Earlier today, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Ali Qasim Gilani along with 30 opposition members were arrested.

Pak govt cracks down on opposition ahead of PDM rally in Multan

It's a double whammy for the Imran Khan government&nbsp;in Pakistan. The opposition is set to go on a nation-wide offensive on October 16.

However, demonstrations of a different colour have erupted in the national capital as hundreds of Pakistan&nbsp;citizens have hit the streets of Islamabad.

Islamabad has been taken by a storm of union-led protests from various sectors. Yesterday thousands converged outside the Pakistani parliament and staged a sit-in. This included government employees, farmers, teachers, doctors, health workers and pensioners.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-450-opposition-workers-booked-ahead-of-anti-government-rally-in-pakistan-335448">Also read|&nbsp;Over 450 Opposition workers booked ahead of anti-government rally in Pakistan</a>

They were protesting against price hike and what they call 'anti-employee policies' of the local government. Most of them called-off their sit-ins after "successful negotiations" with the government.

However, women health workers are refusing to cede ground. They are on what you call a dharna at Islamabad's famous D-chowk.

They are demanding a unified pay structure, job insurance and physical security. These are not big demands, especially for the Pakistan Prime Minister who has always made tall claims about supporting daily wage earners.

He is now using the socio-economic crises and IMF loans as a pretext to reject these demands. At the same time he is cracking down on opposition voices.

Asif Ali Zardari, the former President of Pakistan and the leader of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has been issued an arrest warrant by the national accountability bureau of Pakistan — the country's anti-corruption watchdog.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-opposition-rally-on-parties-alliance-to-hold-first-rally-on-october-18-334905">Also read|&nbsp;Pak opposition rally on parties alliance to hold first rally on October 18</a>

Mr. Zardari is being accused of corruption worth 8 billion Pakistani rupees. The ant-graft body is investigating his alleged suspicious financial transactions.

His son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari says this is yet another attempt by Imran Khan to vilify the opposition's anti-corruption movement.

In a tweet,&nbsp;he said these tactics are not new and they will do nothing to deter his party.

The Zardaris are not the only ones being targeted by the Pakistan government. Maryam Nawaz of the Pakistan muslim league is also on the radar.

Reports say the Pakistan government may block all routes to Maryam Nawaz's residence to stop her from attending the first opposition demonstration scheduled for Friday.

Additionally, according to Dawn, more than 400 opposition workers have been detained for flouting COVID-19 guidelines. This is yet another exucse to sabotage the planned demonstrations. Those held include district presidents and lawmakers of both the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League.

Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan has requested the Pakistan police "to not comply with Imran Niazi's unlawful orders to arrest PMLN workers, raid their homes or hinder their travel to Gujranwala."

So Pakistani citizens are out on the streets, the opposition is gearing for nationwide demonstrations and the Prime Minister&nbsp;is responding with force. It is quite a fall from grace for Imran Khan — once a champion of free speech and civil rights movements, and now a Pakistan&nbsp;army puppet trying all he can to crush dissent.

"No matter how many problems pakistan is faced with and how difficult they might be, they all can be resolved. Everything is possible; all that is required is intent and desire. Nothing is impossible once the nation unites," said Imran Khan, Chairman of PTI.

It's a double whammy for the Imran Khan government in Pakistan. The opposition is set to go on a nation-wide offensive on October 16. However, demonstrations of a different colour have erupted in the national capital as hundreds of Pakistan citizens have hit the streets of Islamabad.

It's a double whammy for the Imran Khan government in Pakistan. The opposition is set to go on a nation-wide offensive on October 16. However, demonstrations of a different colour have erupted in the national capital as hundreds of Pakistan citizens have hit the streets of Islamabad. Islamabad has been taken by a storm of union-led protests from various sectors. Yesterday thousands converged outside the Pakistani parliament and staged a sit-in. This included government employees, farmers, teachers, doctors, health workers and pensioners. Also read| Over 450 Opposition workers booked ahead of anti-government rally in Pakistan They were protesting against price hike and what they call 'anti-employee policies' of the local government. Most of them called-off their sit-ins after "successful negotiations" with the government. However, women health workers are refusing to cede ground. They are on what you call a dharna at Islamabad's famous D-chowk. They are demanding a unified pay structure, job insurance and physical security. These are not big demands, especially for the Pakistan Prime Minister who has always made tall claims about supporting daily wage earners. He is now using the socio-economic crises and IMF loans as a pretext to reject these demands. At the same time he is cracking down on opposition voices. Asif Ali Zardari, the former President of Pakistan and the leader of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has been issued an arrest warrant by the national accountability bureau of Pakistan — the country's anti-corruption watchdog. Also read| Pak opposition rally on parties alliance to hold first rally on October 18 Mr. Zardari is being accused of corruption worth 8 billion Pakistani rupees. The ant-graft body is investigating his alleged suspicious financial transactions. His son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari says this is yet another attempt by Imran Khan to vilify the opposition's anti-corruption movement. In a tweet, he said these tactics are not new and they will do nothing to deter his party. The Zardaris are not the only ones being targeted by the Pakistan government. Maryam Nawaz of the Pakistan muslim league is also on the radar. Reports say the Pakistan government may block all routes to Maryam Nawaz's residence to stop her from attending the first opposition demonstration scheduled for Friday. Additionally, according to Dawn, more than 400 opposition workers have been detained for flouting COVID-19 guidelines. This is yet another exucse to sabotage the planned demonstrations. Those held include district presidents and lawmakers of both the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League. Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan has requested the Pakistan police "to not comply with Imran Niazi's unlawful orders to arrest PMLN workers, raid their homes or hinder their travel to Gujranwala." So Pakistani citizens are out on the streets, the opposition is gearing for nationwide demonstrations and the Prime Minister is responding with force. It is quite a fall from grace for Imran Khan — once a champion of free speech and civil rights movements, and now a Pakistan army puppet trying all he can to crush dissent. "No matter how many problems pakistan is faced with and how difficult they might be, they all can be resolved. Everything is possible; all that is required is intent and desire. Nothing is impossible once the nation unites," said Imran Khan, Chairman of PTI.

Nation-wide protests in Pakistan tell the story of fall of Imran Khan

Over 450 workers from Pakistan's Opposition parties have been booked in Lahore and other areas of Punjab province ahead of the first grand anti-government rally on Friday by an alliance formed to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan.

On September 20, the leaders of 11 major Opposition parties announced the formation of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and launch of a three-phased anti-government movement under an action plan&nbsp;starting with countrywide public meetings, protest demonstrations and rallies before a 'decisive long march'&nbsp;towards Islamabad in January 2021.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-opposition-rally-on-parties-alliance-to-hold-first-rally-on-october-18-334905">Pak opposition rally on parties alliance to hold first rally on October 18</a>

The first anti-government rally is scheduled on Friday in Gujranwala city, some 80 kms from Lahore, followed by another rally on October 18 in Karachi, in Quetta on October 25, Peshawar on November 22, Multan on November 30 and then a rally in Lahore on December 13.

The Opposition leaders announced that they would use all political and democratic options, including no-confidence motions and mass resignations from Parliament to seek "the selected" prime minister's resignation.

The Opposition parties have accused the powerful army of rigging the 2018 elections that brought Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party to power.

The Opposition parties are openly opposing the military's interference in politics and elections for the first time in the recent history of the country.

The PDM comprises mainly three mainstream Opposition parties:&nbsp;PML-N of Nawaz Sharif, PPP of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) of Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Launching a crackdown ahead of PDM's first major anti-government show, Punjab police got into action and booked over 450 workers, mostly of PML-N, in different parts of Punjab province under COVID-19 violations and also arrested scores of PDM workers.

Police stations in Gujranwala, Mandi Bahuddin and Lahore registered cases against over 450 Opposition workers under sections 269 and 188 of Pakistan Penal Code for holding a public gathering without observing COVID-19 SOPs.

The former prime minister and PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, who is London since November last year, in a tweet, said that police should refrain from arresting the PDM leaders.

"Police must NOT comply with Imran Niazi's workers, raid their homes or hinder their travel to Gujranwala,"&nbsp;he said. 
Former premier and PDM leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the government's panic over the first public meeting of Opposition has exposed its reality.

"Blocking roads with containers, raiding corner meetings, arresting PDM workers across Punjab, won't deter the spirits of the masses who have decided to rid the country of this selected and inept government."

He said, "People are starving and struggling to feed their families because of the unprecedented inflation and unemployment created by this government which is the most corrupt government in the history of Pakistan."

Abbasi said no amount of threats, harassment or containers can stop the massive flood of Pakistanis participating in the October 16 public meeting.

PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said the PTI government is "shaking in its boots over the first Opposition's rally which goes to show how confident it is about itself."

He said the PTI government is doing all it can to "harass and sabotage" the upcoming congregation.

Meanwhile, the government has allowed the Opposition to hold the rally in Gujranwala Stadium with a direction that no speeches would be made against the military and judiciary.

In his back-to-back speeches from London last month, Sharif, who is facing a number of corruption cases, said there was 'a state above the state in the country'&nbsp;and declared that the Opposition's struggle was not against Prime Minister Khan but against those (military establishment) who had imposed such an incapable person&nbsp;upon the nation through a manipulated electoral process.

Since his anti-army rant, the PTI government has banned the media to broadcast his speeches.

Sharif, 70, has been living in London since November last year after he was allowed by the courts and the government to go there for a period of eight weeks for medical treatment. But he did not come back, while his lawyers told the court that he was still recovering.

The Islamabad High Court through newspaper advertisements has asked Sharif to appear before it by November 24 to avoid being declared a "proclaimed offender". 
&nbsp;

Over 450 workers from Pakistan's Opposition parties have been booked in Lahore and other areas of Punjab province ahead of the first grand anti-government rally on Friday by an alliance formed to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Over 450 workers from Pakistan's Opposition parties have been booked in Lahore and other areas of Punjab province ahead of the first grand anti-government rally on Friday by an alliance formed to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan. On September 20, the leaders of 11 major Opposition parties announced the formation of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and launch of a three-phased anti-government movement under an action plan starting with countrywide public meetings, protest demonstrations and rallies before a 'decisive long march' towards Islamabad in January 2021. Also read | Pak opposition rally on parties alliance to hold first rally on October 18 The first anti-government rally is scheduled on Friday in Gujranwala city, some 80 kms from Lahore, followed by another rally on October 18 in Karachi, in Quetta on October 25, Peshawar on November 22, Multan on November 30 and then a rally in Lahore on December 13. The Opposition leaders announced that they would use all political and democratic options, including no-confidence motions and mass resignations from Parliament to seek "the selected" prime minister's resignation. The Opposition parties have accused the powerful army of rigging the 2018 elections that brought Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party to power. The Opposition parties are openly opposing the military's interference in politics and elections for the first time in the recent history of the country. The PDM comprises mainly three mainstream Opposition parties: PML-N of Nawaz Sharif, PPP of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) of Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Launching a crackdown ahead of PDM's first major anti-government show, Punjab police got into action and booked over 450 workers, mostly of PML-N, in different parts of Punjab province under COVID-19 violations and also arrested scores of PDM workers. Police stations in Gujranwala, Mandi Bahuddin and Lahore registered cases against over 450 Opposition workers under sections 269 and 188 of Pakistan Penal Code for holding a public gathering without observing COVID-19 SOPs. The former prime minister and PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, who is London since November last year, in a tweet, said that police should refrain from arresting the PDM leaders. "Police must NOT comply with Imran Niazi's workers, raid their homes or hinder their travel to Gujranwala," he said. Former premier and PDM leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the government's panic over the first public meeting of Opposition has exposed its reality. "Blocking roads with containers, raiding corner meetings, arresting PDM workers across Punjab, won't deter the spirits of the masses who have decided to rid the country of this selected and inept government." He said, "People are starving and struggling to feed their families because of the unprecedented inflation and unemployment created by this government which is the most corrupt government in the history of Pakistan." Abbasi said no amount of threats, harassment or containers can stop the massive flood of Pakistanis participating in the October 16 public meeting. PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said the PTI government is "shaking in its boots over the first Opposition's rally which goes to show how confident it is about itself." He said the PTI government is doing all it can to "harass and sabotage" the upcoming congregation. Meanwhile, the government has allowed the Opposition to hold the rally in Gujranwala Stadium with a direction that no speeches would be made against the military and judiciary. In his back-to-back speeches from London last month, Sharif, who is facing a number of corruption cases, said there was 'a state above the state in the country' and declared that the Opposition's struggle was not against Prime Minister Khan but against those (military establishment) who had imposed such an incapable person upon the nation through a manipulated electoral process. Since his anti-army rant, the PTI government has banned the media to broadcast his speeches. Sharif, 70, has been living in London since November last year after he was allowed by the courts and the government to go there for a period of eight weeks for medical treatment. But he did not come back, while his lawyers told the court that he was still recovering. The Islamabad High Court through newspaper advertisements has asked Sharif to appear before it by November 24 to avoid being declared a "proclaimed offender".

