Qadri tells followers he has returned to fight the war for Pakistan

LAHORE : Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahir-ul-Qadri says that even in the face of political highhandedness, he is present among his people.

Addressing his party workers and followers at the Minhaj-ul-Quran International secretariat in Lahore, Qadri paid high accolades to the independent electronic and print media in Pakistan terming them his “revolutionary army” adding that now the world will witness the Pakistani revolution.

The PAT chief added that the Almighty has given him wealth, respect and recognition but he has come to Pakistan for the people of this country whose future has become bleak due to the corrupt system.

He told his followers that soon the government will be toppled and the leaders will be held accountable, taunting that he can be killed but the revolution will not be stopped.

He termed the present leaders thugs and criminals, taunting again that his war is with them and the fight will continue till only a victor is left standing.

Tahir-ul-Qadri promised his followers that he will not let the corrupt leadership flee from the country; he will hold them accountable and send them behind bars.

He announced that after consultations with political forces he will give the final call for the revolution.

Dr Qadri says he is ready for martyrdom, govt has panicked

 

LONDON: PAT leader Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said on Sunday that the government was terrified of his arrival in Pakistan and had begun a massive crackdown on his followers across Punjab.
But he stressed that he was going to Pakistan to strengthen ‘genuine democracy’ that he claimed does not exist in Pakistan today.Before his departure for Pakistan via Dubai on Sunday afternoon, Dr Qadri said “thousands” of his workers had been arrested illegally by the police.

“Tens of thousands had planned to reach Islamabad Airport to greet me and to welcome my agenda of revolution for a better Pakistan but the government has panicked. It has used state machinery to usurp the rights of my supporters. All they wanted was to express theirdemocratic right of free expression. They have been punished for that.”Speaking to The News at the Heathrow airport, Dr Qadri said he was ready for martyrdom, if needed.

“I am going to Pakistan for Pakistan’s betterment, to help the Pakistani armed forces in their fight against terrorism; I want to bring about a positive change through non-violent means. Millions of people across Pakistan want to see a change in their lives and the way they are being governed. I am not power-hungry; I don’t need ministries or money. My agenda is simple. But the government is acting like a dictatorship and has acted in a brutal manner. Our activity centres have been shut down and our leading activists have either been kidnapped or arrested and beaten. This is a violation of our rights.”

Dr Qadri appealed to the army to take notice of the situation and intervene. “I call on the Pakistan Army to see what’s happening to our workers when they have committed no crime. I have no hope of justice from these rulers. They are insecure because their mandate is fake and they are relying on state power to crush our democratic movement for a peaceful revolution.”

When asked if he had passed his concerns directly to anyone in the military establishment and whether it was the right thing to do to attempt to get the army involved in political tussles, Dr Qadri told The News that he had not had any direct contact with the military.

“I am passing my concerns to the military through the media. I have not made any direct contact and I believe in saying things publicly without doing deals at night. I have nothing to hide; my agenda is for all to see.”

Dr Qadri said he had serious threats to his life. “I don’t care about my personal safety, life and death. If they want to hurt me, they should hurt me in any way they want. But don’t attack and torture my followers and activists who have been peaceful all along.

“After the killings of our innocent workers in Model Town, we could have easily taken the law into our own hands but we believe in the peaceful teachings of Islam. We are being punished for being pro-peace. This is unacceptable and should not be allowed. What is happening is a violation of Pakistani laws. We want intervention of the Pakistan Army in this matter.”

Dr Qadri left his east London home at 10 am for Heathrow airport.Around 300 supporters of Dr Qadri had arrived at the airport to say farewell to him. They chanted slogans upon his arrival and offered prayers for him.

Dr Qadri showed to The News a copy of his Pakistani passport and national ID card (NICOP) which he was using to travel to Pakistan via Dubai.“I am by birth a Pakistani and have every right to get involved in Pakistani politics in any way I want. These rulers cannot stop me and cannot tell me what to do.”

Imran Khan must preach what he practices

ISLAMABAD: As the PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Friday waged a war against Geo TV and the Jang Group that are already under fire from the ‘patriotic’ forces, the argument he advanced to justify the boycott does not hold any ground and rather cast doubts on his integrity.
His flip-flop in the post-Hamid Mir attack testifies that he has either been surrounded by confusion or by the ‘angels’, thus vindicating his friend Ch Nisar who had credited now-former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Pasha for the sudden rise of the PTI in 2011.

Initially, Imran demanded apology from Geo TV for ‘its baseless vilification of the Pakistan Army and ISI.” A new reality dawned on him later on. He found out the network’s involvement in the election rigging while admitting he did not have any evidence; nevertheless, asked for apology on this ground and his party would boycott unless the needful was done.

He was wrong before; he is wrong again. I have a few questions for him followed by the answers.Does he really believe that alleging a spy chief for a murderous attempt is tantamount to the vilification of the entire agency? If the answer is in affirmative then the PTI chief had set this precedent in 2007 and must tender apology for doing so before demanding from others.

