Rock the vote: Pakistani political music keeps the party going

In this picture taken on July 17, 2018, Asif Butt, better known by his stage persona DJ Butt, performs during a rally of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Islamabad. Pakistani political rallies have been transformed in recent years to festive blowouts, designed to entertain as much as inspire supporters to vote. ISLAMABAD: As the crowd swells with anticipation for their leader Shahbaz Sharif’s arrival a DJ blares the anthem "Respect the vote", while supporters chant slogans and sway to the synth-driven dance track."We are enjoying it a lot," shouts Nauman Khan over the ear-splitting volume as he dances with friends at the rally in Punjab province, days ahead of Pakistan’s national elections."We really like the songs of Nawaz Sharif," he screams, referring to Shahbaz’s brother, the jailed former premier who continues to inspire his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters from behind bars.Pakistani political rallies have been transformed in recent years to festive blowouts, designed to entertain as much as inspire supporters to vote.The formula was first perfected by Asif Butt -- better known by his stage persona DJ Butt -- an erstwhile wedding DJ who first shot to fame when he played a rally for cricketer-turned-opposition leader Imran Khan in 2011.It was there that the Lahore-based DJ began to perfect his craft, playing contemporary songs to warm up the crowd and musical interludes to the speeches on stage -- injecting some dramatic theatre into long stretches of oratory."Imran Khan is a quick learner. He understood quickly where he had to pause for music and where he should continue speaking," says Butt.The mashup was a hit, paving the way for continued collaboration between Butt and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during the 2013 election season as the party reached out to younger and more urban voters.Political parties in Pakistan have used music as a way of spreading slogans and unifying supporters since the rise of pop music in the late 1980s, following the end of a military dictatorship.But increasingly, and thanks to DJs like Butt, the rhythms of political rallies are filling a vital space in the deeply conservative Islamic country, providing the music-obsessed masses with a space to dance and cut loose.- Play to the crowd -Butt’s career resembles that of an ambitious upstart in the country’s chaotic political landscape.He has played to crowds numbering tens of thousands, spent time in jail, and even manned the decks during a riot as police cracked down on a PTI protest with batons and tear gas.Butt’s blueprint for success is simple: play to the crowd.In Punjab, he belts out tunes to suit the province’s homegrown Bhangra dance style. In the rural northwest he sticks to traditional folk tunes, while in urban areas the playlist is exclusively pop."DJ Butt and the PTI are the spiritual heads of this," says pop culture writer Ahmer Naqvi on music’s shaping of Pakistani politics.His success has since sparked a cottage industry, with political parties across the country hiring DJs on the campaign trail to attract voters.At a PTI rally in Lahore, portions of the crowd resemble a mosh pit as men spin in circles, hands flailing in response to deafening political anthems."The younger generation likes music at Imran Khan’s rallies because there is enthusiasm and fervour in it," says PTI supporter Muhammad Ali."And there’s DJs there and the music is good."But not all are fans.Back in Punjab province’s Pindi Gheb, Sharif supporter Abdul Ghaffar slams the "singing and dancing" witnessed at Imran Khan’s rallies for involving both men and women."We don’t have anything like dancing by women in our public meetings," he scoffs.- ‘Arrow to the heart’ -For those upset with the ways of the young, there are still the classic songs of old, with the lyrics largely centred on the personalities of party leaders."Arrow to the heart", an ode to the late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), remains the gold standard for political anthems in the eyes of many."That bassline could bring down empires. It’s so powerful," says pop culture writer Naqvi of the song’s timelessness."I don’t know what is so special in this song but there is something that still attracts party leaders and workers alike," says Shabana Noshi, who provided vocals on the now iconic track.Since being recorded almost 30 years ago, the song has outgrown its political mandate and is now a staple at weddings in southern Pakistan’s Sindh province, where the PPP draws its support, Noshi says.And for the faithful, a PPP rally is not complete without the song."No rally during the elections could be successful if the party song is not played on big speakers," says PPP supporter Naqash Saeed in Karachi."Whenever it is played my partisanship gets stronger."

