Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, after a gap of 22 years, seems to be heading towards mending the long-standing enmity with the Chaudhry brothers.
Nawaz Sharif and former finance minister of PML-N Ishaq Dar called Punjab Assembly Speaker and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to ask about the health of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
During the telephonic conversation, Nawaz Sharif said, “You [Pervaiz Elahi] and Shujaat Sahib must meet me whenever you come to London.”
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, on behalf of himself and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, congratulated Nawaz Sharif on the marriage of Maryam Nawaz’s son Junaid Safdar.
The PML-Q is presently an ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Punjab.
There have been several attempts before for a reunion between PML-N and PML-Q but none have been successful so far.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Political Communication, Shahbaz Gill criticised the outfit Captain (R) Safdar was wearing at his son, Junaid Safdar’s wedding.
The wedding ceremony of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s son took place on December 14 in Islamabad. Pictures and videos of the events went viral on social media. Netizens praised the singing skills of Junaid Safdar and Maryam Nawaz and political figures from the ruling government shared their thoughts on the wedding festivities. Among them, Shahbaz Gill did not waste time to comment on the outfits worn by the Sharif’s family.
During a press conference in Lahore, Shahbaz Gill said, “Our nephew Junaid Safdar looked good and our sister Maryam Nawaz’s outfit didn’t fail to impress either”.
However, Gill made fun of the outfit Captain Safdar was wearing at his son’s wedding.
He said, “He looked like a waiter. He should have worn something nice.”
Gill also raised his eyebrows on the singing of Indian songs at the events.
“Everyone sang Indian songs at Junaid’s wedding event; They could’ve sung Pakistani songs as well,” Gill objected.
While further discussing the wedding celebrations, Gill said that he is not against singing but they should have sung Pakistani songs. He added that he does not care even if they sing Pakistani songs on a “beat of Tabla” or to the “tune of a harmonium.”
The reception of Junaid Safdar is set to be scheduled for December 17 in Lahore.
Pakistan-origin doctor, Dr Naeem Rashid has been honoured with the most prestigious bravery award, the New Zealand Cross. Rashid sacrificed his life to save others during the Christchurch mosque massacre in 2019. His award was received by his wife, Ambreen Naeem.
Ten people, who risked their lives to protect innocents during an attack, are awarded various bravery awards in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern said, “The courage demonstrated by these New Zealanders was selfless and extraordinary. They have our deepest respect and gratitude for their actions on that day.” she added, “Each of them put their life on the line to save others. If not for their collective actions, the loss of life could have been even greater.”
On March 15, 2019, a white supremacist gunman, Brenton Tarrant killed 44 people at Al Noor Mosque during Friday prayers. The attacker went to another mosque, Linwood Mosque, and took seven innocent lives. He broadcasted the whole attack on Facebook.
Dr Naeem Rashid challenged the attacker in Al Noor Mosque, disregarding his own safety. When the gunman entered and began firing in the main prayer hall, people started to flee but Rashid ran towards him.
“In so doing, he enabled others to escape and paid the ultimate price with the loss of his own life. I want to acknowledge Dr Rashid’s wife and family particularly, who will know all too well that his acts that day were a reflection of who he was as a person,” Ardern said.
Rashid’s wife, Ambreen Naeem, expressed gratefulness while receiving an award and said, “Today we can’t see him, but he has spread his message of peace and love, all over the world.”
Another survivor, Abdul Aziz who is an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.
Abdul Aziz, an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.
He said, “It feels good, like you’ve done something good in your life.”
New Zealand also has given “New Zealand Bravery Decoration” and “New Zealand Bravery Medal” to eight people who have shown great courage to safeguard innocent lives in the Christchurch attack 2019.
The US Congress has formed a commission to look into what mistakes were made during the 20-years war in Afghanistan.
“The Commission shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the war in Afghanistan and make recommendations to inform future operations with tactical and strategic lessons learned, including the impact of troop increases and decreases and date-certain deadlines,” the legislation said.
President Joe Biden also reiterated that issue should be investigated within three years.
The commission will also examine the steps taken by Biden’s three predecessors and what mistakes they might have made in handling Afghan crisis.
The US Congress has also recommended a $768 billion defense package approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. It would include nearly $28 billion for a nuclear weapons programs, training, equipment, command and control, advisory efforts and situational awareness.