On June 15, 2007, the PTI Secretary General, Air Marshal (R) Zulfiqar held a press conference (details can still be accessed at PTI’s official website). “Intelligence agencies have devised a plan to kill Imran Khan,” he told media and said that the FIR would be registered against the agencies’ chiefs together with President Pervez Musharraf and MQM chief Altaf Hussain “in case of any attack.”

One wonders that if the PTI chief had different standard for himself and anybody else feeling threatened from the agencies? He should have publicly submitted apology before advising demanding this from others.

Likewise, he misquoted former Army Chief Gen (R) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani about the briefing he gave during All Parties Conference (APC) meeting about terrorism and military operation in Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata). It was a breach of trust to publicise (correctly or incorrectly) a secret shared with top leaders during an in camera briefing to begin with. Also the fact remains that the government termed it wrong attribution to the former army chief, clarifying what Kayani had exactly said. The Senate also demanded of the PTI chief to take back his words, but he remained adamant. He did not admit his mistake at any point; however, he never spared a chance to preach others.

His allegations of rigging don’t make any sense either. While indicting Geo TV on this ground and announcing boycott till the apology is tendered, the PTI chairman admitted that he did not have any proof to state about its involvement.

The foundation of his argument about rigging rested on the airing of victory speech of Mian Nawaz Sharif by Geo TV. This ‘offered’ him strong evidence about its involvement. Regardless the merit of his allegations, this established the fact that he is an avid watcher of Geo TV. Had he been watching other channels by that time, he would have found out that this speech was not exclusively being run by Geo TV.

Supposing that he was watching Geo TV only, why did he fail to notice the appearance of his top lieutenant, Asad Umar, in Kamran Khan Show short after the PML-N leader’s victory speech? Not only he had congratulated Sharif brothers on the victory; he had also disclosed PTI’s win in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Going by Imran Khan’s logic, did PTI rig the elections in KP? If not, how did the party’s top campaign manager Asad Umar come to know about the victory in KP?

Geo TV had also been alleged of giving more projection to the PML-N during election campaign. This was in contrast with the complaint lodged by Ishaq Dar of the PML-N to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the unfair coverage of Geo TV that, the PML-N thought, was heavily biased in favour of PTI. Even many journalists affiliated with the eJang Group noticed disproportionate coverage to the PTI by Geo TV. The PTI instead of being thankful has turned against the same network.

As the election campaign was in the full swing, different TV anchors were predicting the win of PTI. As a journalist, I was curious as to why those anchors were so convinced about the likely victory of the PTI. Upon inquiry, a couple of them said that Imran Khan had given in writing to many anchors that PTI would grab 125 national assembly seats. One wonders how did the PTI chief know and what made him so confident? I would also be grateful to the anchors who were receiving calls from the angels updating them about the election situation and that PTI was going to win with huge margin. As they would use different code names for different politicians, one of them was ‘doctor’. Will any anchor let the public know who was named as ‘doctor’?

Asif says he signed application against Geo

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Wednesday that the application moved against Geo in PEMRA was signed by him.

He said that as a defence minister it was his responsibility to send the application.

Speaking to media after attending Youm-e-Shuda ceremony at the General Headquarters, the minister said that talk of tension between the government and the military was baseless.

Replying a question he said that his meeting with Opposition Leader Syed Khursha Shah was aimed at discussing electricity issues.

India poll favourite 'bachelor' Narendra Modi admits he is married

AHMEDABAD: Election frontrunner Narendra Modi has acknowledged for the first time that he is married, solving one of the biggest mysteries about the private life of the man tipped to be India's next prime minister.

The 63-year-old is routinely described as a bachelor and is thought to have lived alone in his adult life having come through the ranks of a grassroots Hindu nationalist organisation in which celibacy is expected.

Media reports have described how he walked away from a marriage arranged by his parents when he was a child, but this has never been confirmed by the man himself who has portrayed his single status as a virtue while campaigning.

In an affidavit on Wednesday as he filed his papers to stand as a member of parliament from the Vadadora constituency in western Gujarat state, he acknowledged that he had a wife.

In the column of the affidavit to mention spouses, the chief minister of Gujarat wrote the name "Jashodaben", but he states elsewhere in the filing that he had "no information" about her.

Reports have consistently stated that he was betrothed to a 62-year-old now-retired school teacher called Jashodaben, who gave an interview in February in which she said she didn't "feel bad" about not being part of Modi's life.

The relationship is believed to have never been consummated.

Modi, consistently ahead in the polls, told a biographer recently that he "actually enjoys loneliness" and has said that because he has no children he is more likely to be a clean politician.

"I've no familial ties. Who would I ever try to benefit through corruption?" he told a recent rally.

He has contested four times for seats in Gujarat's regional assembly but has never stated his marital status on the affidavits.

India's mammoth national election, which entered the third of nine phases on Thursday with almost a fifth of the 543 seats in the parliament up for grabs, has been described as a "battle of the bachelors".

Modi's main opponent Rahul Gandhi from the ruling Congress party, which has been in power nationally since 2004, is single.

Other parts of Modi's personal story remain unclear, particularly a period as a young man when he is believed to have wandered in the Himalayas on a journey of spiritual discovery.

