Barrister Gohar

Barrister Gohar Directs PTI Lawmakers to Support Federal Budget

by with No Comment Politics

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar has directed the party’s members of the National Assembly and Senate to support the federal budget.

An important consultative meeting was held in Islamabad at the invitation of Barrister Gohar, attended by senior party leaders including Amir Dogar and Junaid Akbar.

During the meeting, participants strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Bannu and offered prayers for the martyrs. The meeting also expressed regret over the sentences handed down to Ejaz Chaudhry, Mahmoodur Rasheed, Umar Cheema and Yasmin Rashid.

The participants discussed various options for securing the immediate release of the party’s founding chairman. It was also decided to convene a high-level meeting in Islamabad immediately after the budget session.

According to PTI sources, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and Senate Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas are expected to attend the proposed high-level meeting in Islamabad.

Also Read: PTI Rejects Gilgit-Baltistan Elections, Announces Protest and White Paper on Alleged Rigging

Sources said the meeting would formulate an effective and comprehensive strategy for the release of the founding chairman. Barrister Gohar also instructed party lawmakers to support the federal budget.

Barrister Gohar said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and the provincial government are the trust of the party’s founding chairman.

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PML-N Lawmaker Demands Nawaz Sharif’s Portrait Alongside Quaid-e-Azam on Rs5,000 Note

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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member of the Punjab Assembly has called for the inclusion of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s portrait alongside Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the Rs5,000 currency note.

According to media reports, Punjab Assembly member Arshad Malik made the demand while speaking during a session of the provincial assembly.

Mr Malik said that Nawaz Sharif’s photograph should also appear on the Rs5,000 note.

He argued that the former prime minister had put Pakistan on the path of development and played an important role in the country’s progress and prosperity.

According to the PML-N lawmaker, including Nawaz Sharif’s portrait alongside that of Quaid-e-Azam would serve as recognition of his contributions to the nation.

The demand has sparked debate in political circles, while social media users have also expressed varying reactions to the proposal.

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Strait of Hormuz

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Cites Violations of Post-War Memorandum

by with No Comment World

Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic, with the country’s central military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, saying the move was a response to alleged violations of the post-war memorandum of understanding by the United States and Israel.

According to Iranian officials, the decision was taken after what Tehran described as breaches of commitments made following the end of the war.

In an official statement issued on Saturday, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said the United States had openly violated the first clause of the memorandum agreed upon to end the conflict, while Israel was continuing to violate the ceasefire in southern Lebanon.

The statement said these developments had led Iran to decide to close the Strait of Hormuz to ships and maritime trade routes.

Iran’s military command further stated that the move was the first step in response to what it called violations of commitments made by its adversaries.

The statement warned that Iran could take additional measures if the alleged aggression and violations of agreements continue, in an effort to compel the opposing parties to fulfil their obligations.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most important maritime passages, serving as a major route for oil and gas exports from Gulf countries to international markets.

Also Read: Iran Accuses World Cup Organisers of Unfair Restrictions, Vows FIFA Complaint

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9 May Cases: Four Senior PTI Leaders Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, Shah Mahmood Qureshi Acquitted

by with No Comment Crime & Court

LAHORE: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Wednesday handed down a major verdict in the May 9 Mughalpura arson case, sentencing four senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and four party workers to 10 years in prison each, while acquitting former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and 12 other accused.

The case pertains to incidents of arson and attacks on police vehicles in Lahore’s Mughalpura area on May 9.

The verdict was announced by ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul at Kot Lakhpat Jail, where proceedings in the high-profile case were held.

The court sentenced senior PTI leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhry and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed to 10 years imprisonment after finding them guilty.

In addition to the party leaders, four PTI workers — Shah Din, Khawar Hussain, Ahmad Zahid and Syed Rehman — were also awarded 10-year prison terms.

Also Read: PTI Rejects Gilgit-Baltistan Elections, Announces Protest and White Paper on Alleged Rigging

On the other hand, the court acquitted PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the case due to insufficient evidence.

It is pertinent to mention that the Anti-Terrorism Court has so far delivered verdicts in eight cases related to the events of May 9. With his acquittal in the Mughalpura case, Shah Mahmood Qureshi has now been acquitted in six of those cases.

Besides Mr Qureshi, the court also ordered the release of 11 PTI workers. Those acquitted include Salman, Adnan, Shoaib, Shahzaib, Rizwan, Haroon, Azam, Shamshad, Abbas, Tayyab and Hafiz Usman.

