Ahmad Shehzad: Yes, I also wanted to score runs but when they don't provide a platform for score,then I score runs at home.<a href="https://twitter.com/sawerapasha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sawerapasha</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/iamAhmadshahzad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iamAhmadshahzad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Khurram32177687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Khurram32177687</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/umitozdag?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@umitozdag</a>. <a href="https://t.co/O5V1C9Yp2u">pic.twitter.com/O5V1C9Yp2u</a>
— Zia Shehzad| FB of 19 (@Ahmadfanboy19) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ahmadfanboy19/status/1552105549072039936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Shehzad then responded to Afridi's comments, which certainly didn't go down well with him. Shehzad said he was surprised why Afridi said what he did and mentioned how such comments hurt him even though he considers Afridi as his elder&nbsp;brother.

Afridi then decided to interrupt Shehzad in the middle and urged him to enjoy his life with his family while he is not getting chances in the Pakistan team. He also stated that he wants to see the star batter return to the national team and score runs again in international cricket.

Shehzad seemed a bit frustrated and asked Afridi if he should score runs at his home when he is not getting a chance to play at all.&nbsp;

“I want you to score runs, enjoy your life with your wife and kids. Allah has made life beautiful for you,” said Afridi during the debate. &nbsp;

“I keep saying that. I want to score runs, but at least don't deny me the platforms where I can score. I will ask you, when sides in PSL want to pick me, who comes in and says no? You tell me, where do I score runs? At my home?," - Shehzad replied.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-west-indies-or-england-ricky-ponting-names-who-australia-will-meet-in-2022-t20-world-cup-final-500913">&nbsp;India, Pakistan or England! Ricky Ponting names who Australia will meet in 2022 T20 World Cup final</a>

Shehzad, who made his debut for Pakistan in 2009 was a highly-rated talent when he first made a mark in international cricket. He played a majority of matches for Pakistan during Afridi's captaincy stint before being ousted from the team over form and fitness issues. He has played 13 Tests, 81 ODIs and 59 T20Is in his international career so far with 982, 2605 and 1471 runs to his name in the three formats respectively.

Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi was recently engaged in a heated conversation with Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad during a debate on a news channel.

Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi was recently engaged in a heated conversation with Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad during a debate on a news channel. Things got heated up between the duo when the two were having a discussion about Shehzad's ouster from the Pakistan cricket team. The right-hand batter had last played for Pakistan in a T20I match in 2019 and has since failed to make his comeback to the team. Shehzad had last month criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team management for denying his opportunities at the international level to 'spoil' his career. Shehzad recently appeared on a debate on Pakistani news channel Samaa TV where Afridi was also part of the discussion panel. During the debate, Afridi spoke about Shehzad's downfall in international cricket and pointed out how his exit from the Pakistan team played a role in the latter being dropped from the team. Afridi said he supported Shehzad a lot as a captain and backed him but it turned out to be a negative thing for the batter when he left captaincy. Afridi said people had started thinking that Shehzad was his favourite and it worked against the batter later in his career. Also Read: Not Rohit or Kohli! Former wicket-keeper names India's biggest match-winner in white-ball cricket currently “Ahmed was targeted because of me because I supported him a lot. I gave him a lot of chances, which turned out to be a negative thing for him when I left captaincy. I think people thought he was my favourite,” Afridi said during the debate on Samaa TV. “I supported him a lot because I wasn't finding an opener of his ability in Pakistan. He was performing as well. Obviously, he couldn't perform in all games but he was targeted because of me as well," he went on. Shahid Afridi: I Just want from you to scored a lots of runs whenever you get chance. Ahmad Shehzad: Yes, I also wanted to score runs but when they don't provide a platform for score,then I score runs at home.@sawerapasha @iamAhmadshahzad @Khurram32177687 @umitozdag. pic.twitter.com/O5V1C9Yp2u — Zia Shehzad| FB of 19 (@Ahmadfanboy19) July 27, 2022 × Shehzad then responded to Afridi's comments, which certainly didn't go down well with him. Shehzad said he was surprised why Afridi said what he did and mentioned how such comments hurt him even though he considers Afridi as his elder brother. Afridi then decided to interrupt Shehzad in the middle and urged him to enjoy his life with his family while he is not getting chances in the Pakistan team. He also stated that he wants to see the star batter return to the national team and score runs again in international cricket. Shehzad seemed a bit frustrated and asked Afridi if he should score runs at his home when he is not getting a chance to play at all. “I want you to score runs, enjoy your life with your wife and kids. Allah has made life beautiful for you,” said Afridi during the debate. “I keep saying that. I want to score runs, but at least don't deny me the platforms where I can score. I will ask you, when sides in PSL want to pick me, who comes in and says no? You tell me, where do I score runs? At my home?," - Shehzad replied. Also Read: India, Pakistan or England! Ricky Ponting names who Australia will meet in 2022 T20 World Cup final Shehzad, who made his debut for Pakistan in 2009 was a highly-rated talent when he first made a mark in international cricket. He played a majority of matches for Pakistan during Afridi's captaincy stint before being ousted from the team over form and fitness issues. He has played 13 Tests, 81 ODIs and 59 T20Is in his international career so far with 982, 2605 and 1471 runs to his name in the three formats respectively.

