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Category: Politics

  • Fawad tells Shahzeb to talk to the mirror, Shahzeb tells him to go to a comedy show

    Fawad tells Shahzeb to talk to the mirror, Shahzeb tells him to go to a comedy show

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had a fiery exchange of words while conversing with anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News’ political talk show, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.

    The issue under discussion was the allegation of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed, who claimed that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s monthly household expenses were once catered by PTI’s disgruntled leader Jahangir Tareen.

    Khanzada while asking questions in relevance to the comments of Justice Wajihuddin could not get a clear answer from the minister, leading to a fiery exchange of words.

    “If you have to talk continuously, you can sit in front of the mirror and talk,” Fawad told Khanzada.

    Fawad told Khanzada that he doesn’t let him speak while Khanzada interjected and said that Fawad goes off-topic and said “I am looking for an answer, you start making a speech.”

    Responding to Khanzada’s comments said, “There is a context and background to questions. If you say something out of context it will turn out ridiculous, just like our questions [regarding Justice Wajih’s allegations] are ridiculous.”

    “You are finding the questions ridiculous because they are based on reality, and you trying to interpret them as such. If you want to do comedy, I will tell you to go to Khabarnaak which [airs] at 11 o’clock. This is a serious show, give us answers seriously,” responded Khanzada.

    “You think your programme is serious, maybe others have a different point of view regarding this,” said Fawad.

    Khanzada responded, “We have called you may be that is the reason you are finding [my show] a comedy show but trust me it’s a serious [political talk] show. Now that you are the information minister we have called you, otherwise, it’s a serious show.”

    Twitterati reacted to this rather interesting exchange of words.

  • ‘Foreigners will come to Skardu’:PM Khan inaugurates international airport

    ‘Foreigners will come to Skardu’:PM Khan inaugurates international airport

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the inauguration of Skardu International Airport would benefit tourism in Pakistan and foreigners would come to this area to find jobs.

    During a day-long visit to the region on Thursday, PM Khan inaugurated the Skardu International Airport and Jaglot-Skardu road.

    He predicted that tourists, including overseas Pakistanis and domestic tourists, would arrive in large numbers after the upgrade to the airport as well as the road.

    “We can make at least $30-$40 billion from tourism just in Gilgit Baltistan,” PM claimed.

    Explaining his vision, PM said that “no country can truly develop until it elevates its poor and improves its backward and neglected areas”.

    “It is my desire that by the time our five years are complete, the life in backward areas is better and the lives of people below the poverty line are improved,”he added.

    The airport in Skardu was previously only operational for domestic flights. However, its status was elevated on December 2 when it began welcoming international flights.

    A spokesperson for the National Highway Authority (NHA) said that the 167-kilometre Jaglot-Skardu road is the “main strategic road” that connects GB with the Karakoram Highway at Jaglot.

  • After 20 years of enmity, Nawaz calls Pervaiz Elahi from London

    After 20 years of enmity, Nawaz calls Pervaiz Elahi from London

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, after a gap of 22 years, seems to be heading towards mending the long-standing enmity with the Chaudhry brothers.

    Nawaz Sharif and former finance minister of PML-N Ishaq Dar called Punjab Assembly Speaker and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to ask about the health of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

    During the telephonic conversation, Nawaz Sharif said, “You [Pervaiz Elahi] and Shujaat Sahib must meet me whenever you come to London.”

    Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, on behalf of himself and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, congratulated Nawaz Sharif on the marriage of Maryam Nawaz’s son Junaid Safdar.

    The PML-Q is presently an ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Punjab.

    There have been several attempts before for a reunion between PML-N and PML-Q but none have been successful so far.


  • Shahbaz Gill says Captain Safdar looks like a waiter at son’s wedding

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Political Communication, Shahbaz Gill criticised the outfit Captain (R) Safdar was wearing at his son, Junaid Safdar’s wedding.

    The wedding ceremony of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s son took place on December 14 in Islamabad. Pictures and videos of the events went viral on social media. Netizens praised the singing skills of Junaid Safdar and Maryam Nawaz and political figures from the ruling government shared their thoughts on the wedding festivities. Among them, Shahbaz Gill did not waste time to comment on the outfits worn by the Sharif’s family.

    During a press conference in Lahore, Shahbaz Gill said, “Our nephew Junaid Safdar looked good and our sister Maryam Nawaz’s outfit didn’t fail to impress either”.

    However, Gill made fun of the outfit Captain Safdar was wearing at his son’s wedding.

    He said, “He looked like a waiter. He should have worn something nice.”

    Gill also raised his eyebrows on the singing of Indian songs at the events.

    “Everyone sang Indian songs at Junaid’s wedding event; They could’ve sung Pakistani songs as well,” Gill objected.

    While further discussing the wedding celebrations, Gill said that he is not against singing but they should have sung Pakistani songs. He added that he does not care even if they sing Pakistani songs on a “beat of Tabla” or to the “tune of a harmonium.”

