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Category: Politics

  • Coalition govt shows ‘full confidence’ in PM Shehbaz, as Zardari hosts dinner ahead of budget

    Coalition govt shows ‘full confidence’ in PM Shehbaz, as Zardari hosts dinner ahead of budget

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari hosted a dinner for leaders and members of the coalition government, on June 9 ahead of the fiscal budget 2022-23 announcement in Islamabad.

    The fiscal budget that is to be released on June 10, 2022, (today) was the centre of discussion at the dinner. The meeting also discussed the overall political state of the country and expressed full confidence in Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    Zardari was also lauded by the coalition leaders and members for his efforts to unite the parties together. PM Shehbaz also received advice from members and leaders present at the dinner.

    In attendance were Yousaf Raza Gillani, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Sherry Rehman, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Pervez Ashraf, and Rana Sanaullah among others.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilalwal Bhutto-Zardari was not in attendance at the dinner because he is currently in quarantine.

  • Khan demands probe in ‘Maqsood chaprasi’ death case

    Khan demands probe in ‘Maqsood chaprasi’ death case

    Malik Maqsood Ahmad, more commonly known as Maqsood ‘Chaprasi’ (peon), accused of Rs16 billion money-laundering in the case against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz passed away in Dubai on Thursday, June 9.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday demanded a probe into Maqsood’s death.

    Maqsood had reportedly left for the UAE in 2018, just before the PTI came to power. Khan often referred to him in his public speeches alleging that PM Sharif and his sons laundered billions of rupees using Maqsood’s bank account.

    PTI information secretary Farrukh Habib raised several questions on the death of Maqsood and tweeted, “After the Shehbaz Sharif government came to power, the sudden deaths of Dr Rizwan and Maqsood, and change of prosecutor in the money-laundering case (against Shehbaz and others) are evident of how the Sicilian Mafia works.”

    PTI central Punjab president Dr Yasmin Rashid and general secretary Hammad Azhar also demanded Maqsood’s postmortem, maintaining that the nation should be informed who would inherit the Rs3bn apparently lying in his account.

  • ‘Pagal’: Rana Sanaullah reveals PTI’s Qureshi called Imran Khan ‘mad man’

    ‘Pagal’: Rana Sanaullah reveals PTI’s Qureshi called Imran Khan ‘mad man’

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Apas ki Baat’ said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government itself had made an offer to them regarding the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments and had invited the Opposition for talks when PTI was in power.

    Rana Sanaullah said that the PTI later used their suggestions in the media to attack them.

    Sanaullah further said that the then Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called him and said that he wanted to talk to Rana separately.

    “Give my salam to Mian Saab [Nawaz Sharif]. All the things you said were correct. We agree but that mad man [Imran Khan] doesn’t agree,” said Qureshi.

    “Don’t speak in front of Shahzad Akbar. He is his [Imran Khan]’s agent and tells him everything,” Qureshi said to Sanaullah.

    Anchorperson Muneed Farooq interjected and questioned if Qureshi really called former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan ‘pagal’, to which Sanaullah said, “I can say it on oath. Call him in front of me.”

  • Baseless propaganda, institution has right to take legal action against those involved: ISPR

    Baseless propaganda, institution has right to take legal action against those involved: ISPR

    Pakistan’s Military wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has issued a warning and said that it reserves the right to take legal action against people involved in “peddling malicious allegations and blatant lies” against its leadership.

    ISPR’s warning comes in relevance to the claims made by journalist Shaheen Sehbai insinuating that former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin was asked to switch sides and betray Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and help Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif. 

    Sehbai tweeted, “NEUTRAL EXPOSED: I am going to write soon about WHY the Chief Neutral, proved by Shaukat Tarin as Non-Neutral as he asked Tarin to betray Imran Khan and help Shehbaz, is so sensitive and DEAD SCARED about his remaining four months in office. Something fishy, intriguing, alarming, unpatriotic.”

    Tarin responded on Twitter: “I categorically deny what has been attributed to me by Shaheen Sehbai. I was never asked by anyone in the establishment to leave Imran Khan and join [the] Shehbaz Sharif government.”

    https://twitter.com/shaukat_tarin/status/1534536507872231424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1534536507872231424%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawn.com%2Fnews%2F1693782

    The word ‘neutral’, used frequently by Imran Khan and his party, is seen as a reference to the military establishment.

    ISPR termed Sehbai’s remarks as baseless propaganda.

    “The insinuations by Shaheen Sehbai and some others on social media quoting the former finance minister are baseless propaganda,” an ISPR statement issued less than two hours after Tarin’s tweet said. “The same has also been duly rebutted by Shaukat Tarin himself.”