'Where do I score runs? At my home?': Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad & Shahid Afridi engage in heated argument

PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was sworn in as chief minister of Punjab by Pakistan President early Wednesday morning, in a boost to ousted premier Imran Khan whose party approached a top court seeking dismissal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government.

Elahi, the 76-year-old leader backed by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was sworn in at the directions of the Supreme Court which dealt a big blow to Prime Minister Sharif-led coalition by removing his son as the executive head of the country's politically crucial province.&nbsp;

A three-member bench - comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Muneeb Akhtar - on Tuesday night ruled that Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Elahi will be the new chief minister of Punjab, paving the way for a change in the country's most populous province and political heartland.&nbsp;

Elahi, who lost the election held on Friday despite getting a majority vote, had challenged the ruling of deputy speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari who handed victory to Hamza. Elahi secured 186 votes against 179 votes of PML-N candidate Hamza but lost after Deputy Speaker Mazari rejected 10 votes of his PML-Q lawmakers.&nbsp;

Mazari refused to count the vote after PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain through a letter directed his party lawmakers to vote for Hamza, son of Prime Minister Sharif and PML-N president.&nbsp;

The apex court declared Mazari's controversial decision to reject 10 votes as "illegal".

It ordered Punjab Governor Baligh ur Rehman to administer the oath to Elahi. However, Rehman refused to perform his duties.&nbsp;

Following Rehman's refusal, Elahi left for Islamabad late Tuesday night where he was sworn in as the chief minister by President Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadar in the early hours of Wednesday.&nbsp;

Alvi sent a special aircraft to bring Elahi to Islamabad for the oath-taking ceremony, Geo News reported. 
Tuesday's outcome provides a "massive opportunity" to PTI chairman Khan to build further pressure on the rulers to call for fresh elections and also corner the PML-N in Punjab which is considered a stronghold of the Sharifs.&nbsp;

"I want to thank the nation for coming out spontaneously last evening in support of the SC decision upholding Constitution &amp; the Law. Tonight I will address our people at 10:00pm giving them our way forward for a sovereign Pakistan,"&nbsp;Khan tweeted on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Elahi's swearing-in capped a months-long saga over the provincial chief executive that began with Usman Buzdar's resignation. However, it opened a new front in the country's troubled politics.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Khan's party approached the Lahore High Court seeking removal of Prime Minister Sharif and his cabinet from office.&nbsp;

In a petition filed by the PTI leaders Andalib Abbas and Hassan Niazi, the federal government, the principal secretary to the PM, and the Election Commission of Pakistan amongst others were made parties to the case, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.&nbsp;

The petition contended that money laundering cases against the premier are under hearing, meanwhile, he and his cabinet have met with proclaimed offenders during their recent foreign trip.

Khan's party argued that in a "clear violation of the law", Prime Minister Sharif included his son Salman Shehbaz and his wife in the official visit to Turkey.&nbsp;

"The prime minister is violating the Constitution by misusing his powers,"&nbsp;stated the petition.

Seeking the removal of the PML-N leader from the premier's office along with his cabinet, the petition also requested the LHC to order the caretaker prime minister to take over.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday warned of imposing governor's rule in Punjab if he was restricted from entering the province.&nbsp;

Talking to reporters in Islamabad, Sanaullah said he had already begun drafting an order for the imposition of governor's rule because of the kind of statements opposition political leaders had been making.

"If my entry is restricted, it will be grounds for governor's rule," the PML-N leader asserted.

The Punjab province has been in turmoil since April which took a new turn on Friday when Elahi was not declared a winner.

Soon after the apex court verdict on Tuesday night, a jubilant crowd carrying PTI flags present outside the Supreme Court on the Constitution Avenue as well as a number of supporters on the premises burst into cheers and sloganeering.