The third T20I between Pakistan and West indies will be on time after the Covid-19 tests of all the visiting players were negative on Thursday.
The Covid tests of five more members of the West Indies squad came positive, after which the ongoing series between the two teams was facing the dangers of cancellation.
The third T20I between the two teams depended on the Covid tests of the Windies players and now there are reports that the coronavirus test of all the players of the visiting team has turned negative.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given a green single to the production team to go to the stadium for the match.
The decision to play ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies will be taken after the meeting of both the boards. The three-match ODI series between the two teams will start on Saturday.
The Men In Green are leading the series with 2-0 and the third match will be starting at 6pm at the National Stadium Karachi.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Wednesday ordered the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to close down campuses of private universities all over the country that are running illegally.
The SC remarked campuses of Preston University and Al Khair University have been set up illegally in Lahore and Karachi. Students sought help from the court about the HEC not issuing degrees to those who have studied from these universities.
The case was heard by a three-member bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial.
The court gave directions to HEC to make special arrangements to award degrees to the students who had graduated from these illegal campuses. It also said that policies of HEC should be implemented with uniformity all over the country.
The bench gave remarks that there should be no compromise on the provision of higher education to all young students. Provincial and Federal governments need to work closely and cooperate to maintain the standards of HEC.
The SC noted that the issue was whether private universities are allowed to open sub-campuses outside their territorial limits or not. It added that HEC already made it very clear that they could set any sub-campuses and they issued many alerts as well.
Counsel for students, Ali Zafar said that the session court had ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to take action against these universities. However, Justice Bandial replied, “The HEC has the powers. There is no need for NAB to investigate the matter.”
The court said that the federal government would be ordered to change the laws if HEC is weak.
“The students had approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) for their degrees. The LHC declared the [sub-]campuses of private universities illegal,” the counsel added.
Justice Bandial acknowledged the high court verdict and emphasised pursuing the shut down of illegal campuses at the earliest.
Former FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi, while speaking on Pakistan’s economic condition at Hamdard University, said on Thursday that Pakistan is bankrupt at the moment and that the country was not in a state of “going concern” — an accounting terminology referring to a business that is operating and making a profit.
“We keep saying that everything is good, the country is running well, we have achieved great success and we brought tabdeeli (change) but this is wrong,” said Zaidi.
The man who headed FBR on @ImranKhanPTI’s perosnal request declares “the country is at the mo bankrupt.”
“It is better if you decide first that we have reached bankruptcy and we have to move forward compared to saying everything is running well and I will do this and that. These are all things to deceive the people,” Zaidi said.
After receiving a lot of backlash, Zaidi tweeted, “My speech in Hamdard University is being misreported. There was a presentation of half & hour. Only three minutes have been cherry-picked.”
“Yes I said that with this constant current account & fiscal deficit there are issues of bankruptcy & going concern but look at the solution,” tweeted Zaidi.
My speech in Hamdard University is being misreported. There was a presentation of half & hour. Only three minutes have been cherry picked. Yes I said that with this constant current account & fiscal deficit there are issues of bankruptcy & going concern but look at the solution.
Pakistan marked the seventh anniversary of the Peshawar Army Public School (APS) massacre on Thursday. Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that there will be “zero tolerance for violence and those using it as a tool”.
Taking to Twitter, the premier tweeted, “December 16, 2014, terrorists attacked & martyred over 140 ppl incl 132 children in APS, Peshawar. Pakistan has successfully defeated terrorism.”
Dec 16, 2014, terrorists attacked & martyred over 140 ppl incl 132 children in APS,Peshawar. Pak has successfully defeated terrorism.I reiterate we will never let down the survivors & parents of our martyred children.There is zero tolerance for violence & those using it as a tool
“I reiterate we will never let down the survivors & parents of our martyred children,” wrote PM Khan.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, tweeted, “Have we learned any lessons & corrected our course? When will we sincerely put our heads together for [a] better future of our children?”
December 16 will always remain a painful day for the nation, one whose memory bleeds our hearts. Have we learned any lessons & corrected our course? When will we sincerely put our heads together for better future of our children? There are too many questions but too few answers.