Over 450 Opposition workers booked ahead of anti-government rally in Pakistan

Major opposition parties in Pakistan formed an alliance on Sunday to hold nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/imran-khan">Imran Khan</a>.&nbsp;

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), and many other parties came together to form All Parties Conference (APC) which adopted a 26-point joint resolution on Sunday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-calls-pakistan-army-a-state-above-state-opposition-comes-together-against-military-328924">Nawaz Sharif calls Pakistan Army a 'state above state', opposition comes together against military</a>

The press conference was also addressed virtually by former PM Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in the UK for medical treatment, as he asked the nation's powerful army to stay away from politics.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/legal-options-will-be-used-if-nawazs-mpc-address-is-aired-imran-khan-aide-328807">'Legal options' will be used if Nawaz's MPC address is aired: Imran Khan aide</a>

"Our struggle is not against Imran Khan. Today, our struggle is against those who installed Imran Khan and who manipulated elections (of 2018) to bring an inefficient man like him into power and thus destroyed the country," in a veiled attack on Pakistani Army.

The resolution also indirectly slammed the army alleging that the Imran Khan-government has been given "fake stability by the same establishment" that interfered with the elections to bring him to power.&nbsp;

It also expressed "extreme concern" over the army's increasing meddling into internal affairs of the country, describing it as a "danger to the nation's stability and institutions".

It also demanded electoral reforms for conducting free, fair and transparent polls.&nbsp;

The alliance will protest in three phases that will start from joint rallies in October and end with "decisive" march in the capital city of Islamabad in January next year to bring down the government.&nbsp;

Major opposition parties in Pakistan formed an alliance on Sunday to hold nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), and many other parties came together to form All Parties Conference (APC) which adopted a 26-point joint resolution on Sunday.

Major opposition parties in Pakistan formed an alliance on Sunday to hold nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), and many other parties came together to form All Parties Conference (APC) which adopted a 26-point joint resolution on Sunday. Also read | Nawaz Sharif calls Pakistan Army a 'state above state', opposition comes together against military The press conference was also addressed virtually by former PM Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in the UK for medical treatment, as he asked the nation's powerful army to stay away from politics. Also read | 'Legal options' will be used if Nawaz's MPC address is aired: Imran Khan aide "Our struggle is not against Imran Khan. Today, our struggle is against those who installed Imran Khan and who manipulated elections (of 2018) to bring an inefficient man like him into power and thus destroyed the country," in a veiled attack on Pakistani Army. The resolution also indirectly slammed the army alleging that the Imran Khan-government has been given "fake stability by the same establishment" that interfered with the elections to bring him to power. It also expressed "extreme concern" over the army's increasing meddling into internal affairs of the country, describing it as a "danger to the nation's stability and institutions". It also demanded electoral reforms for conducting free, fair and transparent polls. The alliance will protest in three phases that will start from joint rallies in October and end with "decisive" march in the capital city of Islamabad in January next year to bring down the government.

Pakistan: Opposition parties form alliance to oust Imran Khan

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has made a comeback to political landscape after a year long gap. Sharif has been invited by PPP leader to attend a joint opposition meeting. Accepting the invitation Sharif joined the meeting virtually while bieng seated in the London.

Nawaz Sharif joined Pak's multi-party meeting virtually from London

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could be making a comeback into country's politics after a year long gap. Sharif has been invited by PPP leader to attend a joint opposition meeting.

Pakistan: PPP leader Bhutto invited Nawaz Sharif to key opposition meet

Cynthia Ritchie, an American writer, earlier this month accused several Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders, including former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to sexually harass her.

In a new development, Ritchie, who is questioned for her proximity to Pakistani establishment and country's all-powerful military, said that she has also faced "mild harassment" from ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in the past.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/decoding-the-sex-scandal-that-has-rocked-politics-in-pakistan-304365">Decoding the sex scandal that has rocked politics in Pakistan</a>

"I have experienced a few cases of mild harassment from PTI workers in the past", the American writer said in an interview with DW.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/american-blogger-accuses-pakistans-zardari-govt-officials-of-rape-harassment-former-minister-denies-charges-303796">American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges</a>

However, she added that the harassment was "nothing close to the violent, aggressive attacks" she has experienced by the people "affiliated with the PPP".&nbsp;

In the interview, Ritchie also said that the issue of sexual harassment in Pakistan "comes mostly from the educated elites".

She also said that she decided to come out with her reality after so long as some "detailed information" was shared by a person associated with PPP, but pretended to be his half-sibling.

"Abusing me is one thing. Abusing my family is where I draw the line," she added.

She also said that abuse is not openly discussed in Pakistan as it is in the West and is considered acceptable "as long as one maintains a luxury lifestyle".

In a Facebook Live video, Ritchie, earlier this month said that she was raped by former interior minister Rehman Malik. She also accused former federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin and ex-prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of "physically manhandling" her.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Cynthia Ritchie, an American writer, earlier this month accused several Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders, including former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to sexually harass her.

Cynthia Ritchie, an American writer, earlier this month accused several Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders, including former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to sexually harass her. In a new development, Ritchie, who is questioned for her proximity to Pakistani establishment and country's all-powerful military, said that she has also faced "mild harassment" from ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in the past. Also read | Decoding the sex scandal that has rocked politics in Pakistan "I have experienced a few cases of mild harassment from PTI workers in the past", the American writer said in an interview with DW. Also read | American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges However, she added that the harassment was "nothing close to the violent, aggressive attacks" she has experienced by the people "affiliated with the PPP". In the interview, Ritchie also said that the issue of sexual harassment in Pakistan "comes mostly from the educated elites". She also said that she decided to come out with her reality after so long as some "detailed information" was shared by a person associated with PPP, but pretended to be his half-sibling. "Abusing me is one thing. Abusing my family is where I draw the line," she added. She also said that abuse is not openly discussed in Pakistan as it is in the West and is considered acceptable "as long as one maintains a luxury lifestyle". In a Facebook Live video, Ritchie, earlier this month said that she was raped by former interior minister Rehman Malik. She also accused former federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin and ex-prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of "physically manhandling" her.

Have experienced 'mild' harassment from PTI leaders: Cynthia Ritchie

Pakistan is in the middle of a sex scandal and three of its Opposition leaders, including a former prime minister have come under scanner.&nbsp;

Cynthia Ritchie, an Islamabad-based US blogger has made allegations of sexual assault against three leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/american-blogger-accuses-pakistans-zardari-govt-officials-of-rape-harassment-former-minister-denies-charges-303796">American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges</a>

Ritchie has made the allegations during a Facebook Live session. She said that she was raped by then home minister Rehman Malik in 2011, saying that the incident took place at his residence where her drink was drugged.&nbsp;

She also accused former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of physically manhandling her. Similar allegations have also been made against former federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-american-woman-accuses-top-pak-leaders-of-rape-assault-304372/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ritchie has also said that these were not the only politicians involved, adding that some of those also belonged to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the party of former PM Nawaz Sharif.&nbsp;

Now, the question is that why a nine-year-old incident has now come to light?

It all began in late May, when Ritchie accused former prime minister Benazir Bhutto of ordering her guards to rape women, who had affairs with her husband, &nbsp;

PPP filed a complaint accusing Ritchie of hateful comment and slander against their former leader.&nbsp;

A week later, Ritchie accused PPP leaders of assaulting and raping her.&nbsp;

Rehman Malik sent a legal notice to Ritchie, accusing her of character assassination.&nbsp;

In Pakistan, several people have questioned the US blogger's allegations, saying that she is close to establishment and Imran Khan government is using her to divert people's attention from health and economic crisis in the country.&nbsp;

Some people also question how could she manage to stay in the country for years. Some people also call her a CIA mole.&nbsp;

Ritchie's pictures with senior military leaders were also shared.&nbsp;

The blogger says that she narrated the incident to the US Embassy in 2011, but their response was "less than adequate".&nbsp;

On Twitter, Ritchie's supporters are describing her critics as traitors, anti-Pakistanis.&nbsp;

WION cannot fact-check the claims, but the scandal has given Pakistan PM an opportunity to launch a political tool against his opponents.&nbsp;

Also, if Ritchie's claims are right, it exposes an even-darker side of Pakistan's political elite.&nbsp;

Pakistan is in the middle of a sex scandal and three of its Opposition leaders, including a former prime minister have come under scanner. Cynthia Ritchie, an Islamabad-based US blogger has made allegations of sexual assault against three leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Pakistan is in the middle of a sex scandal and three of its Opposition leaders, including a former prime minister have come under scanner. Cynthia Ritchie, an Islamabad-based US blogger has made allegations of sexual assault against three leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Also read | American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges Ritchie has made the allegations during a Facebook Live session. She said that she was raped by then home minister Rehman Malik in 2011, saying that the incident took place at his residence where her drink was drugged. She also accused former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of physically manhandling her. Similar allegations have also been made against former federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin. Ritchie has also said that these were not the only politicians involved, adding that some of those also belonged to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the party of former PM Nawaz Sharif. Now, the question is that why a nine-year-old incident has now come to light? It all began in late May, when Ritchie accused former prime minister Benazir Bhutto of ordering her guards to rape women, who had affairs with her husband, PPP filed a complaint accusing Ritchie of hateful comment and slander against their former leader. A week later, Ritchie accused PPP leaders of assaulting and raping her. Rehman Malik sent a legal notice to Ritchie, accusing her of character assassination. In Pakistan, several people have questioned the US blogger's allegations, saying that she is close to establishment and Imran Khan government is using her to divert people's attention from health and economic crisis in the country. Some people also question how could she manage to stay in the country for years. Some people also call her a CIA mole. Ritchie's pictures with senior military leaders were also shared. The blogger says that she narrated the incident to the US Embassy in 2011, but their response was "less than adequate". On Twitter, Ritchie's supporters are describing her critics as traitors, anti-Pakistanis. WION cannot fact-check the claims, but the scandal has given Pakistan PM an opportunity to launch a political tool against his opponents. Also, if Ritchie's claims are right, it exposes an even-darker side of Pakistan's political elite.

Decoding the sex scandal that has rocked politics in Pakistan

The body of a Pakistani journalist was found dumped in a canal just hours after he went missing while on his way to work. Police informed his family that he was brutally killed and his body recovered.

Journalist Aziz Memon Murder Mystery roar in Pakistan

PPP Leaders & PML-N Leaders Come Together In An Iftar-Dinner Hosted By PPP Chief Bilawal Bhutto. The Leaders Are Planning To Protest Against Imran Khan's Government.

Gravitas: Iftar Dinner Brings Pakistan's Opposition Together

The appointment of retired Brigadier Ijaz Shah as Pakistan's new interior minister has been heavily criticised by the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), whose slain former leader Benazir Bhutto regarded him as a deadly enemy.

Some analysts said it suggested Pakistan's powerful military continued to wield heavy influence over the civilian administration - a persistent allegation since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-hints-at-further-cabinet-changes-after-batting-order-shuffle-211904">Imran Khan</a> took office eight months ago that both his government and the generals deny.

In an interview with the BBC after his appointment, Shah said, "What power can I give the military as an interior minister? I left the army a long time ago, I am a civilian and have participated in elections."

Khan's office and the information ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Shah was among four members of the civilian-military establishment named by Bhutto in a letter written to the then President Pervez Musharraf months before her assassination as suspects who should be investigated if she was killed.

Many Pakistanis have long suspected that elements of the intelligence agencies colluded with militants in Bhutto's assassination in a gun and bomb attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi in December 2007. An investigation at the time blamed an al Qaeda-allied Pakistani Taliban leader.

"Are you trying to send a message to the world that we have terrorists and the abettors of terrorists in our cabinet?" Bhutto's son and chairman of the PPP, Bilawal Bhutto, told the country's parliament this week, referring to Shah's appointment. "This cannot happen."&nbsp;

Shah's office did not respond to a request for an interview or a list of questions sent by Reuters, but earlier this month then Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told local newspaper Dawn that "he is a clean man" and had been cleared of all allegations against him in a government inquiry.

Spy chief

The sweeping cabinet reshuffle comes as Pakistan is trying to attract foreign investment and present itself as a reformed country. But critics say the inclusion of an "old school" figure such as Shah in the government shows little has changed.

Under Musharraf, who as army chief seized power in a 1999 coup and ruled until 2008, Shah served as head of the military's leading spy agency in the Punjab province and was later appointed the head of the civilian Intelligence Bureau.&nbsp;

He oversaw the surrender of wanted militant Omar Saeed Shaikh, who masterminded the kidnapping and killing of Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl in 2002.

That contributed to allegations he had been close to Islamist groups based along the lawless border with Afghanistan, where Pakistan's security services have long been accused of playing a double game.&nbsp;

"The biggest controversy is his links with the Afghan jihad and figures like Omar Saeed Sheikh," author and analyst Ayesha Siddiqa told Reuters, a longstanding critic of Pakistan's military. "Looks very much like the army chief`s choice."

