khawaja asif accuses
| |

Khawaja Asif accuses PTI of supporting PPP candida…

ByJustpaste.in

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supported candidates of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) during the recent elections. He alleged that in several constituencies, it appeared that both political parties had made joint efforts to influence the electoral outcome.

Khawaja Asif stated that there were visible signs of cooperation between PTI and PPP in certain areas. According to him, the political activities and election strategies of both parties suggested that they were working together against other candidates. However, he did not provide specific evidence to support his claim.

The Defence Minister said that he had been observing elections in Azad Kashmir for the past 55 years and had witnessed many political developments over different periods. He described the current election as significant, particularly because voter participation in urban areas was higher compared to previous elections.

Khawaja Asif praised the efforts of his party’s workers, saying that they had worked hard during the election campaign. He claimed that the increased voter turnout in cities reflected greater public engagement and interest in the electoral process.

He stated that urban areas recorded a turnout of more than 45 percent, describing it as an important achievement. According to Asif, the higher participation rate demonstrated that voters had actively participated in the democratic process and responded positively to his party’s campaign efforts.

While discussing the performance of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Khawaja Asif claimed that the party’s popularity had declined among voters. He pointed out that the PPP had last won an election from the city in 1970, suggesting that the party had lost much of its previous political influence in the region.

Asif argued that the current political landscape in Azad Kashmir was different from previous decades. He suggested that changing voter preferences and recent electoral trends indicated that political support for traditional parties had shifted over time.

The Defence Minister’s remarks came amid political debate following the Azad Kashmir elections, where opposition parties raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. The PPP and other opposition groups have alleged irregularities, while government representatives have defended the transparency of the elections.

Khawaja Asif maintained that his party’s success was the result of extensive political efforts and public support. He credited party workers for their dedication and said that the election outcome reflected the changing political dynamics of the region.

The allegations regarding PTI’s support for PPP candidates have added another layer to the ongoing political discussions. Both PTI and PPP have their own positions regarding the election process, and any claims of coordination between them remain a subject of political debate.

As the political situation develops, statements from different parties are expected to continue shaping discussions about the election results, voter trends, and the future direction of politics in Azad Kashmir.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Sarwat Gilani celebrates Special Olympics athletes

    ByJustpaste.in

    Renowned Pakistani actor and Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP) Ambassador Sarwat Gilani shared heartwarming moments from the organization’s three-day national sports competition, which concluded following a vibrant celebration of inclusion, sportsmanship, and determination. The three-day event, held from July 21 to July 23, brought together athletes with intellectual disabilities from across the country to showcase their athletic talents and foster a spirit of unity through sports. Taking to social media, Gilani shared a recap featuring photos and video clips highlighting her interactions with competitors, volunteering alongside organizers, and presenting awards to winners during the closing ceremony. The national competition featured a total of 82 athletes representing diverse regions, including Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Federal territory. Highlighting the success of the games, Special Olympics Pakistan praised the participating athletes on its official social media channels, noting that every moment of the tournament reflected the intense passion and dedication of the individuals involved. Reflecting on her long-standing commitment as brand ambassador and advocate for the organization’s mission, Gilani emphasized the broader societal importance of empowering individuals with special needs: “At Special Olympics Pakistan, we celebrate athletes who redefine courage, resilience, and possibility every single day. They don’t just compete — they inspire a nation. They remind us that inclusion is not charity; it is justice. It is love in action.” In addition to celebrating the sports gathering, Gilani used the platform to promote Inclusion Rocks, an upcoming concert series aiming to raise awareness and support for the cause. Featuring musicians Faisal Kapadia and Murtaza Qizilbash, the musical initiative is scheduled to take place across Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. Special Olympics Pakistan continues to work towards transforming the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through sports, creating opportunities for nationwide participation and building a more inclusive society. Gilani’s active participation and advocacy during the national event served to further spotlight the remarkable resilience and achievements of the nation’s special athletes.

