Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Sri Lanka runs out of cash to buy oil

    Sri Lanka runs out of cash to buy oil

    Sri Lankan energy minister Udaya Gammanpila said that the state-run petroleum company has run out of cash to buy oil, which has seriously impacted the energy sector of the country.

    Gammanpila further said that Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) continued to hemorrhage cash, adding: “Earlier, we were short of dollars to import oil. Now we don’t have the rupees to buy the dollars.” According to him, the corporation lost 83 billion rupees ($415 million) last year.

    Due to the country’s worsening situation, several thermal power stations were closed due to a fuel shortage on Friday.

    The minister stated that a severe shortage is inevitable unless the government increases prices or the treasury offers a bailout.

    Diesel is the most commonly used fuel for public transport, and motorists. Reportedly, there are long queues at understocked pumps in Sri Lanka.

    Recently, the Russia-Ukraine crisis has affected the prices of the petroleum products across the world.

  • President Alvi calls off NA session without any official announcement

    President Alvi calls off NA session without any official announcement

    President Dr Arif Alvi called off the National Assembly (NA) session on Friday— the same day when Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif was to appear before a special court in Lahore, reports Dawn.

    A spokesperson for the Presi­dency said that the postponement of the session was not officially notified beforehand. According to the media outlet, Pak­istan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders gathered at NA Speaker Asad Qaiser’s residence several hours before the session on Thursday night and decided to have Friday’s session shelved.

    They believed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz could possibly be arrested on Friday but the court deferred the indictment. The ruling party was of the view that the Sharifs should not be given an opportunity to seek an adjournment on the ground of attending the NA session.

    Upon hearing about the postponement, Sharif said the session had been put off as the government was hoping he would be indicted. He further added that it is unprecedented that a scheduled session of the NA has been shelved in such a manner.

    However, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry dismissed this claim. Chaudhry said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s visit to Russia on February 23 was one of the reasons for the postponement of the session.

    Other than this, some sources claim that the government wanted to promulgate some ordinances for which the session had been shelved.

    Sharif appeared before the court for his indictment in a money laundering case that was registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    As of yet, no new date has been announced for holding the postponed session of the lower house of parliament.

  • Is Jahangir Tareen becoming the new favourite of PML-N?

    Is Jahangir Tareen becoming the new favourite of PML-N?

     Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) disgruntled leader Jahangir Khan Tareen met secretly to discuss the ousting of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, reports The News.

    The news outlet reports that the two leaders met a few days ago to discuss the fate of the incumbent government.

    It is also being reported that Tareen said that everybody is upset over the economic condition of the country because of the growing price hike.

    Earlier this week, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz said: “We are in contact with everyone (including the Jahangir Khan Tareen group) as our sole target is removing Imran Khan.”

    The Jahangir Tareen group also had a meeting at the residence of the chief minister’s former adviser, Awn Chaudry.

    In a conversation with the media after the meeting, Tareen said, “Politicians keep contact with each other, and these contacts will continue to exist.” He also said that the politicians would consult each other on the country’s situation.

  • Attorney General of Pakistan denies filing reference against Islamabad judge in Mohsin Baig case

    Attorney General of Pakistan denies filing reference against Islamabad judge in Mohsin Baig case

    Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan has denied filing a reference against Islamabad’s Additional Session Judge Zafar Iqbal over his verdict in journalist Mohsin Baig’s case.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, the AGP said that the government is not going to file a reference against Zafar Iqbal.

    AGP Khalid Javed was of the view that a review petition can be filed against the verdict but not a reference.

    References cannot be filed based on a judge’s verdicts, nor should be unless evidence or appellate court decision proves the judge’s misconduct, added Khalid Javed.

    On Thursday, the government decided to file a reference against Zafar Iqbal for declaring the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raid illegal at senior journalist Mohsin Baig’s home.

    Advocate General (AG) Islamabad Niazullah Niazi met Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and briefed him about the case hearing.

    Niazullah Niazi said that a reference would be filed against the judge soon. He said that Mohsin Baig had pointed a gun at FIA and police officials besides threatening the on-duty officers. “Being a media person does not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands.”

    AG Islamabad further stated that PM Imran Khan has said that no one is above the law.

    “Everyone is equal before the law. Constructive criticism is beneficial for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government,” said PM Khan.

  • ‘Nobody has the right to stop others from a democratic march’: Shireen Mazari on Aurat March

    ‘Nobody has the right to stop others from a democratic march’: Shireen Mazari on Aurat March

    Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari said that nobody has the right to stop others from a democratic march. Dr Mazari was commenting on the letter written by federal Minister for Religious and Minority Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, asking to put a ban on Aurat March.

