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Tag: Faisal Vawda

  • Senate elections: Vawda, Hafeez Sheikh, Sania Nishtar among PTI candidates

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalised most of its candidates for the upcoming Senate elections slated to be held on March 3.

    According to a list shared by Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry, the PTI has decided to field PM’s aide on finance Hafeez Sheikh and Fouzia Arshad on Islamabad seats. MNA Faisal Vawda, who is facing a disqualification case, will be PTI’s candidate from Sindh, while Abdul Qadir will contest the polls from Balochistan.

    In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, outgoing senator Shibli Faraz, also the incumbent information minister, Sania Nishtar, Dost Muhammad, Mohsin Aziz and Farzana will be the nominees for the Senate slots. In Punjab, the party has decided to field Dr Zarqa, PTI senior leader Saifullah Niazi, and Barrister Ali Zafar as its nominees.

    Meanwhile, Saifullah Abro will be vying for the technocrat seat. Fawad said that the complete list of the PTI Senate candidates will be shared soon.

    SENATE ELECTIONS:

    Amid a controversy surrounding the Senate elections over the secret ballot, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced to hold the polls on the upper house seats on March 3. According to the ECP, the last date for filing of nomination papers is February 13, followed by a scrutiny process for the nominations.

    On February 6, President Dr Arif Alvi signed Elections (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 that will pave way for the organisation of Senate elections through open ballot. The opposition, however, has reservations on the move and vowed to oppose it.

    On the other hand, a presidential reference filed by the government in the Supreme Court seeking guidance on the Senate voting procedure is being heard to decide whether the government needs an amendment to end the secret ballot.

    Earlier this week, the SC had said that Article 226 allows secret ballot. The article reads: “All elections under the constitution, other than those of the prime minister and the chief minister, shall be by secret ballot.”

  • 2020: 10 pictures that broke the internet

    2020 has been a year like no other and with the end of the year approaching, we list you down the pictures that trended this year in Pakistan.

    Here we go…

    1. When Faisal Vawda brought an army boot with him to a talk show

    The PTI federal minister brought an army boot to a live TV programme to troll the Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz of the opposition for voting in favour of the Army Act in parliament amid their tirades against security forces.

    2. Faisal Eidhi making donation to Prime Minister Imran Khan

    Faisal Edhi, son of world-famous philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi and chairman of the Edhi Foundation, met Prime Minister Imran Khan and handed over a Rs10 million cheque for the premier’s coronavirus relief fund.

    Days later, he tested positive for the virus, leading to speculations if the premier had also been infected.

    3. Memes from the Last episode of ‘Mere Pass Tum Ho’

    Remember, when MPTH lead character Danish was talking even after the heart rate monitor showed a straight line. From the “straight line” to “Mehwish slap” and  ‘do takkay ki aurat’, all the memes were quite lit. Memes then light up the audience after a dull finale.

    4. When Maria B landed into hot water

    How could we forget Maria B’s fancy chandelier and the memes that broke the internet following the designer’s video with her husband telling the whole story behind the Punjab Police fiasco.

    5. ‘I WILL SACRIFICE MY WHOLE LIFE FOR PAKISTAN’

    Former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senator Sehar Kamran made the headlines for celebrating independence day with great enthusiasm at a Pakistani school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Sehar was seen encouraging the students all in the spirit of patriotism.

    6. Syra and Sheheryar turned up the heat with their photoshoot

    Syra Yousuf and Sheheryar Munawar’s photoshoot for a local magazine became the talk of the town with people discussing how hot they look together.

    7. When Ishaq Dar had a hard time in HardTalk

    The former finance minister, who is residing in London while corruption cases against him worsen back home, recently appeared on the BBC talk show, videos of which went viral over what was claimed to be his “discomfort” on the hot seat.

    The host, Stephen Sackur, however, says Dar wanted to be on that show and seemed to enjoy it.

