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Category: Politics

  • UN Chief António says climate change has attacked wrong targets

    UN Chief António says climate change has attacked wrong targets

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has said that Pakistan was one of the countries most severely affected by climate change despite its minimal contribution to the phenomenon.

    “Pakistan has had little contribution to climate change but [it] is one of the most dramatically impacted by the consequences of climate change,” Guterres said.

    Guterres during a briefing at the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Secretary General said that there was “no memory of anything similar to what has happened with the impact of climate change in Pakistan”.

    Pakistan needs massive financial support

    “The numbers are appalling. But beyond the numbers, I see the families that have lost their loved ones, houses, crops, jobs and are living in desperate conditions,” he expressed.

    “Pakistan needs massive financial support to respond to this crisis as according to initial estimates the losses are around $30 billion,” observed Guterres.

    “Effective solidarity and justice is shown by mobilising massive support,” the UN chief said.

    Nature has attacked the wrong targets

    “It is like nature has attacked the wrong targets. Those that are more responsible for climate change should have to face these kind of challenges,” he stated.

    Guterres stressed that it is the international community’s obligation to drastically reduce emissions and support countries that need to invest in resilience and recovery.

    “My voice is entirely at the service of Pakistan and its people. We know our contribution is limited […] but we are totally committed.”

    Challenge is absolutely beyond human capacities, yet humans have to handle it and we are

    Speaking at the briefing, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the UN chief’s empathy and support was great encouragement for Pakistan, as he expressed gratitude towards the visiting dignitary.

    “The government of Pakistan, along with the provincial governments and all stakeholders […] are working together to provide relief and rescue to millions,” the premier said.

    PM Shehbaz said that efforts were underway and flood affectees were being moved to safer areas while also being provided food and shelter. “The challenge is absolutely beyond human capacity, yet humans have to handle it and so we are.”

    UN chief in Pakistan on solidarity visit after catastrophic flooding

    The prime minister had welcomed the UN secretary general as he arrived at the PM House along with his delegation.

    Guterres arrived in the capital during the early hours of Friday. The secretary general had announced his plan for a solidarity trip to Pakistan soon after the launch of the $160 million UN Flash Appeal for helping the people most affected by the floods caused by what he had called “monsoon on steroids”.

    He will be back in New York on September 11 where the 77th session of the UN General Assembly is starting on September 13.

  • Prince Philip body to be moved next to Queen, was kept in a vault till her death

    Prince Philip body to be moved next to Queen, was kept in a vault till her death

    Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years, will be buried next to the monarch’s grave once she is interred at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin has been temporarily resting in the Royal Vault within St. George’s Chapel since almost 18 months.

    Prince Philip’s funeral took place on April 17, 2021, amid a virulent wave of the pandemic. The service was attended by a limited number of people due to Covid restrictions. A poignant picture of the Queen sitting alone in the church went viral after the service, showcasing how the monarch followed the rules set by the government.

    Prince Philip was privately interred in the Royal Vault of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The internment, however, was temporary, as following royal tradition, he was to be interred with his wife. His remains are still at the Royal Vault.

    The Queen will be buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel within St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and her husband Philip will be transferred to be by her side. The memorial chapel was built by Queen Elizabeth in 1969 as an addition to St. George’s Chapel especially to house the grave of her late father, King George VI, whose body was also placed in the Royal Vault for 17 years. Fifty years after his death, his wife’s coffin and his younger daughter, Princess Margaret, ashes were also interred with him.

    In the past few centuries, St. George’s Chapel, has become the preferred burial ground for the Royal family. Before St. George’s, most royals were buried at Westminster Abbey. Among other members of the royals, the chapel houses the graves of Henry VIII, his wife Jane Seymour, King George VI, Princess Margaret, Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary of Teck.

    Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on Thursday in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96.

  • ‘Kaptaan dar gaya, bhaag gaya’: Bilawal takes jibe at IK over PTI member withdrawal from by-election

    ‘Kaptaan dar gaya, bhaag gaya’: Bilawal takes jibe at IK over PTI member withdrawal from by-election

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson and the incumbent Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    Reacting to the PTI candidate Shakoor Shad’s resignation for NA-246, the PPP chairperson said, “IK running away from by-elections. Kaptaan dar gaya, Kaptaan bhagaya”. (Imran Khan is scared, he has run away.)

    Bhutto took to Twitter and termed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) postponement act as “special treatment” for Khan.

    In his tweet, Bilawal asked, “How long will Khan remain a favourite”, adding that PPP candidates from Multan and Karachi are frustrated by the sudden postponement of the by-elections in constituencies of Sindh and Punjab.

    Replying to him, PTI’s Meher Bano Qureshi accused Bhutto’s party of the postponement.