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Medical board reviews Nawaz Sharif?s health at Adiala

ISLAMABAD: A five-member medical team has reached Adiala jail to assess the condition of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif after his health deteriorated Saturday due to ‘intense heat’ in the cell where he is incarcerated.The medical board comprising Dr Aijaz Qadeer, as chairman; Dr Naeem Malik, PIMS Head of Cardiology; Dr Shajee Siddiqui, Medical Specialist; Dr Sohail Tanvir and Dr Mashood arrived at the prison Monday along with a mobile laboratory.A team of doctors from the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, led by Major General (R) Azhar Kayani, carried out medical examination of Nawaz Sharif on Sunday and recommended to shift him to the RIC.General Kayani told The News that Nawaz Sharif was already diabetic and a heart patient.He said the PML-N leader’s health deteriorated due to intense heat. An ECG test was conducted that’s not satisfactory. Kayani said doctors had advised administration of drips to overcome dehydration from exposure to intense heat.The Interior Ministry approved a summary forwarded by the Punjab Home Ministry Sunday night seeking Nawaz Sharif’s shifting to the hospital. On the other hand, sources said tests showed that Nawaz had high sugar level being diabetic and heart patient.He also had high Urea concentration in blood that could be damaging for the kidneys. Sources claimed that the former premier was not provided with air condition or room cooler exposing him to dehydration.They claimed that the jail administration did not allow Nawaz’s personnel physician Dr Adnan to treat him. IG Jail Shahid Saleem Baig visited Nawaz last Friday to convince him to send Maryam Nawaz to the Sihala Rest House.Nawaz asked Baig to allow his medical check-up, but he did not heed his request. The sources said Nawaz Sharif was not even allowed to offer Juma prayers. After deterioration in health, the jail doctors examined him but his health did not improve after which Major General (R) Kayani was requested to visit the jail along with a team and carry out medical check-up of Nawaz Sharif.The team suggested his immediate shifting to the hospital as delay in shifting might damage his kidneys. A report to this effect was dispatched to the authorities concerned after which it was decided that since Nawaz was sentenced by a NAB court of Islamabad; therefore, a medical board of PIMS should give his medical report by carrying out his medical examination. The decision to shift him to hospital would be taken in the light of this report.

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Medal board reviews Nawaz Sharif?s health at Adiala

ISLAMABAD: A five-member medical team has reached Adiala jail to assess the condition of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif after his health deteriorated Saturday due to ‘intense heat’ in the cell where he is incarcerated.The medical board comprising Dr Aijaz Qadeer, as chairman; Dr Naeem Malik, PIMS Head of Cardiology; Dr Shajee Siddiqui, Medical Specialist; Dr Sohail Tanvir and Dr Mashood arrived at the prison Monday along with a mobile laboratory.A team of doctors from the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, led by Major General (R) Azhar Kayani, carried out medical examination of Nawaz Sharif on Sunday and recommended to shift him to the RIC.General Kayani told The News that Nawaz Sharif was already diabetic and a heart patient.He said the PML-N leader’s health deteriorated due to intense heat. An ECG test was conducted that’s not satisfactory. Kayani said doctors had advised administration of drips to overcome dehydration from exposure to intense heat.The Interior Ministry approved a summary forwarded by the Punjab Home Ministry Sunday night seeking Nawaz Sharif’s shifting to the hospital. On the other hand, sources said tests showed that Nawaz had high sugar level being diabetic and heart patient.He also had high Urea concentration in blood that could be damaging for the kidneys. Sources claimed that the former premier was not provided with air condition or room cooler exposing him to dehydration.They claimed that the jail administration did not allow Nawaz’s personnel physician Dr Adnan to treat him. IG Jail Shahid Saleem Baig visited Nawaz last Friday to convince him to send Maryam Nawaz to the Sihala Rest House.Nawaz asked Baig to allow his medical check-up, but he did not heed his request. The sources said Nawaz Sharif was not even allowed to offer Juma prayers. After deterioration in health, the jail doctors examined him but his health did not improve after which Major General (R) Kayani was requested to visit the jail along with a team and carry out medical check-up of Nawaz Sharif.The team suggested his immediate shifting to the hospital as delay in shifting might damage his kidneys. A report to this effect was dispatched to the authorities concerned after which it was decided that since Nawaz was sentenced by a NAB court of Islamabad; therefore, a medical board of PIMS should give his medical report by carrying out his medical examination. The decision to shift him to hospital would be taken in the light of this report.