The military did not respond to a request for comment on this article, but in the past has said it does not interfere in politics. The military has also repeatedly denied allegations levelled by the United States, Afghanistan and others that it has covertly sheltered militants based along its borders.

Under Khan's government, Islamabad has been trying to convince the outside world that it will not tolerate militants operating from inside Pakistan.

Pakistan currently finds itself on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) "grey list" for inadequately dealing with money laundering and terrorism financing, a designation that makes it harder for the country to access international markets at a time when its economy is stumbling.

Convincing the FATF that it is making sufficient efforts to crack down on militancy will be harder with a controversial figure such as Shah in the cabinet, said PPP Senator Mustafa Khokhar.

Some analysts agree.

"Ijaz Shah's appointment just reinforces the perception that nothing has changed in Pakistani politics," political analyst Aamer Ahmed Khan told Reuters. 
&nbsp;

The appointment of retired Brigadier Ijaz Shah as Pakistan's new interior minister has been heavily criticised by the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), whose slain former leader Benazir Bhutto regarded him as a deadly enemy.

The appointment of retired Brigadier Ijaz Shah as Pakistan's new interior minister has been heavily criticised by the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), whose slain former leader Benazir Bhutto regarded him as a deadly enemy. Some analysts said it suggested Pakistan's powerful military continued to wield heavy influence over the civilian administration - a persistent allegation since Imran Khan took office eight months ago that both his government and the generals deny. In an interview with the BBC after his appointment, Shah said, "What power can I give the military as an interior minister? I left the army a long time ago, I am a civilian and have participated in elections." Khan's office and the information ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Shah was among four members of the civilian-military establishment named by Bhutto in a letter written to the then President Pervez Musharraf months before her assassination as suspects who should be investigated if she was killed. Many Pakistanis have long suspected that elements of the intelligence agencies colluded with militants in Bhutto's assassination in a gun and bomb attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi in December 2007. An investigation at the time blamed an al Qaeda-allied Pakistani Taliban leader. "Are you trying to send a message to the world that we have terrorists and the abettors of terrorists in our cabinet?" Bhutto's son and chairman of the PPP, Bilawal Bhutto, told the country's parliament this week, referring to Shah's appointment. "This cannot happen." Shah's office did not respond to a request for an interview or a list of questions sent by Reuters, but earlier this month then Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told local newspaper Dawn that "he is a clean man" and had been cleared of all allegations against him in a government inquiry. Spy chief The sweeping cabinet reshuffle comes as Pakistan is trying to attract foreign investment and present itself as a reformed country. But critics say the inclusion of an "old school" figure such as Shah in the government shows little has changed. Under Musharraf, who as army chief seized power in a 1999 coup and ruled until 2008, Shah served as head of the military's leading spy agency in the Punjab province and was later appointed the head of the civilian Intelligence Bureau. He oversaw the surrender of wanted militant Omar Saeed Shaikh, who masterminded the kidnapping and killing of Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl in 2002. That contributed to allegations he had been close to Islamist groups based along the lawless border with Afghanistan, where Pakistan's security services have long been accused of playing a double game. "The biggest controversy is his links with the Afghan jihad and figures like Omar Saeed Sheikh," author and analyst Ayesha Siddiqa told Reuters, a longstanding critic of Pakistan's military. "Looks very much like the army chief`s choice." The military did not respond to a request for comment on this article, but in the past has said it does not interfere in politics. The military has also repeatedly denied allegations levelled by the United States, Afghanistan and others that it has covertly sheltered militants based along its borders. Under Khan's government, Islamabad has been trying to convince the outside world that it will not tolerate militants operating from inside Pakistan. Pakistan currently finds itself on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) "grey list" for inadequately dealing with money laundering and terrorism financing, a designation that makes it harder for the country to access international markets at a time when its economy is stumbling. Convincing the FATF that it is making sufficient efforts to crack down on militancy will be harder with a controversial figure such as Shah in the cabinet, said PPP Senator Mustafa Khokhar. Some analysts agree. "Ijaz Shah's appointment just reinforces the perception that nothing has changed in Pakistani politics," political analyst Aamer Ahmed Khan told Reuters.

'This cannot happen!': Pakistan's opposition raises questions over Imran Khan's interior minister pick 

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was stopped from leaving the country by security officials at the Lahore airport late Tuesday night.

According to the Federal Investigation Agency, Gilani had reached the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore to catch his flight for South Korea via Bangkok to attend a conference. However, his name was on the no-fly list.

"At the immigration counter, Mr Gilani was told that his name was placed on them, therefore, he could not leave the country," the FIA said, adding that it was following orders from the interior ministry.

Reacting strongly, the senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said he had always appeared in court in the different ongoing cases against him.

"There was no point in placing my name on (the) no-fly list. I was not fleeing the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan's sole agenda seems to be targeting his political opponents," he said.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government should have informed me about blacklisting my name, Gilani said, adding that he will challenge the "illegal decision of the government".

Gilani is facing several corruption cases and last week, the accountability court of Islamabad had rejected his plea seeking exemption from personal appearance in a case related to awarding alleged illegal advertising contract to a private ad agency.

He is accused of misusing authority to illegally grant Messrs Midas an advertising contract in contravention of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.

The act is reported to have cost the national treasury Rs 129.07 million.&nbsp;

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was stopped from leaving the country by security officials at the Lahore airport late Tuesday night. According to the Federal Investigation Agency, Gilani had reached the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore to catch his flight for South Korea via Bangkok to attend a conference.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was stopped from leaving the country by security officials at the Lahore airport late Tuesday night. According to the Federal Investigation Agency, Gilani had reached the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore to catch his flight for South Korea via Bangkok to attend a conference. However, his name was on the no-fly list. "At the immigration counter, Mr Gilani was told that his name was placed on them, therefore, he could not leave the country," the FIA said, adding that it was following orders from the interior ministry. Reacting strongly, the senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said he had always appeared in court in the different ongoing cases against him. "There was no point in placing my name on (the) no-fly list. I was not fleeing the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan's sole agenda seems to be targeting his political opponents," he said. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government should have informed me about blacklisting my name, Gilani said, adding that he will challenge the "illegal decision of the government". Gilani is facing several corruption cases and last week, the accountability court of Islamabad had rejected his plea seeking exemption from personal appearance in a case related to awarding alleged illegal advertising contract to a private ad agency. He is accused of misusing authority to illegally grant Messrs Midas an advertising contract in contravention of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules. The act is reported to have cost the national treasury Rs 129.07 million.

Former Pakistan PM Gilani stopped from leaving country

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-begging-for-funds-worldwide-sindh-cm-188736">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> is the real owner of his sister Aleema Khan`s illegal property.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Aurangzeb inquired why Aleema's assets and money laundering allegations levelled against her were not being investigated.

Furthermore, the PML-N leader took a dig at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and said the bureau should rename itself to 'Noon Accountability Bureau', according to Dunya News.

On December 25, the Prime Minister had taken a potshot at the Pakistan People`s Party (PPP) and PML-N, saying that the Joint Investigation Teams' (JIT) reports on Panama Papers and fake accounts cases were "case studies in how states fail."

Chiding the supporters of PPP and PML-N and accusing them of supporting those who 'plundered' public money, the cricketer-turned-politician further said: "I am puzzled and perplexed by those who, despite having read the two reports, are still defending the plunderers."

Addressing the media on Sunday, Marriyum Aurangzeb inquired why Aleema's assets and money laundering allegations levelled against her were not being investigated.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan is the real owner of his sister Aleema Khan`s illegal property. Addressing the media on Sunday, Aurangzeb inquired why Aleema's assets and money laundering allegations levelled against her were not being investigated. Furthermore, the PML-N leader took a dig at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and said the bureau should rename itself to 'Noon Accountability Bureau', according to Dunya News. On December 25, the Prime Minister had taken a potshot at the Pakistan People`s Party (PPP) and PML-N, saying that the Joint Investigation Teams' (JIT) reports on Panama Papers and fake accounts cases were "case studies in how states fail." Chiding the supporters of PPP and PML-N and accusing them of supporting those who 'plundered' public money, the cricketer-turned-politician further said: "I am puzzled and perplexed by those who, despite having read the two reports, are still defending the plunderers."

Imran Khan the real owner of sister's illegal property: PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb

Opposition Pakistan People's Party accused the defence ministry of refusing to tell the Senate that under which law the country's powerful intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was functioning.&nbsp;

PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar speaking at "Pakistan: The Way Forward" in the 4th International Faiz Festival at Alhamra Arts Council here on Saturday said politics of resistance was being diminished because of "aliens (a reference to military establishment) and weakness of politicians".&nbsp;

"When the Senate asked under which law the ISI was functioning it was told that 'it is secret and sensitive' and couldn't be shared with it (Senate)," Babar said.

He said the time had gone when there would have been a 'direct attack' on democracy in the form of martial law.&nbsp;

Left wing politician and former head of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Afrasiab Khattak has said the country was in crisis under he leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.&nbsp;

And this (PTI) government had been installed under a 'stopgap arrangement' in which a number of technocrats had been included. "In the next phase there will be a government of technocrats," he said.

Opposition Pakistan People's Party accused the defence ministry of refusing to tell the Senate that under which law the country's powerful intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was functioning.

Opposition Pakistan People's Party accused the defence ministry of refusing to tell the Senate that under which law the country's powerful intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was functioning. PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar speaking at "Pakistan: The Way Forward" in the 4th International Faiz Festival at Alhamra Arts Council here on Saturday said politics of resistance was being diminished because of "aliens (a reference to military establishment) and weakness of politicians". "When the Senate asked under which law the ISI was functioning it was told that 'it is secret and sensitive' and couldn't be shared with it (Senate)," Babar said. He said the time had gone when there would have been a 'direct attack' on democracy in the form of martial law. Left wing politician and former head of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Afrasiab Khattak has said the country was in crisis under he leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan. And this (PTI) government had been installed under a 'stopgap arrangement' in which a number of technocrats had been included. "In the next phase there will be a government of technocrats," he said.

PPP accuses Pakistan government of not disclosing law over ISI's functioning

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has sought a clarification from Arif Alvi on reports that claimed that the president has spent 5 million Pakistani rupees on breakfast while he was in Gilgit-Baltistan for an official visit.

Pakistani President Arif Alvi last week visited Gilgit-Baltistan during which he held talks with the high ranking officials and governor of the region, Jalal Hussain Maqpoon on matters pertaining to the development.

Pakistan People's Party leader and former Senaor Aajiz Dhamrah after the visit on Friday levelled allegations that the president had breakfast along with his family which&nbsp;reportedly costed 5 million rupees.

Alvi, however,&nbsp;rejected the reports terming&nbsp;them as false and said that he paid the bills from his own pocket.

He further informed media that Imran Khan who came into the power on promises to cut excessive government spending has sought a clarification on the news reports on a text.

"Imran Khan himself is vigilant and had texted me seeking a clarification on this news story," he said.

Meanwhile, the PPP leader Dhamrah also slammed the PTI government saying that at one hand PTI leadership is claiming to have adopted the austerity measure in running the government affairs and on the other hand, their party affiliated country's president&nbsp;is spending 5 million rupees only on breakfasts during official tours.

Cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan was elected in July with the support of many&nbsp;Pakistanis desperate for a change in a nation where the illiteracy rate hovers above 40 per cent, healthcare is shoddy, and joblessness or underemployment rife among the country's 208 million people.

In August, as part of his austerity drive, he banned the discretionary use of state funds and first-class air travel by officials and leaders, including the President and the prime minister.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has sought a clarification from Arif Alvi on reports that claimed that the president has spent 5 million Pakistani rupees on breakfast while he was in Gilgit-Baltistan for an official visit.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has sought a clarification from Arif Alvi on reports that claimed that the president has spent 5 million Pakistani rupees on breakfast while he was in Gilgit-Baltistan for an official visit. Pakistani President Arif Alvi last week visited Gilgit-Baltistan during which he held talks with the high ranking officials and governor of the region, Jalal Hussain Maqpoon on matters pertaining to the development. Pakistan People's Party leader and former Senaor Aajiz Dhamrah after the visit on Friday levelled allegations that the president had breakfast along with his family which reportedly costed 5 million rupees. Alvi, however, rejected the reports terming them as false and said that he paid the bills from his own pocket. He further informed media that Imran Khan who came into the power on promises to cut excessive government spending has sought a clarification on the news reports on a text. "Imran Khan himself is vigilant and had texted me seeking a clarification on this news story," he said. Meanwhile, the PPP leader Dhamrah also slammed the PTI government saying that at one hand PTI leadership is claiming to have adopted the austerity measure in running the government affairs and on the other hand, their party affiliated country's president is spending 5 million rupees only on breakfasts during official tours. Cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan was elected in July with the support of many Pakistanis desperate for a change in a nation where the illiteracy rate hovers above 40 per cent, healthcare is shoddy, and joblessness or underemployment rife among the country's 208 million people. In August, as part of his austerity drive, he banned the discretionary use of state funds and first-class air travel by officials and leaders, including the President and the prime minister.