    8. Bakhtwar Bhutto Zardari’s Engagment

    PPP’s Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari got engaged this year and all eyes were on her corona-exclusive wedding. Her engagement card became controversial when it required guests to provide a coronavirus test result before coming to the engagement but the talk of the town was her shawl. The shawl was embroidered with memories of her family, her favourite things and also her love for food.

    9. Nawaz Sharif eating pizza in London

    Former PM Nawaz, despite conviction in corruption cases, was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Currently in London, he has time and again been spotted taking a stroll in the park, dining at a roadside cafe, and most recently, enjoying pizza.

    While criticism continues to pour in amid government’s efforts to bring him back, his daughter Maryam Nawaz seems to believe none of the stuff he has been seen doing is bad for his health.

    10. Photoshoped picture of Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s hand

    PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz was recently trolled by social media users after she shared a supposedly edited picture of the much-awaited Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally of the joint opposition in Lahore.

    While the opposition claimed it was attended by hundreds of thousands of people, the government and social media users disagreed, advising the opposition leader to “fire her graphic designer”.

  • Vawda claims Musadik Malik, a PhD, served as ‘doctor to royal family’ in Dubai

    In another spat on live TV, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Faisal Vawda accused Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Dr Musadik Malik (a PhD) of being a “doctor to a royal family in Dubai” before he supposedly joined hands with military dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf.

    This took Malik by surprise, who retorted he has a PhD in Healthcare Administration and Policy that has nothing to do with an MBBS degree. “How can you say I was a doctor to a royal family when I don’t have the required qualification,” he questioned Vawda, who appeared alongside him on a Dunya News show.

    But this did not stop Vawda from speaking further.

    The PTI lawmaker then accused Malik of serving as a caretaker minister during Musharraf era. “I didn’t ask why you were made a caretaker minister by Musharraf,” Vawda said, adding that this helped Musadiq Malik “manipulate pharmaceutical sector for personal gains”.

    Vawda reiterated that the PML-N leader was introduced as a doctor to the royal family during Musharraf’s time. “Which royal family,” asked Malik.

    “You were a doctor to the royal family in Dubai,” Vawda said. Dr Malik responded: “I’ve never even lived in Dubai.”

    The PML-N leader asked Vawda does he live in the same world as the rest of us. “Where are you getting your information from,” Malik hit back at Vawda, saying his “lies cannot go on”.

    At this, Vawda said: “I don’t know, I haven’t joined politics to study your personal history.”

    It may be noted here that Musadiq Malik didn’t serve as a caretaker minister during Musharraf era.

    According to a Dawn article, “Dr Malik first appeared on the national scene when he joined Gen Musharraf’s signature programme, the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD)” as a “volunteer”.

    He was later appointed as a caretaker minister in 2013 by then president Asif Ali Zardari.

  • KYA BOLA? (Aug 25): ‘Aale Sharif’, ‘Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ka moo torr deingay’, ‘Mulk ko lootnay walay wajibul qatl hain’

    KYA BOLA? (Aug 25): ‘Aale Sharif’, ‘Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ka moo torr deingay’, ‘Mulk ko lootnay walay wajibul qatl hain’

    Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on August 25, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    ‘Aale Sharif’

    It has been reported by Daily Jang that Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan has said, “Shehbaz Sharif ki aik dhelay ki corruption naa krnay ki baat darust hai kyun k Aale Sharif ne aik dhelay ki corruption nahi ki balkeh qaum ko arabo ka teeka lagaya aur iss corruption k dhairo saboot JIT aur NAB k pass hain.”

    ‘Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Ka Moo Torr Deingay’

    According to Daily Jang, Federal Minister of Water Resources Faisal Vawda has said, “Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ne assembly mein ghatiya zubaan istemal ki, speaker ko kahaa ‘bakwaas band karo’… speaker ki sharafat hai Shahid Khaqan k moo pr thappar nahi mara… agar ainda aisi baat ki to tumhara moo torr deingay.”

