Adnan Aamir is an Award-Winning Journalist based in Quetta, Pakistan. He covers Business and Economics, development, media and socio-economic issues. He is also founder and Editor of Balochistan Voices, a community based online newspaper.

Political front

05 Nov 2023  |  www.thenews.com.pk  |  English  |  Elections

As general elections approach in Balochistan, Pakistan, political activity is intensifying with key players mobilizing resources and supporters. Electable politicians are aligning with parties likely to form the next government, with recent shifts towards Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), Pakistan Peoples Party, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. Former Chief Minister Jam Kamal and Sardar Akhtar Mengal of the Balochistan National Party are notable figures in the current political maneuvers. The political system, dominated by influential individuals, has led to fragile party structures and frequent shifts in allegiance, undermining public trust. The province, rich in resources and strategically important, continues to face issues of conflict, underdevelopment, and lack of effective representation. The political dynamics in Balochistan reflect broader challenges in emerging democracies, highlighting the need for genuine leadership to address longstanding issues and ensure a prosperous future for its people.

Tags:

Sardar Akhtar Mengal Nawab Aslam Raisani Amanullah Notezai Zafar Zehri Zahoor Buledi Arif Muhammad Hassani Saleem Khosa Nawaz Sharif Jam Kamal Quddus Biznejo Muhammad Khalid Sania Khan

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center

Political View

Muhammad Bakhsh Soomro is a journalist based in Islamabad, Pakistan.
He has been doing journalism since 1995, during his professional career he had been working in different reputable media organisations such as BOL TV Network, Daily Kawish and KTN News Network, Pahenji News Paper and Time News. 
...

Reporter's Diary: Deputy Speaker says the constitution does not allow us to speak against the army

04 Mar 2024  |  www.urduvoa.com  |  Urdu  |  Political Unrest

The fourth session of the National Assembly of Pakistan started 42 minutes late and was marked by a different atmosphere with no slogans or chaos at the beginning. Opposition leader Umar Ayub raised the issue of a raid on Mahmood Khan Achakzai's house, which was condemned by both opposition and government members, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The session was notable for the absence of the usual uproar during speeches, except when Bilawal Bhutto addressed the cipher issue, leading to protests from Sunni Ittehad Council members. The session also saw speeches from Akhtar Mengal and former speaker Asad Qaiser, with Mengal criticizing the raid on Achakzai's house and the deputy speaker reminding him that the constitution does not permit speaking against the army. The session was adjourned until March 8 due to a lack of quorum.

Tags:

Akhtar Mengal Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Mahmood Khan Achakzai Shehbaz Sharif Asad Qaiser Jamshed Dasti Zain Qureshi Amir Dogar Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui Sher Afzal Marwat Shagufta Jumani

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Kiyya Baloch is a freelance journalist from Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. He contributed to the Guardian, the Economist, Al Jazeera, the Diplomat Magazine and Daily Times. Baloch has more than six years’ experience working with various national and international media outlets ...

Women Are Leading an Unprecedented Protest Movement in Balochistan

01 Dec 2023  |  thediplomat.com  |  English  |  Human Rights

In 2023, women in Afghanistan, Balochistan, and Iran have led significant resistance movements against authoritarianism and repression. In Balochistan, women have spearheaded a 1,600 km march from Kech to Islamabad, demanding an end to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. This unprecedented movement has united the Baloch population and drawn attention to human rights abuses. Despite state efforts to suppress the protests, the movement has gained significant traction and solidarity. The article highlights the resilience and determination of Baloch women in their fight for justice and accountability.

