Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry has criticised Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for seeking the intervention of army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa over the alleged involvement of the Sindh Rangers in the “kidnapping” of the provincial police chief, Mushtaq Mahar.
In a Geo News show with Shahzeb Khanzada, the federal minister said the PPP chief talks about civilian supremacy all the time, but instead of approaching the prime minister — the chief executive of the country — Bilawal approached the military chief with his reservations.
The minister said the appeal to the army chief was in contrast to the views propagated by the PPP chief. “If you are such a champion of democracy, then you shouldn’t drag state institutions in politics,” Fawad said.
When asked whether the federal government would help the provincial government in the matter, Fawad said it was an “internal matter” of the Sindh government, but the Centre would be more than willing to help if approached.
Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had requested Gen Bajwa take notice of the treatment meted out to the Sindh police chief by the Rangers. Bilawal said that every police officer in Sindh, from a station house officer to senior police officers, were wondering who had “surrounded IG Sindh Mushtaq Mahar’s office at 2am on Sunday night”. “Who were the two persons who went inside the IG’s house at 2am and where was our IG taken at 4am in the morning?” he asked.
Subsequently, Gen Bajwa ordered a probe into the alleged abduction of IG Mahar. According to a statement shared by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Gen Bajwa has directed Karachi Corps commander to “immediately inquire into the circumstances to determine the facts and report back as soon as possible”.
Senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Waleed Iqbal, who is also the grandson of 20th-century poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal, has threatened to hit former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senator Mukhtiar Ahmed Dhamrah with a glass on live television.
As per the details, the two, along with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Khurram Dastgir, had appeared on senior journalist and analyst Nasim Zehra’s show when a war of words turned ugly after Iqbal was told to shut up.
Speaking of Capt (r) Safdar’s “inappropriate” arrest for raising political slogans at the mausoleum of Quaide Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Iqbal quoted Bilawal as saying that it did not merit the door of PML-N leader’s hotel room being knocked down.
“Does he not get it? Let’s see how he reacts if someone does this at the tomb of his grandfather [ex-prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto] or mother [ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto],” a visibly annoyed Iqbal said, which was met by a “bakwas band karein [shut up]” from the PPP leader.
“You can’t talk about Bilawal’s grandfather. Talk about the topic at hand,” an angry Dhamrah told Iqbal, leading to an on-air spat between the two.
It took an uglier turn when Iqbal picked up a glass and threatened to hit the PPP leader with it had he been present in the studio and not appearing via videolink.
WATCH VIDEO:
پی ٹی آئی رہنما ولید اقبال آن فائر ، لائیو شو کے دوران عاجز دھامرا کو مارنے کیلئے گلاس اُٹھا لیا!!
Claim: Bilawal Bhutto said eggs are PKR 200 per kilo
Fact: Bilawal Bhutto’s video was doctored to make it sound like he confused the duodecimal system and the metric system
In the aftermath of a Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) power show in Gujranwala, a video of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has been making rounds on social media platforms and Whatsapp groups.
In the video, the PPP chairman has seemed to get the metric and duodecimal (dozenal) systems confused. In the video, while taking a dig at the rising inflation, Bilawal purportedly said that ‘eggs are being sold for Rs200 per kg and potatoes Rs100 per dozen’ due to the poor economic policies of the government.
But did Bilawal really say that? No.
A fact-check ran by The Current revealed that the PPP chief has said no such words and video circulating on social media websites was altered to humiliate the opposition leader. In the original video, Bilawal said the due to poor economic policies of the government, people were forced to pay Rs200 for a dozen eggs, Rs100 for a kilogramme of potatoes’ and so on.
The fake video was shared by pro-government supporters who took jibes at the PPP chief for mixing the metric system with the duodecimal system. It garnered many views on Facebook and Twitter and was shared hundreds of times on the Whatsapp groups.
A crime reporter of ARY News, Iqrarul Hassan also swallowed the bait and posted the video on his Twitter account. He, however, removed the video and issued an apology after it was revealed that the video was fake. Iqrar said he couldn’t tell whether the video was fake because the mic was in front of Bilawal’s face.
ابھی بلاول صاحب کی ایک ویڈیو پوسٹ کی جس میں وہ انڈے فی کلو، آلو اور ٹماٹر فی درجن کہتےہوئے دکھائی دئیے۔ بعد ازاں علم ہوا کہ کسی نےکلو اور درجن کے الفاظ تبدیل کر کے، ویڈیو کو ایڈیٹ کیا تھا۔ چہرے کےآگےمائیک ہونےکے باعث میں جج نہیں کر سکاسو اپنی نالائقی تسلیم کرتے ہوئےمعذرت خواہ ہوں
Over 100 people, including internet service providers, sound system organisers and residents holding corner meetings, have been named in at least seven FIRs [First Information Reports] at different police stations across Gujranwala for violating coronavirus guidelines ahead of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz’s jalsa.