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Donkey who was tortured brutally by political supporters of a party passes away

Hailed as Hero, the donkey who faced immense wrath as a result of political rivalry displayed by  political supporters of a party, passed away Monday morning, animal rescue Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation confirmed. In a heart wrenching post shared by the NGO on social media, Hero was unable to cope up with the physical and mental pain he was inflicted with and succumbed to his injuries today:“He was doing a lot better until yesterday, he managed to stand up on his own, eat powdered food although he had a broken jaw, and drink water on his own. He had been on IV drips, multivitamins and antibiotics. His external wounds were healing. He was just skin and bones and unbelievably weak and malnourished, like he was starved for days. And constipated at the same time. He had colic that can be fatal in donkeys although his seemed to be getting better.We kept his temperature under control, massaged and cuddled him to calm down him as he would try take faltering steps, distressed, suffering from post traumatic stress, his heart pounding a mile a minute.However, this morning, his blood pressure was too high, his temperature kept fluctuating hence he was under constant observation, he started bleeding from his nose and he couldn’t breathe properly anymore.His internal injuries due to the violence he faced, were too much for him to bear,” shared ACF. The post further reads: "He just saw a week of happiness, peace and love with us, and we saw this beautiful, intelligent personality who was abused and tortured for absolutely no reason, for no fault of his own."On July 17, Hero was taken in by the animal rescue center  after he was brutally tortured, injured and beaten by supporters of a party after they wrote the opponent's name on his body. 

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Donkey who was tortured brutally by political supporters of a party passes away

Hailed as Hero, the donkey who faced immense wrath as a result of political rivalry displayed by  political supporters of a party, passed away Monday morning, animal rescue Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation confirmed. In a heart wrenching post shared by the NGO on social media, Hero was unable to cope up with the physical and mental pain he was inflicted with and succumbed to his injuries today:“He was doing a lot better until yesterday, he managed to stand up on his own, eat powdered food although he had a broken jaw, and drink water on his own. He had been on IV drips, multivitamins and antibiotics. His external wounds were healing. He was just skin and bones and unbelievably weak and malnourished, like he was starved for days. And constipated at the same time. He had colic that can be fatal in donkeys although his seemed to be getting better.We kept his temperature under control, massaged and cuddled him to calm down him as he would try take faltering steps, distressed, suffering from post traumatic stress, his heart pounding a mile a minute.However, this morning, his blood pressure was too high, his temperature kept fluctuating hence he was under constant observation, he started bleeding from his nose and he couldn’t breathe properly anymore.His internal injuries due to the violence he faced, were too much for him to bear,” shared ACF. The post further reads: "He just saw a week of happiness, peace and love with us, and we saw this beautiful, intelligent personality who was abused and tortured for absolutely no reason, for no fault of his own."On July 17, Hero was taken in by the animal rescue center  after he was brutally tortured, injured and beaten by supporters of a party after they wrote the opponent's name on his body. 

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Jibran Nasir's manifesto receives highest ranking by PILAP

Jibran Nasir’s manifesto for elections 2018 has been ranked the highest by  Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan (PILAP), as compared to manifestos put forth by major political parties of the country, like Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). As an independent candidate with no affiliation with any of the mainstream political parties, Jibran’s manifesto received 70% score, followed by PML-N’s of 66%. Meanwhile, PTI and PPP received the lowest ranking; 63% and 52% respectively. Regarding the rankings, Jibran Nasir’s official page wrote: “We are proud of our team for its efforts, vision [and] understanding of issues and are grateful to policy experts who served as mentors. The journey begins with One.”The ranking was given based on the parties/candidate’s future plans, which were marked as either satisfactory, good or excellent. The manifestos were judged on the basis of access to justice, education, access to health, access to water, public interest, transport and communication, security to minorities, women and children and police reforms along with various other factors. Jibran Nasir, a human rights activist and advocate by profession, is contesting as an independent candidate from NA-247 and PS-111 constituencies. 

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PTI leader Ikramullah Khan Gandapur laid to rest in Dera Ismail Khan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader  Ikramullah Khan Gandapur was laid to rest in  his native town  of Dera Ismail Khan after thousands of people attended his funeral at  Kulachi College Ground   early on Monday.Sardar Ikramullah Gandapur, PTI candidate for provincial assembly constituency PK-99, was martyred and five others, including his driver Mohammad Ramazan, former union council Nazim Najeeb Shah, gunman Dilnawaz, Abdur Razzaq and a passer-by Saifur Rehman were injured in a suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan  on Sunday.According to reports,  a suicide bomber blew up near the vehicle of Ikramullah Gandapur, whose brother Israrullah Gandapur was also martyred in a suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan in October 2013.Thousands of people, including, political leaders, military officials, PTI activists and a large number of locals attended the  funeral prayers of the slain leader of PTI.Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan said that it had postponed the polls in  PK-99 (Dera Ismail Khan) constituency due to the death of the candidate.The new schedule for the said constituency will be announced later, it said.