Pak PM Imran Khan seeks clarification from President Alvi on reports of spending 5 million rupees on breakfast

Opposition lawmakers have criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for offering to re-start talks with India on key issues, including terrorism and Kashmir, without taking parliament into confidence, a media report said Tuesday.

Senate, the upper house of parliament, met Monday evening and among other issues discussed the government's efforts to revive talks with India.&nbsp;

In the letter dated September 14, the cricketer-turned-politician, who became the prime minister last month, proposed a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this month.&nbsp;

Khan had written the letter in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's letter to him on August 18 in which the Indian leader had conveyed commitment to pursue "meaningful" and "constructive" engagement with Pakistan and emphasising the need to work for a terror-free South Asia.&nbsp;

Pakistan Senate's former chairman Mian Raza Rabbani of Pakistan Peoples Party said that Khan's offer for talks to India was incomprehensible given the situation in Kashmir.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's letter to Khan was ceremonial in nature, but an offer of dialogue was made in the letter written in response to it.&nbsp;

He also objected to the language used in Khan's letter that Pakistan was "ready to discuss terrorism".&nbsp;

Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haidri of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl questioned as to how a single individual could offer dialogue to India.&nbsp;

He criticised Khan for writing a letter to his Indian counterpart without taking parliament into confidence. He advised Khan to tread carefully, saying that the prime minister was taking decisions in haste which lacked vision.

Responding on behalf of the government, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry explained that Khan's letter to the Indian prime minister was in response to a communication he received from him. He said Pakistan wanted to find a solution to all bilateral disputes with India, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The two countries have been fighting for seventy years and we can continue to fight for another seventy years if India wants," he remarked and warned that a nuclear war, if it broke out, would mean devastation in the subcontinent.&nbsp;

Faisal Javed of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf regretted that efforts were being made for point-scoring on the issues which required a complete unity in the ranks of the political class.&nbsp;

"We need to project Pakistan's narrative," he stressed.&nbsp;

Opposition lawmakers have criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for offering to re-start talks with India on key issues, including terrorism and Kashmir, without taking parliament into confidence, a media report said Tuesday.

Opposition lawmakers have criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for offering to re-start talks with India on key issues, including terrorism and Kashmir, without taking parliament into confidence, a media report said Tuesday. Senate, the upper house of parliament, met Monday evening and among other issues discussed the government's efforts to revive talks with India. In the letter dated September 14, the cricketer-turned-politician, who became the prime minister last month, proposed a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this month. Khan had written the letter in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's letter to him on August 18 in which the Indian leader had conveyed commitment to pursue "meaningful" and "constructive" engagement with Pakistan and emphasising the need to work for a terror-free South Asia. Pakistan Senate's former chairman Mian Raza Rabbani of Pakistan Peoples Party said that Khan's offer for talks to India was incomprehensible given the situation in Kashmir. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's letter to Khan was ceremonial in nature, but an offer of dialogue was made in the letter written in response to it. He also objected to the language used in Khan's letter that Pakistan was "ready to discuss terrorism". Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haidri of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl questioned as to how a single individual could offer dialogue to India. He criticised Khan for writing a letter to his Indian counterpart without taking parliament into confidence. He advised Khan to tread carefully, saying that the prime minister was taking decisions in haste which lacked vision. Responding on behalf of the government, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry explained that Khan's letter to the Indian prime minister was in response to a communication he received from him. He said Pakistan wanted to find a solution to all bilateral disputes with India, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. "The two countries have been fighting for seventy years and we can continue to fight for another seventy years if India wants," he remarked and warned that a nuclear war, if it broke out, would mean devastation in the subcontinent. Faisal Javed of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf regretted that efforts were being made for point-scoring on the issues which required a complete unity in the ranks of the political class. "We need to project Pakistan's narrative," he stressed.

Pak Opposition slams Imran Khan for offering to hold talks with India: Report

Bilawal Bhutto-led Pakistan People's Party has nominated former Sindh Assembly deputy speaker Shehla Raza to contest the general election 2018 against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan.

The party on Sunday officially announced the list of their candidates for 160 national and provincial seats of Sindh. Raza will contest the polls on July 25 from Karachi's NA-243 constituency, Geo News reported.

Raza recently made the headlines after a Member of Parliament assembly from Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) raised a shoe at her.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf chief Imran Khan filed their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bilawal-imran-file-nomination-papers-from-karachi-constituencies-143389">nomination papers</a> on Friday for the upcoming general elections in the country, scheduled to be held on July 25.

As per reports by ANI, the two leaders went to file their papers themselves. Bilawal is contesting from two assembly seats namely Karachi's Lyari and Larkana while Imran has filed his nomination from NA-243 in Karachi East district.&nbsp

Meanwhile, Bilawal will fight the election from Larkana and the party's stronghold Lyari.

Further, former president Asif Ali Zardari will contest the elections from Nawabshah and former opposition leader Khurshid Shah has been nominated for a seat in Sukkur.&nbsp

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shehbaz-sharif-will-contest-pakistan-general-polls-from-karachi-143574">Shehbaz</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shehbaz-sharif-will-contest-pakistan-general-polls-from-karachi-143574"> Sharif</a> will file his nomination papers for three constituencies in Karachi.&nbsp

The party on Sunday officially announced the list of their candidates for 160 national and provincial seats of Sindh

Bilawal Bhutto-led Pakistan People's Party has nominated former Sindh Assembly deputy speaker Shehla Raza to contest the general election 2018 against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan. The party on Sunday officially announced the list of their candidates for 160 national and provincial seats of Sindh. Raza will contest the polls on July 25 from Karachi's NA-243 constituency, Geo News reported. Raza recently made the headlines after a Member of Parliament assembly from Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) raised a shoe at her. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf chief Imran Khan filed their nomination papers on Friday for the upcoming general elections in the country, scheduled to be held on July 25. As per reports by ANI, the two leaders went to file their papers themselves. Bilawal is contesting from two assembly seats namely Karachi's Lyari and Larkana while Imran has filed his nomination from NA-243 in Karachi East district. Meanwhile, Bilawal will fight the election from Larkana and the party's stronghold Lyari. Further, former president Asif Ali Zardari will contest the elections from Nawabshah and former opposition leader Khurshid Shah has been nominated for a seat in Sukkur. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif will file his nomination papers for three constituencies in Karachi.

Shehla Raza fielded against PTI's Imran Khan

Pakistan People's Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf chief Imran Khan filed their nomination papers on Friday for the upcoming general elections in the country, scheduled to be held on July 25.

As per reports by ANI, the two leaders went to file their papers themselves. Bilawal is contesting from two assembly seats namely Karachi's Lyari and Larkana while Imran has filed his nomination from NA-243 in Karachi East district.&nbsp

In his first election campaign, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the scion of the storied Bhutto family who now heads the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), is attempting to recapture the support his mother, two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, enjoyed on her return from exile in 2007, before she was assassinated on the campaign trail.

Party leaders insist the 29-year-old Bhutto, Oxford-educated like his mother and grandfather — also a former prime minister — brings a fresh new appeal to the party as it attempts to revive its waning fortunes in a general election called for July 25.

Further, Bilawal's sister Asefa Bhutto also filed nomination forms to contest from Rato Dera of the Sindh assembly. She is also a covering candidate of Bilawal Bhutto in Larkana.

Earlier PTI's Imran had announced party candidates for the majority of the assemblies. Khan would himself contest elections from five constituencies including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Mianwali, and Bannu.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday started accepting the nomination papers after the Supreme Court announced its verdict rejecting amendments in the forms.

The Lahore High Court ruled on June 1 that the nomination papers do not necessarily seek information regarding candidates' educational background, criminal record, and dual citizenship.

It further ordered the election body to add requirements under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution to the nomination papers.

The ECP will continue to receive the nomination papers, in compliance with the approved format as per Election Act 2017, from June 4 till June 8.

The nominations papers will be scrutinised on June 14 while any appeals against the decision regarding nomination process must be filed till June 19.

Meanwhile, the number of non-Muslim voters in Pakistan has climbed to 3.63 million in 2018 with the Hindus at 1.77 million maintaining their majority among the religious minority electorate, according to a new voters' list prepared by authorities ahead of the general elections.

The non-Muslim voters have registered an increase of 30 per cent over the last five years, the Dawn newspaper reported citing an official document.

The nominations papers will be scrutinised on June 14 while any appeals against the decision regarding nomination process must be filed till June 19

Pakistan People's Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf chief Imran Khan filed their nomination papers on Friday for the upcoming general elections in the country, scheduled to be held on July 25. As per reports by ANI, the two leaders went to file their papers themselves. Bilawal is contesting from two assembly seats namely Karachi's Lyari and Larkana while Imran has filed his nomination from NA-243 in Karachi East district. In his first election campaign, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the scion of the storied Bhutto family who now heads the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), is attempting to recapture the support his mother, two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, enjoyed on her return from exile in 2007, before she was assassinated on the campaign trail. Party leaders insist the 29-year-old Bhutto, Oxford-educated like his mother and grandfather — also a former prime minister — brings a fresh new appeal to the party as it attempts to revive its waning fortunes in a general election called for July 25. Further, Bilawal's sister Asefa Bhutto also filed nomination forms to contest from Rato Dera of the Sindh assembly. She is also a covering candidate of Bilawal Bhutto in Larkana. Earlier PTI's Imran had announced party candidates for the majority of the assemblies. Khan would himself contest elections from five constituencies including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Mianwali, and Bannu. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday started accepting the nomination papers after the Supreme Court announced its verdict rejecting amendments in the forms. The Lahore High Court ruled on June 1 that the nomination papers do not necessarily seek information regarding candidates' educational background, criminal record, and dual citizenship. It further ordered the election body to add requirements under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution to the nomination papers. The ECP will continue to receive the nomination papers, in compliance with the approved format as per Election Act 2017, from June 4 till June 8. The nominations papers will be scrutinised on June 14 while any appeals against the decision regarding nomination process must be filed till June 19. Meanwhile, the number of non-Muslim voters in Pakistan has climbed to 3.63 million in 2018 with the Hindus at 1.77 million maintaining their majority among the religious minority electorate, according to a new voters' list prepared by authorities ahead of the general elections. The non-Muslim voters have registered an increase of 30 per cent over the last five years, the Dawn newspaper reported citing an official document.

Bilawal, Imran file nomination papers from Karachi constituencies

Pakistan’s only major left-leaning political party is fighting for its electoral relevance and to preserve the legacy of the country’s best-known political dynasty weeks before the country heads to the polls.

In his first election campaign, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the scion of the storied Bhutto family who now heads the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), is attempting to recapture the support his mother, two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, enjoyed on her return from exile in 2007, before she was assassinated on the campaign trail.

Party leaders insist the 29-year-old Bhutto, Oxford-educated like his mother and grandfather — also a former prime minister — brings a fresh new appeal to the party as it attempts to revive its waning fortunes in a general election called for July 25.

“With Bilawal in the frontline of our campaign we hope to see a huge swathe of young people join us in our journey to turn back the tide of extremism, misgovernance and anti-democratic trends,” PPP Senator Sherry Rehman told Reuters.

Whether his father, former President Asif Ali Zardari, will be an asset or an obstacle in that effort remains a source of keen debate in Islamabad.

Some analysts and party insiders say Zardari’s tainted image, the result of numerous corruption allegations, could cost the party at the polls, where it will contrast with opposition rival Imran Khan’s relentless anti-graft message.

On the other hand, the most likely route back to power could be a post-election alliance with the charismatic Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Infasf (PTI), which has seemingly eclipsed the PPP in the past five years, and the former president would be a key figure in any such negotiations.

Once the country’s most popular party, the PPP finds itself on the brink of political irrelevance at the national level, and analysts believe it is more likely to be Zardari’s ability to cut a deal, rather than his son’s populist rhetoric, that will keep the party afloat.

“Zardari is looking at himself as a post-election facilitator rather than a major player in the actual electoral battle,” political analyst Aamer Ahmed Khan said.

Both PPP and PTI officials were cagey when asked about the possibility of an alliance, but did not rule it out.

Zardari spent a total of 11 years in jail on charges of corruption and murder, though he was never convicted of any of the offences for which he was held and has always maintained his innocence.

He was released in 2004 after an eight-year stretch behind bars, and returned to Pakistan from self-exile three years later alongside Benazir Bhutto in her bid to retake the prime minister’s office and end the military rule of General Pervez Musharraf.

Bhutto was assassinated on the campaign trail three months after her return in a suicide attack, the tragic saga adding to the Bhutto family’s status as a Pakistani equivalent of America’s Kennedys and India’s Gandhis.

Bhutto’s father Zulfiqar, who founded the PPP, was hanged by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1979 after being deposed in a military coup, while her brother Murtaza was gunned down in the southern city of Karachi in 1996 while she was in office. Zardari was accused of his murder but cleared by the courts.

In a wave of popular support that was generated by Benazir Bhutto’s return and continued after her assassination, the PPP swept to power and Zardari found himself wielding considerable power from the president’s office.