Despite a heavy police contingent blocking the roads leading to the apex court building, a large number of supporters managed to reach the venue, and those who could not make it started celebrating at different police pickets on the way.

"I appreciate our SC judges for standing firm and upholding the Constitution &amp; law, against all manner of threats &amp; abuse," Khan said, welcoming the apex court's ruling.

"I want to thank the people of Punjab for coming out in unprecedented numbers in bye-elections against rigging," he tweeted.

A resurgent Khan and his PTI have not just snatched the PML-N's citadel in Lahore, they are also threatening to shake the very foundations of its weak power in Islamabad, the Dawn newspaper said in its editorial.

"It is only a matter of time before the coalition faces increased pressure from all corners, especially the PTI, for early elections, which will be difficult for it to handle with a hostile administration in the largest province,"&nbsp;it said.

"With Khan emerging as the most popular leader it will be hard for the establishment, judiciary, bureaucracy or business elite to write him off. That's what the verdict underlines,"&nbsp;it said.

Confined to Islamabad with its coalition partners, the PML-N leadership has limited options to survive the remaining term of the present assemblies and no room for manoeuvre in Punjab, the report said.

The only choice for it from here on is to forge a stronger alliance with the other parties "most of them already a part of the coalition" in the next elections and beyond to salvage its politics, it said.&nbsp;

Addressing a press conference soon after the verdict was announced, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb lambasted it as a "judicial coup".&nbsp;

Punjab is Pakistan's second-largest province and any party ruling the key province controls the politics of the country. For the PML-N, losing Punjab means losing the Centre. Political pundits believe that the ruling coalition is now vulnerable.&nbsp;

PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was sworn in as chief minister of Punjab by Pakistan President early Wednesday morning, in a boost to ousted premier Imran Khan whose party approached a top court seeking dismissal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government.

PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was sworn in as chief minister of Punjab by Pakistan President early Wednesday morning, in a boost to ousted premier Imran Khan whose party approached a top court seeking dismissal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government. Elahi, the 76-year-old leader backed by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was sworn in at the directions of the Supreme Court which dealt a big blow to Prime Minister Sharif-led coalition by removing his son as the executive head of the country's politically crucial province. A three-member bench - comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Muneeb Akhtar - on Tuesday night ruled that Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Elahi will be the new chief minister of Punjab, paving the way for a change in the country's most populous province and political heartland. Elahi, who lost the election held on Friday despite getting a majority vote, had challenged the ruling of deputy speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari who handed victory to Hamza. Elahi secured 186 votes against 179 votes of PML-N candidate Hamza but lost after Deputy Speaker Mazari rejected 10 votes of his PML-Q lawmakers. Mazari refused to count the vote after PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain through a letter directed his party lawmakers to vote for Hamza, son of Prime Minister Sharif and PML-N president. The apex court declared Mazari's controversial decision to reject 10 votes as "illegal". It ordered Punjab Governor Baligh ur Rehman to administer the oath to Elahi. However, Rehman refused to perform his duties. Following Rehman's refusal, Elahi left for Islamabad late Tuesday night where he was sworn in as the chief minister by President Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadar in the early hours of Wednesday. Alvi sent a special aircraft to bring Elahi to Islamabad for the oath-taking ceremony, Geo News reported. Tuesday's outcome provides a "massive opportunity" to PTI chairman Khan to build further pressure on the rulers to call for fresh elections and also corner the PML-N in Punjab which is considered a stronghold of the Sharifs. "I want to thank the nation for coming out spontaneously last evening in support of the SC decision upholding Constitution & the Law. Tonight I will address our people at 10:00pm giving them our way forward for a sovereign Pakistan," Khan tweeted on Wednesday. Elahi's swearing-in capped a months-long saga over the provincial chief executive that began with Usman Buzdar's resignation. However, it opened a new front in the country's troubled politics. On Wednesday, Khan's party approached the Lahore High Court seeking removal of Prime Minister Sharif and his cabinet from office. In a petition filed by the PTI leaders Andalib Abbas and Hassan Niazi, the federal government, the principal secretary to the PM, and the Election Commission of Pakistan amongst others were made parties to the case, the Express Tribune newspaper reported. The petition contended that money laundering cases against the premier are under hearing, meanwhile, he and his cabinet have met with proclaimed offenders during their recent foreign trip. Khan's party argued that in a "clear violation of the law", Prime Minister Sharif included his son Salman Shehbaz and his wife in the official visit to Turkey. "The prime minister is violating the Constitution by misusing his powers," stated the petition. Seeking the removal of the PML-N leader from the premier's office along with his cabinet, the petition also requested the LHC to order the caretaker prime minister to take over. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday warned of imposing governor's rule in Punjab if he was restricted from entering the province. Talking to reporters in Islamabad, Sanaullah said he had already begun drafting an order for the imposition of governor's rule because of the kind of statements opposition political leaders had been making. "If my entry is restricted, it will be grounds for governor's rule," the PML-N leader asserted. The Punjab province has been in turmoil since April which took a new turn on Friday when Elahi was not declared a winner. Soon after the apex court verdict on Tuesday night, a jubilant crowd carrying PTI flags present outside the Supreme Court on the Constitution Avenue as well as a number of supporters on the premises burst into cheers and sloganeering. Despite a heavy police contingent blocking the roads leading to the apex court building, a large number of supporters managed to reach the venue, and those who could not make it started celebrating at different police pickets on the way. "I appreciate our SC judges for standing firm and upholding the Constitution & law, against all manner of threats & abuse," Khan said, welcoming the apex court's ruling. "I want to thank the people of Punjab for coming out in unprecedented numbers in bye-elections against rigging," he tweeted. A resurgent Khan and his PTI have not just snatched the PML-N's citadel in Lahore, they are also threatening to shake the very foundations of its weak power in Islamabad, the Dawn newspaper said in its editorial. "It is only a matter of time before the coalition faces increased pressure from all corners, especially the PTI, for early elections, which will be difficult for it to handle with a hostile administration in the largest province," it said. "With Khan emerging as the most popular leader it will be hard for the establishment, judiciary, bureaucracy or business elite to write him off. That's what the verdict underlines," it said. Confined to Islamabad with its coalition partners, the PML-N leadership has limited options to survive the remaining term of the present assemblies and no room for manoeuvre in Punjab, the report said. The only choice for it from here on is to forge a stronger alliance with the other parties "most of them already a part of the coalition" in the next elections and beyond to salvage its politics, it said. Addressing a press conference soon after the verdict was announced, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb lambasted it as a "judicial coup". Punjab is Pakistan's second-largest province and any party ruling the key province controls the politics of the country. For the PML-N, losing Punjab means losing the Centre. Political pundits believe that the ruling coalition is now vulnerable.