    “Nobody has the right to stop others from a democratic march. If women of religious parties can march, then why not others? On International Women’s Day, whoever wants to join Aurat March should join them and whoever wants to join Hijab March can do that,” said Mazari said while talking to Samaa.

    She also said that if women can celebrate Women’s Day across the world, then why not in Pakistan.

    Federal Minister for Religious and Minority Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri has written a letter to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan asking him to put a ban on Aurat March. On Geo News’s programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath on Thursday night , Qadri said he does not have a problem with the Manifesto of Aurat March but has a problem with the way marchers express themselves by taking to the streets.

  • MQM-P’s Amir Khan seeks mercy from PM Khan, says they don’t want more ministries

    MQM-P’s Amir Khan seeks mercy from PM Khan, says they don’t want more ministries

    Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Amir Khan in a Geo News‘ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath‘ said that the party seeks mercy from the government, doesn’t want any more ministries and the government can take back the MQM-P’s current federal cabinet seat.

    Currently, MQM-P holds two federal ministries— Information Technology Minister Syed Amin-ul-Haq and Law Minister Farogh Naseem. However, MQM-P has been saying that the law ministry has not been given to it.

    Amir raised serious concerns about government policies. He stated, “Our legs have started trembling, carrying the weight of the government’s economic policies.”

    “We have our own identity and are independent in making decisions; we are not obligated to work with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government, and we will make decisions as we deem appropriate”, he added, while talking about the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    Talking about the recent meetings with the Opposition who are gearing up for the no-confidence motion, the MQM-P leader stated, “The Opposition should have a clear stand on a vote of no confidence.” He demanded that the party wants an independent local bodies system in Sindh, and if contacted, they will present Sindh problems before the Opposition.

    On the contrary, while speaking on Geo News‘ Programme ‘Jashan-e-Cricket’, MQM-P leader Wasim Akhtar said that their party has a lot of compulsions to support PTI yet he questioned the incumbent government wining in Karachi. He claimed that PTI would not have won 14 seats in Karachi if Khalai Makhlooq (‘Aliens’) had not played a role.

    Akhtar further said that he wondered, “How Imran Khan has become Prime Minister of Pakistan.”

    It was reported on Wednesday that the premier would soon make changes in the federal and Punjab cabinets by including allied parties’ members i.e MQM-P and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

  • ‘Opposition scared because Imran Khan has no price’: Prime Minister

    ‘Opposition scared because Imran Khan has no price’: Prime Minister

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Friday said that the Opposition would not receive a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

    “They are scared because Imran Khan has no price, he will not give you an NRO like General Musharraf,” said Khan, referring to the country’s former military ruler.

    Addressing a rally in Mandi Bahauddin, PM Khan said, “Thieves will not get any NRO until they return the country’s [looted] money […] as long as I am alive, I will not let them rest until they return the people’s wealth.”

    If Shehbaz Sharif is innocent, then why is he running away from the courts?

    Criticising Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, the premier said that he had a “weak heart and knew he would not be able to escape if his case (of being a guarantor in Nawaz Sharif’s case) is heard”.

    “If Shehbaz Sharif is innocent, then why is he running away from the courts?”

    PM Imran went on to say that when the Opposition had filed a case against him in the Supreme Court, he did not leave the country and had proved that he was sadiq and ameen (honest and righteous).

    “I provided the documents the court asked for. I did not run away [or] ask for more dates. I told them to listen to the case [day-to-day],” said PM Khan.

    Have you ever heard a politician blackmail others via tapes?

    Berating PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, he said Nawaz’s daughter claims she has “tapes” on government officials.

    “Have you ever heard a politician blackmail (others) via tapes?”

    Whatever your plan is, Kaptaan is prepared

    “I have a message for the Sharif family: Kaptaan is ready for all your plans. You will not only face defeat, but all of you will go to jail,” the prime minister vowed.

    “This is not what politicians do, this is what mafias do,” he declared, calling on supporters to help the government combat them.

    “I have vowed to fight them as long as I am alive.”

    There is no doubt inflation has increased

    The prime minister said: “They [the Opposition] say that inflation has increased. There is no doubt it has increased.”

     He went on to say that the government was always working on how to lessen the burden of this inflation on the people of the country.

    “I promise to reduce the burden on the people.”

    “Supply lines were affected due to the pandemic. There was a shortage of commodities and they became more expensive,” said PM Khan.

    “Every month, the government suffers a loss of Rs70 billion due to this,” said PM Khan.

    The premeir said that petrol that was previously available for $40 per barrel was now being sold for $90. “What can we do about this? We have to import petrol.”

