Current Final

Category: National

  • Bye Bye Buzdar? ‘Chaudhrys mulling no-confidence motion against Punjab CM’

    Bye Bye Buzdar? ‘Chaudhrys mulling no-confidence motion against Punjab CM’

    While rumour has it that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Punjab “is about to collapse”, Chaudhry brothers’ Pakistan Muslim League (PML) – a much-needed ally of the PTI on both provincial and federal levels – is mulling to get done with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s blue-eyed Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar, The Current has learnt.

    According to sources, the PML had taken after the 2018 general election a principled stance to not join hands with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) so as to not get itself labeled as blackmailers of the country’s political quarters, and had helped the PTI form its government instead.

    “Moonis Elahi had decided that the party would support the PTI in both Punjab and centre, where we are an important ally of Imran [Khan] considering how his party cannot do much with its strength in the hung houses of parliament,” party sources said.

    They added that Moonis had been commended by both his father and uncle, as well as other veteran politicians of the PML, since it was a principled stance. “But it wasn’t later that we realised we had shot ourselves in the foot.”

    “We could’ve joined hands with the PML-N and easily been handed the Punjab CM slot, but we decided to form the coalition with PTI in good faith and support Buzdar. [Punjab Assembly Speaker] Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi supported him [Buzdar] like he would support any person from his own family, but what we got in return was the fear of drowning,” they said.

    Sources added that the party was mulling to get rid of Buzdar because they were being compelled by no delivery of works in their constituencies in particular and in Punjab in general. “We don’t want to be among those lawmakers in Punjab who are drowning under Buzdar’s leadership. We do not want to lose our constituents’ support only because we contested elections with the PTI and can’t do anything for our people after coming to power.”

    When asked about how the PML was planning to remove Buzdar as the provincial chief executive of Punjab, they said, “We have the support of around 20 to 25 lawmakers from the PML-N and PTI each. A majority among the group is that of women lawmakers of the PML-N on reserved seats.”

    “We gave Buzdar multiple chances but he doesn’t care about all what we have done. He knows he doesn’t have to cave since he enjoys the support of PM Imran,” sources said, adding that the party leadership was discussing if a no-confidence motion should be tabled against him.

    “Both Buzdar and the premier know we can gather the support needed to get the Punjab CM changed, and that is why Imran has now hit at us by indirectly calling us ‘conspirators’. Although it’s not like how the PM thinks that someone in our party wants the CM slot for himself, but enough is enough.”

    ‘DO WE?’:

    Speaking to The Current, Moonis Elahi neither confirmed nor denied the claims made by his colleague on the condition of anonymity. “Do we?” he said with a winking emoji when asked about the support of around 60 lawmakers his party allegedly enjoys in Punjab.

    Responding to other queries, the lawmaker said the PML had undoubtedly formed the coalition in good faith and the party were sure about it back then, however, he did not comment over if they regretted it now.

    “We don’t want to topple Buzdar government. On the contrary, we are seriously contemplating not to support any other candidate from [the] PTI,” he said further, adding that the PML was satisfied with Buzdar.

    Moonis maintained that Imran should clearly name the ‘conspirators’, and distanced himself from any of the claims made by his colleague. “The pressure group has nothing to do with the PML. It is, in fact, supporting Buzdar.”

    The PML leader, however, said that they did not want to be among Punjabis drowning because of the PTI government. “We are an independent party that is accountable to its constituents and will keep their interest above all,” he said.

  • PM convenes high-level meeting on coronavirus outbreak

    PM convenes high-level meeting on coronavirus outbreak

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has convened a high-level inter-ministerial meeting to formulate a strategy for tackling the outbreak of coronavirus as it claims at least 81 lives in China, and leaves thousands of others affected.

    According to a notification issued by the PM’s Office on Monday, the meeting has been convened “in light of 2,000 coronavirus cases being confirmed across the globe amid the presence of a large number of Chinese nationals in Pakistan and frequent travel between the two countries”.

    In mid-December, some people in the central Chinese city of Wuhan began complaining of flu and pneumonia-like symptoms. Some had a high fever. Doctors were perplexed. To find out what might be causing their illness, geneticists analysed the DNA of the virus that had infected them.

    At once, the scientists realised the virus was new to science. As of January 23, experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Switzerland estimated that at least 557 people have contracted the rapidly spreading disease.

    As Pakistan remains at risk if necessary precautions are not taken, the federal-level meeting has been summoned by the premier’s office under the chairmanship of special assistant to the PM on national health services, regulations and coordination.

    Outcome of the meeting along with recommendations will be furnished to the PM’s office within one week, the notification said.

  • MPTH fever: Video shows Mufti Qavi praying for Danish to be granted Jannah

    MPTH fever: Video shows Mufti Qavi praying for Danish to be granted Jannah

    With Mere Paas Tum Ho (MPTH) fever continuing to grip the masses even two days after its finale, Mufti Qavi has been spotted praying for Danish (played by Humayun Saeed), who died of a cardiac arrest in the last episode of the hit show that ended Saturday.