    ‘Mulk Ko Lootnay Walay Wajibul Qatl Hain’

    It has been reported by Daily Dunya that Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said, “35 saal se jamhooriyat k naam pr mulk lootnay walay wajibul qatl hain… itna zulm Halaku Khan aur Chingiz Khan ne nahi kia jitna inn 2 jamaato ne kia.”

  • KYA BOLA? (Jul 15): ‘Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao’ to ‘Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai’

    KYA BOLA? (Jul 15): ‘Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao’ to ‘Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai’

    Following are some of the best snippets from Urdu newspapers on July 15, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    ‘Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao’

    According to Daily Dunya, the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators has become part of traders’ protest movement “Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao”. Launching the movement, trade union member Naeem Mir said,“Agar hukoomat horn se naa jaagi tou taajir baraadari hukoomat ka band bajaa de gi”.

    ‘Faisal Vawda kis ka kis se manaazra krwa rahay hain’

    According to Daily Dunya, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has accepted Federal Minister Faisal Vawda’s challenge of a debate on the economy. PML-N stalwart and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair has said that Dr Waqar Masood, who is Pakistan’s longest-running secretary of finance, was part of the PML-N government’s economic team for five years.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s finance aide Hafeez Shaikh, on the other hand, was a part of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government. “Faisal Vawda kis ka kis se manaazra krwa rahay hain!” he maintained.

    ‘Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai’

    Daily Jang has reported that Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, in response to Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan’s verbal attacks against PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has said that“Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai,”  taking a dig at the government members in Punjab over their alleged involvement in activities that had led to a sugar crisis earlier this year.

  • Fawad vows not to resign as ministers urge Imran to take action against him

    Fawad vows not to resign as ministers urge Imran to take action against him

    Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has said that politics is not for the “weak-hearted” and vowed not to resign for as long as he has the confidence of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    “I will stay on as a minister till I have the trust of Prime Minister Imran Khan. There is no question of resigning on someone else’s wish,” Fawad tweeted Thursday, referring to Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan, who had asked the federal minister to step down following the former’s claims pertaining to rifts among the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    In an interview from earlier this week, Fawad had claimed that the PTI failed to bring “tabdeeli” [change] due to the in-fighting between Asad Umar, Jahangir Tareen and Shah Mahmood Qureshi after the formation of its government, which was followed by the ouster of the political class from PM Imran’s core team.

    “This political vacuum was then filled by new and non-elected people who did not have anything to do with politics,” the minister had said while also making other explosive revelations that did not sit well with many.

    READ: Tareen got Asad Umar fired; Asad settled score by getting rid of him: Fawad Chaudhry

    With Fawad drawing criticism from his colleagues for also disclosing that the premier had warned his ministers to perform within six months, many reportedly approached PM Imran, urging him to take action against the science and technology minister.

    It was followed by the PM telling his cabinet members to maintain unity within the party. Addressing a presser after a meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by PM Imran, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said that Fawad’s interview with the Voice of America came under discussion during the cabinet meeting.

    “Fawad Chaudhry’s interview was discussed in the cabinet [meeting] and the prime minister said we should maintain unity within the party,” Faraz said.

    During the cabinet meeting, the information minister said that the prime minister has instructed the ministers and party leaders not to talk about things that “affect” the party or the government.

    READ: ‘Hold your tongues’: Imran tells cabinet members to not say things that affect PTI, govt

    According to reports, the premier has now also held separate meetings with federal ministers. Those who held meetings with Imran included Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Asad Umar.

    During the meetings, the PM discussed the disorder and heat during the federal cabinet meeting.

    On the occasion, Umar and Qureshi apprised the premier on their respective positions and offered explanations.

    Umar reportedly raised before PM Imran the issue of Fawad’s statements, to which the premier directed his cabinet members to exercise caution and maintain unity.