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Shehbaz warns of people's reaction if polls are rigged

MULTAN: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ( PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif  on Sunday warned that he won’t be able to stop “the flood” of people if  elections are rigged.Addressing a  public meeting in Multan, PML-N president lamented  that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is being treated as he is an enemy of Pakistan  even if he  conducted nuclear tests despite  pressure from the world community and made the country an atomic power.He  further said that they  are being pushed against the wall, adding; "We will break down the wall. We will save Pakistan.” Giving the example of Metro Bus Service projects in Punjab, he said the PML-N during its last government made record development projects, adding that his government established Lodhran-Khanewal Road.While lashing out at PTI chief , Shehbaz said that Imran used to criticise the Metro Bus project in Punjab and vowed not to start such projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but eventually did, he alleged that Peshawar city has been dug out for the metro bus project, whose contract was given to a blacklisted company.He claimed that his party making efforts for the sanctity of vote and that's why the people would vote for it on July 25 on the basis of its last government's performance.Shehbaz said that he would quit politics if corruption of even a single penny is proved against him.He claimed that if the PML-N comes to power, it would develop the country like Turkey and Malaysia.He lamented the decision against Hanif Abbasi, saying the verdict was given around 12 am, while he added that the Election Commission of Pakistan made the right move by postponing the polls in the constituency.“Shaikh Rasheed knew that Abbasi will defeat him by 70,000 votes, that's why he relied on courts,” said Shehbaz.

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Grenade attack on BAP's election office wounds 20

QUETTA: At least 20 people have been injured in a hand grenade attack on an election office of Balochistan Awami Party in Dalbandin, police said. The injured have been shifted to hospitals in Chaghi and Quetta.According to details, unknown people hurled a hand grenade outside the BAP’s office and fled away. This was the third attack on an election-related activity in Pakistan within 12 hours. Earlier in the day, PTI candidate Israrullah Gandapur was killed when a suicide bomber hit his vehicle in Dera Ismail Khan. Former chief minister Akram Durrani’s rally also came under firing in Bannu. 

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Imran Khan calls CoD a ?charter of corruption?

KARACHI: PTI chairman Imran Khan has said that a charter of democracy signed between the PPP and the PML-N was actually a charter of corruption. “It was a pact between two parties to take turns in the governments and corruption. You let us loot freely, then we let you loot freely,” Khan told a massive gathering of supporters in Karachi. “People of Karachi, we are not fighting political parties, we are fighting mafias. And in this fight you have the heaviest responsibility to shoulder,” he said. “People of Karachi, you are the most politically literate people. All major political movements have sparked from Karachi.”He said that there were mafias in Punjab and he was thankful to the Chief Justice Party (CTP) for best describing Sharifs as "Godfather" and "Sicilian Mafia".“The extent of hooliganism in Sindh is evident from Uzair Baloch's confession that he actually killed people at the behest of Asif Zardari and Faryal Talpur,” he said.“The condition of Karachi's and interior Sindh's some areas is worse than 5,000 years old civilization of Mohen jo Daro even. That's how rampant corruption here is,” he said. He called Karachi to use the golden opportunity to change the fate of the entire country. "Karachi, you are the most aware and literate. You have a golden chance to change the fate of this entire country," added the PTI chief. "Our former minister Ikram Gandapur has been ruthlessly murdered in a suicide attack. Ikram's brother told me he was standing just 10 yards away from his brother before the blast," he said. The PTI chief said that PTI was least interested in Karachi. "MQM whom people used to vote, always say they don't have authority. Where would Karachiites go?" he questioned. He again alleged that the 2013 polls were rigged by ROs, Najam Sethi and PML-N. "There's a whole campaign going on in international media which is also being endorsed by status quo parties that Army would rig elections in Imran Khan's favor," he said. Khan said that  Indian media was so worried about transparent elections in Pakistan because they also want to protect Sharifs. "Our country is united and stands fully behind army for restoring peace in the country. How could peace be restored without army's help," he said. Khan said that Rangers had played a major role to restore law and order in Karachi. "It is unfortunate that Rao Anwar has been released," he lamented. 

