Category: Politics

  • Bilawal to visit the US this month: report

    Bilawal to visit the US this month: report

     Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is expected to visit the United States (US) in the middle of this month, reports The News.

    United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken invited FM Bilawal to visit the US.

    Read More: US Secretary of State calls Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto

    Antony Blinken invited Bilawal to participate in the Ministerial meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on May 18, 2022. Secretary Blinken also invited Pakistan to the Second Global Covid Summit to be held virtually later this month.

    Blinken telephoned Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on May 6 to congratulate him on becoming the country’s new foreign minister.

  • Legal action to be taken against Imran’s anti-state speech, PM Shehbaz Sharif

    Legal action to be taken against Imran’s anti-state speech, PM Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has decided to take legal action against former PM Imran Khan’s speech during a rally in Abbottabad held on Sunday. PM Shehbaz termed Khan’s address a grand conspiracy against Pakistan.

    PM Shehbaz said those concocting a narrative against national institutions were the real Mir Jaffars and Mir Sadiqs. He said the state of Pakistan, the Constitution of Pakistan, and the respected institutions of Pakistan were challenged by Imran Khan in Abbottabad on Sunday.

    Shehbaz said what Khan was doing could only be categorised as a conspiracy, not politics and this conspiracy was not against any political rivals but against the country.

    “Pakistan cannot be surrendered and compromised over one person’s ego, arrogance, and blatant lies. Imran first conspired to destroy the economy of the country and is now planning to trigger a civil war in Pakistan”, said the premier.

    PM Shehbaz pledged that these nefarious designs of Imran Khan would be crushed. “Imran is this era’s Mir Jaffar and Mir Sadiq who wants Pakistan to face the same fate as Libya and Iraq,” added Shehbaz.

    The premier went on to say that Imran Khan was digging holes in the very boat he is riding and biting the hand that feeds him.

    “The people of Pakistan, the Constitution, and the institutions of Pakistan are not slaves of Imran Niazi, nor can he hold them hostage.” He slammed Imran’s speech and said he would not be allowed to become the Hitler of Pakistan.

    ‘Extremely damaging’, army condemns practice of defamatory remarks about them

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a press release on Sunday, noted that “intensified and deliberate attempts have recently been made to drag Pakistan Armed Forces and their leadership by some political leaders, journalists and analysts into the ongoing political discourse in the country”.

    The military’s media wing termed this practice as “extremely damaging”.

    “This practice of unsubstantiated, defamatory and provocative statements/remarks is extremely damaging,” the ISPR condemned while adding that army takes “strong exception to such unlawful and unethical practices”.

    “These attempts are manifest through direct, insinuated, or nuanced references to the armed forces as well as their senior leadership, made by some political leaders, a few journalists and analysts on public forums and various communication platforms, including social media”, the statement reads.

    Moreover, it said that the army “expects all to abide by the law and keep the armed forces out of political discourse in the best interest of the country”.

    Since the episode of the removal of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, on several occasions, the establishment has urged the public not to drag them into political matters and clearly said that there is no involvement from their side in politics.

    The statement came hours after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s statement about the concept of neutrality, saying that God hadn’t permitted human beings to remain neutral when the time comes to stand up for justice and support the good.

    This is not the first time that Khan has made such comments. He once claimed that only animals can stay neutral and that humans either side with good or evil.

  • US First Lady makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

    US First Lady makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

    US First Lady Jill Biden paid a surprise visit to Ukraine on Sunday to demonstrate solidarity for the war-torn country in its struggle against Russia. Olena Zelenska, her Ukrainian counterpart, was also present.

    Before meeting in private, the two first ladies met in a tiny classroom, sitting across a table from one another and greeting each other in front of the media. Zelenska and her children have been kept safe in an undisclosed location.

    The school where they met has been turned into transitional housing for Ukrainian migrants from elsewhere in the country.

    “Because we understand what it takes for the US First Lady to come here during a war when the military actions are taking place every day, where the air sirens are happening every day, even today,” Olena Zelenska told Jill Biden.

    “I wanted to come on Mother’s Day. I thought it was important to show the Ukrainian people that this war has to stop and this war has been brutal and that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine,” she said while talking to reporters.

    According to UN estimates, at least 1,964 people have been killed and 2,613 injured in Ukraine since the conflict began on February 24, with the true figure expected to be far higher.

  • Khan video released asking if his ‘khitaab’ will be shown in the US

    Khan video released asking if his ‘khitaab’ will be shown in the US

    An exclusive video of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has been released by 24News Channel, in which he can be heard asking if his virtual address be shown in the United States (US).

    The former PM was preparing for an address to overseas Pakistanis when he got curious about the broadcasting of his video.

    Upon asking, Khan was told that US residents would not be able to see the video because of the time difference between the two countries. Only Europe and England residents would be able to see his address, one of the people on set said.

    Khan, further can be heard saying that 20 minutes are enough for the address.

    It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) wants the right to vote for Pakistani residents living abroad. On multiple occasions both Khan, his former ministers and party members made several addresses for Pakistanis living abroad.

  • PML-N does not have any video of Khan: Ahsan Iqbal

    PML-N does not have any video of Khan: Ahsan Iqbal

    Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) believed in serving the masses and not politics of revenge and agitation.

    Speaking about the rumours of compromising videos soon to be launched against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Iqbal said that PML-N does not have such videos nor does it have any intention but we have a record of Khan’s government’s performance.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Iqbal said that we consider such politics as inferior and third-degree politics. He said that Imran Khan’s incompetence and corruption are mountains of K2, and there is no need for anything else. “If Imran Khan or any minister has damaged the national treasury and there is evidence, they will go to jail.”

