Imran Khan misleading nation, repeats Marriyum Aurangzeb

Federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb addresses a press conference on August 18, 2022 — PID

ISLAMABAD: Accusing PTI Chairperson Imran Khan of  "misleading the nation", Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb  Thursday bashed him for talking about media freedom.

"Khan talking about media freedom is no less than a joke," Aurangzeb said while addressing a press conference. in the federal capital.

Recalling that during PTI’s tenure journalists were tortured and programmes were suspended, she said: “Several international media watch international organisations had called Khan a ‘predator’ and black laws against media were formed under his tenure.” 

"His 'rented' media team spread propaganda against media," she maintained.

The information minister said that Khan was the prime minister when Absar Alam, Asad Toor, Asma Sherazi, Gharida Farooqui, Nusrat Javed, and Matiullah Jan were attacked.

She went on to highlight that during Khan’s tenure as prime minister programmes of renowned journalists Amber Shamsi, Hamid Mir, Talat Hussain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Najam Sethi, and Murtaza Solangi were also suspended.

'Imran Khan should be arrested'

Taking a jibe at Khan’s comments regarding the “flawed” justice system in the country, Aurangzeb said that when all power should be held accountable then the PTI chairperson should also be summoned in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“Khan is not appearing before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and he should be arrested,” Aurangzeb maintained.

“It was in Khan’s tenure that Amnesty International highlighted the corruption in Pakistan,” she said, adding that the organisation noted that historic corruption was seen during the period of PTI’s government.

Shahbaz Gill's case

Regarding Shahbaz Gill’s case, she highlighted that during Khan’s tenure then Opposition members were arrested twice for every allegation.

“Nawaz Sharif was handcuffed in front of his daughter Maryam Nawaz, and cases were registered against 90-year-old mother of Javed Latif,” she said while highlighting the wrongdoings of the previous government.

“Those who mocked other political leaders for falling sick in custody are now reeling with the same problems,” she said, accusing Gill of "faking" his health issues.

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'Grossly exaggerated, misleading,' ISPR says on reported presence of TTP militants in Swat

A Reuters file photo shows TTP militatns.

• Armed men present between Swat, Dir mountain tops, ISPR says.
• It says these militants sneaked in from Afghanistan to native areas.
• "Presence of militants anywhere will not be tolerated," ISPR adds.

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RAWALPINDI: The military Saturday strongly responded to the reports claiming that a large number of militants belonging to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were present in Swat.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that during the past few days, a misperception about the presence of a large number of TTP’s armed members in Swat Valley has been created on social media.

"After confirmation on [the] ground, these reports have been found as grossly exaggerated and misleading," the military's media wing said.

The ISPR, however, noted that there is the presence of a small number of armed men has been observed on a few mountain tops between Swat and Dir has been observed — but it is located far away from the population.

These individuals, the ISPR said, had apparently sneaked in from Afghanistan to resettle in their native areas.

The military said that a close watch is being maintained on their limited presence and movement in mountains and required measures are in place by all law enforcement agencies for the safety and security of people of adjoining areas.

"The presence of militants anywhere will not be tolerated and they will be dealt with full use of force if required," the military warned.

Swat 'totally under control' of civil administration

Amid constant speculations regarding the heavy presence of militants in the Swat Valley, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police had also earlier clarified that it is aware of the videos circulating on social media.

KP Police Central Office, in a press release issued Thursday, said that police are also aware of the apprehensions of the general public that Swat may return to the 2008-09 era when militants ruled the valley with their version of Shariah.

Assuring the public that the police are fully cognizant of the fact that some individuals from Swat previously living in Afghanistan were present in far-flung mountainous areas of Swat, it said that the valley is "totally under the control" of civil administration and all law enforcing agencies are ready to respond to any incident.

It said that the peaceful society of Swat has no space for terrorism in any form and manifestation.

“LEAs are appropriately placed and will resort to all possible measures to ensure peace in Swat as per aspirations of the local populace,” the press release read.

Protests

Meanwhile, the local residents and members of the civil society on Friday staged protests in two tehsils of Swat to demand security after the reported resurgence of the militants in parts of the district.

Carrying banners and placards, the members of the civil society gathered at the Khwazakhela and Kabal bazaars. They were chanting slogans and asking the government to take measures to maintain peace in the district.

“The people of Swat suffered a lot during the previous military operation against the militants. The government must take steps before it’s too late,” said one of the protesters. They urged the police and security forces to take notice of the situation and take steps to maintain law and order in the scenic valley.

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ECP decries 'misleading propaganda', says never allowed any govt to interfere in polling

A guard and a signboard outside the Election Commission of Pakistan. — AFP/File

• During Punjab by-polls, ECP sent out a clear message that rigging would result in strict action, spokesperson says.
• He says propaganda was being spread against ECP about secret balloting in Senate election.
• Says ECP was currently working on EVMs, finding a mechanism to allow overseas Pakistanis to vote.

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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday decried the "misleading propaganda" being carried out regarding some decisions and events and clarified that the body has "not allowed any government to interfere in the electoral process."

According to a statement issued by the commission's spokesperson, propaganda was being spread against the ECP regarding the issue of secret balloting in the Senate election.

He said that Article 226 of the Constitution has clearly stated which election shall be conducted following the process of secret balloting, therefore, the commission could not be declared guilty of violating the Constitution.

The spokesperson, in the statement, said that news regarding the ECP refusing to issue the notification about PPP Senator Yusuf Raza Gilani being the winner of the Islamabad general seat for Senate at the request of the PTI was also part of propaganda.

"Why wouldn't Gilani be not notified when the results were issued after the voting in the National Assembly? What would be the legal justification for withholding the notification of any winning candidate?" the spokesperson asked, adding that the ECP taking action against PPP's Ali Musa Gilani was also based on propaganda.

The spokesperson further said that the way elections were rigged during the Daska by-election has been unprecedented, adding that since two high-level inquiries proved that the presiding officers were kidnapped, while the police and the administration revealed surprising facts about the rigging in their statements, then the ECP's decision to reorder polling was justified. 

The ECP spokesperson maintained that 80% of the successful candidates were not from the ruling party in all the by-elections, while the body did not allow any government to interfere in the electoral process.

"The government was not allowed to interfere in the by-elections of 20 constituencies of Punjab as the ECP had sent out a clear message that if anything of that sort happened, strict action would be taken," he said, adding that improved security deterred gunmen and outside meddlers during the election because of which all political parties accepted the election results.

Regarding the introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the polls, the spokesperson said that only two countries in the world, India and Brazil, were using EVMs at the moment.

"Both countries took 22 to 25 years to adopt this system, respectively. Elections are held at different times in Indian states," he said. "ECP officials also met with the Brazilian ambassador to discuss the issue, and he said that it would be a 'miracle for the EVMs system to be used in Pakistan by October 2023 elections'".

He further stated that the ECP was currently working on EVMs as well as finding a mechanism to allow overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes in future elections.

In this regard, the spokesperson said that the report of the system made by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for overseas voting has been submitted to the Parliament under the order of the Supreme Court, but to date, no discussion could be held on that.

The government also got the system audited by an international firm, he said, adding that the then secretary of the Information and Technology department and representatives of the international firm briefed the commission.

According to the briefing, if the system created by NADRA was employed, the election would be "suspicious and controversial".

"Should the ECP adopt the system which experts and government representatives have such opinions about?" he questioned. 

The spokesperson further said that PTI's Faisal Vawda's case was under hearing in the Supreme Court, so any comment regarding that would not be appropriate.

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