    The reception of Junaid Safdar is set to be scheduled for December 17 in Lahore.

  • New Zealand honours Pakistani Naeem Rashid for sacrificing life in Christchurch attack

    New Zealand honours Pakistani Naeem Rashid for sacrificing life in Christchurch attack

    Pakistan-origin doctor, Dr Naeem Rashid has been honoured with the most prestigious bravery award, the New Zealand Cross. Rashid sacrificed his life to save others during the Christchurch mosque massacre in 2019. His award was received by his wife, Ambreen Naeem.

    Ten people, who risked their lives to protect innocents during an attack, are awarded various bravery awards in New Zealand.

    New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern said, “The courage demonstrated by these New Zealanders was selfless and extraordinary. They have our deepest respect and gratitude for their actions on that day.” she added, “Each of them put their life on the line to save others. If not for their collective actions, the loss of life could have been even greater.”

    On March 15, 2019, a white supremacist gunman, Brenton Tarrant killed 44 people at Al Noor Mosque during Friday prayers. The attacker went to another mosque, Linwood Mosque, and took seven innocent lives. He broadcasted the whole attack on Facebook.

    Dr Naeem Rashid challenged the attacker in Al Noor Mosque, disregarding his own safety. When the gunman entered and began firing in the main prayer hall, people started to flee but Rashid ran towards him.

    “In so doing, he enabled others to escape and paid the ultimate price with the loss of his own life. I want to acknowledge Dr Rashid’s wife and family particularly, who will know all too well that his acts that day were a reflection of who he was as a person,” Ardern said.

    Rashid’s wife, Ambreen Naeem, expressed gratefulness while receiving an award and said, “Today we can’t see him, but he has spread his message of peace and love, all over the world.”

    Another survivor, Abdul Aziz who is an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.

    Abdul Aziz, an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.

    He said, “It feels good, like you’ve done something good in your life.”

    New Zealand also has given “New Zealand Bravery Decoration” and “New Zealand Bravery Medal” to eight people who have shown great courage to safeguard innocent lives in the Christchurch attack 2019.

  • US forms a commission of to investigate their failure in Afghanistan

    The US Congress has formed a commission to look into what mistakes were made during the 20-years war in Afghanistan.

    “The Commission shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the war in Afghanistan and make recommendations to inform future operations with tactical and strategic lessons learned, including the impact of troop increases and decreases and date-certain deadlines,” the legislation said.

    President Joe Biden also reiterated that issue should be investigated within three years.

    The commission will also examine the steps taken by Biden’s three predecessors and what mistakes they might have made in handling Afghan crisis.

    The US Congress has also recommended a $768 billion defense package approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. It would include nearly $28 billion for a nuclear weapons programs, training, equipment, command and control, advisory efforts and situational awareness.

  • ‘Pakistan is bankrupt’: Former FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi

    ‘Pakistan is bankrupt’: Former FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi

    Former FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi, while speaking on Pakistan’s economic condition at Hamdard University, said on Thursday that Pakistan is bankrupt at the moment and that the country was not in a state of “going concern” — an accounting terminology referring to a business that is operating and making a profit.

    “We keep saying that everything is good, the country is running well, we have achieved great success and we brought tabdeeli (change) but this is wrong,” said Zaidi.

    “It is better if you decide first that we have reached bankruptcy and we have to move forward compared to saying everything is running well and I will do this and that. These are all things to deceive the people,” Zaidi said.

    After receiving a lot of backlash, Zaidi tweeted, “My speech in Hamdard University is being misreported. There was a presentation of half & hour. Only three minutes have been cherry-picked.”

    “Yes I said that with this constant current account & fiscal deficit there are issues of bankruptcy & going concern but look at the solution,” tweeted Zaidi.

    Zaidi further wrote, “What I said was with a basis & conviction. I only want to say that whole speech is to read and listened.”

  • ‘We will never let down the survivors and parents of our martyred children’: PM Imran on 7th anniversary of APS attack

    Pakistan marked the seventh anniversary of the Peshawar Army Public School (APS) massacre on Thursday. Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that there will be “zero tolerance for violence and those using it as a tool”.

    Taking to Twitter, the premier tweeted, “December 16, 2014, terrorists attacked & martyred over 140 ppl incl 132 children in APS, Peshawar. Pakistan has successfully defeated terrorism.”

    “I reiterate we will never let down the survivors & parents of our martyred children,” wrote PM Khan.

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, tweeted, “Have we learned any lessons & corrected our course? When will we sincerely put our heads together for [a] better future of our children?”

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the nation still felt the pain of “this great tragedy”, adding that “everyone is still waiting for justice to be served to the innocent souls”.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted, “Today, 7 years ago, we lost our children and teachers in an inhuman terrorist attack. A black day for humanity. We will never forget. #APSPeshawar.”

    Senator Sherry Rehman tweeted, “It’s a shame that even after all this time, the govt has still asked for more time to submit its report to the SC. The parents are waiting for justice while this govt is talking about giving amnesty to those responsible.”