While all the allegations against him were ultimately dismissed, and despite overseeing the country’s first transition of power by a civilian government, Zardari retains a tainted reputation, often going by the nickname “Mr. Ten Percent”.

“I think Asif Zardari has been a victim of massive negative propaganda against him,” former PPP senator Farathullah Babar told Reuters. “If any of this was true he would not have spent 11 years in jail without a single conviction.”

The run-up to the election has been dominated by allegations that the powerful military has been attempting to destabilise the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), paving the way to power for cricketer-turn-politician Khan’s PTI.

“We are seeing pre-poll election manipulation where people from all political parties are going and joining one political party,” former PPP senator Babar said.

PML-N insiders say Sharif’s relationship with Pakistan’s powerful generals is in tatters and Sharif himself recently alluded to the military pressuring PML-N lawmakers and pushing them to abandon the party or join PTI.

The military, which has ruled Pakistan for half its history, has repeatedly denied interfering in modern-day politics. Khan has denied colluding with the generals.

PPP leaders say their campaign, fronted by Bilawal Bhutto, will focus in battling extremism and intolerance in a country scarred by more than a decade of militant Islamist violence.

“The People’s Party is going to forcefully and emphatically distinguish itself as the party that believes that in the state of Pakistan we must ... not distinguish or discriminate between the adherents of any religion,” senator Aitzaz Ahsan said.

But while the PPP retains significant support in the traditional Bhutto-Zardari family stronghold of Sindh province, it appears to have lost ground nationally to the PTI. A Gallup nationwide poll in March put the party on 17 percent, with PTI on 24 percent and PML-N on 36 percent.

That suggests the best chance for the opposition parties would indeed be some sort of alliance.

Some in Islamabad believe Zardari has been quietly building ties with the military to that end - a suspicion enhanced in March when the PPP declined an opportunity to lead the Senate and instead helped elect an army-linked independent as Senate chairman.

“Zardari believes when the time to cobble together a government arrives they will need ... someone like him,” said Khan, the political analyst. “And he will become the kingmaker.”

&nbsp;

Pakistan People’s Party leaders insist the 29-year-old Bilawal, Oxford-educated like his mother and grandfather — also a former prime minister — brings a fresh new appeal to the party. The Pakistani general elections will be held on July 25

Pakistan’s only major left-leaning political party is fighting for its electoral relevance and to preserve the legacy of the country’s best-known political dynasty weeks before the country heads to the polls. In his first election campaign, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the scion of the storied Bhutto family who now heads the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), is attempting to recapture the support his mother, two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, enjoyed on her return from exile in 2007, before she was assassinated on the campaign trail. Party leaders insist the 29-year-old Bhutto, Oxford-educated like his mother and grandfather — also a former prime minister — brings a fresh new appeal to the party as it attempts to revive its waning fortunes in a general election called for July 25. “With Bilawal in the frontline of our campaign we hope to see a huge swathe of young people join us in our journey to turn back the tide of extremism, misgovernance and anti-democratic trends,” PPP Senator Sherry Rehman told Reuters. Whether his father, former President Asif Ali Zardari, will be an asset or an obstacle in that effort remains a source of keen debate in Islamabad. Some analysts and party insiders say Zardari’s tainted image, the result of numerous corruption allegations, could cost the party at the polls, where it will contrast with opposition rival Imran Khan’s relentless anti-graft message. On the other hand, the most likely route back to power could be a post-election alliance with the charismatic Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Infasf (PTI), which has seemingly eclipsed the PPP in the past five years, and the former president would be a key figure in any such negotiations. Once the country’s most popular party, the PPP finds itself on the brink of political irrelevance at the national level, and analysts believe it is more likely to be Zardari’s ability to cut a deal, rather than his son’s populist rhetoric, that will keep the party afloat. “Zardari is looking at himself as a post-election facilitator rather than a major player in the actual electoral battle,” political analyst Aamer Ahmed Khan said. Both PPP and PTI officials were cagey when asked about the possibility of an alliance, but did not rule it out. Zardari spent a total of 11 years in jail on charges of corruption and murder, though he was never convicted of any of the offences for which he was held and has always maintained his innocence. He was released in 2004 after an eight-year stretch behind bars, and returned to Pakistan from self-exile three years later alongside Benazir Bhutto in her bid to retake the prime minister’s office and end the military rule of General Pervez Musharraf. Bhutto was assassinated on the campaign trail three months after her return in a suicide attack, the tragic saga adding to the Bhutto family’s status as a Pakistani equivalent of America’s Kennedys and India’s Gandhis. Bhutto’s father Zulfiqar, who founded the PPP, was hanged by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1979 after being deposed in a military coup, while her brother Murtaza was gunned down in the southern city of Karachi in 1996 while she was in office. Zardari was accused of his murder but cleared by the courts. In a wave of popular support that was generated by Benazir Bhutto’s return and continued after her assassination, the PPP swept to power and Zardari found himself wielding considerable power from the president’s office. While all the allegations against him were ultimately dismissed, and despite overseeing the country’s first transition of power by a civilian government, Zardari retains a tainted reputation, often going by the nickname “Mr. Ten Percent”. “I think Asif Zardari has been a victim of massive negative propaganda against him,” former PPP senator Farathullah Babar told Reuters. “If any of this was true he would not have spent 11 years in jail without a single conviction.” The run-up to the election has been dominated by allegations that the powerful military has been attempting to destabilise the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), paving the way to power for cricketer-turn-politician Khan’s PTI. “We are seeing pre-poll election manipulation where people from all political parties are going and joining one political party,” former PPP senator Babar said. PML-N insiders say Sharif’s relationship with Pakistan’s powerful generals is in tatters and Sharif himself recently alluded to the military pressuring PML-N lawmakers and pushing them to abandon the party or join PTI. The military, which has ruled Pakistan for half its history, has repeatedly denied interfering in modern-day politics. Khan has denied colluding with the generals. PPP leaders say their campaign, fronted by Bilawal Bhutto, will focus in battling extremism and intolerance in a country scarred by more than a decade of militant Islamist violence. “The People’s Party is going to forcefully and emphatically distinguish itself as the party that believes that in the state of Pakistan we must ... not distinguish or discriminate between the adherents of any religion,” senator Aitzaz Ahsan said. But while the PPP retains significant support in the traditional Bhutto-Zardari family stronghold of Sindh province, it appears to have lost ground nationally to the PTI. A Gallup nationwide poll in March put the party on 17 percent, with PTI on 24 percent and PML-N on 36 percent. That suggests the best chance for the opposition parties would indeed be some sort of alliance. Some in Islamabad believe Zardari has been quietly building ties with the military to that end - a suspicion enhanced in March when the PPP declined an opportunity to lead the Senate and instead helped elect an army-linked independent as Senate chairman. “Zardari believes when the time to cobble together a government arrives they will need ... someone like him,” said Khan, the political analyst. “And he will become the kingmaker.”

Bhutto heir fighting to preserve dynasty's legacy in Pakistan election

Two major political parties Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Peoples Political Party have geared up for the upcoming Pakistan assembly elections.

As reported by the Dawn, the leaders of both PTI and PPP, Imran Khan and Bilawal Bhutto respectively will address separate rallies at different venues.

PPP will hold their meetings at -e-Jinnah near the Quaid's Mausoleum, where the party has arranged 40,000 seats.

Before the scheduled rally, the ruling PPP decorated various areas of Karachi with flags, banners and posters with photos of Bilawal.

Further, a large number of youth volunteers have gathered at the location to facilitate the management of the upcoming rally. The government has also arranged for 2,000 policemen to be deployed for the security of the rally.

As per a party worker, PPP is holding the event to pay a tribute to 14 workers and activists of the party were martyred on May 12, 2007

On the other hand, the PTI will hold a rally near Aladin Park in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

PTI Chairperson Imran Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Parvez Khattak, Fawad Chaudhry and Shah Mehmood Qureshi will address the gathering and pay tribute to the May 12 martyrs.

Earlier on Monday, there were instances of severe clashes between the PTI and PPP workers over the use of Hakim Said ground to hold rallies today.

Later the local police had apprehended at least 10 workers belonging to both parties in connection with the clash.

Bhutto had then condemned the attacks and urged its party workers to find another location to hold rallies while allowing the PTI to use the Hakim Said ground.

Though later the PTI also refused to use the Hakim Said ground to conduct the rally.

On a related note, Pakistan is scheduled to undergo the assembly elections in July.&nbsp

As reported by the Dawn, the leaders of both PTI and PPP, Imran Khan and Bilawal Bhutto respectively will address separate rallies at different venues

Two major political parties Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Peoples Political Party have geared up for the upcoming Pakistan assembly elections. As reported by the Dawn, the leaders of both PTI and PPP, Imran Khan and Bilawal Bhutto respectively will address separate rallies at different venues. PPP will hold their meetings at -e-Jinnah near the Quaid's Mausoleum, where the party has arranged 40,000 seats. Before the scheduled rally, the ruling PPP decorated various areas of Karachi with flags, banners and posters with photos of Bilawal. Further, a large number of youth volunteers have gathered at the location to facilitate the management of the upcoming rally. The government has also arranged for 2,000 policemen to be deployed for the security of the rally. As per a party worker, PPP is holding the event to pay a tribute to 14 workers and activists of the party were martyred on May 12, 2007 On the other hand, the PTI will hold a rally near Aladin Park in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. PTI Chairperson Imran Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Parvez Khattak, Fawad Chaudhry and Shah Mehmood Qureshi will address the gathering and pay tribute to the May 12 martyrs. Earlier on Monday, there were instances of severe clashes between the PTI and PPP workers over the use of Hakim Said ground to hold rallies today. Later the local police had apprehended at least 10 workers belonging to both parties in connection with the clash. Bhutto had then condemned the attacks and urged its party workers to find another location to hold rallies while allowing the PTI to use the Hakim Said ground. Though later the PTI also refused to use the Hakim Said ground to conduct the rally. On a related note, Pakistan is scheduled to undergo the assembly elections in July.

PTI, PPP to hold rallies prior to upcoming elections

Activists of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) resorted to violence and clashed with each other over a venue dispute for the rallies to be held on May 12.&nbsp;

The clashes took place in parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi yesterday after PPP and PTI both announced that they will be holding rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

Workers belonging to both parties engaged in aerial firing and pelting stones at one another late Monday evening. Police officials then took over after both parties ended up destroying properly and injuring others.&nbsp; 
About a dozen people were wounded as the two groups attacked each other. Of the inured, two, including one with a gunshot wound to his leg, were rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

"They also destroyed camp offices of each other," Gulshan SP Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto said.

Two cars and several motorcycles were also set on fire by the workers while windows of other cars parked outside were shattered. Massive traffic jams were witnessed at University Road and its adjoining areas.

Both the parties have also written to the district commissioner for his permission to hold their rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground.

The clashes took place in parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi yesterday after PPP and PTI both announced that they will be holding rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqba

Activists of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) resorted to violence and clashed with each other over a venue dispute for the rallies to be held on May 12. The clashes took place in parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi yesterday after PPP and PTI both announced that they will be holding rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Workers belonging to both parties engaged in aerial firing and pelting stones at one another late Monday evening. Police officials then took over after both parties ended up destroying properly and injuring others. About a dozen people were wounded as the two groups attacked each other. Of the inured, two, including one with a gunshot wound to his leg, were rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. "They also destroyed camp offices of each other," Gulshan SP Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto said. Two cars and several motorcycles were also set on fire by the workers while windows of other cars parked outside were shattered. Massive traffic jams were witnessed at University Road and its adjoining areas. Both the parties have also written to the district commissioner for his permission to hold their rallies at the Hakeem Saeed Ground.

PPP, PTI party workers clash in Pakistan's Karachi over rally venue dispute

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar- Congress" jibe against his party, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today called BJP a "prison, price rise and pakoda" party. 
"Dear Modiji, Heard you spun a new abbreviation 'PPP' today.

Sir, we have always championed the 3 Ps of democracy --- 'Of the People, By the People, For the People'," Siddaramaiah said in a tweet shortly after Modi's attack.

"While your party is a 'Prison', 'Price Rise' & 'Pakoda' party. Am I right, Sir? #NijaHeliModi," he said.

"Nijaheli" in Kannada means tell the truth.

Also read:<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/post-karnataka-polls-congress-will-become-ppp-congress-pm-modi-134784">&nbsp;Post Karnataka polls, Congress will become PPP Congress: PM Modi</a>

All guns blazing, Modi today mounted a scathing attack on the Congress over corruption, and asserted it will become "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar" Congress after its defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Dear Modi ಅವರೇ, 
 
Heard you spun a new abbreviation ‘PPP’ today. 
 
Sir, we have always championed the 3 Ps of democracy - ‘Of the People, By the People, For the People’. 
 
While your party is a ‘Prison’, ‘Price Rise’ & ‘Pakoda’ party. 
 