    Regarding the allegations of a foreign conspiracy against Imran Khan, Ahsan Iqbal said that the inquiry regarding letter gate will be presented to the nation in a transparent manner. He further added that the government cannot form a commission of inquiry.

    Iqbal said that Imran Khan can approach the court if he wants to form a judicial commission. “A letter has already been sent to the chief justice. If he thinks so, he can set up a commission.”

  • PPP doesn’t want Punjab governorship, demands ministries, chairmanship

    PPP doesn’t want Punjab governorship, demands ministries, chairmanship

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation had a meeting with Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz. Power-sharing issues were discussed between CM Hamza and the PPP delegation, reports Geo News.

    As per reports, it is being said that the PPP will give up the constitutional posts of Punjab and has decided not to take up the post of Governor. The PPP has also sought three ministries, more than two special assistants, and a chairmanship of a standing committee in Punjab. Besides, the PPP has also sought the posts of two parliamentary secretaries in Punjab.

    Leaders of both PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have also agreed to work together.

    
    
  • Rana Sanaullah says PTI supporters will become ‘humans’ after being thrashed

    Rana Sanaullah says PTI supporters will become ‘humans’ after being thrashed

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Saturday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters will become human beings after being thrashed.

    “This is your misconception that you will be able to cause anarchy or chaos in the country. Nothing will happen,” Sanaullah told former Prime Minister Imran Khan. “They [the supporters] will become human beings after a few thrashings.”

    “Even yesterday, he (Imran Khan) told his supporters not to spare anyone. I am warning you for the last time — not as a minister — but as the president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab. If you don’t let go of these tactics and keep inciting your supporters to misbehave with members of other parties, you will face the same fate too. You won’t be able to escape from it.”

    The minister warned Khan that if he didn’t mend his ways, the PML-N too would instruct its workers to “catch and beat them up”.

    Rana Sanaullah demanded guarantees of a ‘peaceful’ PTI march to Islamabad as well.

    “They will have to give [the government] assurances that the march will be peaceful, political, and democratic,” said Sanaullah. 

    Sanaullah also warned former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed and said,  “You told people that this march will be bloody. I am warning you to take your words back or I won’t let you step out of your house.”

  • Shahid Afridi responds to ‘criticism of Khan’ by PTI supporters

    Shahid Afridi responds to ‘criticism of Khan’ by PTI supporters

    Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi responded to social media criticism he has been receiving after he expressed his views about PTI’s government in a recent interview.

    In a video posted on YouTube with the caption, ‘Pakistan’s sovereignty above all’, Afridi said that he wanted to respond to “negative criticism” on social media. He started by saying that he is grateful that he was born in Pakistan and will continue to serve his country in every way that he can.

    Afridi stated he has always admired Imran Khan’s leadership in cricket and politics.

    “Imran Bhai is my ideal. I started cricket only because of him as Khan inspired me. He showed leadership in the 1992 World Cup and that’s why we won the World Cup.” Afridi also lauded Shaukat Khanum Hospital and said it is a huge contribution to our society by the former premier.

    “I have always said that whoever comes to power should complete five years in government. I have always praised Imran Khan as a leader but it’s my right to disagree with his policies and views. Do not convert difference of opinion into hatred. In a civilised society, difference of opinion is tolerated.”

    He also praised PTI government’s Sehat Card.

    “I spoke as a common Pakistani regardless of any political ideology,” he added. “when I congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Prime Minister, I knew that I would be criticised for it. I didn’t do it due to any vested interest. Whoever becomes a leader of this country should be respected as he/she represents us all over the world.”

    Afridi also thanked and praised overseas Pakistanis.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1522657700575907843?s=20&t=CRGRnGTIHNrGjT5jo24pFQ

    Previously, Afridi in an interview said Imran Khan committed numerous blunders during his time as Pakistan’s premier. He went on to say that Imran should own up to his mistakes and be held accountable for them. Afridi added that he and his family had high expectations for Imran Khan, but that he did not deliver.

    Social media users criticised Afridi for voicing his political opinion and congratulating Prime Minister Shebaz Shairf.

  • US Secretary of State calls Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto

    US Secretary of State calls Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto

    United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday telephoned Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to congratulate him on becoming the country’s new foreign minister.

    Bilawal Bhutto and Antony Blinken tweeted about the telephonic contact between the two counterparts.

    The two also vowed to engage with mutual respect. 

    It is being reported that Blinken extended an invitation to Bilawal to visit the US this month.

    “An invitation was also extended by the Secretary of State for Pakistan’s participation in the Ministerial meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on 18 May 2022,” read a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

    Building on the Pakistan-US cooperation in dealing with the Covid pandemic during the last two years, Secretary Blinken also invited Pakistan to the Second Global Covid Summit to be held virtually later this month.

  • Imran Khan meets accused sexual abuser Zia Chishti at Bani Gala

    Imran Khan meets accused sexual abuser Zia Chishti at Bani Gala

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan met Sitara-i-Imtiaz (third-highest honour and civilian award in Pakistan) holder and founder of a software company “Afiniti” Zia Chishti at Bani Gala. Chishti was accused of sexually abusing Tatiana Spottiswoode, a former Afiniti employee, and Zia’s friend’s daughter last year.

    Chishti stepped down from his position as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Afiniti, effective immediately following the allegations of sexual assault by a 23-year-old against him.

    The news of the meeting between the two came to the surface when the official Twitter handle of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tweeted a picture of the meeting at Khan’s residence.

    Zia Chishti along with former Special Assistant to the prime minister Sayed Zulfi Bukhari were seen meeting Khan.

    However, the party’s Twitter account later deleted the tweet.

    https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1522285606323343365?s=20&t=zJMlQrBuFW8XDNk-2jySIQ