The daughter of former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif is due to hold a public gathering in the city on October 16 as part of the joint opposition’s anti-government campaign. She is expected to be joined by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as well in what is expected to be a mammoth power show by opposition parties.
While PM Imran Khan has reportedly given permission to the opposition’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for holding its protest rallies that are expected to feature fiery speeches against the government and security establishment as it puts forward 26 demands, including the resignation of the premier, sources claim that authorities concerned are springing into action in this regard.
“After Federal Minister Sheikh Rasheed’s warning that the next few months could be critical in terms of internal security and any prominent personal could suffer an attempt on his or her life, coronavirus is being used as a reason to bar the opposition from protesting against the government,” they alleged.
However, according to the police, the people named in the aforementioned FIRs had not been following coronavirus SOPs, especially social distancing rules.
“Residents have to submit a request for an NOC [no-objection certificate] before holding gatherings,” a police officer said, adding that Gujranwala’s chief police officer had instructed the police to ensure strict implementation of COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the city.
“The government has been cracking down on restaurants and other public spaces across the country for violation of SOPs since the number of cases in Pakistan spiked again in September,” he said.
NEW COVID-19 RULES:
Earlier in the day, it was also reported that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has said public gatherings should preferably be avoided and those that are held, their duration should not exceed for more than three hours.
Interestingly, the NCOC made it clear that the guidelines were not for wedding events or sports ones as separate SOPs had been issued for the former and for the latter, will be released soon.
The NCOC defined a public gathering as an event “where people are assembled on any given space; indoor or outdoor, for some purpose such as cultural events, religious gatherings, sports events, entertainment/cultural events, parties, political gatherings or other similar events”.
The following public gatherings will have to follow the newly issued guidelines:
• Entertainment/Cultural Gatherings
• Public gatherings of Unions/Associations or any such group
• Religious gatherings
• Political gatherings
• Family gatherings
• Civil society group gatherings
• Sports related gatherings (SOPs to be issued separately)
• Marriage (being a frequent & obligatory activity) has been excluded from the list and a separate list of SOPs comprising strict restrictions has already been issued for it
A day earlier, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) had warned that a second coronavirus wave could hit the country this winter.
The PMC warned authorities and the general public about the foreseeable second spike of coronavirus, saying that it is likely to start from educational institutions as it happened in the United States (US), India and Iran.
Statements by Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Wednesday, who claimed Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif and Shahbaz Sharif had held meetings with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa and head of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, upset many opposition leaders and prompted the military high-ups to step forward to counter his claims.
Shortly after the All Party Conference (APC) and the directions by Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the government to produce Nawaz Sharif, the railways minister predicted an implosion of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), claiming that the process has already started.
He disclosed that some senior politicians of the party had held two meetings with the military leadership. Speaking indirectly, Rasheed seemed to predict a coup or a split. wherein PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif would take over the party.
Rasheed alleged that the arrest warrants and Nawaz Sharif’s anti-establishment statements have caused troubles for the party, a sentiment supposedly held by many members of the PML-N. He predicted that a Shehbaz-led faction will soon arise.
The minister added that PML-N’s senior politicians held two meetings with the military leadership, with the first meeting lasting for five hours. and the second for three. “In one meeting, Khawaja Asif and former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal held an hours long meeting with military leadership while in other meeting Shehbaz Sharif and I sat on same table and ate dinner,” he said.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at a press conference in Karachi said that those conversations are meant to be confidential, and that certain people need to refrain from revealing their details.
“Whenever there s a national security issue, whether it concerns India, AJK [Azad Jammu and Kashmir], GB [Gilgit-Baltistan], FATA [Federally Administered Tribal Areas], extremism and terrorism, we were, are today and will be together on these in the future,” he said, adding that the PPP and other political parties were approached on September 18 or 19 and invited to a national security briefing on GB.
Bilawal commented that these meeting are officially ‘off-the-record’, and said that he had no choice but to talk about the it “out of helplessness”.
“Some irresponsible persons [Rasheed] who have nothing to do with national security, GB, AJK or foreign policy, and who did not say a word in this meeting, are giving statements on every TV channel these days,” he said.
“I think such actions make national security and foreign policy issues controversial. And whoever’s spokesperson this [person] is, they should immediately ask them to shut up and not say anything irresponsible,” Bilawal said. “You can never be able to create consensus on any issue if such things happen,” he added.