Am I right, Sir?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NijaHeliModi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NijaHeliModi</a>
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/992733277063593990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"After May 15 (when poll results will be declared), Indian National Congress will be reduced to 'PPP Congress'-- P for Punjab, P for Puducherry, and P for Parivar (family)," Modi told an election rally in Gadag, where he predicted the state's ruling party would be decimated in the elections.

The Chief Minister also hit out at Modi's attack regarding the increase in assets belonging to some Congress legislator/Minister.

"Sir, Your CM candidate took bribe in a cheque. One of your Reddy friends G Janardhana Reddy conducted Rs 500 Cr wedding for his daughter at the height of demonetisation....," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

Modi today addressed four rallies in Tumakuru, Gadag, Shivamogga and Mangaluru in poll-bound Karnataka, where assembly election is scheduled for May 12.

Siddaramaiah asked Modi to talk about "something relevant" to the people of Karnataka and suggested topics such as expensive diesel and petrol besides job creation. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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PM: What is the way to Karnataka Assembly? 
Chanakya: Go straight on BSY Road. Drop BSY at Varuna. Turn Right at Deve Gowda circle. Then make a U Turn & drop Deve Gowda. Rest at Cariappa circle. No it Is Thimmaiah circle. Then make another U Turn .. 
PM: Karnatak is very confusing! <a href="https://t.co/0BZYBOnnjR">https://t.co/0BZYBOnnjR</a>
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/992795613472292864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

All guns blazing, Modi today mounted a scathing attack on the Congress over corruption, and asserted it will become "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar" Congress after its defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar- Congress" jibe against his party, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today called BJP a "prison, price rise and pakoda" party. "Dear Modiji, Heard you spun a new abbreviation 'PPP' today. Sir, we have always championed the 3 Ps of democracy --- 'Of the People, By the People, For the People'," Siddaramaiah said in a tweet shortly after Modi's attack. "While your party is a 'Prison', 'Price Rise' & 'Pakoda' party. Am I right, Sir? #NijaHeliModi," he said. "Nijaheli" in Kannada means tell the truth. Also read: Post Karnataka polls, Congress will become PPP Congress: PM Modi All guns blazing, Modi today mounted a scathing attack on the Congress over corruption, and asserted it will become "Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar" Congress after its defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls. Dear Modi ಅವರೇ, Heard you spun a new abbreviation ‘PPP’ today. Sir, we have always championed the 3 Ps of democracy - ‘Of the People, By the People, For the People’. While your party is a ‘Prison’, ‘Price Rise’ & ‘Pakoda’ party. Am I right, Sir?#NijaHeliModi — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 5, 2018 × "After May 15 (when poll results will be declared), Indian National Congress will be reduced to 'PPP Congress'-- P for Punjab, P for Puducherry, and P for Parivar (family)," Modi told an election rally in Gadag, where he predicted the state's ruling party would be decimated in the elections. The Chief Minister also hit out at Modi's attack regarding the increase in assets belonging to some Congress legislator/Minister. "Sir, Your CM candidate took bribe in a cheque. One of your Reddy friends G Janardhana Reddy conducted Rs 500 Cr wedding for his daughter at the height of demonetisation....," Siddaramaiah tweeted. Modi today addressed four rallies in Tumakuru, Gadag, Shivamogga and Mangaluru in poll-bound Karnataka, where assembly election is scheduled for May 12. Siddaramaiah asked Modi to talk about "something relevant" to the people of Karnataka and suggested topics such as expensive diesel and petrol besides job creation. PM: What is the way to Karnataka Assembly? Chanakya: Go straight on BSY Road. Drop BSY at Varuna. Turn Right at Deve Gowda circle. Then make a U Turn & drop Deve Gowda. Rest at Cariappa circle. No it Is Thimmaiah circle. Then make another U Turn .. PM: Karnatak is very confusing! https://t.co/0BZYBOnnjR — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 5, 2018 ×

BJP is 'prison, price rise and pakoda' party: Siddaramaiah

Ahead of the general elections in Pakistan, former president Asif Ali Zardari said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) may forge an alliance with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The PPP and PTI earlier joined hands in the Senate elections.

"Necessity is the mother of all inventions. There was a necessity in the Senate and if there is a necessity we will do it [form an alliance] and if not we are willing to sit in the opposition or form the government," Zardari said while addressing a gathering in Lahore, Geo TV reported.

Zardari who is the PPP co-chairman was addressing a gathering in Lahore on Friday, stating that his party had no qualms being a part of the opposition as well, adding that his party had been in rule earlier.

"They (PTI) haven't seen the Prime Minister House.They are in a hurry to get power," the PPP co-chairman added.

He also slammed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for weakening the country's democracy, " Nawaz turned into Prince Saleem and became our undoing."

The general elections in Pakistan are due to be held in the last week of July or first week of August.

Asif Zardari said that Nawaz Sharif has weakened democracy and it is vulnerable in these times.&nbsp;On Thursday, Nawaz Sharif had also claimed that he is not contesting against the PPP or PTI but ‘outside beings’.

The PPP and PTI earlier joined hands in the Senate elections

Ahead of the general elections in Pakistan, former president Asif Ali Zardari said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) may forge an alliance with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The PPP and PTI earlier joined hands in the Senate elections. "Necessity is the mother of all inventions. There was a necessity in the Senate and if there is a necessity we will do it [form an alliance] and if not we are willing to sit in the opposition or form the government," Zardari said while addressing a gathering in Lahore, Geo TV reported. Zardari who is the PPP co-chairman was addressing a gathering in Lahore on Friday, stating that his party had no qualms being a part of the opposition as well, adding that his party had been in rule earlier. "They (PTI) haven't seen the Prime Minister House.They are in a hurry to get power," the PPP co-chairman added. He also slammed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for weakening the country's democracy, " Nawaz turned into Prince Saleem and became our undoing." The general elections in Pakistan are due to be held in the last week of July or first week of August. Asif Zardari said that Nawaz Sharif has weakened democracy and it is vulnerable in these times. On Thursday, Nawaz Sharif had also claimed that he is not contesting against the PPP or PTI but ‘outside beings’.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari may ally with Imran Khan's PTI for Pakistan elections

Members of the Hazara community have been protesting in Quetta against "targeted killings" after two Hazara men were killed on Saturday.&nbsp;

The protest is being led by Jalila Haider in the shape of hunger strikes outside Quetta Press Club for the second day on Sunday. "We do not want roti (food), kapra (clothing) and makaan (housing). All we want is the right to life," former PPP lawmaker Nasir Shah said.

On Sunday, a protest rally was held by the Balochistan Shia Conference at Shuhada Chowk in Quetta. Members from other parties such as the Hazara Democratic Party, the Balochistan National Party, and the Jamhuri Watan Party were also present.

The Hazara community also demanded that Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa meet the widows of the deceased men and hear their grievances.

Haider said that the hunger strike would carry on until the Hazara community is given the right security. The protesters claimed that over 2,000 Hazaras were killed and 3,000 others were injured in so-called "targeted attacks".

On April 1, a man from the Hazara community was shot dead by unidentified miscreants in Quetta's Qandhari Bazar, while a second person suffered bullet wounds.

The Hazara community has been severely affected by sectarian terrorism in Balochistan for years.&nbsp;

A Pakistani political activist Jalila Haider is leading the hunger strike outside the Quetta Press Club

Members of the Hazara community have been protesting in Quetta against "targeted killings" after two Hazara men were killed on Saturday. The protest is being led by Jalila Haider in the shape of hunger strikes outside Quetta Press Club for the second day on Sunday. "We do not want roti (food), kapra (clothing) and makaan (housing). All we want is the right to life," former PPP lawmaker Nasir Shah said. On Sunday, a protest rally was held by the Balochistan Shia Conference at Shuhada Chowk in Quetta. Members from other parties such as the Hazara Democratic Party, the Balochistan National Party, and the Jamhuri Watan Party were also present. The Hazara community also demanded that Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa meet the widows of the deceased men and hear their grievances. Haider said that the hunger strike would carry on until the Hazara community is given the right security. The protesters claimed that over 2,000 Hazaras were killed and 3,000 others were injured in so-called "targeted attacks". On April 1, a man from the Hazara community was shot dead by unidentified miscreants in Quetta's Qandhari Bazar, while a second person suffered bullet wounds. The Hazara community has been severely affected by sectarian terrorism in Balochistan for years.

Pakistan: After 2 killed, Hazara community protests in Quetta for second day

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf shall not return to the country until an interim government is formed. Musharraf is supposed to appear before a special Pakistani court in a high treason court.&nbsp;

The former president and chief of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) has postponed his plan to return from the UAE. According to reports, the incumbent government will not provide him the security he had applied for.

Musharraf is likely to return by the end of May or early June this year as soon as an interim government is formed, a party leader told media.

The 74-year-old retired general has been living in Dubai since last year after he was allowed to leave Pakistan for his medical treatment.

Musharraf had ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. He had sought adequate security from the government for his return. A&nbsp;petition was moved to the interior ministry as the former president faced security threats.

A new application will be filed with the federal government seeking foolproof security for Musharraf.

Musharraf was indicted in March 2014 on treason charges for imposing emergency in Pakistan. The move led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges.

Former President of Pakistan has been declared "proclaimed offender" by courts in the treason and the Benazir Bhutto assassination cases.

 
&nbsp;

Musharraf was indicted in March 2014 on treason charges for imposing emergency in the Pakistan

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf shall not return to the country until an interim government is formed. Musharraf is supposed to appear before a special Pakistani court in a high treason court. The former president and chief of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) has postponed his plan to return from the UAE. According to reports, the incumbent government will not provide him the security he had applied for. Musharraf is likely to return by the end of May or early June this year as soon as an interim government is formed, a party leader told media. The 74-year-old retired general has been living in Dubai since last year after he was allowed to leave Pakistan for his medical treatment. Musharraf had ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. He had sought adequate security from the government for his return. A petition was moved to the interior ministry as the former president faced security threats. A new application will be filed with the federal government seeking foolproof security for Musharraf. Musharraf was indicted in March 2014 on treason charges for imposing emergency in Pakistan. The move led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges. Former President of Pakistan has been declared "proclaimed offender" by courts in the treason and the Benazir Bhutto assassination cases.

Pervez Musharraf postpones plan to return to Pakistan

Nadeem Nusrat, the spokesperson for the &#39;Free Karachi&#39; campaign has said that the Pakistan Army was carrying out &quot;ethnic cleansing&quot; on the minority groups in Pakistan, adding that they were in grave danger.

He extended full support on behalf of the Mohajirs to the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and has urged all ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan to form a greater alliance against Pakistan&#39;s inhuman policies in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit Baltistan.

Nusrat strongly condemned the false cases registered against Manzoor Pashteen and the Pashtun leadership on raising voice against discriminatory policies of Pakistan Army and termed this act as a violation of fundamental rights.

He added that the policies of the current US administration have given a new zeal to freedom loving religious and ethnic communities in Pakistan and stated that the Mohajirs were committed to seeing a stable South Asia and that they will continue to play their important role in achieving the goal.

Nusrat reiterated, &quot;The Free Karachi campaign stands firmly with their Pashtun, Baloch, Gilgiti and Hazara brothers and sisters. Along with the Mohajirs, they have faced 70 years of oppression at the hands of Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The Punjabi-dominated elite of Pakistan Army has carried out systematic ethnic cleansing of every minority group in Pakistan and the intensity of this savagery continues to grow with every passing day.&quot;

&quot;Just like Naqeebullah Mehsud, thousands of young Pashtuns, Balochs, Mohajirs, Gilgiti and Hazaras have been extrajudicially killed. Thousands have disappeared after being picked up by the Pakistani security forces and their families are living in a state of an unending fear and helplessness with no knowledge of the whereabouts of their kins,&quot; he said.

&quot;The Pakistani military establishment in connivance with the racist Pakistan People&#39;s Party (PPP) leadership has also manipulated the census figures in urban Sindh for decades to show the population of Karachi and other urban areas of Sindh less than half of the actual numbers,&quot; he added.

Continuing his tirade against the Pakistan Army, Nusrat stated that the &quot;racist military establishment&quot; and the &quot;Punjabi ruling elite&quot; had purposely diverted Karachi&#39;s resources to areas of their choice in order to create huge economic, social, educational and constitutional disparity in the minority communities.

He also alleged that religious minorities were also being systematically targeted in Pakistan, which led to the drastic reduction of Hindu and Christian populations in Pakistan.

The Mohajir Americans have led the &#39;Free Karachi&#39; campaign in Washington DC and are tirelessly working to highlight the gross human rights abuses against minorities in Pakistan by its army and intelligence agencies.