    “We aren’t the ones running away. Let’s go to the polls on the 11th as scheduled. Your government put in a request for the postponement. Maybe check with the allies before tweeting”, she said. Qureshi is contesting the by-elections from NA-157, Multan.

    PPP’s Syed Ali Musa Gillani also took to Twitter to express his reservation over the postponement. He said, “We are all set for the election on Sunday. This decision of ECP will not be acceptable. It is against the constitution. The people of the constituency must not be deprived of their representation. Polling staff has been nominated stations finalised.”

    “We will challenge if any notification is issued in this regard, delaying the election last minute”, he added.

    Gillani, son of former Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gillani, is contesting against Meher Bano Qureshi, the daughter of former Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on NA-157 in Multan.

    Earlier, the ECP announced its decision to postpone the by-election in 13 constituencies. The by-elections were set to be held on September 11, September 25, and October 2.

    By-elections on nine seats of the National Assembly were scheduled to be held on September 25, with Imran Khan contesting on all of them as PTI’s candidate.

    ECP has said that the decision to postpone the by-elections had been taken after getting feedback from the Ministry of Interior according to which Pakistan Army, Rangers, and the Frontier Corps are engaged in relief work for the flood-affected people, maintaining internal security, and thwarting out terrorist activities in the country.

  • You won’t believe how much money King Charles will inherit

    You won’t believe how much money King Charles will inherit

    Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on Thursday in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96.
    “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” a display message on the official website of the Royal family reads.
    “The official website of the Royal Family is temporarily unavailable while appropriate changes are made.”


    Who is the new King?


    Charles, as the queen’s eldest child, inherited both the title of sovereign and the job as head of the Commonwealth, along with other assets such as land and property.
    Charles, 73, is the longest-serving heir in British history after waiting decades to get to the throne.

    The queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, had four children, with Charles being the oldest. He became Britain’s heir apparent at age 3 when his mother succeeded to the throne at the age of 25. Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, and Earl of Carrick were some of Charles’ titles while he was the heir to the throne.

    The title of Prince and Princess of Wales was given after Charles wed Diana Spencer in 1981.

    They had two children; William, who is now the heir presumptive, and Harry, now the fifth in line to inherit the crown. Charles and Diana separated in 1992. In a few years, they were divorced. Charles wed Camilla Parker Bowles, who is now known as the Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005.

    How much money will the new King inherit?

    King Charles inherits not just the crown but also his mother, Queen Elizabeth II’s private fortune, without having to pay inheritance tax.


    King Charles had a net worth of $100 million before succeeding to the throne. Now, Queen Elizabeth II has left a fortune of $500 million in personal assets to the future King, bringing his total net worth to $600 million.


    He will also recover the annual Sovereign Grant. which was $116.7 million in 2021.

  • PM Shehbaz to leave ‘no stone unturned’ in missing persons case

    PM Shehbaz to leave ‘no stone unturned’ in missing persons case

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif assured the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday, September 9, that all-out efforts will be made to recover missing persons.

    “I cannot say that all of the missing persons will be recovered, but we will leave no stone unturned,” he assured the court “I will not give any lame excuse,” said the premier to the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah.

    Justice Minallah during the last hearing had instructing PM Shehbaz to ensure that missing persons — whose cases were being heard in the court, had to be produced before IHC on September 9 (today) and warned that the failure to do so would require the premier to appear in person on the said date and give an explanation.

    Justice Minallah stressed that the state’s responsibility should be fulfilled, regretting that in cases where missing persons were recovered, no further action was taken.

    Political leadership has to solve this issue


    “The political leadership has to solve this issue,” he said. “The court has no other way but to only ask the executive [about the issue].”

    Justice Minallah also stressed on the fact that no impression must be created that implies that law enforcement agencies were picking up citizens. The CJ reminded Sharif that national security was his responsibility.


    “This impression affects our national security,” he added. Addressing PM Shehbaz, he continued, “This court trusts you. Give [us] a solution for this [issue].”

    He asked who the court should hold responsible for enforced disappearances.

    PM Shehbaz replied that solving the issue was his duty.

    “Court will hold the chief executive responsible,” Athar Minallah warned, stressing that “people going missing is intolerable.”

    He said no entity was above the Constitution in the country, adding that this court would ensure civil supremacy, as well as the supremacy of the Constitution.

    Making people go missing biggest form of torture

    Justice Minallah then termed the practice of “making people go missing the biggest form of torture” and a “deviation from the Constitution”.

    “This court is a constitutional court … This court will look at the Constitution. There is no bigger issue than this,” he further remarked.

    He asked PM Shehbaz what the court should tell a small child approaching it for justice. “He also met the erstwhile prime minister,” Justice Minallah said, apparently making a reference to missing journalist Mudassar Naru’s son meeting former prime minister Imran Khan in December last year.

