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Posts tagged as “Political”

Political engineering now worse than ever: Scholar Prof Dr Hassan Askari

by Rizwan Shehzad in The Express Tribune, Oct 9, 2023ISLAMABAD: As the country approaches the January general elections, concerns about political engineering are mounting with PTI leaders’ scripted interviews, their post-release re-arrests, almost one-sided media trials and a TV ban on mentioning deposed premier Imran Khan’s name as they all contribute to growing doubts over the fairness of the upcoming polls. Although the ‘powerful circles’ have routinely asserted themselves in the country over the years,…

Basil offers support to President on condition he disowns Lanza’s alliance

report in The Sunday Times, Oct 1, 2023A political alliance that sought to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe at an election has become shaky due to recent developments. Triggering the unease is the outcome of a recent meeting President Wickremesinghe had with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder and main strategist Basil Rajapaksa. The latter sprung a surprise offer – full support for Wickremesinghe’s candidature at a presidential election. In return, he appealed to the President…

Which way will politics head in October?

by Qadir Kallol &Selim Zahid in Prothom Alo, Oct 1, 2023Within October, BNP wants to reach the final stages of its one-point movement for the resignation of the government. To this end it is considering programmes such as long marches to Dhaka, sieges and blockades. On the other hand, the government and Awami League are determined to hold the election on time and plan to remain in the fray with the support of the administration…

Taliban in Talks on Loya Jirga Plan: Sarajuddin Haqqani

report in Khaama Press online, Sept 28, 2023In a newsletter, the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Afghanistan announced on Thursday that Sarajuddin Haqqani had engaged in discussions with media figures and political activists about the current issues and their potential solutions. In this meeting, the Taliban Interior Minister emphasized that differences of opinion and challenges should be resolved through consultation and coordination to avoid missed opportunities. The Taliban Interior Minister, Haqqani, said they are ready…

Nepal, China sign 12 agreements, but none under BRI

by Anil Giri in The Kathmandu Post, Sept 26, 2023As Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal wrapped up his political and official engagements in China during his week-long visit, the two countries on Monday signed a dozen agreements and memorandums of understanding. But none of the agreements involved Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. The prime minister was expected to iron out key differences over expediting BRI projects, cross border energy trade and implementation of past…

German political parties urge suspension of Afghan citizens’ acceptance program

report in Khaama Press,September 21, 2023The Christian Democratic Union of Germany and the Christian Social Union of Bavaria, the largest opposition parties in the Federal Parliament of Germany, have called for a halt to accepting Afghan refugees into the country. According to reports, this proposal has reached the French news agency. It is set to be presented in the Federal Parliament of Germany on Friday to reduce immigration. The proposal suggests that the refugee acceptance…

As elections near, major players steer away from PDM

by Kalbe Ali in Dawn, Sept 18th, 2023ISLAMABAD: Though it has not been officially announced, the largest political alliance in the country — the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — has become ‘defunct’ and the larger political parties with considerable vote banks think they do not need the platform anymore. Smaller players, on the other hand, still hope for its revival ahead of polls likely to be held at the start of next year. Two years…

Police reveal transnational and political ties in gold smuggling

by Prithvi Man Shrestha in The Kathmandu Post, Sept 14, 2023Police on Wednesday said the 60kg gold seized in July was linked to a large-scale smuggling racket orchestrated by a group of Chinese nationals whose connections extend from Hong Kong to Nepal and India. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police on Wednesday submitted its investigation report to the District Attorney Office, Kathmandu asking the latter to prosecute 29 individuals—Nepali and foreigners—in connection…

No alliance with PPP; PMLN will go solo in next elections: Rana Sana

By Ali Raza in The News, Sept 14, 2023LAHORE: Former federal interior minister and PMLN’s Punjab President Rana Sanaullah Khan has categorically denied having any political alliance with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the next elections. Sanaullah said this while talking to the media at the funeral prayer of the party’s Senator Rana Maqbool here on Wednesday. “We were not going with the PPP in the next election. The chances of seat adjustment with…

Nawaz Sharif to return home on Oct 21

By Faizan Bangash & Imtiaz Hussain & Murtaza Ali Shah in The News, Sept 13, 2023LONDON/SUKKUR: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PMLN) announcement of the date of return of its Quaid Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan has raised the political temperature across the country. In a major development on Tuesday, former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the date for his elder brother’s return home ahead of the upcoming elections to lead the party’s political campaign. “Nawaz Sharif…

President faces election date conundrum

by Rizwan Shehzad in The Express Tribune, Sept 12, 2023ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi found himself at the centre of attention once again as the question of announcing the election date took a prominent place in the political discourse. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) insisted that the president immediately reveal the election date, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) called for Alvi’s resignation from the presidency without specifying a date. Meanwhile, the caretaker government emphasised that…