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the nation still felt the pain of “this great tragedy”, adding that “everyone is still waiting for justice to be served to the innocent souls”.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted, “Today, 7 years ago, we lost our children and teachers in an inhuman terrorist attack. A black day for humanity. We will never forget. #APSPeshawar.”
Today, 7 years ago, we lost our children and teachers in an inhuman terrorist attack. A black day for humanity. We will never forget. #APSPeshawar
Senator Sherry Rehman tweeted, “It’s a shame that even after all this time, the govt has still asked for more time to submit its report to the SC. The parents are waiting for justice while this govt is talking about giving amnesty to those responsible.”
7 years ago today,we lost 150 precious lives in the #APSAttack.It's a shame that even after all this time,the govt has still asked for more time to submit its report to the SC.The parents are waiting for justice while this govt is talking about giving amnesty to those responsible pic.twitter.com/aa09rlfDzh
PPP leader Hina Rabbani Khar tweeted, “The day when millions of Hearts Broke. A day when 132 dreams were broken. The most dark day in the history of Pak. We will never forget you angels. We also remember the school staff & bravest lady Mrs Tahira Qazi who sacrificed her life to protect the children. #BlackDay.”
APS to date remains the deadliest terror attack in Pakistan’s history, 131 school children and 10 other people were martyred when heavily armed militants stormed the school building on December 16, 2014.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has warned the international community that repeating the mistake of segregating Afghanistan would be a great drawback for the world.
PM Khan had a high-powered meeting with his cabinet and the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in which he further stressed that the international community should help Afghanistan and assured that Pakistan will be helping Afghanistan in every way.
Pakistan has already committed to immediate relief of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth Rs5 billion to Afghanistan.
A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said, “Participants of the Apex Committee again expressed concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasised that Pakistan will not abandon Afghans in their time of need.”
Pakistan to provide all out support for Afghanistan to avert humanitarian crisis : Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI
Disengaging with Afghanistan would be disadvantageous for the world : The PM
PM Imran Khan chaired the second meeting of Apex Committee on Afghanistan today. pic.twitter.com/ZJOJ19Zv93
Prime Minister also instructed that “humanitarian organisations wishing to work from Pakistan to support efforts in Afghanistan should be facilitated as Pakistan has already committed to being the air and land bridge for humanitarian support to Afghanistan,” further read the statement.
Pakistani cricketers have took to their social media and remembered the martyrs of Army Public School (APS), who lost their lives seven years ago in a terrorist attack in Peshawar.
All-rounder Shadab Khan said: “Nothing more precious than our children who are our future. Can’t explain my sorrow in words for #APSPeshawar. May we never go through something like it again. Praying for peace and justice.”
Nothing more precious than our children who are our future. Can’t explain my sorrow in words for #APSPeshawar. May we never go through something like it again. Praying for peace and justice.
Similarly, pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Junaid Khan shared their thoughts on Twitter.
Smallest coffins are indeed the heaviest – 144 innocent lives, 144 proud dreams were shattered. By far, the worst memory as some wounds never heal. They will always remain in our hearts. Forever. #APSPeshawarpic.twitter.com/e2sWb4WlCD
جنازوں پر پھول کئی بار دیکھے ہیں پھولوں کے جنازے کا عجب ہی منظر تھا#APSPeshawar will never be forgotten. Thoughts & prayers with all the parents who lost their children that dark day. pic.twitter.com/3wNMLt0Ym9
Prime Minister Imran Khan also urged the nation to stay firmly united against elements trying to spread discord and prejudice on sectarian, religious and ethnic lines stressing that the sacrifices of martyrs of Army Public School have not gone in vain.
The premier said the nation should identify these elements in their ranks and help the state in eradicating them.
“There is zero tolerance for violence & those using it as a tool,” he said in a tweet.
Dec 16, 2014, terrorists attacked & martyred over 140 ppl incl 132 children in APS,Peshawar. Pak has successfully defeated terrorism.I reiterate we will never let down the survivors & parents of our martyred children.There is zero tolerance for violence & those using it as a tool
More than 140 people, mostly students, were killed by militant gunmen at the APS in Peshawar on December 16, 2014.
More than 1,000 students, from preschool to high school, were on the campus when the attack began. Militants entered classrooms and auditoriums and opened fire on students and teachers.
