Current Final

Category: Politics

  • PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal invites PTI’s Asad Umar to ‘farewell dinner’

    PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal invites PTI’s Asad Umar to ‘farewell dinner’

    The newly-appointed Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has written a letter, inviting his predecessor former Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar to a farewell dinner “on a date and time of the Umar’s convenience.”

    The federal minister said that in the meeting he would “like to be briefed on the developmental initiatives of greater public importance” that the PTI government “had started and which should be continued in the public interest”.

    “I look forward to a positive response from you. My office will coordinate with your personal staff to schedule the proposed farewell dinner/meeting with you at the earliest,” the letter further reads.

    However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader is yet to make a comment on this invitation.

    The PML-N’s leader move, however, has been widely appreciated by social media users.

  • ‘Imran caused huge damage to Pakistan in every sense’: Nawaz Sharif

    ‘Imran caused huge damage to Pakistan in every sense’: Nawaz Sharif

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif met with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari who both lashed out at former PM Imran Khan and his policies, regretting that Imran Khan promoted the culture of hooliganism and immorality in politics. “The PTI chairman has caused huge damage to Pakistan in every sense of the word.”

    Both PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari talked at length about political as well as coalition government affairs during the meeting that lasted for over three hours on Thursday in London.

    Later, both the leader addressed a press conference where they lashed out at former PM Imran Khan and his policies. Nawaz Sharif said: “Khan promoted the culture of hooliganism and immorality. He has caused huge damage to Pakistan in every sense of the word.”

    About the US foreign conspiracy which was claimed by Khan, Nawaz Sharif posed several questions: “Were you involved in holding an atomic blast? Why will there be a foreign conspiracy against you?”

    Nawaz said that Khan had claimed that he would take his own life before approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial support. “But we did not see him taking his own life till now,” he added.

    “Imran Khan’s rule has been the darkest chapter in the history of Pakistan. We are saddened at the state of affairs in Pakistan and what it has been turned into. There are enormous challenges we are facing but we will repair the damage, through national consensus. All the stakeholders from all the provinces including PPP, PML-N, JUI-F and others political powers will play their due role”, he added.

    Similarly taking a jibe at Khan, Bilawal said: “There was no conspiracy against Khan at the White House. However, a conspiracy against him was hatched at the Bilawal House to throw out an illegal, selected and cruel government through the power of the vote [no-confidence motion].”

    Moreover, he said that using the experience and guidance of elders like Sharif and his father the new generation will strengthen Pakistan to face the challenges.

    About the meeting between Bilawal and Sharif, Geo News‘ sources revealed that the PPP chairman didn’t ask for the positions of Senate chairman, Governor Punjab or seat adjustments.

    As per the sources, Nawaz was told that Bilawal may bring up these matters. However, Bilawal told Nawaz he was calling him to discuss the possibility and the need for working together in the future for the greater cause of a strong and vibrant democracy.

    The three-hour-long meeting between the PML-N supremo and PPP chairman was held in two parts. In the first part, Bilawal and Nawaz held a one-on-one meeting, while in the second half, other senior leaders of both parties were also present in the meeting.

    Now, upon his return to the country, Bilawal will take an oath as foreign minister of Pakistan.

  • US ‘welcomes’ NSC statement saying no ‘foreign conspiracy’ to oust PTI govt

    US ‘welcomes’ NSC statement saying no ‘foreign conspiracy’ to oust PTI govt

    US State Department deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter has said that the United States welcomed the statement issued by Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) a day ago wherein it dismissed an impression of a “foreign conspiracy” to topple the Imran Khan-led government.

    The senior US official made this statement in response to a question from a journalist during a weekly press briefing.

    “Today, the newly-elected prime minster of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, chaired the meeting of national security committee and senior military and civil officers attended that. And this meeting was to — about Imran Khan’s allegation of US government. So the press release we got, it states that the (inaudible) concludes that there has been no foreign conspiracy. How do you see this?” the journalist had asked.

    “… We welcome this statement,” Porter replied.

    “There is absolutely no truth to those rumours, so we welcome this statement,” Jalina responded to a question asking her to comment on NSC’s statement.

    She continued by adding, “The United States values our longstanding cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests.”

    The National Security Committee, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, found NO evidence of ‘conspiracy’. The meeting was also attended by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    “The National Security Committee was again informed by the premier security agencies that they have found no evidence of any foreign conspiracy,” reads the statement issued after NSC meeting.