    As per the details, a video doing rounds over the internet showed the cleric, who is not new to controversy, praying for the MPTH protagonist, who died after a chat with his wife (played by Ayeza Khan).

    The finale showed Danish returning to see his wife when his old house reminds him of the bitter memories when she left him for affluent businessman Shahvar (played by Adnan Siddiqui). He then suffers a heart attack and later passes away at a hospital, leaving fans devastated.

    Qavi’s viral video on Monday showed him receiving a phone call over which he is informed of Danish’s death. “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un [Indeed, to God we belong and to God we shall return],” he can be heard as saying in response, telling the “woman” to call him later since he had to pray for the departed soul.

    “God, please grant Danish, who has just passed away, the highest rank in Jannah. Bless him with more than what he had here… with more hoors [companions of paradise] than he had here […] And grant the girl, who just called me, the strength to bear the loss…” the cleric can be heard as saying while crying and praying for the fictional character.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    https://youtu.be/j0YeIWwyEMQ

    The hit drama serial was penned by Khalilur Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig.

  • Manzoor Pashteen arrested from Peshawar

    Manzoor Pashteen arrested from Peshawar

    Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Pashteen has been arrested from Shaheen Town of Peshawar during the wee hours of Monday, Dawn reported.

    According to reports, the Pashtun rights activist was arrested in a case registered against him at the City Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan on January 18 under sections 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups), 120-B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 124 (sedition), and 123-A (condemning the creation of the country and advocating the abolishment of its sovereignty) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

    Confirming the arrest, officials at the Tahkal Police Station said that Pashteen was currently in the custody of Peshawar police, but will be shifted to Dera Ismail Khan.

    “Police will present Pashteen before a judicial magistrate for his transitory remand,” the official was quoted as saying.

    Meanwhile, senior PTM leader and lawmaker Mohsin Dawar has condemned the arrest. “This is our punishment for demanding our rights in a peaceful and democratic manner. Manzoor’s arrest will only strengthen our resolve. We demand the immediate release of Manzoor Pashteen,” he tweeted.

    PTM is a rights-based alliance that, besides calling for the de-mining of the former tribal areas and greater freedom of movement in the latter, has insisted on an end to the practices of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions, and for their practitioners to be held to account within a truth and reconciliation framework.

    The party has been critical of the army’s policies in the country’s tribal belt, where a massive operation against terrorists was conducted in recent times leading to large-scale displacement and enforced disappearances.

    Internet is divided over the arrest, as it is on the policy and aims of the social movement.

  • PML-N rejects claims of a secret meeting in Birmingham; reporters stand by their story

    PML-N rejects claims of a secret meeting in Birmingham; reporters stand by their story

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif has rejected reports claiming that an “important” party meeting was being convened in the United Kingdom (UK).

    In an exclusive conversation with The Current, Asif said all reports regarding such a meeting were false and none of the party’s members were leaving the country to attend any such moot.

    Earlier, a private media outlet and some journalists, including 24 News and Geo’s Arshad Waheed Chaudhry, had claimed that an “important” meeting was to soon be held in Birmingham, UK, where PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his brother and party chief Shehbaz Sharif are present for the former’s medical treatment.

    Reporters are standing by their story. In response to Khawaja Asif’s tweet to this effect, Arshad Waheed Chaudhry tweeted:

    The report had quoted sources as saying that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance and other legislative business were to be discussed by top PML-N leadership beside the party’s future course of action as a new wave of inflation grips the masses under the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    It was also reported that Asif would be discussing with party leaders recent rifts that had emerged within the PML-N, and leaders, including Rana Tanveer, Ayaz Sadiq, Attaullah Tarrar among others were to leave for the meeting on Thursday.

  • Widening rift? Pervaiz Elahi says coalition experience with Zardari was good

    Widening rift? Pervaiz Elahi says coalition experience with Zardari was good

    At a time when cracks continue to appear between the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its coalition partners, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said his party’s experience in government with that of former president Asif Ali Zardari, was good.

    “The prime minister (PM) doubts his allies. He doesn’t verify what he’s told. We negotiated with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and got his sit-in in Islamabad wrapped up, but instead of appreciation, we were doubted,” he was quoted as saying.

    Speaking to a private media outlet, Elahi also reportedly said that his party’s experience of forming a coalition government with Zardari of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was a pleasant one.

    “Advised [Punjab Chief Minister] Usman Buzdar to not reshuffle officers in the province, and also suggested him to not block the supply of wheat from Sindh, but my suggestions were not considered by the Buzdar administration,” the Punjab Assembly speaker added.

