Haven't quit politics, says Musharraf
Islamabad, June 23 : A day after resigning as the chairman of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), former President Pervez Musharraf said that he has not quit politics.
Musharraf, in a video message, said he had been planning to contest the upcoming general elections but wanted certain assurances, including that of not being arrested, the removal of lifetime disqualification and his name from the Exit Control List, Dawn online reported on Saturday.
The former military ruler, currently in self-exile in Dubai, sent his resignation to the Election Commission on Friday, days after he failed to return to Pakistan to appear before the Supreme Court in connection with a case related to his lifetime disqualification from electoral politics.
"If Khawaja Asif's lifetime disqualification can be overturned, why not mine." he said. "If Nawaz Sharif has the freedom to move in and outside the country, why can I not have it."
Musharraf said that since those assurances were not given, he knew he could not do anything for his party or for himself and therefore, after consultation with other APML leaders, he said he decided not to return to the country.
The former Army Chief, however, said that he would continue to support the party he founded. He added that his future plan of action would be announced as things unfold and assured his followers that things will take a turn for the better, the daily said
Musharraf also asked his party members to support its new chairman Mohammad Amjad and Mehreen Malik Adam, who has been elevated to the position of secretary general.
Amjad will direct all party affairs and decide the APML's role in the July 25 general elections.
The Supreme Court recently allowed Musharraf to conditionally file his nomination papers for the general elections and assured him that he would not be arrested until his appearance before the court, but he chose not to end his self-imposed exile.
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17 dead in massive fire near Hyderabad's Charminar, PM announces ex-gratia
Hyderabad: At least 17 people have died after a massive fire broke out in a building near Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar early Saturday morning, NDTV reported. blaze broke out in a commercial-cum-residential building located in the densely populated Gulzar House area, which is known for its row of jewellery shops.
Preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the fire, though the exact cause is yet to be confirmed. According to fire department officials, they received an emergency call at around 6:30 am and immediately dispatched 11 fire engines to the site. Several individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, who visited the site, confirmed that the victims included members of a family living above their shop. "Such incidents are extremely tragic. Though I am not blaming anyone, there is a need to strengthen our police, municipal, fire, and electricity departments. I have been informed that firefighters initially lacked proper equipment. I will speak to the Prime Minister and request central support for the affected families," he said.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the tragedy. He directed officials to intensify relief measures and ensure that the injured receive the best possible treatment. State Minister Ponnam Prabhakar added that all the bodies have been recovered and shifted to hospitals, and the government will soon release further details.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing grief. "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon," the statement read. The PMO announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs. 50,000 for the injured.
Rescue operations have since concluded, and an investigation into the incident is underway.