    “Peddling malicious allegations and blatant lies against the institution and its leadership to promote vested interests is condemnable and [the] institution reserves the right to take legal action against those involved,” it concluded.

    On Wednesday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa presided over the 80th Formation Commanders’ Conference. 

    General Bajwa during the conference said that the Pakistan Army was a professional institution that shall always fulfill its responsibilities towards the security, integrity, and sovereignty of Pakistan as a sacred duty. 

  • Chaudhrys of Gujrat part ways as Hussain Elahi quits PML-Q

    Chaudhrys of Gujrat part ways as Hussain Elahi quits PML-Q

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) president and former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s nephew Chaudhry Hussain Elahi has parted ways with the party. Hussain is the son of Shujaat’s younger brother Chaudhry Wajahat.

    Hussain tweeted, “I’ve always said my country is first for me, and keeping that in mind I have decided that my political journey with PMLQ must come to an end. Will be deciding my political future with Moonis Elahi but cannot be in a party that supports Shehbaz Sharif-led Imported Government.”

    Former federal minister Moonis Elahi also retweeted Hussain’s tweet, prompting speculations that there were differences within the party.

    Moonis retweeted a report by Dunya News claiming that a possible crack within the PML-Q definitely exists. The report states that one section of the party backs the PTI, while the other is in support of the PML-N.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday visited Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at his residence in Islamabad.

    It is being reported that the two apparently discussed the forthcoming by-elections on 20 vacant seats of Punjab Assembly and the fiscal budget 2022-23 to be announced on Friday.

  • PTI Shibli Faraz questions Noor Alam Khan’s presence in meeting

    PTI Shibli Faraz questions Noor Alam Khan’s presence in meeting

    Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Noor Alam Khan ordered that senior officers of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) declare their assets along with those of their spouses, children, siblings, and parents within a month’s time, in a meeting held on July 7, 2022. The meeting was presided over by the acting Chairman of NAB, Zahir Shah.

    The directive ordered by the PAC chairman further required that details of perks, privileges, and employment terms of NAB officers also be declared publicly.

    Former Minister of Science and Technology Shibli Faraz opposed the directive and pointed to NAB’s ongoing inquiry against Khan. Faraz was of the view that chairman PAC should not have chaired the meeting altogether because there is an ongoing inquiry against him by the anti-graft watchdog.

    In the meeting, PAC chairman inquired whether the case against him under deliberation by NAB had concluded. He added that if the case is still ongoing, he will not preside over the meeting. The NAB chairman responded that the inquiry had not yet concluded. He went on to say that if Khan is found innocent, he will be receiving an apology letter. He further added that all those found innocent in the future will receive a letter of apology.

    PAC chairman, however, remained in the meeting till the end.

  • PPP, PML-N decide to contest together in Punjab by-election

    PPP, PML-N decide to contest together in Punjab by-election

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have decided to jointly contest the Punjab by-election which will be held on vacant seats of the Punjab Assembly (PA) next month.

    Punjab minister Attauallah Tarar confirmed the development to Dawn, saying, “The PML-N and PPP leadership agreed to jointly contest by-polls on 20 Punjab Assembly seats.”

    Earlier, PPP’s Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz met on Tuesday in which other members of the parties also participated. The decision reportedly took place during the meeting.

    Zardari congratulated Hamza on assuming the CM’s office. According to The News, the two parties also discussed other issues related to cabinet expansion in Punjab and federal, water issues, petroleum prices, and the upcoming budget. Moreover, Zardari held a meeting to sort out his party’s differences with PML-N over desired ministries in Punjab.

    Currently, PPP has seven seats in the Punjab Assembly (PA) and they were promised four ministries and two adviserships. However, in the Punjab Cabinet, there are only two members of PPP, but they are inactive due to non-allocation of their portfolios.

    The polls will be on 20 vacant seats of the PA on July 17. The seats are vacant due to the disqualification of PTI’s Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) who switched sides and voted for Hamza as CM.

    It is pertinent to mention that out of the 20 seats, eight are from southern Punjab where the PPP has a strong foothold.

  • ‘A large part of the army wants elections’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘A large part of the army wants elections’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that the establishment wants early elections to take place in the country.

    “The army itself is saying that elections should be held. A large part of the army is of the positive opinion that elections should be held,” said Rasheed, adding that a preception is being given that the military establishment is backing the sitting government.

    Rasheed was speaking to Channel 24.