    PPP leader Hina Rabbani Khar tweeted, “The day when millions of Hearts Broke. A day when 132 dreams were broken. The most dark day in the history of Pak. We will never forget you angels. We also remember the school staff & bravest lady Mrs Tahira Qazi who sacrificed her life to protect the children. #BlackDay.”

    https://twitter.com/Hina_RKhar/status/1471306720626417664

    Author Fatima Bhutto tweeted, “Always in our hearts #APSPeshawar.”

    APS to date remains the deadliest terror attack in Pakistan’s history, 131 school children and 10 other people were martyred when heavily armed militants stormed the school building on December 16, 2014.

  • Isolating Afghanistan would be a great disadvantage for the world: PM Imran Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has warned the international community that repeating the mistake of segregating Afghanistan would be a great drawback for the world.

    PM Khan had a high-powered meeting with his cabinet and the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in which he further stressed that the international community should help Afghanistan and assured that Pakistan will be helping Afghanistan in every way.

    Pakistan has already committed to immediate relief of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth Rs5 billion to Afghanistan.

    A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said, “Participants of the Apex Committee again expressed concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasised that Pakistan will not abandon Afghans in their time of need.”

    Prime Minister also instructed that “humanitarian organisations wishing to work from Pakistan to support efforts in Afghanistan should be facilitated as Pakistan has already committed to being the air and land bridge for humanitarian support to Afghanistan,” further read the statement.

  • ARY News paid Rs1 million to forensics firm to check Saqib Nisar’s audio: Dawn

    ARY News paid Rs1 million to forensics firm to check Saqib Nisar’s audio: Dawn

    Primeau Forensics, the United States of America’s (USA) forensic audit company, confirmed on Wednesday that inspected the leaked audiotape of former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar forwarded by a private news channel of Pakistan, ARY News, reports Dawn.

    “It was a specific thing that we did for our client and we are not discussing it with anyone,” a company representative told Dawn. “We have no press release.”

    He said the client, ARY News, had the report, and “only they can share the details with others”.

    ARY asks for forensic audit:

    “According to ARY News, the audit of this 45-second file showed two reverberences in the voice as the person spoke from two different locations. The voice was clearer during the last 20 seconds as it came from a closer range.”

    “ARY News claimed that when it asked Primeau Forensics if the recording was of the original conversation or came from an edited tape, the company said the two parts of 20 and 25 seconds each were recorded in a different environment.”

    “Primeau Forensics told ARY News that it believed the unknown Fact Focus clip was generated from at least two different sources”.

    “They observed two different reverberences, indicating that the first portion of the audio was likely recorded in a different environment than the second portion”.

    Primeau Forensics, an audio-video image forensic expert- has more than 30 years of experience in the field. As per their official website, their experts have processed over 5,000 audio, video, and image forensic investigations and provided expert testimony in over 500 cases in local, state, and federal courts.

    ARY News claimed that it had paid Rs1 million for the audit.

    The US-based company has worked for attorney generals of multiple US States, CNN, AP, and other major organisations. ARY News claimed that it had paid Rs1 million for the audit.

    ‘Please run the news in UK/USA. Only in Pakistan, these news channels can lie & defame’: Ahmed Noorani

    Ahmed Noorani, the journalist who broke the news of the leaked audio of Saqib Nisar, tweeted, “Anxiously waiting for the ARY to air news against me and my expose of Saqib Nisar audio in UK & USA so I can send a legal notice & proceed against it.”

    “I am disappointed so far. Please, run the news in UK/USA. Only in Pakistan, these news channels can lie & defame. Stop being cowards.”

    Leaked audio of Saqib Nisar:

    In November, leaked audio of a conversation allegedly claimed that Saqib Nisar was the person who passed on the directions of handing down conviction to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz only because the “institutions” wanted the former prime minister penalised in order to bring ahead Imran Khan.

    As per the leaked audio, reported by Ahmed Noorani for Fact Focus, Chief Justice Nisar instructed that Mian Sahib (Nawaz Sharif) and his daughter (Maryam Nawaz) must be sentenced even though it is unfair.

    “Whether it is fair or not, it has to be done,” he conveyed to the person on the other end. “Regardless of the merit, we will have to do it (sentence Nawaz Sharif), and even to his daughter,” said Justice Nisar.

    Saqib Nisar denies the audio clip, says never contacted any judge

    While speaking to Fact Focus, Justice Saqib Nisar said that he never contacted any judge of accountability court to order him to pass any verdict against Nawaz Sharif or his daughter. “Why I would do that,” Saqib Nisar questioned adding, “I have no grudges against Mian Nawaz Sharif.” He said that no one from the Pakistan Army or the ISI ever contacted him or pressured him on this count.

    Samaa News claims CJP Nisar’s leaked audio ‘pieced together’

    Later, Samaa TV, a private news channel ran a news story and claimed that the former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar’s clip appears to be pieced together from two separate speeches of former CJP.