PML-N Ahsan Iqbal denied reports of any one-on-one meeting with army leadership and said that Rasheed was lying about the meeting.
On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz denied reports of a meeting between Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and representative of former premier Nawaz. She was at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for a hearing of an appeal against her conviction in the Avenfield House reference. When asked about the meeting, she said, “I do not know about dinner, maybe it was not a dinner [but] I heard about the meeting.”
She further said political decisions should be made in the parliament and not at the General Headquarters (GHQ).
سیاسی معملات پر جس نے بات کرنی ہے ان کو پارلیمنٹ آنا چاہیے، مسلم لیگ (ن) نائب صدر مریم نواز شریف pic.twitter.com/UuLGy3KWAG
“From what I understand it was called to discuss Gilgit-Baltistan which is a political issue, an issue of the people’s representatives, for them to solve and deliberate upon,” she said.
Maryam said that political issues should be discussed in the parliament and political leadership should be allowed to resolve problems of political nature.
Later, replying to Maryam’s statement, the railways minister remarked, “The day Maryam Safdar starts speaking the truth will be the end of her political career”.
The Pakistan Army finally broke its silence over the controversial statements made about the alleged meetings of political leadership with the military leadership, confirming that the opposition leaders had met with the military top brass twice in past few months.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major-General Babar Iftikhar told a private television channel that former Sindh governor and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mohammad Zubair had met with the army chief not once but twice in past some weeks.
“One meeting was held in the last week of August and the second meeting was held on September 7. ISI DG was also present in both meetings. Both the meetings were held on request made by Mohammad Zubair and in both the meetings, Zubair raised issues regarding Mian Nawaz Sharif sahib and Maryam Nawaz sahiba,” the military’s spokesperson said.
It is good that DG ISPR, has named PML (N) leader who net not once but twice with army chief and discussed Nawaz and Maryam's cases. Zubair's version was too weak. The PML (N) has to come out with explanation or admit NRO request.
“In these meetings, the army chief made it clear to him that the legal issues of both of them would be resolved in Pakistani courts and political issues would be resolved in Pakistani parliament. Army should be kept away from these issues,” the ISPR DG said, adding that he would make no more comments over the issue.
Following ISPR DG’s comments, PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair also confirmed his meetings with the COAS Bajwa.
“Army chief termed matters against the PML-N leaders as legal affairs and said that courts should decide on them,” he said while quoting General Bajwa, and further added that such meetings are held in secret.
I just love how Maryam Safdar keeps exposing herself.
1. Meri London mein tou kia, Pakistan mein bhi koi property nahi
The second meeting was held in the presence of ISI DG, the PML-N leader said. He denied seeking any relief for Nawaz and Maryam during the meetings and said that they discussed political matters.
Zubair claimed that Maryam was unaware of the meetings initially but he later apprised her regarding the contacts made by him. “If I had been seeking relief for Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz then they would have known prior to the meeting,” Zubair said.
He further expressed his ignorance as to why details regarding the meetings are being conveyed to the media.
Cracks have yet again emerged among opposition leaders before they could execute their plans of giving a hard time to the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.
According to reports, this time it wasn’t the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), differences among which have led to the opposition’s failure to take on the ruling party ever since the formation of the current government.
But this time, Sunday’s all parties conference (APC) witnessed an unpleasant situation when Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who had earlier played a pivotal role in bringing both the PML-N and PPP to talks table, registered a protest for not airing his speech.
“The government used to censor my speech but now in the APC my speech was also censored and this is highly unreasonable,” he complained.
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari clarified it was on the request of a JUI-F lawmaker as they kept it an in-camera session and would hold a press conference later on; however, Maulana was not convinced.
Senator Sherry Rehman of the PPP said the party was told to arrange for an in-camera address by the JUI-F leader, to which Maulana said, “We did not make such a request.”
Later on during the presser, PPP senior leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Maulana’s address was streamed on social media and electronic media may air it by extracting it from the internet.
In an unexpected development, former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, who has been residing in London ever since he was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment despite conviction in corruption cases, on Saturday joined microblogging website Twitter.
PML-N vice president and daughter of the 70-year-old thrice-PM took to Twitter to announce the development that pundits believe could mean a comeback for Nawaz who has been out of the political landscape of the country ever since he was disqualified by the Supreme Court (SC) in the Panama Papers case.