    He also said that the provincial chief executive of Punjab could somewhat be held responsible for the poor administrative affairs.

  • Azad Kashmir president challenges Indian army chief to attack valley

    Azad Kashmir president challenges Indian army chief to attack valley

    Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has dared Indian chief of army staff (COAS) to attack the region, adding that the armed forces of the country were ready to avert any and all attacks against its soil.

    Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, in his maiden press briefing as the top Indian military commander, had on January 11 said that the forces were ready to take appropriate action to gain control over Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

    The statement had come five months after Indian Foreign Minister (FM) Subrahmanyan Jaishankar had said that he expected India to gain physical control over AJK one day.

    “Don’t forget what has happened in the past. The armed forces of Pakistan are always ready to give a befetting response to India,” Khan reportedly said on Saturday.

    Khan further said that if the United States (US) wanted to act as a mediator in resolving the Kashmir dispute, it would have to take action against the brutalities of Indian forces in held Kashmir first. “The troubled valley is a living hell. Youngsters are being imprisoned, people are being electrocuted and even kids are being labelled as enemies.”

    He also thanked China for playing its role in highlighting the issue in the United Nations (UN).

  • VIDEO: ‘PM Imran’s killer smile is enough for any doubts in crises,’ says Zartaj Gul

    VIDEO: ‘PM Imran’s killer smile is enough for any doubts in crises,’ says Zartaj Gul

    Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir, who is known for making statements that leave people in fits, has showered praise on Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for having a charismatic personality and killer smile.

    “If we talk about the body language of PM Imran Khan, I think he is the finest charismatic man,” she can be heard as saying a video doing rounds over the internet.

    “The manner in which the premier walks, which can be seen in various videos, he comes with so much confidence and authority, which removes all doubts from our minds amid crises,” she adds.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    This is not the first time the minister has expressed how starstruck does the premier leave her.

    Believe it or not, she had once said that the reason Pakistan was getting an abundance of rain and snowfall was because an honest man like Imran Khan was the country’s PM.

  • Satirical headline comes true as PM tells ministers ‘to fix things by not watching news’

    Satirical headline comes true as PM tells ministers ‘to fix things by not watching news’

    A satirical headline from five years ago has come true as Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has told members of his government to “quit following news in order to fix things”, author of the satirical tweet pointed out on Friday.

    “To avoid getting depressed, [party] workers should shut their cameras, stay away from television screens, turn their mobile phones off and go to sleep after popping some pills,” Broken News — a “parody news channel” — had quoted then opposition member Imran as saying in 2015.

    While it was nothing but a satirical headline back then, the same statement, five years later, has made its way to newspapers after the premier actually said something quite similar.

    Speaking at a breakfast session aimed at showcasing his vision for Pakistan and its economic potential before the global business leaders as well as overseas Pakistanis in Davos, PM Imran said he had stopped reading morning newspapers and watching evening talk-shows due to extreme negativity targeted at him in the media.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    “I’m trying to make my team understand this. The problem is that they watch the chat shows and they come… sitting there shell-shocked in cabinet meetings,” said the premier, who was in the Swiss town to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

    The similarity was pointed out by the author of the satirical tweet:

    Meanwhile, PM Imran has returned to the country from Davos where he attended different ceremonies and met key world leaders, including United States (US) President Donald Trump.

  • ‘Enough is enough,’ Chohan tells Fawad over Buzdar criticism

    ‘Enough is enough,’ Chohan tells Fawad over Buzdar criticism

    Training guns at Federal Minister for Science & Technology Fawad Chaudhry, Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan has questioned the former’s own performance in response to his criticism aimed at Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.

    According to Geo, Fayaz has accused Fawad of trying to remain relevant with his stunts and said he had “crossed all limits” when it came to violating the party’s discipline.

    “You should think about how to benefit the ship that you’re on,” said Chohan. “It is not his [Fawad] prerogative to give opinions on whether CM Buzdar should stay or go,” he said when asked to comment on Fawad’s statements, while speaking to a private media outlet.

    The provincial minister said only Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had the prerogative to decide whether Buzdar should remain as Punjab’s chief executive or not and added that the premier, the entire cabinet and treasury benches were satisfied with Buzdar’s performance “100 per cent”.

    “I can give him befitting, beautiful replies in my style,” said Chohan. “However, I am bound by my disciplined attitude not to do so. I would request him that excess of everything is bad.”

    The information minister expressed disappointment that Fawad had still not learned how to talk about people from his party or government, adding that he was like a brother to him. “However, this has been his problem and he will never change.”

    “It is his habit to try to become a hero. He tries to issue a statement every month or so to become a hero in front of the media,” he added. 

    Chohan advised Fawad to play his part as the federal minister of science and technology to ensure Pakistan became a force to be reckoned with in space. “I request you to prepare a Ghauri II or a Ghauri III for space. Leave the clerics and Usman Buzdar alone,” he added.