Nadeem Nusrat has urged all ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan to form a greater alliance against Pakistan's inhuman policies

Nadeem Nusrat, the spokesperson for the 'Free Karachi' campaign has said that the Pakistan Army was carrying out "ethnic cleansing" on the minority groups in Pakistan, adding that they were in grave danger. He extended full support on behalf of the Mohajirs to the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and has urged all ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan to form a greater alliance against Pakistan's inhuman policies in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit Baltistan. Nusrat strongly condemned the false cases registered against Manzoor Pashteen and the Pashtun leadership on raising voice against discriminatory policies of Pakistan Army and termed this act as a violation of fundamental rights. He added that the policies of the current US administration have given a new zeal to freedom loving religious and ethnic communities in Pakistan and stated that the Mohajirs were committed to seeing a stable South Asia and that they will continue to play their important role in achieving the goal. Nusrat reiterated, "The Free Karachi campaign stands firmly with their Pashtun, Baloch, Gilgiti and Hazara brothers and sisters. Along with the Mohajirs, they have faced 70 years of oppression at the hands of Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The Punjabi-dominated elite of Pakistan Army has carried out systematic ethnic cleansing of every minority group in Pakistan and the intensity of this savagery continues to grow with every passing day." "Just like Naqeebullah Mehsud, thousands of young Pashtuns, Balochs, Mohajirs, Gilgiti and Hazaras have been extrajudicially killed. Thousands have disappeared after being picked up by the Pakistani security forces and their families are living in a state of an unending fear and helplessness with no knowledge of the whereabouts of their kins," he said. "The Pakistani military establishment in connivance with the racist Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leadership has also manipulated the census figures in urban Sindh for decades to show the population of Karachi and other urban areas of Sindh less than half of the actual numbers," he added. Continuing his tirade against the Pakistan Army, Nusrat stated that the "racist military establishment" and the "Punjabi ruling elite" had purposely diverted Karachi's resources to areas of their choice in order to create huge economic, social, educational and constitutional disparity in the minority communities. He also alleged that religious minorities were also being systematically targeted in Pakistan, which led to the drastic reduction of Hindu and Christian populations in Pakistan. The Mohajir Americans have led the 'Free Karachi' campaign in Washington DC and are tirelessly working to highlight the gross human rights abuses against minorities in Pakistan by its army and intelligence agencies.

Pakistan Army carrying out ethnic cleansing of minority groups: Nadeem Nusrat

Pakistan&#39;s election year has begun but the main political parties are in disarray. The &#39;Deep State&#39; has ensured this would be the scene in the run-up to the elections scheduled for later in the year.

The once great party, the PPP, has drifted into such irrelevance that political commentators in Pakistan barely mention it. What was once meant to be the King&#39;s Party - the PML (N) - when it was created by General Zia-ul-Haq, to oppose Benazir&#39;s PPP and led by his protege Nawaz Sharif, has been rendered leaderless by judicial activism.

It seems the &#39;Deep State&#39; has been acting with a two-word whip - Get Nawaz.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), whose cricketer-turned-political leader Imran Khan has pretensions to political greatness, now appears to be more a pantomime and less a serious party.

It would appear that for the present unless something dramatic happens, the GHQ (General Headquarters at Rawalpindi) has it all tied up safely for itself for the next five years.

The elections are still several weeks away, but a week is a long time in politics where strange things are known to happen.

No prime minister in Pakistan has served his or her full term; only one government, that of Asif Zardari, was able to complete its five-year tenure, but had to sacrifice its prime minster.

The elections in 2008 had brought Asif Zardari&#39;s PPP (after the assassinated Benazir Bhutto bequeathed the party leadership to her husband in her will - strange but may be true) to power.

The beleaguered dictator, General Pervez Musharraf, accused by Benazir of plotting her assassination, bolted from Pakistan. What the GHQ did not expect was the decrepit regime would last its full term of five years despite Memogate and other methods of skullduggery.

It was a landmark for Pakistani democracy when Zardari&#39;s elected government transferred power to another political party in Pakistan after the elections in 2013. Things were expected to change said many starry-eyed intellectuals, some to be found in India. Others were more pragmatic and did not wear rose-tinted glasses. Nothing had changed and nothing would change, they (including this author) said.

The Army would continue to rule; it no longer needed to stage a coup and come up front.

Far better to let the politicians pretend to rule, take the blame while the Army would continue to control and rake in all the profits of war and democracy.

Nawaz Sharif&#39;s election through a democratic process was not welcomed by the &#39;Deep State&#39; - the fear of democracy taking root in Pakistan was second only to the fear of India and had to be snuffed out.

Soon enough, they put Nawaz Sharif&#39;s government to the test in 2014. Imran Khan and his new ally, Tahir-ul- Qadri from Canada and leader of the Hizb-ut-Tehrir, mysteriously appeared on the streets of Islamabad, flush with money, organising protests and lock downs and accusing Nawaz Sharif of election malpractices and demanding re-elections.

Just as Nawaz Sharif himself had done in the last year of the Zardari government by taking issues to the streets, he was subjected to the same treatment early in his innings to let him know where the real power lay and to keep him on the back foot. But, Nawaz was tougher; he had been thrown out of power twice before and he did not want to be third time unlucky.

He took the battle to the &#39;enemy&#39; when he sought Musharraf&#39;s arrest and trial for treason. This broadside against a former army chief in Pakistan was blasphemy according to the Pindi Boys. Nawaz was being not only indiscreet but also positively rebellious. He committed another sin when he dared to seek better relations with &quot;enemy&quot; India, especially when he began to get friendly with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi.

Nawaz Sharif had become bad news. He had to go, but not in a military coup which would turn off all the money taps. The Panama Papers have helped and Sharif lost his premiership in July last year and followed by another harsh judgment delivered a few days ago.

The Supreme Court has now removed Nawaz Sharif even from the leadership of his party. The judgment is potentially dangerous for the future of democratic processes in Pakistan. The court is expected to interpret law, impart justice and not give person-specific judgments. The decision that nullifies all past decisions of Nawaz Sharif since his re-election last year is manifestly excessive and unfair.

At moments like this, there are questions about the future of the PML (N) and Nawaz himself. There will be the usual, including the bureaucrats with their secrets, who will jump ship but the party has also shown that in the past, it has held together.

Despite being sent into exile in Saudi Arabia by General Musharraf, Nawaz showed enough resilience and had the party&#39;s support to stage a political comeback in 2007. Even after Nawaz&#39;s ouster last year, the party held together. There will be the usual rumours of internal dissensions and family squabbles in a party that has been dynastic.

There may be a consensus building up around Nawaz&#39;s brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. A great deal would depend on the family holding together and Nawaz being willing to accept his role as &#39;eminence gris&#39;, or for that matter, the party accepting this role, and finally, would the GHQ have any preferences for the much-married younger brother.

Nawaz&#39;s posture since his ouster as prime minister has been aggressive, presumably trying to portray confidence about returning to power.

Imran Khan, the Pathan from Mianwali, is the newest overgrown kid on the block. Idol of many, he missed the bus when he could not capitalise on the political adversity of his arch rival Nawaz Sharif.

Apart from angry speeches and loose statements that have landed him in a legal suit last year by Pakistan&#39;s biggest media chain, the Jang Group, who had slapped a suit for one billion rupees and an unconditional apology. Many are not seeing Imran as an alternative to Nawaz.

Yasser Latif Hamdani, a visiting fellow at Harvard Law School has an interesting story to tell. He describes Imran as a deeply religious and superstitious type even if his antics as a notorious playboy contradict this reality.

He also has spiritual advisers telling him what he should do to become prime minister. His party, the PTI, announced earlier this month that he had married Bushra Manika (aka PinkiPirni), mother of five, on February 18. (Actually, they got married a few months ago). It seems that the woman had a dream. A most holy personage in Islam told her that for Imran Khan to become prime minister, she must marry him, and then, both Pakistan and Islam would truly prosper.

She consulted her husband, who promptly agreed to a divorce and, in November, the couple divorced, described by her son as having occurred on the orders of Allah and His Messenger.

Imran, eager to be prime minister swallowed this story. There is not much to commend Imran and this latest foray has not endeared him to many of his followers.

The &quot;burger&quot; class among his followers is unhappy that he has married a woman who is dressed in &quot;a shuttle cock burqa&quot;

This has also not pleased the hardened Deobandhis who constitute his most ardent followers, for, he has married a Sufi despite the fact that the bride wore a burqa.

It seems that Imran is actually a closet fundamentalist and has begun to play the religious card assiduously.

He has wooed former senator Sami ul-Haq, leader of his faction of the Jamaatul-Islam (S) and chancellor of the Darul Uloom Haqqania, for an alliance to fight the Senate elections together.

Sami ul-Haq&#39;s CV is impressive. Known as the father of the Taliban, his madrassa has been the alma mater of the Taliban. Haq has been Chairman of the right wing Difa-e-Pakistan Council - an alliance of more than 40 political and religious parties opposed to US and India. In 2013, he formed the Mutahida Deeni Mahaz, an alliance of right-wing political and religious parties to contest elections.

It is with this extreme right wing that Imran Khan has close relations and the PTI government in Khyber PakhtunKhwa announced an additional grant of Rs 227 million to the Haqqania madrassa. This is an addition to the Rs 300 million granted in the previous budget. The latest hand out has come just ahead of the Senate elections.

This kind of largesse to a madrassa globally acknowledged as the seminary of the Taliban comes at a time when the Pakistan government is battling the FATF resolution in Paris. This is not likely to embarrass the Pakistan government known for its double speak.

The election turf is essentially between the PTI and PML (N); more specifically in the Punjab province and in terms of personalities, between Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif/Shahbaz Sharif.

The Sharif family still has considerable control in the Punjab but the religious right and the Army will be the match referees.

The once great party, the PPP, has drifted into such irrelevance that political commentators in Pakistan barely mention it

Pakistan's election year has begun but the main political parties are in disarray. The 'Deep State' has ensured this would be the scene in the run-up to the elections scheduled for later in the year. The once great party, the PPP, has drifted into such irrelevance that political commentators in Pakistan barely mention it. What was once meant to be the King's Party - the PML (N) - when it was created by General Zia-ul-Haq, to oppose Benazir's PPP and led by his protege Nawaz Sharif, has been rendered leaderless by judicial activism. It seems the 'Deep State' has been acting with a two-word whip - Get Nawaz. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), whose cricketer-turned-political leader Imran Khan has pretensions to political greatness, now appears to be more a pantomime and less a serious party. It would appear that for the present unless something dramatic happens, the GHQ (General Headquarters at Rawalpindi) has it all tied up safely for itself for the next five years. The elections are still several weeks away, but a week is a long time in politics where strange things are known to happen. No prime minister in Pakistan has served his or her full term; only one government, that of Asif Zardari, was able to complete its five-year tenure, but had to sacrifice its prime minster. The elections in 2008 had brought Asif Zardari's PPP (after the assassinated Benazir Bhutto bequeathed the party leadership to her husband in her will - strange but may be true) to power. The beleaguered dictator, General Pervez Musharraf, accused by Benazir of plotting her assassination, bolted from Pakistan. What the GHQ did not expect was the decrepit regime would last its full term of five years despite Memogate and other methods of skullduggery. It was a landmark for Pakistani democracy when Zardari's elected government transferred power to another political party in Pakistan after the elections in 2013. Things were expected to change said many starry-eyed intellectuals, some to be found in India. Others were more pragmatic and did not wear rose-tinted glasses. Nothing had changed and nothing would change, they (including this author) said. The Army would continue to rule; it no longer needed to stage a coup and come up front. Far better to let the politicians pretend to rule, take the blame while the Army would continue to control and rake in all the profits of war and democracy. Nawaz Sharif's election through a democratic process was not welcomed by the 'Deep State' - the fear of democracy taking root in Pakistan was second only to the fear of India and had to be snuffed out. Soon enough, they put Nawaz Sharif's government to the test in 2014. Imran Khan and his new ally, Tahir-ul- Qadri from Canada and leader of the Hizb-ut-Tehrir, mysteriously appeared on the streets of Islamabad, flush with money, organising protests and lock downs and accusing Nawaz Sharif of election malpractices and demanding re-elections. Just as Nawaz Sharif himself had done in the last year of the Zardari government by taking issues to the streets, he was subjected to the same treatment early in his innings to let him know where the real power lay and to keep him on the back foot. But, Nawaz was tougher; he had been thrown out of power twice before and he did not want to be third time unlucky. He took the battle to the 'enemy' when he sought Musharraf's arrest and trial for treason. This broadside against a former army chief in Pakistan was blasphemy according to the Pindi Boys. Nawaz was being not only indiscreet but also positively rebellious. He committed another sin when he dared to seek better relations with "enemy" India, especially when he began to get friendly with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi. Nawaz Sharif had become bad news. He had to go, but not in a military coup which would turn off all the money taps. The Panama Papers have helped and Sharif lost his premiership in July last year and followed by another harsh judgment delivered a few days ago. The Supreme Court has now removed Nawaz Sharif even from the leadership of his party. The judgment is potentially dangerous for the future of democratic processes in Pakistan. The court is expected to interpret law, impart justice and not give person-specific judgments. The decision that nullifies all past decisions of Nawaz Sharif since his re-election last year is manifestly excessive and unfair. At moments like this, there are questions about the future of the PML (N) and Nawaz himself. There will be the usual, including the bureaucrats with their secrets, who will jump ship but the party has also shown that in the past, it has held together. Despite being sent into exile in Saudi Arabia by General Musharraf, Nawaz showed enough resilience and had the party's support to stage a political comeback in 2007. Even after Nawaz's ouster last year, the party held together. There will be the usual rumours of internal dissensions and family squabbles in a party that has been dynastic. There may be a consensus building up around Nawaz's brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. A great deal would depend on the family holding together and Nawaz being willing to accept his role as 'eminence gris', or for that matter, the party accepting this role, and finally, would the GHQ have any preferences for the much-married younger brother. Nawaz's posture since his ouster as prime minister has been aggressive, presumably trying to portray confidence about returning to power. Imran Khan, the Pathan from Mianwali, is the newest overgrown kid on the block. Idol of many, he missed the bus when he could not capitalise on the political adversity of his arch rival Nawaz Sharif. Apart from angry speeches and loose statements that have landed him in a legal suit last year by Pakistan's biggest media chain, the Jang Group, who had slapped a suit for one billion rupees and an unconditional apology. Many are not seeing Imran as an alternative to Nawaz. Yasser Latif Hamdani, a visiting fellow at Harvard Law School has an interesting story to tell. He describes Imran as a deeply religious and superstitious type even if his antics as a notorious playboy contradict this reality. He also has spiritual advisers telling him what he should do to become prime minister. His party, the PTI, announced earlier this month that he had married Bushra Manika (aka PinkiPirni), mother of five, on February 18. (Actually, they got married a few months ago). It seems that the woman had a dream. A most holy personage in Islam told her that for Imran Khan to become prime minister, she must marry him, and then, both Pakistan and Islam would truly prosper. She consulted her husband, who promptly agreed to a divorce and, in November, the couple divorced, described by her son as having occurred on the orders of Allah and His Messenger. Imran, eager to be prime minister swallowed this story. There is not much to commend Imran and this latest foray has not endeared him to many of his followers. The "burger" class among his followers is unhappy that he has married a woman who is dressed in "a shuttle cock burqa" This has also not pleased the hardened Deobandhis who constitute his most ardent followers, for, he has married a Sufi despite the fact that the bride wore a burqa. It seems that Imran is actually a closet fundamentalist and has begun to play the religious card assiduously. He has wooed former senator Sami ul-Haq, leader of his faction of the Jamaatul-Islam (S) and chancellor of the Darul Uloom Haqqania, for an alliance to fight the Senate elections together. Sami ul-Haq's CV is impressive. Known as the father of the Taliban, his madrassa has been the alma mater of the Taliban. Haq has been Chairman of the right wing Difa-e-Pakistan Council - an alliance of more than 40 political and religious parties opposed to US and India. In 2013, he formed the Mutahida Deeni Mahaz, an alliance of right-wing political and religious parties to contest elections. It is with this extreme right wing that Imran Khan has close relations and the PTI government in Khyber PakhtunKhwa announced an additional grant of Rs 227 million to the Haqqania madrassa. This is an addition to the Rs 300 million granted in the previous budget. The latest hand out has come just ahead of the Senate elections. This kind of largesse to a madrassa globally acknowledged as the seminary of the Taliban comes at a time when the Pakistan government is battling the FATF resolution in Paris. This is not likely to embarrass the Pakistan government known for its double speak. The election turf is essentially between the PTI and PML (N); more specifically in the Punjab province and in terms of personalities, between Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif/Shahbaz Sharif. The Sharif family still has considerable control in the Punjab but the religious right and the Army will be the match referees.