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Justice Siddiqui requests CJ to investigate meddling claims

ISLAMABAD: Justice Shaukat Siddiqui of Islamabad High Court has requested Chief Justice Saqib Nisar to set up a judicial commission to investigate his allegations of agencies meddling in judicial affairs.In a letter written to the CJP, Justice Siddiqui said that a commission be formed with a retired or serving judge as its head. The judge should not be someone who took oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order, instated by former military dictator Pervez Musharraf in 2007, he said.His request came after the army spokesman requested the Supreme Court to take action into the “serious allegations against “state institutions including honorable judiciary and the premier state intelligence agency.”The Supreme Court also took notice of the speech and has summoned the record of Justice Siddiqui’s speech from PEMRA.The IHC judge claimed he had stated facts about the prevailing situation without any fear.A commission be formed to “probe the authenticity and truthfulness of the presented facts” and that the proceedings be open so that lawyers, media and civil society can attend and report on the same, he added.  

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Imran Khan vows not be cowed down by terror threats

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan said that he had addressed election rallies in Karak and Bannu on Saturday despite terror threats. “We are going everywhere to deliver our message. They had informed us in a written message that suicide attackers could target me in Karak and Bannu, but I risked my life since this election is a historic occasion for Pakistan,” Khan told media persons at Bagh-e-Jinnah in Karachi ahead of his party’s rally.His remarks came shortly after PTI candidate Ikramullah Gandapur died from injuries caused by a suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan. He accused Karachi administration of barring PTI supporters from heading towards the rally venue. “I will request the Sindh IG to facilitate the public today, let them reach at the rally,” he said.Khan rejected the impression created by some rival groups about pre-poll rigging in the coming elections. “Those who had broken records of rigging in the previous polls are making a hue and cry today. They are guilty themselves,” he added. 

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HRCP slams attacks on Jibran Nasir

Lahore: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it was  gravely concerned at the escalating threat to independent candidate Jibran Nasir in Karachi.  Nasir and his supporters – who have been canvassing on rights-based issues such as access to water, housing and education – have been targeted consistently by right-wing elements, especially over the last week. In a statement issued today, HRCP has strongly condemned ‘the violence and malice that has dogged Mr Nasir’s election campaign. It is of serious concern to the Commission that local clerics and supporters of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) have reportedly labelled Mr Nasir and his supporters ‘Qadiani agents’ and publicly incited charged mobs to engage in violence to prevent him from canvassing.' ‘No member of the public or of any state institution has any right whatsoever to question – or indeed, to demand he prove – his faith. The frightening implications this could have for Mr Nasir’s personal safety and that of his political workers should be lost on no one – least of all the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the caretaker government.

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Blood of our martyrs shall not go waste: COAS

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has expressed his grief on martyrdom of PTI candidate Ikramullah Gandapur in suicide attack.Gandapur, a PTI candidate in PK-99, was killed along with his drive when his vehicle was hit by a suicide bomber. In a statement, General Bajwa voiced his grief and called Ikramullah Gandapur a patriotic political leader.“We have lost another patriotic political leader who are being targeted by enemies of peace & democratic process. We stay determined & steadfast. Blood of our martyrs shall not go waste, IA”, COAS said, according to ISRP.

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Imran, Bilawal voice grief over martyrdom of Ikramullah Gandapur

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has voiced grief over the death of his party’s candidate Ikramullah Gandapur in a suicide attack. Gandapur, a PTI candidate from PK-99, was killed when a suicide bomber hit his vehicle in Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday. “Saddened to learn that Ikram Gandapur succumbed to his injuries. My prayers go to his family. May Allah give them the strength to bear this loss,” Imran Khan tweeted.Separately, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned the terrorist bomb blast in which PTI candidate Ikramullah Gandapur and his driver were martyred today.In a statement, the PPP Chairman expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Gandapur and his driver and sympathized with the members of bereaved families.Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that terrorist attacks on the election candidates was a conspiracy and stressed the need for curbing extremism to eliminate menace of terrorism.Meanwhile, the PPP Chairman has also condemned firing on the vehicle of JUI-F candidate Akram Khan Durrani and urged the authorities to provide protection to the contesting candidates.