  • Indian court sentences 38 Muslims to death for 2008 bomb blasts

    Indian court sentences 38 Muslims to death for 2008 bomb blasts

    An Indian court sentenced to death 38 Muslims on Friday who were allegedly involved in the Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts, which took place in 2008. The court has ordered ‘prison in life’ to the other 11 convicts as well. Ahmedabad city is the commercial hub of the Indian state, Gujarat.

    Judge A R Patel announced the verdict and described the incident as a “rarest of rare case” in which innocent people were killed.

    More than 50 people were killed and 200 wounded in the deadly bomb blasts in 2008.

    Around 20 bombs were exploded within one hour across various public places including residential areas, market places, public transport, and hospitals in Ahmedabad.

    An Indian Muslim group, Indian Mujahideen, had claimed responsibility for the attacks on July 26, 2008.

    However, a defence lawyer said, “We had sought lenient sentences for the convicts as they have already spent more than 13 years in prison. But the court awarded death to the majority of them. We will definitely go for appeal.”

    The Ahmedabad attacks were said to be in retaliation to the religious riots in which thousands of Muslims were brutally killed in 2002 in Gujarat state. Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

  • ‘Sheikh Rasheed’s abusive comments are a result of his training by PML-N’: PTI’s Shahbaz Gill

    ‘Sheikh Rasheed’s abusive comments are a result of his training by PML-N’: PTI’s Shahbaz Gill

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) Dr Shahbaz Gill criticised Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed’s abusive language and said he had been trained by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’, Gill said that Sheikh Rasheed had previously been jailed for insulting former PM Benazir Bhutto.

    Gill also clarified that when PM Khan called Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari ‘Sahiba‘, it was due to a slip of tongue.


    Gill further said that the slip of the tongue of the premier was similar to when he had talked about the borders of Germany and Japan.

    Criticising the Opposition parties, Gill said that the use of abusive language was the culture of PML-N and PPP. “We are suffering because of them.”

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Thursday said, “I want to request the media to play the footage of the speeches of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ministers where they have made personal attacks against me. Imran Khan Sahib used to praise them for making such comments, clap at them. I too am someone’s daughter.”

    Maryam added, “Yes, your [PM Khan] wife [Bushra Bibi] is of respect to us. The standard you want to set for your wife, the same standards should have been there for the deceased Kalsoom Nawaz [wife of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif]. When I used to go to check on my mother from our London apartment to the hospital, three to four PTI workers used to abuse me. When my son Junaid used to leave, they used to abuse his mother.”

  • Nawaz Sharif more popular than PM Khan in provinces: survey

    Nawaz Sharif more popular than PM Khan in provinces: survey

    Former Prime Minister (PM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is ahead of all other party leaders in terms of popularity, reveals Gallup Pakistan’s latest survey, which was conducted from December 22, 2021, to January 31, 2022, and includes 5,000 participants from across the country.

    According to the survey, there is a noticeable drop in PM Imran Khan’s popularity in all the provinces.

    In Punjab, PM Khan’s popularity rate has dropped from 51 per cent in December 2018 to 33 per cent in January 2022 while Nawaz Sharif’s popularity has jumped from 35 per cent in December 2018 to 58 per cent in January 2022.

    The survey has also included the popularity statistics of PML-N President and former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. CM Sharif’s popularity rose from 46 per cent in December 2018 to 58 per cent in January 2022 in Punjab. Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto’s popularity increased in Punjab from 18 per cent back in December 2018 to 24 per cent in January 2022.

    In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), there is a significant increase in the level of satisfaction with PM Khan, which was only five per cent in December 2018 but is now 44 per cent, while Bhutto’s popularity mildly increased from 23 per cent in December 2018 to 24 per cent in January 2022. Nawaz Sharif managed to gain in KP from his 14 per cent approval rating in December 2018 to 46 per cent in January 2022.

    Coming to Sindh, both Sharifs are ahead of the PPP. Nawaz Sharif’s popularity in Sindh increased from 12 per cent in December 2018 to 51 per cent in January 2022. Shehbaz Sharif’s approval rating also went up in Sindh from 12 per cent in December 2018 to 41 per cent in January 2022. Meanwhile, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto’s popularity significantly dropped in Sindh, where the PPP is in power, from 54 per cent in December 2018 to 37 percent in January 2022. PM Khan remained at 33 per cent both in December 2018 and January 2022 but remains the least popular of all four leaders in Sindh.

    According to the survey, this is the first time that the popularity of the former PM has risen after December 2018. Shehbaz Sharif also managed to get similar ratings.