Happy & privileged to announce that in order to stay connected to the people of Pakistan, MNS has decided to join Twitter. His Twitter handle is @NawazSharifMNS#TwitterWelcomesNawazSharif
“Happy and privileged to announce that in order to stay connected to the people of Pakistan, MNS [Mian Nawaz Sharif] has decided to join Twitter. His Twitter handle is @NawazSharifMNS,” Maryam Nawaz tweeted.
The development comes a day after it was announced that Nawaz will attend the upcoming all parties conference (APC) via video link.
Earlier, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had disclosed on his social media handle that he had called the PML-N founder to invite him to virtually attend the upcoming opposition parties’ confab.
Just spoke to Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif. Enquired about his health. Also invited him to virtually attend opposition APC, hosted by PPP, on 20th September.
A viral video has shown a minor kid blasting the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led Sindh government after his rooster died allegedly due to now-contaminated rainwater flooding Tando Bago town of Badin district.
Over 20,000 families have badly been affected in Badin where recent heavy rains have wreaked havoc. While 269 millimetres rainfall has badly affected all five administrative divisions of the district, Taluka Tando Bago is the worst affected.
According to the provincial government, around 4,000 houses have been damaged in all divisions while entire crops of tomatoes, onion, cotton and others have either been completely or partially destroyed.
“My rooster has died! We will too!” the kid was heard as saying in Sindhi in the viral video, standing in rainwater flooding a field, holding his dead rooster in his hand.
“When will Bilawal come to help us? When we are already dead?” he said, adding that their houses had washed away and their animals had died due to contaminated water.
The video is drawing strong reactions from social media users, who are expressing concern over the provincial government’s inability to save the people from monsoon rains.
Earlier, protests against authorities were reported in Karachi as urban flooding spelled misery for the people of the country’s largest city owing to the lack of monsoon infrastructure.
Dozens of deaths were also reported in rain-related incidents such as roof-collapse and electrocution in Pakistan’s business hub.
Feroze Khan has lashed out Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari and asked her what her party has been doing “in power all these years”.
Responding to a tweet of Bakhtawar’s, in which she discussed the motorway rape incident and why Pakistan needs sex education, Feroze said, “Are you finally waking up?”
– I would like to ask you what has your party being doing while In power all these years ?? Are you finally waking up ?? https://t.co/VZkwvpTPYW
In a later tweet, Feroze also remarked that he does not think of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari “a suitable politician”.
– I do not count Bilawal a suitable politician he doesn’t know anything why knock a wrong door ? https://t.co/20TTLZ85aY
Feroze has been actively speaking up on matters of social interest. Earlier, when Karachi was flooded and underwater, Feroze called out PPP and the Sindh Government for being incompetent.
https://youtu.be/nXoUEhuzyws
Meanwhile, Feroze is urging Prime Minister Imran Khan to take strict action over the motorway rape incident.
“I will always count on your statement that Pakistan will be ‘Riasat-e-Madina’,” wrote Feroze on social media. “I have major hope in you. This is the time you can do it. Please I beg you it’s the little that needs attention the big will all fall in place itself. Please help the voiceless please help the weak, please kill the monsters.”
“I assure you the youth is with you if you step up and just put these guys to their place people have way too many hopes in you there needs to be rapid action please,” he said further.
– I will always count on your statement that Pakistan will be “Riasat e Madina” and if you don’t hang these monsters raping and killing children and women in the open nothing can ever be changed … just make one example. Public execution is what I demand @ImranKhanPTI
– I hear you too close … you’re in power today and no one knows how long would it last. I assure you the youth is with you if you step up and just put these guys to their place people have way too many hopes in you there needs to be rapid action please . @ImranKhanPTI
– I have major hope in you … this is the time you can do it please I beg you it’s the little that needs attention the big will all fall in place it self. Please help the voiceless please help the weak please kill the monsters @ImranKhanPTI
As per the latest reports, the police have revealed the identity of one of the suspects behind the gruesome incident that shook the nation. The individual, namely Abid Ali and a resident of Haroonabad town of Punjab’s Bahawalnagar district, is a proclaimed offender and has been nominated in multiple cases earlier as well. However, his accomplice is still unidentified and both the suspects are at large.
With rains lashing Karachi, as many as 19 people died in various rain-related incidents in the port city on Thursday, taking the tally of deaths during the three-day monsoon spell in the city to 30.
Meteorological officials said downpours in August have shattered the 90-year-old record for the city. Some 484mm (19 inches) of rain has fallen this month so far, 130mm on Thursday alone, they said.
According to data released by the Met Office, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Faisal Base recorded 130 millimetres of rain while Nazimabad has recorded 105.6mm since Thursday morning. Mausamiyat received 74.3mm of rain, while Saadi Town recorded 72mm. About 98.5mm of rain was recorded in PAF Masroor Base, Surjani received 73mm while Kemari recorded 82.5mm.