    Read more: ‘Refrain from commenting on Pakistan’s nuclear programme’: Gen Nadeem Raza responds to Khan’s comment

    Veterans of Pakistan, an organisation of former military officers, held a press conference in Islamabad on June 6, where Brig (R) Mian Mehmood claimed that when the situation in Pakistan started to deteriorate, their team led by General Ali Quli went to meet the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    “General Bajwa very clearly promised that he would hold elections in 90 days to make the situation in Pakistan better. Today we ask Gen Bajwa: where did his promises go?”

  • Shehbaz Sharif bans weddings after 10pm in Islamabad

    Shehbaz Sharif bans weddings after 10pm in Islamabad

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday during a pre-budget business conference stressed the need of signing a ‘Charter of Economy’ for economic stability and progress in the country.

    “Charter of Economy will remain unchanged. It will become our sacred trust, which will not change,” the prime minister said, adding: “We need this.”

    If there will be no political stability, there will be no economic stability

    Shehbaz said, “If there will be no political stability, there will be no economic stability.”

    “It’s about time the elite class had to make sacrifices and non-productive assets like real estate would have to be taxed. Until now, the hard time has been faced by the poor but today it’s the turn of well-off people to take the burden,” said Shehbaz.

    Shehbaz stressed that the enhancement of exports, agricultural yield, and financial management should be the major components of the plan. “The government will form a task force on agriculture and exports for formulating comprehensive plans,” he said.

    The premier said that since Pakistan’s inception 75 years back, the economic development in the initial 25 years and the economic development after that have a “stark” difference.

    We must go for special export industrial zones

    Comparing the country’s Information Technology (IT) industry with that of India’s, the premier said that India generates around $200 billion while Pakistan’s industry is hovering around $2.5 billion. “We must go for special export industrial zones,” he added.

    The PM went on to say that the government will make well-structured industrial zones. “To increase the export, the developed zone should be handed over to the investors to work on it. We need to fix ambitious targets.”

    Government bans wedding ceremonies after 10pm in Islamabad

    The government has banned wedding ceremonies after 10pm in the federal capital.

    According to media reports, permission to serve only one dish to wedding guests will be given, and a notification will be issued over this new restriction.

    The Islamabad police and administration have been informed to strictly implement the ban. In case of any violation, strict action will be taken.

  • After meeting Bilawal, German FM tests positive for Covid-19

    After meeting Bilawal, German FM tests positive for Covid-19

    German Foreign Minister (FM) Annalena Baerbock tested positive for Covid-19, her ministry confirmed on Tuesday, reports Reuters.

    Earlier, Baerbock met her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in Islamabad. She has also cancelled all further dates of the trip, which also included stops in Greece and Turkey.

    Responding to the news, FM Bilawal wished Baerbock a quick recovery. He tweeted, “Building on our excellent talks today, I look forward to our continued engagement and future interactions to further solidify Pakistan and Germany partnership.”

    Baerbock reached Islamabad today (Tuesday) on a two-day visit.

    Baerbock and Bilawal held a joint presser in the capital. It has been reported that Pakistan will inaugurate its Consulate General in Munich soon.

    ‘We support the work of the UN and their stance on Kashmir’: FM Baerbock

    During the presser, Bilawal said, “If India fails to condemn the comments, then it’s a reflection that it’s not a secular India but rather a Hindu-superiority India. We would want to engage with India but with a rationale.”

    Talking about the Kashmir issue, Baerbock said, “The foundation of human rights is indivisible and this counts for every region in the world. This also counts for Kashmir, this counts for women’s rights. This counts for minority rights and religious rights Therefore, we support the work of the UN and their stance on Kashmir to ensure that all human rights are being guaranteed.”

    “We believe that constructive approaches and measures from both sides are the only way forward to improve the relationships between India and Pakistan. The bilateral agreement along the line of control last year was a positive step”, she added.

    ‘Pakistan had been Germany’s closest and most reliable partner‘: FM Baerbock

    About the Afghan situation, the German FM said, “It is not the mistake of the people that the Taliban overthrew the government and since then have tightened their grip on Afghan society,” she said, promising that Germany would continue to provide humanitarian aid and support people who need it, especially women and girls.

    The diplomat highlighted that Pakistan had been Germany’s “closest and most reliable partner” in that regard, revealing that under this close cooperation between the two countries, 14,000 Afghans, who were at risk in the country, could travel to Germany via Pakistan and were able to start a new life in safety and without fear.

    ‘Pakistan does not want to be dragged in conflict’: FM Bilawal

    Bilawal also highlighted that Pakistan was playing an outside role in mitigating the economic crisis in Afghanistan. “This is the face of Pakistan. A modern Muslim country”, he said.

    While talking about the Ukraine crisis, Bilawal maintained that Pakistan “does not want to be dragged in conflict particularly given that we have just experienced decade after decade of conflict in Afghanistan”.