Parvez Elahi sworn in as Pakistan Punjab's new CM amid high political drama

There seems to be no end to the political turmoil in Pakistan. With the country's most populous state Punjab becoming the battleground between the coalition government and the key opposition PTI. In the latest, Pakistan SC gives a big blow to the ruling party.

Pakistan SC overturns Punjab DY CM's decision, names Parvez Elahi as Punjab CM

India is celebrating the 23rd Kargil Vijay Diwas. 23 years ago, on July 26, India had reclaimed the strategic peaks seized by Pakistan. Today India is celebrating the heroes who made this victory possible. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: India celebrates 23rd Kargil Vijay Diwas

Is Afghanistan joining the CPEC? China & Pakistan want to extend the CPEC into Afghanistan to enhance 'regional connectivity'. The plan is to build a motorway linking Kabul to Peshawar. Palki Sharma decodes the security concerns this poses for India.

Gravitas: China & Pakistan want Afghanistan to join CPEC

Kargil Vijay Divas is celebrated on 26 July every year to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War in the year 1999.

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Could Pakistan be the next Sri Lanka? A new report ranks Pakistan 4th in list of countries at risk of default. It says the political turmoil is making economic recovery even tougher. The tug of war over Punjab CM post is the latest example. Palki Sharma reports.

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There seems to be no end to Pakistan's political turmoil. It started with the ouster of Imran Khan but when Shahbaz Sharif took over as the country's prime minister the people hope that the turmoil will end but it only spiraled further taking the Punjab province by storm. A ruckus has begun over the recently held Chief Minister's election.

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Pakistan has been experiencing heavy downpour. The heavy monsoons continued to batter parts of the country since Saturday night, submerging several low-lying areas of the port city of Karachi. As per reports at least two people have been killed and two others have been injured. WION's Anas Mallick brings in more on this.

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Pakistan has been experiencing heavy downpour. The heavy monsoons continued to batter parts of the country since Saturday night, submerging several low-lying areas of the port city of Karachi, as per reports at least two people have been killed and two others have been injured. WION's Anas Mallick brings in more on this.