Many major arteries witnessed severe traffic jams. Power was suspended in several areas as a precautionary measure, a K-Electric spokesperson said. Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Suhail Rajput urged people not to leave their homes during the spell which, according to a Met Office prediction, is expected to continue for another two days.
Videos and photos making rounds on social media showed submerged cars and motorcycles and water entering houses and buildings, wreaking havoc in the provincial capital.
Given the devastation in Karachi, several celebrities and notable personalities including Feroze Khan, Shahid Afridi, Fatima Bhutto, Ayesha Omar, Samina Peerzada and Ali Safina have lashed out at the Sindh Government for being incompetent and “destroying” the city.
Feroze expressed his outrage by hitting out at PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and demanding answers from him and his government.
– do you even know anything? What’s been up all these years in Sindh ? What’s your party been really doing handing out ajrak’s ?? Where did the tax go ? Zero infrastructure ?? My city and the people both are underwater Mr.Zardari. https://t.co/f4wlrn4zXS
When a Twitter user asked him to hold the PTI government accountable as well, Khan said that they “have literally just come in and I at least can’t expect them to over night work everything around”.
– they have literally just come in and I at least can’t expect them to over night work everything around and turn this place into Dubai ? PPP and MUSLIM LEAGUE (N) should be held responsible. https://t.co/AQqzu3fK4O
Former captain Shahid Afridi expressed his disappointment with the management and those in charge of the city.
“Who will save Karachi,” questioned the cricketer. It is pertinent to mention here that Afridi’s foundation Shahid Afridi Foundation has stepped up to help those affected by the flooding in the city.
کاش دنیا کے کسی میٹروپولیٹن سے ہی سیکھ لیں، مصنوعی جھیلیں بنا لیں۔ کیا یہ ہمارا قصور ہے کہ رہنے کے لئے اس شہر کا انتخاب کیا، یہاں ٹیکس دیتے ہیں لیکن بدلے میں انتظامیہ کون سی ذمہ داری پوری کرتی ہے؟ کراچی کو کچراچی بنانے والوں کے گریبان پر ہاتھ کون ڈالے گا؟ #WhoWillSaveKarachihttps://t.co/2VpaUozk97
With the videos I’m seeing, the stories I’m hearing, its a National Emergency situation. People are homeless, stuck on the streets, or being swept away. Are there relief packages being prepared? Is help coming? When? @MuradAliShahPPP#SindhGovt#KarachiSinks#KarachiRain
#Karachi had an estimated GDP of $164 billion approximately 25% of the national GDP. The metropolitan city, The financial hub of #Pakistan dose not deserve to be treated like this. Sorry #Karachi corrupt politicians and negligence has brought you down to this #FixKarachi
Please Karachi walo, issay bhoolna mat!!🙏🏼I've seen the city move on because they've gotten to see this too often and they've learnt to move on but not this time. #KarachiRains
An absolutely heartbreaking state of affairs! #Karachi needs immediate attention followed by urgent corrective action. The situation resulting from the absolute apathy of those in positions power must change. Enough of all the tall claims – time to walk the talk.
Meanwhile, other celebrities including Humayun Saeed, Wasim Akram, Shaniera Akram, Farhan Saeed, Ali Rehman Khan, Ali Zafar, Bilal Ashraf, Hira Mani and Maya Ali sent prayers for the city and those affected by the catastrophic rains.
Prayers for everyone's safety and well-being. Please help anyone you can in whatever way possible in this extremely challenging situation. May Allah protect us all
Can’t believe the footage coming out of Karachi. Bypass’ filled with water, ship containers & cars floating down highways, back yards become pools & street turned into rivers: The city that has no water is now under water. My Prayers are with you Karachi
Dear All, it is extreme rain today, the Hub Dam has already overflow.Take special care, don't take this rain as fun, Karachi is not capable to deal with it. Stay Indoors, Stay Safe, take care of all people around you ..ALLH pak sab ko apni amaan mey rakhay ameen
– I have been hearing nothing but absolutely gruesome accounts of people grappling with the Monsoon back home. Hope everyone is doing the best to keep safe, let this be the end of our trials and prayers for all! #StaySafeStayHome#KarachiNeedsAttention#KarachiRains
Seeing images & videos of my city drowning. So heartbreaking to see no one own Karachi. The city that gives so much, has lost when it needed us yet again. I pray for everybody in my city , please stay safe. Ya ALLAH Karachi ko iss mushkil waqt se bachayen, Aameen. #KarachiRains