  • | |

    Oil tankers call off immediate strike as petroleum…

    ByJustpaste.in

    A potential nationwide disruption to fuel transportation has been temporarily put on hold after Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister agreed to meet representatives of the Oil Tankers Contractors Association following the group’s 72-hour ultimatum. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 27, where both sides are expected to discuss the association’s long-standing demands and explore ways to prevent a countrywide strike. During a joint press conference, leaders of the Pakistan Oil Tankers and Contractors Association said they had repeatedly raised their concerns with the authorities over the past year and a half. They stated that if the government accepts their demands, they will formally announce the decision. However, if negotiations fail, they will unveil their next course of action, which could include a nationwide suspension of oil tanker operations. The association is demanding an immediate end to commercial loading practices and an increase in transportation rates. According to the representatives, oil tanker freight charges have remained unchanged for the past three years despite a sharp rise in operating expenses. They also pointed out that motorway and National Highway Authority (NHA) toll taxes have increased by nearly 180 percent during the same period, making current transport rates financially unsustainable. Association leaders further alleged that despite months of negotiations and official correspondence, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the Petroleum Division failed to address their concerns, leaving them with no option but to threaten industrial action. The outcome of Monday’s meeting is expected to determine whether the dispute is resolved through dialogue or escalates into a nationwide strike that could affect fuel transportation and supply across the country.

  • | | |

    AJK police allege 8 officers ‘abducted&#8217…

    ByJustpaste.in

    MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police on Thursday alleged that eight highway police personnel deployed for election duty had been “abducted” by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), as tensions continue to simmer across the region. Police spokesperson SSP Khawar Ali Shaukat made the allegation during a televised press conference in Rawalakot, claiming that the personnel were being held by members of the group and had been subjected to what he described as “brutal abuse”. According to the spokesperson, the security personnel were attacked while carrying out their election-related duties. He claimed the officials’ families had also been threatened, allegedly being warned that the personnel would be killed if the protesters’ demands were not accepted. “We will not allow pressure to be exerted over the lives of these officials,” Shaukat said, calling for the immediate release of the personnel. He warned that authorities would take action if the officials were harmed, their release was obstructed or their families continued to receive threats. The police spokesperson also rejected the perception that the JAAC was a peaceful movement, alleging that recent incidents showed the group was willing to use violence to challenge the state’s authority and institutions. “The state is not weak,” he said, adding that authorities had exercised restraint despite the escalating tensions. Shaukat also appealed to residents to distance themselves from the group and urged parents to monitor their children, alleging that propaganda was being used to encourage young people to participate in unrest. His remarks came as AJK continues to hold elections in phases amid heightened security concerns. The region has witnessed weeks of demonstrations led by the JAAC, which has been demanding, among other things, the abolition of 12 seats in the local legislature reserved for refugees from Indian-held Kashmir. Tensions escalated on July 28 when clashes were reported between protesters and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot and Mirpur. The violence reportedly resulted in several casualties and further intensified the political and security situation. The government has also accused elements it describes as militants of exploiting the unrest and pursuing a foreign agenda, alleging Indian financial backing. Those allegations have added another layer to an already tense political environment. Last week, AJK Information Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif said seven law enforcement personnel, including police and Rangers officials, had been killed during the recent unrest. Meanwhile, Thursday’s police statement has placed renewed focus on the safety of personnel deployed for election duties. Shaukat called on the JAAC to release the eight officials and warned that any further violence against state employees would trigger a firm response under the law and Constitution. The allegations have not been independently verified, and the JAAC’s response to the police claims was not included in the report.