Irani singer

Iranian Singer Reportedly Sentenced to 74 Lashes Over Performing Without Hijab

by with No Comment World

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi and eight members of her production team have reportedly been handed severe punishments following an online musical performance broadcast in 2024, triggering concern among human rights advocates and artists worldwide.

According to foreign media reports, an Iranian court has sentenced the singer and members of her production team to 74 lashes, imposed a two-year ban on travelling abroad and barred them from participating in artistic activities for two years.

The reported action stems from a live concert in which the 29-year-old singer performed the patriotic song “Az Khoon-e Javanan-e Vatan” without wearing a hijab during a performance streamed on YouTube in December 2024. The video quickly went viral on social media and was later viewed by millions of people.

Reports said that Ms Ahmadi and several musicians were briefly detained shortly after the video was published but were later released. Authorities subsequently initiated formal legal proceedings over the publication of the performance.

Also Read: Iran Accuses World Cup Organisers of Unfair Restrictions, Vows FIFA Complaint

Human rights activists and lawyers who reviewed court documents said the artists had been charged with offences including producing and publishing content deemed to be “against public morality.” However, official sources within the Iranian judiciary have yet to formally confirm the verdict.

Despite the absence of an official confirmation, human rights organisations have expressed serious concern over the reported punishments.

Bahar Ghandehari, a representative of the US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, said that sentencing a woman to 74 lashes merely for singing and appearing in public without a hijab raises serious questions about the human rights situation in the country.

According to her, the case demonstrates that restrictions on freedom of expression and artistic freedoms in Iran continue to persist.

Human rights lawyer Moein Khazaili also criticised the reported verdict, arguing that under Iranian criminal law, singing or performing music by women is not, in itself, a criminal offence. He said classifying such activities as immoral content appears to lack a legal basis.

Also Read: PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal to Attend Iran–US MoU Signing Ceremony in Geneva

Meanwhile, several artists, including British-Iranian actress Nazanin Boniadi and exiled Iranian actress Setareh Maleki, have spoken out in support of Parastoo Ahmadi.

Setareh Maleki said the singer’s performance had given her renewed hope and courage, adding that it demonstrated that Iranian women continue their struggle for rights and freedom.

FIFA World Cup

Iran Accuses World Cup Organisers of Unfair Restrictions, Vows FIFA Complaint

by with No Comment Sports

The Iran Football Federation has announced that it will file a complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions imposed on the national team by World Cup organisers, saying the measures are affecting the team’s preparations for the tournament.

In a statement, the federation said the restrictions placed by event organisers were disrupting the team’s training and match preparations.

A spokesperson for the Iran Football Federation said the federation had requested permission from organisers for the team to travel to Los Angeles two days before its scheduled match against Belgium, which is set to take place on Sunday.

However, according to the spokesperson, organisers rejected Iran’s request to enter the United States two days ahead of the match.

The spokesperson added that despite submitting the team’s preparation schedule well in advance and presenting technical reasons to support the request, Iran was once again facing restrictions imposed by the organisers.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Tunisia Sack Head Coach After Just One Match

Meanwhile, Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said Iran had already been informed that the team would only be allowed to enter the United States one day before the match and would be required to leave on the same evening after the game.

Iran’s team was also required to leave Los Angeles on the same night after its World Cup match against New Zealand.

Iran’s next two World Cup matches, against Belgium and Egypt, are both scheduled to be played in the United States.

Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP

KP Presents Rs2.17 Trillion Budget for FY2026-27 With Rs48 Billion Deficit

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi on Tuesday presented a Rs2.17 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, with a projected deficit of Rs48 billion.

The total size of the provincial budget stands at Rs2,170 billion, while revenue has been estimated at Rs2,122 billion.

Presenting the budget in the provincial assembly, Chief Minister Afridi said the province was presenting a deficit budget of Rs48 billion, but clarified that the shortfall would not be financed through borrowing and would instead be covered through the province’s own resources.

Development Programme

According to the budget document, Rs524 billion has been proposed for the Annual Development Programme, while Rs52.8 billion will be allocated to district governments.

Salaries, Pensions and Minimum Wage

The budget proposes a 7 per cent increase in salaries and pensions of government employees. The minimum monthly wage is proposed to be increased by Rs5,000 to Rs45,000.

Health, Education and Social Welfare

The budget document proposes an allocation of Rs334 billion for the health sector and Rs468 billion for education.

An amount of Rs15 billion has been earmarked for the Ehsaas Mustahiq Programme, while Rs50 billion has been proposed for the Sehat Card scheme.

The government has also proposed allocating Rs80 billion for MTI hospitals and Rs36 billion for the Peshawar Rehabilitation Programme.