    Vawda, on the other hand, openly criticised policies of Umar, Adviser to PM on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood as well as Special Assistant to PM on Petroleum Division Nadeem Babar. He also reportedly accused some people of “conspiring from within the cabinet”.

    “There is a game being played here and we cannot sit silent,” he said, adding that people thought that they had become the prime minister.

  • Faisal Vawda to be disqualified for being an American citizen?

    Faisal Vawda to be disqualified for being an American citizen?

    Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda was a dual national by the time of filing nomination papers for 2018’s general election, and concealed his American citizenship by falsely declaring on the oath he submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), The News has reported.

    According to reports, his status was intact not only when he filed nomination papers on June 11, 2018, but even during the scrutiny of the same.

    The Supreme Court (SC), in a recent judgment, has categorically directed that the candidates who previously held dual nationality should have the renunciation certificate at the time of filing of nomination papers. Various lawmakers, including two senators of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have been disqualified by the top court on this count.

    Both of them had applied for the renunciation of foreign citizenship much earlier, but were unable to obtain the renunciation certificate at the time of filing of nomination papers because of long process.

    In Vawda’s case, the last date to file nomination papers for the election held in July 2018 was June 8 and later extended for another three days. Taking his document an evidence, Vawda submitted election papers on the last date — June 11, 2018 — along with an affidavit wherein he declared himself holding no citizenship other than that of Pakistan.

    The returning officer (RO) of NA-249 Karachi — Vawda’s constituency — approved the papers on June 18, 2018. It was only after this approval that the now federal minister applied for renunciation of his United States (US) nationality in US Consulate Karachi, meaning thereby he was American citizen at the time of filing.

    Vawda applied for revocation of his American citizenship in US Consulate Karachi on June 22, 2018. Normally, the process of renunciation of US nationality takes a couple of weeks or even months because it requires clearance from all the concerned departments. However, the US Consulate issued the ‘Certificate of Loss of Nationality’ to Vawda on next working day, documents revealed.

    Three top legal experts from Vawda’s own party, including Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry and former interim law minister Ali Zafar, are unanimous in their opinion that whoever holds dual nationality at the time of submitting nomination papers is set to not only face instant disqualification, but he or she can also be penalised on the charges of perjury.

    His dual citizenship didn’t go unchallenged. His rival candidate Abdul Qadir Mandokhel of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) moved Sindh High Court (SHC) in order to disqualify his candidature. However, after a couple of court hearings, Mandokhel withdrew his petition from the apex court. Explaining the reason of pulling out, he told The News he did so “under immense pressure” that he faced not only from certain quarters but also from the leadership of his own party.

    Taking opinion of top legal minds as a guide, Vawda stands disqualified as a member of the Lower House if his case is judged on the same standards which were applied when the apex court dealt with those of leaders of the PML-N, PPP and other political parties.

    A source close to Vawda was quoted as claiming by the media outlet that the now minister was not in favor of surrendering his American passport because he was unsure about winning the election. “However, once he was assured of his victory, only then he applied for the revocation of US citizenship,” he said.

    Meanwhile, ECP spokesperson Nadeem Qasim said the election watchdog cannot take notice on the dual nationality of any parliamentarian by its own. “Someone has to challenge the dual nationality of the said parliamentarian in the court of ECP. If proved that the said parliamentarian was a foreign national at the time of filing of nomination papers, then he will be disqualified,” he was quoted as saying.

  • Kashif Abbasi hosts show after PEMRA lifts 60-day ban within 24 hours

    Kashif Abbasi hosts show after PEMRA lifts 60-day ban within 24 hours

    Anchor Kashif Abbasi has hosted his show “Off The Record” after the 60-day ban imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA) was lifted within 24 hours of its imposition, following the submission of a written reply by Ary News.

    On Wednesday, the media watchdog had issued a notification banning Abbasi for 60 days for “acting unprofessionally” and “not intervening” when Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda produced a boot to put down political opponents during Abbasi’s show.