    The meeting was attended by federal ministers – Khwaja Asif, Rana Sanaullah, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of State on Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar,Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahamd Babar and senior civil and military officials.

  • PM Shehbaz plans grand jirga over NWA situation

    PM Shehbaz plans grand jirga over NWA situation

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he will soon convene a grand jirga of North Waziristan tribal elders in Islamabad to find a way out of the prevailing situation in the tribal region.

    “Restoration of lasting peace in North Waziristan tribal district is the top most priority of my government.”

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was speaking during a daylong visit to Miramshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan on Thursday. The prime minister addressed a gathering the elders of Uthmanzai tribe. Earlier, senior civil and military officials and elders of the area received the prime minister.

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Minister for Religious Affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor, PM’s adviser Amir Muqam and MNA Mohsin Dawar accompanied the PM. According to officials, Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed briefed the prime minister on the prevailing law and order situation in the area.

    Addressing the jirga, PM Sharif said the people of North Waziristan had suffered miseries and rendered matchless sacrifices for the motherland, adding that the government would not ignore their sacrifices.

    On the demand of Mohsin Dawar, the prime minister announced the establishment of a university, a medical college, a mobile hospital and Danish school in North Waziristan. The prime minister said he would soon announce more development schemes for the district.

    He expressed gratitude to the tribal elders for their support in the war against terrorism for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan and assured them that the government would do all to bring comfort in local populace and ensure socio-economic development as dividends of the fight against terrorism.

    On arrival in Miramshah, PM Sharif was received by Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The prime minister laid floral wreath at the Shuhada monument and offered fateha for valiant sons of the soil who rendered supreme sacrifices while defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.

  • Had an excellent relationship with Nawaz Sharif: Former Afghan President hopes for good ties with Pakistan

    Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has expressed his hope for a cordial relationship with Pakistan under the administration of the newly-elected Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    In an interview with BBC, Karzai said, “I can tell you that when I was in the last year of my office, I had an excellent relationship with Mian Nawaz Sharif, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, who I found to be very willing to engage fruitfully with Afghanistan. I hope that Shehbaz Sharif [Nawaz’s brother] would follow the same path.”

    “Afghan people would respond to them very very positively. We do wish a good relationship with Pakistan.”

    Responding to the airstrikes [allegedly made by Pakistan] in bordering Khost province, the former president condemned the airstrikes and termed it clear violations of Afghan sovereignty.

    He called the recent attacks on Afghan education institutions as an “attack against Afghanistan’s efforts for educating its young, its peace and movement towards stability and progress.” Hamid Karzai emphasised the need for allowing girls above sixth grade to return to school.

    Hamid Karzai has served as the President of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. He still lives in the country under the the rule of Taliban who gained power in August 2021.

  • Former envoy to US Asad Majeed to brief National Security Council on ‘letter-gate’

    Former envoy to US Asad Majeed to brief National Security Council on ‘letter-gate’

    Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States Dr Asad Majeed Khan will brief the National Security Committee (NSC) members during a meeting on Friday about the diplomatic cable he gave to the PTI government last month, according to sources.

    According to sources, the Pakistani diplomat has arrived in Islamabad and will join the National Security Council meeting convened by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM Office to review the situation in the aftermath of “letter-gate” and other regional issues.

    According to sources, the meeting will be held today at the Prime Minister’s Office at 2:00pm. The members of the meeting will discuss the security situation in the country.

    Top civil and military leadership including federal ministers, services chiefs will attend the meeting

  • Ilhan Omar visit to Pakistan not govt-sponsored: US State Department

    Ilhan Omar visit to Pakistan not govt-sponsored: US State Department

    US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Friday declared that Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who is currently on her maiden visit to Pakistan, was not visiting the country on US government-sponsored travel.

    The senior official made the statement during a press briefing today in response to a question from a journalist.

    “As you are well aware that Imran Khan is still blaming US for his ouster from PM’s office while he’s also asking his supporters to keep protesting outside the White House. But yesterday Congresswoman Ilhan Omar met with Mr. Khan in Islamabad. It was kind of an hour-long meeting. Close associates of Mr. Khan claimed that United States trying to clear the air with Mr. Khan. Is it true that Ilhan Omar is representing Biden government there in Islamabad,” the journalist had asked.

    “Well, as I understand it, Representative Omar is not visiting Pakistan on US government-sponsored travel, so I’d need to refer you to her office for questions on her travel,” Price replied.

    Omar, who made history as one of the first two Muslim women elected to the US Congress, arrived in Islamabad earlier this week on a visit to Pakistan. The Congresswoman will stay in Pakistan till April 24.

    She met a host of important figures including President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Foreign Office officials, as well as PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

    According to official sources, the Congresswoman was also flown to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Chakothi sector, where she was briefed on the situation before and after the fresh understanding between the Pakistani and Indian armies to respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

    Some residents, who had been affected by Indian shelling prior to the ceasefire, had also gathered there and shared their tales of horror with the visitors.

    According to PTI’s Shireen Mazari, Omar had discussed Islamophobia and other related issues in the meeting with Khan at the PTI chairman’s Bani Gala residence.

    Politicians and social media users immediately questioned the PTI chairman about the meeting with the American legislator and reminded him of his criticism of US officials meeting opposition figures. Newly elected Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah led the charge by asking Khan if his meeting with Omar was “a conspiracy or interference”.

    Mazari, subsequently, fired back at the critics by saying that Omar was not a part of the US administration.

  • UK PM Boris Johnson begins his India tour from Modi’s home state Gujrat

    British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson arrived in India on Thursday for his first-ever visit. He is expected to offer his help to India cut reliance on Russian oil and defense equipment, reports Reuters.

    Johnson has begun his two-day tour from Indian PM Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat. On Friday, Johnson will visit New Delhi to meet his counter partner, where the two of them will have a take on certain topics including a new defense partnership and a free trade agreement.

    Western countries have urged Delhi to speak out against the war in Ukraine. India, which imports Russian oil and is the world’s biggest buyer of its weapons, abstained in a United Nations (UN) vote condemning the invasion and has not imposed sanctions on Moscow.

    However, Indian PM Modi has expressed concern over the killing of civilians.

    Earlier this month, the United States (US) President Joe Biden told Modi that buying more oil from Russia is not in India’s interest. According to Johnson’s spokesperson, “Johnson will not lecture Modi on the matter.”

    It is pertinent to mention that the United Kingdom (UK) has been at the forefront in providing military aid and support to Ukraine. Johnson recently visited Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky. 

    Previously, the India trip has been twice postponed because of Covid flare-ups in each country.

  • Did Maryam Nawaz attend Imran Khan’s Twitter Space last night?

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Twitter Space session on night between Wednesday and Thursday broke records with 165K people listening to it at one point. Right after the session, a screenshot started making rounds on social media claiming that Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz also attended the session.

    The screenshot was also shared by former Deputy National Assembly (NA) Qasim Suri.

    The news left some social media users surprised while majority questioned the authenticity of the screenshot.

    Earlier today, Fact-Check Pakistan declared the screenshot as fake. They shared the update on Twitter, saying: “Following former PM Imran Khan’s Twitter space some accounts of PTI supporters circulated a screenshot showing PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz as one of the listeners – this screenshot is doctored/fake – Ms Nawaz did not attend, a source in her staff confirmed to ⁦@PakistanCheck”.

    Before this, Maryam’s Political Secretary Zeeshan Malik, in a tweet, clarified that the screenshot was “fake”.

  • Fawad Ch’s sexist remarks about Hina Rabbani Khar draw reaction on Twitter

    Fawad Ch’s sexist remarks about Hina Rabbani Khar draw reaction on Twitter

    Former minister for information and broadcasting, and former minister for science and technology Fawad Chaudhry recently made some very sexist remarks about Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar. Social media users, regardless of political allegiance, rose to the occasion and defended her against his blatant sexism and misogyny.

    On April 19, Fawad Ch posted an old interview from Khar’s last appointment as foreign minister which was in 2011. She was not only the youngest person but also the first woman to have held the position in Pakistan’s history. In his tweet, Chaudhry insulted her intelligence and credibility, attaching it to her “Birkens”.

    “When you appoint a low IQ women whose only claim to fame is her Berkin bags and expensive eye shades such blunders ll become a norm, hope will get rid of this lot sooner than later #ImportedGovernmentNamzanzoor [sic],” he tweeted.

    The former minister faced immediate backlash from netizens regardless of their political affiliation — some social media users specifically mentioned that they were PTI supporters and did not endorse these claims, calling them “unbecoming” and “unacceptable.” On the contrary, the users called Khar “articulate” and “one of the best foreign ministers our county has had”, asking Chaudhry to apologise.

    Several users found it necessary to remind Chaudhry of former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s “chewing non-responsiveness” and “unnecessary sniggering” when he was called out for anti-Semitism following a comment he made about Israel having “deep pockets” during his interview with CNN.