  • | |

    Shah Rukh Khan overtakes Virat Kohli in brand rankings

    ByJustpaste.in

    Shah Rukh Khan has reclaimed the top position as India’s most valuable celebrity brand, surpassing cricketer Virat Kohli in the latest Kroll India Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025. The report values Khan’s brand at $177.9 million, marking a significant rise from his third-place ranking in 2024. The increase reflects the commercial success of his recent films, strong audience appeal and continued popularity among advertisers and major brands. Actor Ranveer Singh secured second place with the same estimated brand value of $177.9 million, while Kohli dropped to third with a valuation of $158.4 million after recording a notable decline over the past two years. The rankings evaluate celebrities based on endorsement deals, brand partnerships, public image, media visibility and influence across digital and social media platforms. Khan’s brand value has grown by $57.2 million during the last two years, highlighting his strong comeback and renewed commercial strength. Among female celebrities, Alia Bhatt remained the highest-ranked woman, securing sixth place with a brand value of $93.9 million. She was followed by Deepika Padukone in seventh with $89.2 million. The top 10 also includes Hrithik Roshan, Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar, reflecting the continued commercial influence of Bollywood’s biggest names. Further down the rankings, Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan retained places among India’s leading celebrity brands, while younger stars including Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor continued to strengthen their commercial presence. The latest rankings underline the growing importance of box office performance, digital influence and public engagement in determining the market value of celebrities, with Shah Rukh Khan once again emerging as India’s most sought-after brand ambassador.

  • | |

    US imposes tariffs on Pakistan and more than 60 trading partners

    ByJustpaste.in

    The United States has introduced a new round of tariffs on imports from more than 60 trading partners, including Pakistan, as part of a broader effort to strengthen measures against goods allegedly linked to forced labour. The new duties officially came into effect on July 24 and are expected to affect trade between the United States and a large number of countries. Under the latest policy, Pakistan has been placed in the group of countries whose exports to the United States will face a 10% tariff. The same tariff rate has also been imposed on imports from countries including India, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Canada, Argentina, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago. Another group of 38 countries will face a 12.5% tariff on goods exported to the US under the same policy. The US administration said the decision was taken because these countries had failed to effectively prevent the import or production of goods allegedly made through forced labour. According to American officials, stronger enforcement of labour laws and better monitoring of supply chains are needed to stop products made under forced labour conditions from entering international markets. The new measures are part of President Donald Trump’s trade agenda, which focuses on using tariffs to address trade and labour-related concerns. The administration has introduced the tariffs under Section 301 of the US Trade Act, a legal provision that allows the United States to take trade action against countries it believes are engaging in unfair trade practices. The latest action follows a major legal setback earlier this year. In February 2026, the US Supreme Court blocked the implementation of an earlier tariff package introduced by the Trump administration. That policy had proposed additional duties ranging from 10% to 50% on imports from several countries. Following the court’s decision, the administration adopted a different legal mechanism to introduce the current tariffs. The decision has drawn criticism from several US trading partners. Australia and Brazil have described the new tariffs as unfair and said they will continue diplomatic efforts to have the measures withdrawn. Norway also rejected the allegations behind the tariffs, saying the decision was based on unsubstantiated claims. Despite the broad scope of the new policy, several important products have been excluded. The tariffs do not apply to imports of crude oil, natural gas, selected agricultural commodities and fertilisers. Goods that are already subject to separate Section 232 national security tariffs, including steel, aluminium, automobiles and copper, are also exempt from the latest duties.

  • |

    South African court pauses impeachment proceedings against Cyril Ramaphosa

    ByJustpaste.in

    South Africa’s Western Cape High Court has granted President Cyril Ramaphosa a temporary order halting parliamentary impeachment proceedings against him. The interdict pauses the work of a parliamentary impeachment committee until the court reviews a November 2022 panel report in September, which concluded that Ramaphosa “may have committed” serious violations regarding the Phala Phala farm scandal. The controversy stems from a 2020 break-in at Ramaphosa’s luxury farmhouse in Limpopo, where $580,000 in undeclared foreign currency hidden inside a sofa was stolen. While a former spy chief alleged the stolen sum reached $4 million and accused the president of concealing the robbery from tax and police authorities, Ramaphosa has maintained his innocence, stating the cash came from a legitimate sale of 20 buffaloes. Although the ruling African National Congress (ANC) initially quashed impeachment efforts in Parliament in 2022 and prosecutors dropped criminal charges in 2024, a Constitutional Court ruling in May 2026 reinstated the impeachment process. Ramaphosa welcomed Friday’s court decision, affirming his respect for judicial independence while awaiting the full review hearing in September.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *