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Category: Politics

  • PTI’s Noor Alam wants PM Khan on the Exit Control List, party wants explanation

    PTI’s Noor Alam wants PM Khan on the Exit Control List, party wants explanation

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday has decided to issue a show-cause notice to one of its members of the National Assembly (NA) Noor Alam Khan and has ordered him to explain why he criticised the current government.

    Federal Defence Minister Pervez Khattak issued a show-cause notice to Noor Alam to clarify his position. 

    Noor Alam had lashed out at the PTI-led government and criticised its policies. The MNA during a session in NA while pointing towards the front rows of the treasury benches, where Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan also sits as leader of the house,  said, “Members who occupy the first three rows are the main culprits of the chaos in the country, so put their names on Exit Control List (ECL) and Pakistan will survive.”  

    “Kindly get out of your aircraft, your land cruisers, and BMWs and see the [miserable] condition of the people,” said Alam, without naming anyone from the government. His words got te attention of the leadership, hence being served the show cause notice.

    Noor Khan taking to Twitter questioned the cause of the notice and said, “I came to know through media that Mr Pervez Khattak has issued show-cause Notice 1st only Imrankhan can issue show-cause notice to me.”

    Alam further tweeted, “I still demand that all 3 front rows names should be in ECL.”

    Speaking during Geo News’ programme “Jirga”, the MNA had said that Pervez Khattak has “no right to issue a show-cause notice to him” as he is “not the chairman of the party”, adding that he had not broken any code of conduct of the party.

    The ruling party’s MNA said that he will raise his voice against inflation and unemployment even if it is considered a “violation”.

    “I don’t care how many show-cause notices are issued against me,” he said.

    Noor further said that he is an elected representative and will highlight issues that he deems important as it is his responsibility.

  • NCOC to decide on closing schools after checking positivity rates

    NCOC to decide on closing schools after checking positivity rates

    After the much-awaited meeting today about the schools’ closure, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) did not make a decision on whether schools will be closed or not in the wake of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

    The NCOC had called a meeting of the provincial health and education ministers on Monday.

    In a statement, they said, “Decision about education institutions will be taken on data of positive cases of various institutions for which massive testing in educational institutions is being carried out.”

    Punjab health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid informed the ministers that 85 per cent of the students in Punjab have been fully vaccinated and the Covid-19 situation in the province is under control.

    In Sindh, Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah decided that educational institutions will continue in the province despite an alarming surge in cases as Karachi has reached a 40 per cent positivity rate.

    Meanwhile, earlier today a total of 4,340 new cases have been reported in the country.

  • PM Khan writes about spirit of Riyasat-e-Madina, Twitter thinks govt selling ‘religious card’

    PM Khan writes about spirit of Riyasat-e-Madina, Twitter thinks govt selling ‘religious card’

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan considers his government’s initiative [Ehsaas programme, health card scheme and establishment of the National  Rahmat-tulil-Aalameen Authority (NRA)] as their biggest initiative to transform Pakistan into a true Madina-like state.

    PM Khan in an article: “Spirit of Riyasat-i-Madina: Transforming Pakistan” which he had written for various newspapers. He said, “We have embarked on the road to the welfare state with some great initiatives. Despite tight financial means, we allocated an unprecedented amount of money to our initiatives such as the Ehsaas Programme which was a social safety and poverty alleviation programme necessary for the vulnerable groups in society.”

    While talking about the Ehsaas scholarship program he said that the initiative would ensure that unprivileged, talented students would get a chance to pursue an education.

    Moreover, in this piece, PM Khan wrote that the most urgent of all challenges facing the country was the struggle to establish the rule of law. “Over the last 75 years of Pakistan’s history. The country had suffered from elite capture, where the powerful and crooked politicians, cartels and mafias had become accustomed to being above the law in order to protect their privileges gained through a corrupt system.”

    The premier while giving examples of China, Japan and South Korea said if one looked at the world, one could easily witness that the most successful states also had the most robust application of the rule of law.

    “In Pakistan, not adhering to the rule of law has led to siphoning off of billions of US dollars which has imposed collective poverty on our public”, PM added.

    The article has come at a time when the government is already facing severe criticism due to unprecedented inflation. After the article, Twitter is flooded with mixed reactions. Some say the government is trying to sell religious cards while others are showing support.

    https://twitter.com/FaryalFKhan/status/1482999447084998657?s=20
    https://twitter.com/WaqasAliJafri/status/1482963345867214848?s=20
  • PML-N is the most popular party in Punjab, reveals survey

    PML-N is the most popular party in Punjab, reveals survey

    Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR) did a survey in which it was revealed that Pakistan Muslim Leauge-N (PML-N) is still the most famous party in Punjab.

    Punjab:

    As per the survey with 46 per cent of people said they will vote for PML-N. PML-N is followed by PTI with 31 per cent voters. The survey further revealed that bout 5 per cent will vote for the PPP, 3 per cent for the TLP, while 2 per cent said that they will vote for the PMLQ.

    Sindh:

    Whereas in Sindh Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is leading with 44 per cent voters supporting it. Only 13 per cent people voted for PTI and over 7 per cent said they will vote for MQM. Three per cent people said they will vote for Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) and only one per cent people in Sindh will vote for the most popular party in Punjab, PML-N.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:

    In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the ruling party is the most popular with 44 per cent votes followed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam with 17 per cent votes. 11 per cent people said they will vote for PML-N and 11 per cent said they will vote for ANP. Seven per cent for the PPP, 3 per cent for Jamaat-e-Islami, while one per cent of people will vote for the Qaumi Watan Party.

    Balochistan:

    In Balochistan, 20 per cent people said they will vote for Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). Over 18 per cent said that of people will vote for the PTI. While 15 per cent said that they will vote for PPP, 14 per cent for PML-N, 8 per cent JUIF, 5 per cent Balochistan National Party, 5 per cent said they will vote for PkMAP, while 2 per cent said they will vote for ANP.

  • ‘We are not against education’, Taliban to open separate schools for girls

    ‘We are not against education’, Taliban to open separate schools for girls

    The Taliban has said that they hope to open all schools for girls and women across the country after March 21.

    Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson and deputy Culture and Information Minister of Afghanistan said girls and boys must be completely segregated in schools. According to him, the biggest obstacle so far has been finding enough space where girls could stay while going to school. In heavily populated areas, there is not enough space to have separate classrooms for boys and girls.

    “We are not against education,” Mujahid stressed while talking to Associated Press (AP). He also said women are working in the health and education sector and at Kabul International Airport in customs and passport control. But didn’t comment that whether women would be allowed to return to work in government ministries.

    Since August, girls in most of Afghanistan have not been allowed back to school beyond grade 7. However, private universities in the capital Kabul are still operating.

    Earlier this month, the United Nations (UN) launched a $5 billion appeal for the war-torn country.

  • PTI MNA demands top cabinet members including PM be placed on Exit Control List

    PTI MNA demands top cabinet members including PM be placed on Exit Control List

    After Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, another Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader is targeting the government on the floor of the National Assembly(NA) for “ignoring” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and demanded that top cabinet members’ — including the Prime Miniter (PM) Imran Khan himself — be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL), reports Dawn.

    Pointing towards the front rows of the treasury benches, where Prime Minister Khan also sits as leader of the house, PTI MNA Noor Alam Khan said, “Members who occupy the first three rows are the main culprits of the chaos in the country, so put their names on ECL and Pakistan will survive.”

    “Kindly get out of your aircraft, your land cruisers, and BMWs and see the [miserable] condition of the people,” said Alam, without naming anyone from the government.

    “It seems that Peshawar is not a district of this country, but Mianwali and Swat are,” said Alam comparing his hometown to the prime minister’s constituency.

    In December 2021, Noor Alam Khan heavily criticised his government while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’. Alam said, “I have to raise the voice for the people of Pakistan. I don’t care about the political seats, they are temporary.”

    Talking about competence, Noor Khan said, “You have to deliver, people will reject you if you don’t perform. The people who vote for us require good performance and if we don’t deliver, we are the ones to blame. I am sorry if it’s our incompetence, then we will blame Noor Alam, Shahzeb, or some institution for the shortcomings but not ourselves.”

    “[PM] Imran Khan should look at the people on his right and left to know about their assets and how they grew their assets,” said the PTI MNA.

    “If he closes his eyes [and condones what is happening around him], it will not set the affairs in order. He will have to solve the problems of inflation, power outages, and gas shortage.”

    “[PM] Imran Khan should look at the people on his right and left to know about their assets and how they grew their assets,” said the PTI MNA.

    “If he closes his eyes [and condones what is happening around him], it will not set the affairs in order. He will have to solve the problems of inflation, power outages, and gas shortage.”

  • 4 crore 91 lakh to be spent on Usman Buzdar’s office

    4 crore 91 lakh to be spent on Usman Buzdar’s office

    A hefty amount is to be spent on the renovation of Chief Minister Pubjab (CM) Usman Buzdar’s office, reports Dunya. A total of 4 crore and 91 lakh will be spent on Chief Minister’s office. In addition the offices of the staff appointed to him will also be renovated.

    CM’s office will have new air-conditioners and new carpets. In addition, the funds will also be spent to buy historic paintings for the office.

    As per the Punjab Revenue Department, The Communication and Construction Department has made an estimate and requested the release of funds from the Revenue Department. A summary has been sent to the Standing Cabinet Committee on Finance for the release of the supplementary grant. The funds will be issued after the approval of Cabinet.

    The additional grant required to meet the required expenditure of the government is called a supplementary grant.

    In January 2020, the Chief Minister’s office shared comparative details of expenditure claiming that Usman Buzdar had set an example of austerity by curtailing spending under different heads.

    Read more- Punjab Govt to buy 46 new cars for ministers

    Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in a statement said that the austerity policy was being strictly followed by the Punjab government. “Unnecessary expenditures are against public interest and a new tradition has been set by curtailing expenditures.”

    Earlier, this month Punjab government issued a formal order for the purchase of 46 new cars for provincial ministers and will make an advance payment to a car manufacturer in this regard. The Cabinet Committee has approved payment for purchasing news cars.

  • Board to examine Nawaz’s medical conditions, report in five days

    Board to examine Nawaz’s medical conditions, report in five days

    In line with the federal cabinet’s decision, the Punjab government on Friday has formed a medical board to examine Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s health reports submitted in Lahore High Court (LHC).

    Punjab government spokesperson Hassan Khawar confirmed that a notification has been issued in this regard, according to which the medical board comprises of Dr Mohammad Arif Nadeem, Dr Ghias-un-Nabi Tayyab, Dr Saqib Saeed, Dr Shahid Hameed, Dr Bilal S Mohi-ud-din, Dr Ambreen Hamid, Dr Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Dr Moona Aziz, and Dr Khadija Irfan.

    The board has been directed to submit its report/expert medical opinion to the specialised healthcare secretary within five days.

    Earlier this week the attorney general’s office asked the Punjab government to consider establishing a medical board or a committee that could determine the current status of Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    In a two-page letter, addressed to Punjab Home Secretary Zafar Nasrullah Khan, the attorney general’s office wrote: “In order to initiate the process of verification in the light of the Nov 16, 2019, Lahore High Court order, the government of Punjab is requested to constitute a medical board/committee to examine the documents submitted as medical reports on behalf of the petitioner and Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif so that expert medical opinion regarding the physical condition of Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and his ability to travel back to Pakistan is made available.”

    The letter was written in line with the federal cabinet’s instructions to the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan to initiate proceedings against the Sharif family.

    The letter pointed out that Nawaz Sharif’s “apparent present physical condition was available in the media”.

    “Given the fact that he had left the country claiming to be in extreme critical condition which prima facie improved significantly after his arrival in London and the fact that he has apparently never been hospitalised and his political, social and other recreational activities have continued uninterrupted… indicate that severe ailment, if any, that may have existed in [the] past is no longer evident or [constrains] his activities,” the letter said.

    Nawaz Sharif had left for the United Kingdom (UK) in November 2019 after the Lahore High Court granted him a four-week bail for his treatment.

  • Court wants forensic audit firms to analyse CJ Saqib Nisar’s alleged audio leak

    Court wants forensic audit firms to analyse CJ Saqib Nisar’s alleged audio leak

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reportedly directed the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) to submit the names of credible forensic audit firms for a forensic analysis of the alleged audio of former Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan Saqib Nasir, reports Dawn.

    Justice Athar Minallah headed the hearing of a petition filed by the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) Sindh High Court Bar Association. The association argued that it was not known who Nisar was allegedly talking to and whether the other person was even a judge or not and requested the court to set up an inquiry commission.

    They further argued that Journalist Ahmad Noorani’s story on Saqib Nisar’s audio clip has not been edited as per the forensic report of the audio clip. To this, the justice said that the source is not reliable.

    Justice Minallah asked who would bear the cost of this audio clip forensic audit?

    The President of SHCBA replied that the Ministry of Law can bear the cost, to which the IHC CJ inquired why the taxpayers’ money should be spent on it.

    “Suggest the name of any authoritative forensic agency to do a forensic audit of this audio clip,” Justice said.

    The court adjourned the hearing till January 28.

  • Hand protecting Imran Khan can be on Opposition’s neck but never in their support, says Sheikh Rasheed

    Hand protecting Imran Khan can be on Opposition’s neck but never in their support, says Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed during a press conference, while taking a jibe at the Opposition, said, “They [Opposition] want that the hand [protecting] Imran Khan should be on their head as well,” adding, ” this hand can be on their [Opposition] neck but never on their head.” Rasheed’s words hint towards the establishment.

    Talking to the journalists, Rasheed said, “If the Opposition goes to International Monetary Fund (IMF) its halal but if Imran Khan does the same its considered haram.”

    “These people went 23 times to the IMF. This time around, the conditions of IMF were pretty tough, hence we were not left with any option but to go to IMF,” said Rasheed.

    Addressing the Opposition, Rasheed said that the Opposition is planning two different long marches toward the capital. He said that the government will provide them the way to continue their march but the Opposition should keep in mind the importance of March 23 and the respect one gives to the country on [the Resolution Day of Pakistan].

    “Important personalities from Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are coming to Pakistan on March 23 and all eyes from India will be directed towards Pakistan as well,” said Rasheed.

    Accusing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders of corruption, Raseed said, ” Shehbaz Sharif is more corrupt than Nawaz Sharif,” adding, “I am saying this based on my own knowledge.”


    “I would like to say a historical sentence that all four Sharif’s are minus from the politics of Pakistan,” said Rasheed.