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Pakistan has been experiencing heavy downpour. The heavy monsoons continued to batter parts of the country since Saturday night, submerging several low-lying areas of the port city of Karachi, as per reports at least two people have been killed and two others have been injured.

Pakistan: Karachi inundated due to rain water, two deaths have been reported due to heavy rains

Pakistan is also witnessing an economic crisis and in a fresh attack aimed at the Shehbaz Sharif's government, the former prime minister Imran Khan warned that Pakistan is not far from a Sri Lanka moment.

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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz has retained the post of the Punjab chief minister by securing majority of votes in the runoff election.

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A Golden tabby tigress has given birth to cubs in Pakistan's Karachi. Tabby tigers also known as strawberry tigers are very rare, only 30 are left in the entire world.

WION Climate Tracker | Rare Golden Tabby tigress gives birth to cubs in Pakistan

PTI senator Shaukat Tarin said that the people of Pakistan have lost faith in the in the ruling Sharif government. Former PM Imran Khan and his aides have been demanding Shehbaz Sharif's exit.

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Searches conducted by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a drugs&amp; arms smuggling case, has led to the recovery and seizure of gadgets and incriminating documents. The premier agency responsible for investigating terror-related crimes in India had conducted searches across 22 premises said to be linked to a Sri Lankan drug mafia, across the Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Statement from NIA points to serious conspiracy by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Srilankan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Srilankan</a> drug mafia in connection with a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistani</a> drug &amp; arms supplier 
 
The objective of these nefarious activities is said to be the revival of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LTTE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LTTE</a> 
 
Searches carried out at 22 locations in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/india?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#india</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NIA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NIA</a> <a href="https://t.co/VRkeynHeQg">pic.twitter.com/VRkeynHeQg</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1549798331278565377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Tamil Nadu's capital city Chennai and other districts such as Thiruppur, Chengalpattu and Thiruchirapally were the locations that witnessed searches by the sleuths. According to the NIA, this is said to be in connection with illegal activities of the Sri Lankan drug mafia being operated by C.Gunashekharan and Pushparajah, in association with Haji Salim, a Pakistan-based drugs and arms supplier.&nbsp;

"These drugs and arms traffickers have been operating in India and Sri Lanka and working for the revival of LTTE and to further its violent activities", said the agency. The searches are based on a suo motu case that NIA registered in recent weeks. The case was filed under sections that covered serious offences that fall under criminal conspiracy, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act etc.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-coast-guards-big-haul-over-usd-412-million-worth-drugs-5-ak-47rifles-1000-rounds-seized-373189">Indian Coast Guard’s big haul: Over USD 412 million worth drugs, 5 Ak-47rifles, 1,000 rounds seized</a>&nbsp;

The case is said to be connected to the seizure of Ak-47 rifles and heroin from a Sri Lankan boat off the Kerala coast, in 2021.&nbsp;

Searches conducted by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a drugs& arms smuggling case, has led to the recovery and seizure of gadgets and incriminating documents.

Searches conducted by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a drugs& arms smuggling case, has led to the recovery and seizure of gadgets and incriminating documents. The premier agency responsible for investigating terror-related crimes in India had conducted searches across 22 premises said to be linked to a Sri Lankan drug mafia, across the Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu. Statement from NIA points to serious conspiracy by #Srilankan drug mafia in connection with a #Pakistani drug & arms supplier The objective of these nefarious activities is said to be the revival of the #LTTE Searches carried out at 22 locations in #TamilNadu #india #NIA pic.twitter.com/VRkeynHeQg — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) July 20, 2022 × Tamil Nadu's capital city Chennai and other districts such as Thiruppur, Chengalpattu and Thiruchirapally were the locations that witnessed searches by the sleuths. According to the NIA, this is said to be in connection with illegal activities of the Sri Lankan drug mafia being operated by C.Gunashekharan and Pushparajah, in association with Haji Salim, a Pakistan-based drugs and arms supplier. "These drugs and arms traffickers have been operating in India and Sri Lanka and working for the revival of LTTE and to further its violent activities", said the agency. The searches are based on a suo motu case that NIA registered in recent weeks. The case was filed under sections that covered serious offences that fall under criminal conspiracy, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act etc. ALSO READ | Indian Coast Guard’s big haul: Over USD 412 million worth drugs, 5 Ak-47rifles, 1,000 rounds seized The case is said to be connected to the seizure of Ak-47 rifles and heroin from a Sri Lankan boat off the Kerala coast, in 2021.

India: NIA conducts searches on Sri Lanka-Pak drug & arms mafia operatives

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