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ECP postpones election in NA-60 after Hanif Abbasi's conviction

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s electoral body has postponed elections in NA-60, Rawalpindi a day after PML-N candidate Hanif Abbasi was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in an ephedrine quota case. “Only two days are left to the conduct of poll when Hanif Abbasi, a political candidate from NA-60 Rawalpindi, has been disqualified which has resulted in a heated debate in the media and political circles rendering the atmosphere as fully as negatively charged,” ECP said in a statement on Sunday. “Whereas the serious criticism is afloat qua the provision of level playing field in the general elections 2018.”"The ECP having taken cognizance of all the attending circumstances is bound to provide level playing field to the contestants under the constitution and law particularly Section 4 of the Election Act 2017 read with Article 218 (3) of the construction and the powers of the commission defined by the August Supreme Court of Pakistan in famous Workers Party case reported in PLD-2012 SC 681 and further in order to do complete justice between the contestants and the parties,” it said.Hanif Abbasi was contesting against Sheikh Rashid of Awami Muslim League (AML) in NA-60. 

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Foreign Secretary in Kabul for inaugural session of peace action plan

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Affairs Secretary Tehmina Janjua Sunday arrived in Kabul along with a 28-member delegation to participate in the inaugural session of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).In her opening remarks to the media, the foreign secretary said their arrival in Afghan capital just two days before the general elections in Pakistan showed their commitment to APAPPS, Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said on his Twitter handle.

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Former cricketers turn to support Imran Khan in Pakistan elections 2018

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani cricket stars have come out in support of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan as the country prepares to go to the polls on Wednesday. "It was in your leadership skip @ImrankhanPTI that we became world champions in 1992. It is in your leadership that we can again become a great democratic country," tweeted Wasim Akram. "You have got what it takes Skipper @ImranKhanPTI but it will take everything you have... No one can doubt your Honesty and thats what is require in our country...An honest LEADER," tweeted former captain Waqar Younis. BehindYouSkipper became one of the country´s top trending hashtags as celebrities and former cricketers came to Khan´s support. Former Australian star Dean Jones also lent his support."I am not a political person... but @ImranKhanPTI I would have loved to play under.... great leader and would do well for Pakistan if given the opportunity," he tweeted. Imran Khan was catapulted to global fame as a World Cup cricket champion, but the man known in the West as a celebrity playboy is now seeking to lead Pakistan as a populist, devout and anti-corruption reformist.Khan´s chances of becoming prime minister on July 25 are believed to be his best since entering politics two decades ago. But critics allege the electoral playing field is being fixed for the erstwhile fast bowling all-rounder by the powerful military. Khan has denied the claims and decried the venality of Pakistan´s political elite, promising to build an "Islamic welfare state" if his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party forms the next government.Recent polls show PTI´s popularity climbing nationally.

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Army asks Supreme Court to probe Justice Siddiqui's allegations

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army on Sunday demanded Supreme Court of Pakistan initiate "process to ascertain the veracity of allegations levelled against state institutions" by  the Islamabad High Court judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.Also read: CJP Nisar responds angrily to Justice Shaukat’s statement "An honorable judge of Islamabad High Court of Pakistan has leveled serious allegations against state institutions including honorable judiciary and the premier state intelligence agency," said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations in a statement  without naming the judge.More: IHC CJ approached for choice benches: Justice SiddiquiThe statement said in order to safeguard the sanctity and credibility of the state institutions, honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan has been requested to ascertain the veracity of the allegations and take actions accordingly.

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Marriage to Reham Khan 'the biggest mistake of my life': Imran Khan

Imran Khan with former wife Reham Khan-File photoISLAMABAD:  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has said marriage to  Reham Khan was  biggest mistake of his life, in a rare remarks  about his past marriage with the former TV show host.In an Interview with Dail Mail, he said:  "Normally I don't say anything about Reham, but I will say this: I've made some mistakes in my life, but my second marriage has to be the biggest" Speaking of third marriage with Bushra BB, he said "I did not catch a glimpse of my wife's face until after we were married. I proposed to her without seeing her because she had never met me without her face being covered with a full veil". Photo of Imran Khan and his wife along with relatives at nikkah-AFPThe interview came just days before the country goes to poll on July 25 and  a few days  after his former wife Reham Khan launched her controversial book.

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