    PM Shehbaz told the court that a child of a missing person asked him to reunite him with his father. “His sentence is very disturbing for me,” he said.

    Saying that he was answerable to the courts and the people of the country, he added, “I am not here to play blame games.”

    Require two months to resolve the issue


    Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar then asked the court if he could speak about a few matters.

    In response, the IHC CJ said that he does not want to hear that the government has formed a committee and is probing the case. “I am telling you, no missing persons case should be filed again in this court,” he told the government in no uncertain terms.

    The law minister said that the government was holding meetings in this regard every week and that it required two months to resolve this issue and not a week.

    The court accepted the law minister’s plea to resolve the case within two months, adjourning the case till November 14.

  • 1926-2022: Queen Elizabeth’s life in pictures

    1926-2022: Queen Elizabeth’s life in pictures

    Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on Thursday in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96.

    Have a look at the Queen’s life, in pictures:

    1926: The Duke of York, the eventual King George VI and his wife Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, with the future Elizabeth II in a christening robe that has been in the royal family for generations


    Sitting on a garden seat with two dogs in 1936. Her love of dogs continued till the very end.

    During World War II, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service at the age of 18 in 1945, with the rank of subaltern. She became the first female royal to join the army. By the time the war ended, she had become a junior commander.

    In 1947 she married a distant cousin, Philip Mountbatten, who became Duke of Edinburgh. Their marriage lasted 73 years.

    1951: Elizabeth and Philip with their two older children Charles and Anne

    Elizabeth’s coronation in June 1953, after the death of her father, King George VI.

    December 1953: The Queen makes her Christmas broadcast from Government House in Auckland, New Zealand

    July 1969: With her eldest son Charles during his investiture as Prince of Wales, at Caernarfon Castle

    1972: The royal family at Buckingham Palace.

    1978: With Prince Philip as their train departed during a royal visit to Canada

    1973: The royal family wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the wedding of Princess Anne and Capt Mark Phillips.

    1977: Queen Elizabeth II poses for a silver jubilee portrait in the throne room of Buckingham Palace

    1992: the Queen and a firefighter inspect the damage after a fire at Windsor Castle, damaging more than 100 rooms.

    September 1997: The Queen and Prince Philip look at floral tributes outside Buckingham Palace in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales

    2011: Queen Elizabeth at Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding day

    2016: Queen on her 90th birthday

    2018: At the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

    2021: Queen at the funeral service of Prince Philip, who died aged 99.

    September 8, 2022: Queen appointed the fifteenth prime minister of her reign, Liz Truss.. The picture is one of the last public images of the Queen.

  • Famous Pakistanis who met Queen Elizabeth

    Famous Pakistanis who met Queen Elizabeth

    Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on Thursday in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96.

    In 1961, Queen Elizabeth visited Pakistan. She was accompanied by her husband, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip. She visited Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, and other areas of the country.

    The Queen next visited Pakistan 36 years later in 1997 when the country was celebrating 50 years of independence. She was again accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip.

    Here is the list of the Pakistanis who met Queen Elizabeth II during her lifetime.

    In 1974, Queen Elizabeth met Imran Khan, who was a cricketer back then. In the picture, she can be seen shaking hands with Khan.

    In 1997, Queen Elizabeth met former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif (who was in power at the time) when she visited Pakistan for the second time. During her visit, knighthood was given to Sharif by the British monarch.

    The Queen also met former PM Benazir Bhutto.

    In 2013, the Queen and Prince Philip invited Pakistan’s young activist Malala Yousafzai to a reception at the Buckingham Palace, where they met and chatted for a short time.

    Malala, who was accompanied by her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, presented the Queen with a copy of her newly published memoir, titled “I am Malala”.

    Before the start of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World Cup 2019, all team captains met The Queen. At the time, Pakistani cricket team captain Sarfraz Ahmed also met her at the Buckingham Palace.

  • Queen Elizabeth has passed away: Here is what may happen in the next ten days

    Queen Elizabeth has passed away: Here is what may happen in the next ten days

    Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on Thursday in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96.
    “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” a display message on the official website of the Royal family reads.

    “The official website of the Royal Family is temporarily unavailable while appropriate changes are made.”

    Who is the new King?

    Charles, as the queen’s eldest son, inherited the sovereign title and job as head of the Commonwealth, along with other assets such as land and property.

    Charles, 73, is the longest-serving heir in British history after waiting decades to get to the throne. The queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, had four children together, with him being the oldest. He became Britain’s heir apparent at age 3 when his mother succeeded to the throne at the age of 25. Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, and Earl of Carrick are some of Charles’ titles.


    The Prince and Princess of Wales were born after Charles wed Diana Spencer in 1981. William and Harry, two princes, were born to them. Charles and Diana separated in 1992. Charles wed Camilla Parker Bowles, who is now known as the Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005 after Diana passed away in 1997.

    Will Camilla become the new Queen?


    The title of queen is typically bestowed upon the king’s wife, but in Camilla’s case, this hasn’t always been the case.
    At the time of Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005, it was agreed that she would be referred to as princess consort rather than queen. However, now that he is king, Charles has the option of changing this designation.

    What is expected to happen in the next ten days?
    Day 1:

    Charles will be officially proclaimed King. This happens at St James’s Palace in London, in front of a ceremonial body known as the Accession Council. The same day, in the afternoon, the new king will have audiences with the prime minister and cabinet, the leader of the opposition, the archbishop of Canterbury and the dean of Westminster.


    Day 2:
    The Queen’s coffin will return to Buckingham Palace. Proclamations will be read in the devolved administrations. Tributes are likely to continue in parliament.


    Day 3:
    In the morning, King Charles will receive the motion of condolence at Westminster Hall.
    In the afternoon, he will embark on a tour of the United Kingdom, starting with a visit to the Scottish parliament and a service at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.


    Day 4:
    King Charles will land in Northern Ireland, where he will attend a ceremony at St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast and receive a further motion of sympathy at Hillsborough Castle.
    Rehearsals for the funeral will be taking place.


    Day 5:
    On the fifth day, a procession will begin, starting at Buckingham Palace and ending at the Houses of Parliament, then a service will be held at Westminster Hall.
    The Queen will then be placed on display for three days so that the public can view her coffin.


    Day 6:
    On the fifth day, a procession will begin, starting at Buckingham Palace and ending at the Houses of Parliament, then a service will be held at Westminster Hall.


    Day 7:
    King Charles will travel to Wales to receive another motion of condolence at the Welsh parliament and attend a service at Liandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.


    Day 08:
    Prime ministers and governors general from the countries are anticipated to attend King Charles’ coronation.


    Day 09:
    Charles will extend an invitation to visiting royal families from other countries the night before the funeral. VIP foreign visitors are anticipated at the lying in state.


    Day 10:
    The state funeral itself will be held at Westminster Abbey.
    There will be a two-minutes’ silence across the nation at midday.
    Processions will take place in London and Windsor.
    There will be a committal service in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and the queen will be buried in the castle’s King George VI Memorial Chapel.

  • Queen Elizabeth: World leaders remember when they met her

    Queen Elizabeth: World leaders remember when they met her

    Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on Thursday in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96.

    In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

    The royal family’s official website carried the message: “Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022” along with an official statement issued by Buckingham Palace.

    Flags on landmark buildings in Britain were being lowered to half mast as a period of official mourning was announced. Royal residences that are open to the public will be closed.

    Shortly after the official announcement, world leaders took to Twitter to extend their condolences.

    President Arif Alvi expressed his sincere condolences.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif extends his heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, people and government of the UK.

    https://twitter.com/PresOfPakistan/status/1567934211637628940?s=20&t=59bb4GrkTNi98ERzhcRB8A

    UK’s newly elected PM Liz Truss mourned the death of her country’s monarch. She released a statement that reads: “With the King’s family, we mourn the loss of his mother. As we mourn, we must come together as a people to support him. To help him bear the awesome responsibility that he now carries for us all.”

    United States (US) President Joe Biden shared a statement on the demise of the Queen. “Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity constancy who deepened the bedrock of the Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special,” Biden said.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping offered “sincere sympathies to the British government and people” following the Queen’s death, adding: “Her passing is a great loss to the British people.”

    Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his “deep sorrow”. “The loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a great loss not only to the British people but also to the international community. Japan’s thoughts are with the United Kingdom as the British people overcome this deepest sadness”, he said.

    Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau said, “It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.”

    French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.”

    Indian PM Narendra Modi, in a tweet, said he had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

    “I had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK visits in 2015 and 2018. I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings, she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her at her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture.”

    Finish PM Sanna Marin said, “My deepest condolences to the Royal Family, people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

    Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto said, “Queen’s sense of duty and devotion to service are an example to us all. Deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the UK.”

    Earlier, it was reported that Queen’s doctors were concerned about her health and she was under observation.

    All the Queen’s children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision.

    Her grandson, Prince William, is also there, with his brother, Prince Harry, on his way.

  • Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96

    Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96

    Royal family officials reported that the queen passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral Castle, her home in the Scottish Highlands.

    She is currently at Balmoral with her son King Charles, who will return to London on Friday.

    The longest reigning British monarch was Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled the United Kingdom for seven decades.

    Here’s the tweet from the royal family:

    The queen has performed fewer official responsibilities in recent years, occasionally skipping engagements where her attendance used to be expected.

    Her recent mobility problems have caused her to spend a lot of time at the family’s rural estate near London, Windsor Castle, and the Scottish castle, Balmoral.