    The ban was roundly condemned by the Association of Electronic  Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), which called for the ban to be lifted immediately. 

    Vawda had earlier this week appeared on the talk show along with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representative Javed Abbasi. He had caught the guests by surprise by suddenly placing a black boot on the table they were sitting around.

    He was mocking the opposition parties for their “unconditional” support for the Army Act amendment bill, saying the parties were “lying down to kiss the boot”.

    PEMRA, in its notification, had said the content aired live during the programme appeared to be a “willful attempt to debase and demean a state institution by dragging it unnecessarily in a debate”.

    “Therefore, in view of the aforementioned reasons the competent authority decides that in the exercise of delegated powers of the authority, the broadcast or rebroadcast of the programme is prohibited with immediate effect for 60 days starting from January 6, 2020.”

    The media regulatory authority further said Abbasi was also banned from appearing on television for 60 days. During the ban, he was not to conduct his show or appear on the television channel he was associated with or any other television channel as a guest/analyst or expert.

    In case of non-compliance by the TV channel, the authority said it would proceed under PEMRA laws, which may result in suspension/revocation of the satellite TV channel license conferred to the television channel.

    Amid protests by the journalist community, ARY reportedly approached PEMRA with its right to reply and was subsequently allowed to continue with the programme with Abbasi in his chair.

  • Kashif Abbasi’s program banned because of Faisal Vawda’s boot

    Kashif Abbasi’s program banned because of Faisal Vawda’s boot

    ARY News’ prime time anchor Kashif Abbasi has been banned from hosting his program and appearing on any other channel for 60 days by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

    The PEMRA notice was sent to the anchor, the channel and posted on Twitter, saying that the program in which PTI’s Faisal Vawda brought a military boot and put it on the table to ridicule the PML-N and PPP, was an “attempt to debase a state institution”.

    PEMRA ORDER PAGE ONE

    PEMRA said that Vawda’s actions were “derogatory” and “extremely frivolous” and he “performed a very unethical act” when starting his argument on the program.

    PEMRA added that Kashif was “quite unprofessional who actually did not intervene or stopped that unethical act,” and claimed that Kashif, “kept smiling/cherishing such occurence.”

    PEMRA ORDER PAGE TWO

    READ MORE: ‘#PTIDisrespectsArmy‘: Military unhappy with Vawda over shoe stunt?

    The ban comes after an uproar on social media and television after Faisal Vawda brought the boot to the program. The Current did a poll on it’s Instagram account and this is what more than 430 people voted on:

    The Current Poll

    Haven’t seen the video yet?

    WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Faisal Vawda puts military boot on the table in a talk show

    Haven’t seen The Current Life’s interview with Kashif Abbasi, which was done five minutes before he went live (And in which Faisal Vawda was also a guest)? Watch it here:

  • ‘#PTIDisrespectsArmy’: Military unhappy with Vawda over shoe stunt?

    ‘#PTIDisrespectsArmy’: Military unhappy with Vawda over shoe stunt?

    Opposition parties, military personnel as well as the general public appear to be unhappy with Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda, who on Tuesday night used a boot on-air to heap scorn on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for voting in favour of the recently passed Army Act.

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader had a day earlier appeared on a talk show alongside PML-N leader Javed Abbasi and PPP’s Qamar Zaman Kaira. Mid-programme, while discussing PML-N supremo and former premier Nawaz Sharif, Vawda pulled out a boot and plonked it on the desk in front of the guests to troll their respective parties.

    The little stunt was followed by both Abbasi and Kaira walking out in protest.

    With Vawda making headlines for his gimmick, criticism by netizens, including leaders of opposition parties, military personnel and general public, started pouring in. Here’s what they had to say:

    Meanwhile, a “soldier” wrote:

    PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has also said that Vawda’s stunt “did not dignify a response”, while her colleague Rana Sanaullah has said that the entire nation was witnessing activities of “jokers”.

    “The government wants to make a joke of the army as an institution,” he has said.