'Deep State' ensures Pakistan's political parties in disarray in election year

Kirshna Kumari Kolhi from Thar in Pakistan&#39;s Sindh province will become the first-ever Hindu woman Senator in the Muslim-majority country, the ruling Pakistan People&#39;s Party said today.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has accepted the papers of 39-year-old Kolhi who was nominated by the ruling PPP for a Senate seat on minority from Sindh Assembly. The election will take place on March 3.

&quot;Kolhi will be the first-ever Dalit woman in Pakistan who becomes a Senator,&quot; a PPP spokesman said in a statement today.

Kolhi&#39;s caste is mentioned at number 23 in the Pakistani Schedule Castes Ordinance-1957.

Kohli expressed her happiness, saying that she&nbsp;had&nbsp;&quot;never dreamed&quot; that she would ever make it to the upper house of Pakistan&rsquo;s Parliament.

Kumari began actively working for social change in 2005 after attending several youth leadership workshops. She started out by identifying cases of bonded labor and compiling case studies of women in bondage.

&quot;The honour to nominate first-ever non-Muslim Senator is also enjoyed by the PPP, which elected a Dalit, Dr Khatumal Jeewan, as Senator in 2009 on a general seat. Likewise, Engineer Gianchand is the second Dalit to be elected as Senator in 2015 by the PPP also on a general seat,&quot; the spokesman said.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led PPP also nominated and got elected Hariram Kishorilal as Senator on seat reserved for non-Muslims from Sindh in 2012.

&quot;With the election of Kirshna Kolhi and Anwar Laldean, a Christian worker of the party, the number of non-Muslims elected so far as Senators by the PPP would grow to six, an unmatched representation in the Upper House for minorities by any other political parties in the 70 years history of Pakistan,&quot; the spokesman added.

She had joined the PPP as a social activist along with her brother, who was later elected as Chairman of Union Council Berano.

Kolhi also actively participated and worked for the rights of downtrodden people of marginalised communities living in Thar and other areas.

&nbsp;

The Election Commission of Pakistan has accepted the papers of 39-year-old Kolhi who was nominated by the ruling PPP for a Senate seat on minority from Sindh Assembly

Kirshna Kumari Kolhi from Thar in Pakistan's Sindh province will become the first-ever Hindu woman Senator in the Muslim-majority country, the ruling Pakistan People's Party said today. The Election Commission of Pakistan has accepted the papers of 39-year-old Kolhi who was nominated by the ruling PPP for a Senate seat on minority from Sindh Assembly. The election will take place on March 3. "Kolhi will be the first-ever Dalit woman in Pakistan who becomes a Senator," a PPP spokesman said in a statement today. Kolhi's caste is mentioned at number 23 in the Pakistani Schedule Castes Ordinance-1957. Kohli expressed her happiness, saying that she had "never dreamed" that she would ever make it to the upper house of Pakistan’s Parliament. Kumari began actively working for social change in 2005 after attending several youth leadership workshops. She started out by identifying cases of bonded labor and compiling case studies of women in bondage. "The honour to nominate first-ever non-Muslim Senator is also enjoyed by the PPP, which elected a Dalit, Dr Khatumal Jeewan, as Senator in 2009 on a general seat. Likewise, Engineer Gianchand is the second Dalit to be elected as Senator in 2015 by the PPP also on a general seat," the spokesman said. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led PPP also nominated and got elected Hariram Kishorilal as Senator on seat reserved for non-Muslims from Sindh in 2012. "With the election of Kirshna Kolhi and Anwar Laldean, a Christian worker of the party, the number of non-Muslims elected so far as Senators by the PPP would grow to six, an unmatched representation in the Upper House for minorities by any other political parties in the 70 years history of Pakistan," the spokesman added. She had joined the PPP as a social activist along with her brother, who was later elected as Chairman of Union Council Berano. Kolhi also actively participated and worked for the rights of downtrodden people of marginalised communities living in Thar and other areas.

Pakistan to get its first-ever Dalit woman senator

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday reiterated his rejection of the existence of any likelihood of an alliance with Pakistan People`s Party (PPP).

According to a media report, the cricketer-turned-politician, while speaking to the media informally, said, &quot;Forming an alliance with Bilawal Bhutto entails conciliation with Asif Zardari which is not possible.

&quot;If Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif bring back the billions of rupees they have hidden overseas then they will have my forgiveness,&quot; Khan added.

The comments came as the PTI chief invited Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarian Chaudhry Nisar to join his [PTI] party.

&quot;We could even support Nisar if he runs as an independent candidate in the upcoming general elections,&quot; Khan said.

Last month in January, Bilawal criticised Khan, saying that the former will teach politics to the latter.&nbsp;

Imran Khan said, 'Forming an alliance with Bilawal Bhutto entails conciliation with Asif Zardari which is not possible'

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday reiterated his rejection of the existence of any likelihood of an alliance with Pakistan People`s Party (PPP). According to a media report, the cricketer-turned-politician, while speaking to the media informally, said, "Forming an alliance with Bilawal Bhutto entails conciliation with Asif Zardari which is not possible. "If Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif bring back the billions of rupees they have hidden overseas then they will have my forgiveness," Khan added. The comments came as the PTI chief invited Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarian Chaudhry Nisar to join his [PTI] party. "We could even support Nisar if he runs as an independent candidate in the upcoming general elections," Khan said. Last month in January, Bilawal criticised Khan, saying that the former will teach politics to the latter.

Imran Khan rejects forming alliance with Bilawal Bhutto's PPP

Nawaz Sharif, who appeared before an accountability court in Islamabad, Pakistan today to face charges in corruption cases filed against him and members of his famil, said his &quot;family (was) being made to go through tough times&quot;.&nbsp;

I &quot;am hurt over PPP&#39;s move,&quot; local media reported him as saying.&nbsp;

Sharif added that we &quot;have no issues with PTI. Democracy has not even touched PTI&quot;.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-appears-in-pak-court-in-corruption-case-24792" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Nawaz Sharif appears in Pak court in corruption case</a> 
&nbsp; 
PTI or the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is the party founded and headed by former cricketer Imran Khan.&nbsp;

The PPP or the Pakistan People&#39;s Party is the country&#39;s main Opposition party.&nbsp;

The National Accountability Bureau had filed three cases against Sharif and his family on September 8.&nbsp;

The cases were filed after revelations in the Panama Papers, and relate to the family owning assets beyond their known sources of income.&nbsp;

Sharif had been forced to step down as prime minister in July because&nbsp;of the charges.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Sharif was in court to answer charges in cases of corruption filed against him and his family

Nawaz Sharif, who appeared before an accountability court in Islamabad, Pakistan today to face charges in corruption cases filed against him and members of his famil, said his "family (was) being made to go through tough times". I "am hurt over PPP's move," local media reported him as saying. Sharif added that we "have no issues with PTI. Democracy has not even touched PTI". Also read: Nawaz Sharif appears in Pak court in corruption case PTI or the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is the party founded and headed by former cricketer Imran Khan. The PPP or the Pakistan People's Party is the country's main Opposition party. The National Accountability Bureau had filed three cases against Sharif and his family on September 8. The cases were filed after revelations in the Panama Papers, and relate to the family owning assets beyond their known sources of income. Sharif had been forced to step down as prime minister in July because of the charges.

'Family being made to go through tough times', Nawaz Sharif says after appearing in court

A Pakistan&nbsp;court today&nbsp;issued<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-court-indicts-nawaz-sharif-family-in-london-flats-case-22624"> bailable arrest warrants for ousted prime minister </a>Nawaz Sharif in two cases of corruption.

&quot;The accountability court issued bailable warrants for the former prime minister in two cases of alleged corruption today and adjourned the&nbsp;hearing until November 3,&quot; Sharif&#39;s defence lawyer&nbsp;Zafir Khan said.

The court asked Sharif to appear before it on November 3.

Sharif had resigned in July after the Pakistan Supreme Court had disqualified him from holding office over an undeclared source of income emanating from the Panama Papers leak.

Sharif is currently in London with his wife Kalsum who is undergoing cancer treatment.

The Pakistan court had indicted Nawaz Sharif in the offshore investments case and the London flats case.

The court charged Sharif in absentia for holding assets beyond his known sources in the Flagship Investments and offshore investments case.

Sharif through his lawyer had pleaded not guilty in the case.

In another grafts case, the Pakistan court had found the former PM along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Muhammad Safdar guilty in the London flats case.

The case relates to properties owned by the Sharif family in London&#39;s upscale Park Lane neighbourhood.

Sharif had resigned in July after the Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified him from holding office

A Pakistan court today issued bailable arrest warrants for ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif in two cases of corruption. "The accountability court issued bailable warrants for the former prime minister in two cases of alleged corruption today and adjourned the hearing until November 3," Sharif's defence lawyer Zafir Khan said. The court asked Sharif to appear before it on November 3. Sharif had resigned in July after the Pakistan Supreme Court had disqualified him from holding office over an undeclared source of income emanating from the Panama Papers leak. Sharif is currently in London with his wife Kalsum who is undergoing cancer treatment. The Pakistan court had indicted Nawaz Sharif in the offshore investments case and the London flats case. The court charged Sharif in absentia for holding assets beyond his known sources in the Flagship Investments and offshore investments case. Sharif through his lawyer had pleaded not guilty in the case. In another grafts case, the Pakistan court had found the former PM along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Muhammad Safdar guilty in the London flats case. The case relates to properties owned by the Sharif family in London's upscale Park Lane neighbourhood.

Pak court issues arrest warrant against Nawaz Sharif

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