Tags:

Akhtar Mengal Anawaar-ul-Haq Kakar Imran Khan

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

Umar Farooq is a multimedia journalist based in Peshawar, Pakistan. He has extensive experience working in conflict zones. He has expertise in reporting on Pakistan-Afghan-US affairs and militancy۔

Ruckus mars maiden KP session as MPAs sworn in

29 Feb 2024  |  www.dawn.com  |  English  |  Elections

116 newly elected members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly took the oath amid protests and disruptions by PTI supporters and lawmakers. The session, summoned by KP Governor Ghulam Ali, saw significant disorder, with slogans supporting Imran Khan and disruptions in the assembly hall. Despite the chaos, Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani managed to administer the oath. In Balochistan, 57 out of 65 newly elected members took the oath in a session presided over by senior MPA Zamrak Khan Piralizai. The session was marked by tight security due to protests against alleged vote rigging. The election for the speaker and deputy speaker in both assemblies is scheduled for today.

Tags:

Sardar Akhtar Mengal Ghulam Ali Syed Arshad Hussain Shah Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani Sobia Shahid Ehsanullah Miankhel Arbab Wasim Omar Ayub Khan Babar Salim Swati Zamrak Khan Piralizai Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar Jam Kamal Khan Alyani Sardar Muhammad Saleh Bhootani Muhammad Khan Lehri Mir Zafar Zehri Muhammad Khalil Dummar Sarfraz Bugti Sadiq Sanjrani Ghazala Gola Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center

Political View

Aitzaz Ibrahim is a journalist based in Lahore, Pakistan, with six years of experience in the field. He has worked for prominent mainstream electronic media channels in Pakistan, covering socio-political stories with depth and insight.

Baloch sit-in enters sixth day, to continue until demands met

27 Dec 2023  |  voicepk.net  |  English  |  Enforced Disappearances

The Baloch sit-in protest against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings has entered its sixth day outside the National Press Club in Islamabad. Protesters demand the release of all arrested individuals and the recovery of missing persons, with a call for a UN fact-finding mission in Balochistan. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent activist, revealed that many protesters are still in jail, including PhD scholar Dr. Zaheer Baloch. The Balochistan National Party-Mengal warns of potential political resignations if negotiations with the government fail. The caretaker Interior Minister for Balochistan admitted mishandling of cases related to extrajudicial killings.

Tags:

Sardar Akhtar Mengal Mustafa Tanveer Dr. Zaheer Baloch Dr. Mahrang Baloch Munizae Jahangir Zubair Jamali

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

Haider Sherazi(Haider Shirazi) حیدر شیرازی is a Pakistani journalist and Geo News correspondent, known for his bold and incisive reporting style. He has conducted exclusive interviews with high-profile figures, including:

- Imran Khan
- Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
- Nawaz Sharif
- Shahbaz Sharif
- ...

PTI demands access to Imran Khan before crucial in-camera session on national security

30 Oct 2023  |  www.geo.tv  |  English  |  Terrorism in Pakistan

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced it will boycott the in-camera session of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security unless its leaders are allowed to meet with the party's founder, Imran Khan. This decision follows a late-night meeting of PTI's political committee. Other parties, including the Balochistan National Party-Mengal and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, have also decided to skip the session. The session, scheduled to discuss national security issues, comes amid rising terrorism in Pakistan, with recent attacks linked to the Balochistan Liberation Army. The government aims to address security concerns, particularly regarding Afghanistan's role in harboring terrorists.

Tags:

Sardar Akhtar Mengal Imran Khan Mahmood Khan Achakzai Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Sheikh Waqas Akram Aamir Dogar Ali Amin Gandapur Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Rana Sanaullah Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry Asim Munir Asim Malik Nawaz Sharif

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Right

Political View

Murtaza Solangi is print/radio/TV journalist based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

System Overheating?

25 May 2024  |  Pakistan Observer  |  English  |  Economic Challenges

The article discusses the political and economic challenges facing Pakistan, focusing on Imran Khan's actions from prison and his attempts to influence the political landscape. It highlights the systemic issues within the country's governance, emphasizing the need for economic reforms and modernization. The writer argues that the real challenge lies in addressing economic issues rather than political conflicts, suggesting that Pakistan's ruling elite must take decisive action to implement necessary reforms.

Tags:

Akhtar Mengal Imran Khan Gen Asim Munir Nawaz Sharif Maulana Fazal Mehmood Achakzai

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center

Political View