Interest-Free Loans and Transport Schemes

For individuals seeking employment abroad, Rs2 billion has been allocated for interest-free loans.

The budget also proposes Rs2.5 billion for electric bikes and rickshaw schemes.

BRT, Khushhal Khyber and Other Allocations

According to the budget document, Rs7.5 billion has been allocated for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and Rs4 billion for the Khushhal Khyber Programme.

The Local Government Department is proposed to receive Rs90 billion, the Home Department Rs29 billion and the Transport Department Rs14 billion.

Also Read: KP Government to Pass Only a Three-Month Budget Paper, Says Salman Akram Raja

The budget earmarks Rs29 billion for agriculture, Rs42 billion for energy and Rs28 billion for Zakat.

In addition, Rs29 billion has been proposed for the merged districts, while Rs52 billion has been allocated under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP).

The budget document also proposes Rs150 billion under foreign assistance and loans.

An amount of Rs5.18 billion has been earmarked for the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), while Rs1,645 billion has been proposed for current expenditures.

According to the budget document, Rs191 billion has been proposed for maintaining law and order, while Rs200 million will be allocated for the Good Governance Roadmap.

Shahbaz Sharif and Opposition leader

Rare Political Engagement as PM Shehbaz Holds Talks with Opposition in NA

by with No Comment Politics

An unusual display of political engagement was witnessed during a session of the National Assembly as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif not only exchanged greetings with opposition leaders but also twice visited the opposition benches to consult them on important national issues.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif adopted a conciliatory approach throughout the proceedings. Upon arriving in the House, he personally walked to the seats of Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar and greeted them with a handshake.

Later, while addressing the National Assembly, the prime minister stressed the need for a national consensus on the situation involving Iran and the United States and proposed that a unanimous resolution be brought before the House.

After his speech, Prime Minister Sharif once again crossed over to the opposition benches, where he met Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Barrister Gohar and Asad Qaiser.

During the interaction, opposition leaders presented their demands to the prime minister, who remained standing for some time while consulting with them.

Following the meeting, the prime minister called Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to his side and issued instructions to him.

Also Read: Polling Ends for Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Elections; Vote Counting Underway Across 24 Constituencies

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also visited the opposition benches and held consultations with opposition leaders, while Rana Sanaullah separately met members of the opposition leadership.

KP CM Sohail Afridi

No Federal Grants Without Restoration of Imran Khan’s Meetings, Says KP Chief Minister

by with No Comment Politics

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi has said that he will not sign any draft and no grants will be released to the federal government until the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is allowed meetings.

The remarks came during a session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, where opposition members staged a protest.

Responding to the protest, Chief Minister Afridi asked the opposition to remain patient and directed that water be served to the protesting lawmakers.

Former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and other disgruntled members also attended the budget session. As the opposition continued its protest, the chief minister again urged them to remain calm.

Mr Afridi said that his party’s demand was that the PTI founder should receive treatment at the best possible hospital and that his meetings should be restored.

“The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have placed their trust in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for a third consecutive term,” he said.

Also Read: Imran Khan Signs Power of Attorney for Medical Examination Plea

Earlier, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet approved budget proposals for the fiscal year 2026-27.

The proposed budget has a total outlay of Rs2,170 billion, while the Annual Development Programme has been proposed at more than Rs519 billion.

The budget proposals also include a possible 7 per cent increase in salaries and pensions of government employees.

Petrol Diesel Prices

Petrol Down to Rs299, Diesel to Rs311: PM Announces Major Cut in Fuel Prices

by with No Comment Business

The government has announced a major reduction in petroleum prices, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying the decision fulfills a promise made to the nation.

Addressing the public, the prime minister said petrol prices would be reduced by Rs74 per litre, while diesel prices would be cut by Rs67 per litre.

Following the reduction, the price of petrol will fall from Rs373 per litre to Rs299 per litre, while diesel will decline from Rs378 per litre to Rs311 per litre.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government was fully aware of the hardships faced by the people and appreciated the patience and resilience shown by citizens during difficult times.

Also Read: Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman Moves Federal Constitutional Court Against Petroleum Levy

“We are deeply grateful to the people for supporting the government during this challenging period,” he said.

The prime minister added that since the beginning of the crisis, the government had tried to reduce oil prices as much as possible using its available resources and had taken steps to shield the public from the impact of rising global inflation.

He further said that any reduction in oil prices in the international market was being passed on to the people in full.

Mr Sharif said the government had adopted austerity measures throughout the crisis and had also provided subsidies to underprivileged segments of society as part of relief efforts.

“Providing maximum relief to the people remains the government’s top priority,” the prime minister said.