India poll favourite 'bachelor' Narendra Modi admits he is married

AHMEDABAD: Election frontrunner Narendra Modi has acknowledged for the first time that he is married, solving one of the biggest mysteries about the private life of the man tipped to be India's next prime minister.

The 63-year-old is routinely described as a bachelor and is thought to have lived alone in his adult life having come through the ranks of a grassroots Hindu nationalist organisation in which celibacy is expected.

Media reports have described how he walked away from a marriage arranged by his parents when he was a child, but this has never been confirmed by the man himself who has portrayed his single status as a virtue while campaigning.

In an affidavit on Wednesday as he filed his papers to stand as a member of parliament from the Vadadora constituency in western Gujarat state, he acknowledged that he had a wife.

In the column of the affidavit to mention spouses, the chief minister of Gujarat wrote the name "Jashodaben", but he states elsewhere in the filing that he had "no information" about her.

Reports have consistently stated that he was betrothed to a 62-year-old now-retired school teacher called Jashodaben, who gave an interview in February in which she said she didn't "feel bad" about not being part of Modi's life.

The relationship is believed to have never been consummated.

Modi, consistently ahead in the polls, told a biographer recently that he "actually enjoys loneliness" and has said that because he has no children he is more likely to be a clean politician.

"I've no familial ties. Who would I ever try to benefit through corruption?" he told a recent rally.

He has contested four times for seats in Gujarat's regional assembly but has never stated his marital status on the affidavits.

India's mammoth national election, which entered the third of nine phases on Thursday with almost a fifth of the 543 seats in the parliament up for grabs, has been described as a "battle of the bachelors".

Modi's main opponent Rahul Gandhi from the ruling Congress party, which has been in power nationally since 2004, is single.

Other parts of Modi's personal story remain unclear, particularly a period as a young man when he is believed to have wandered in the Himalayas on a journey of spiritual discovery.

Aamir writes to EC, clarifies he is not supporting AAP

 

Aamir Khan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actor Aamir Khan has written a letter to the Election Commission (EC) clarifying that he is not endorsing any particular political party, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Apparently, it was brought to Aamir's notice that a social campaign doing the rounds that he was supporting AAP.

Some candidates of AAP allegedly took to Twitter and used Aamir's image in one of their campaign posters, claiming that the 49-year-old 'Dhoom 3' star was supporting their party.

In view of this, Aamir has written to the EC clarifying that he is not endorsing any particular political party.

"Aamir Khan from day one has made it clear that he will not be endorsing a particular political party. He is not supporting or campaigning for any political party," the actor's spokesperson said in a statement here.

Egypt’s Sisi says he will run for president

CAIRO: Egypt’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Wednesday that he had quit the military to run for president, vowing to rid the country of “terrorism” nearly nine months after he toppled the elected leader.

Sisi, who was also defence minister, faces no serious competition in the election, likely before June, and is expected to win comfortably riding on a wave of popularity for his law and order message.

He declared his widely anticipated candidacy in a televised address.

“Today, I stand before you for the last time in a military uniform, after deciding to end my service as defence minister and commander of the armed forces,” he said, dressed in his field marshal’s uniform, sitting behind a wooden desk.

“With all modesty, I nominate myself for the presidency of Egypt.
“I will continue to fight every day for an Egypt free of terrorism,” he added. (AFP)

Brendon dismisses claims he is son of Michael Jackson

According to the Ibtimes American singer Brandon Howard has released video dismissing claims that he is son of late pop legend Michael Jackson.

The video was posted on Facebook in the wake of DNA test reports, revealed by FilmOn.com, which claimed Jackson to be the father of Brandon.

Even Jackson estate lawyer Weitzman has cast doubt over the reports, claiming he has never heard of Brandon before.

As reported by Ibtimes Brandon said in the video "It seems a lot of people are speaking on my behalf, so I'm going to keep this short and simple.”

"1,I did not call TMZ, I didn't put out a story, nothing. 2, I never proclaimed to be his son, 3, I am definitely not suing the estate, I have been taken care of very well and also I make my own cash, 4, It's true I had a DNA test, but this had nothing to do with any of this, I swear on my life.”

"I'm done, wherever you guys go from here, that's what it is and whatever the DNA results come out to be, the results, it is what it is.”

"This is coming from me personally, so spread it around and make sure everybody knows this is me, okay, me, alright? So thank-you for listening and talk to you soon."

Brandon, who was represented by Jackson’s father Joe in the 1980s, is the son of Miki Howard.

Jackson reportedly have had an affair with his mother whom he met in 1982, a year before Miki was born.

Aamir Khan rubbishes threat rumours amid reports he bought ’bullet-proof’ car

According to the Press trust of India Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has quashed rumours that he has been receiving threats after covering sensitive topics in his highly-successful talk show ‘Satyamev Jayate’.Khan, who is gearing up to host the second season of the reality talk show –which kicks off tomorrow, further said he is not afraid of any threats. The Press Trust of India quoted the 'Peekay' star as saying, “I have not got any threats. ...