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Tag: Fawad Chaudhry

  • Ali Safina thinks Captain Safdar is an ‘ideal ghar daamaad’

    Ali Safina thinks Captain Safdar is an ‘ideal ghar daamaad’

    Actor Ali Safina was asked on Geo News‘ special Pakistan Super League (PSL) transmission as to who would be a better ghar daamaad (live-in son-in-law). Anchorperson Shahzad Iqbal asked the ‘Chupke Chupke’ actor who would he choose as a better ghar daamaad: Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar, Faisal Sabzwari of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and PML-N’s Talal Chaudhry.

    Ali voted for Captain (r) Safdar, who is married to Maryam Nawaz. “Safdar sahab already has the elements of a ghar daamaad in him”.

    Shahzad added to Ali’s stance saying, ” Safdar sahab embodies this element very positively.”

    Shahzad Iqbal played a clip of Safdar, where he says, “Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is like a brother to me while his father Asif Ali Zardari is the life-long president of the son-in-law’s union. I am the general secretary.”

  • NCOC announces 10 million successful vaccination doses

    NCOC announces 10 million successful vaccination doses

    National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) chief Asad Umar on Wednesday announced that 10 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered in Pakistan so far. 

    Speaking to a press conference, Umar said the government’s decisions to curb the virus were proving “effective” during the third wave of the pandemic. 

    “The more quickly we get ourselves vaccinated, the faster we will be able to rid ourselves of this menace,” added Umar.

    Umar said the government as well as the masses had done a commendable job in following coronavirus SOPs, resulting in the number of cases dropping. 

    “We have seen that when Pakistanis, as a nation, decide to do something, then they do it,” he said. 

    Pakistan’s coronavirus positivity rate has been recorded as 2.54 per cent in the past 24 hours — the second day in a row that the positivity rate remained below 3pc. According to the health ministry, 43,900 tests were conducted during the last 24 hours after which 1,118 people tested positive.

    Earlier, the minister had taken to Twitter to announce that Pakistan will cross the 10 million doses mark today. 

    Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry, who accompanied Umar on the occasion of the administration of the 10 millionth dose, tweeted: “We have reached the milestone of administering the vaccine to 10 million people [sic].”

    He also lauded the government, particularly Prime Minister Imran Khan and the NCOC, for the way it fought with deadly virus.

  • Govt takes back appeal against Shehbaz, name still on ECL

    The federal government has withdrawn its petition challenging the Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict, which allowed Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif to travel abroad for his medical treatment.

    Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan informed the court that the government was withdrawing its appeal as Shehbaz had decided to take back his petitions against the government in the High Court.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told The Current that the government has not taken it back. “It is disposed of with the order of the Supreme Court (SC) that this order will still not be cited as a precedent in any case in the future and Shehbaz Sharif or anyone on his behalf cannot use it for contempt proceedings against the government. This is clearly in favour of the government.”

    “If this was a proper or legal order, why can it not be used or followed again and why its violation did not amount to contempt. This is the first time where Supreme Court has passed such an order even though the petition was withdrawn from the High Court. It completely vindicates the government’s stand’” added Fawad.

    Fawad further said, “You compelled them to withdraw from the Lahore High Court and even thereafter the Supreme Court did not approve such an order. In addition, the Supreme Court has also ordered expeditious trial of Shehbaz Sharif in the Accountability Court.”

    Chaudhry had earlier tweeted, “The government’s appeal in the apex court was no longer necessary as Shehbaz’s name had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) and he had withdrawn his petition from the High Court.”

    In May, the LHC had granted conditional permission to Shehbaz to travel abroad for medical treatment. However, when the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly attempted to leave the country on May 9, he was stopped by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). On May 17, the Interior Ministry placed the Opposition leader’s name on the no fly-list.

  • ‘No one can dare undermine me,’ Fawad Chaudhry burns BBC HARDTalk

    ‘No one can dare undermine me,’ Fawad Chaudhry burns BBC HARDTalk

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry talked on the protection of journalists, the involvement of the establishment within the state, the economy of Pakistan, missing persons, popularity of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Covid stituation and many other issues in an interview given to BBC host Stephen John Sackur on BBC HARDtalk.

    Journalists Protection

    The host opened the interview by asking what is the government and Fawad Chaudhry being the Information Minister doing to protect the journalists of the country. Sackur mentioned the recent attack on journalist Asad Ali Toor, who was severely beaten up by unidentified assailants in his apartment. Sackur further mentioned how a senior journalist and former Chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (Pemra), Absar Alam, was shot in Islamabad. To which Fawad Chaudhry replied, “Individual incidents do happen. The situation is not only dangerous for journalists but it has been for all the citizens of Pakistan. We have faced the worst terrorism. When we were fighting our war against terrorism, we lost a lot of field journalists and many civilians.”

    “Benazir Bhutto too got killed due to terrorism. We have been dealing with tough times,” replied Fawad.

    Stephen Sackur asked what the state was doing about the involvement of state agencies in such incidents.

    “It’s a bit fashionable for the western media to accuse ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)
    when such incidents happen. When you name any organisation or Pakistani intelligence agency, you are bound to produce evidence of their involvement as well,” replied the minister. “The two specific incidents which you have mentioned, the investigation is still under process, I still don’t know under what pretext have you concluded that the state must be involved in any of this.”

    Direct State Interference

    BBC host asked Chaudhry about freedom of speech in Pakistan. He said that media censorship has increased during Imran Khan’s tenure. Chaudhry replied, “We have about 112 private channels, 43 international channels, with this kind of mass media we have, how do you expect the state to intimidate the media? How can the state be accused of intimidating the media?”

    Censorship

    “I am the Information Minister of the world’s fifth-largest state. I am the Information Minister of one of the world’s seven nuclear states of the world. No one can dare to undermine me. I am here with full authority and I decide in Pakistan what will and what is happening,” answered Fawad when told by Sackur that Chaudhry has no real power or control.

    PTI government’s comparison with previous government’s

    The host compared the working of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with previous governments.

    “This may be a perception of some Indian-influenced think tanks, not ours. This is not the perception of the people in general. Imran Khan is the most popular prime minister,” said Fawad.

    “As said, don’t undermine the elected government of Pakistan. Imran Khan has received nearly 200 million votes. This is not a joke. He is the prime minister of a nuclear state. He takes the decisions, the cabinet takes the decisions,” added Fawad.

    Relation with establishment

    Fawad Chaudhry said that we have a very good relationship with the ‘so-called establishment’ “as you term it so often. They are part and parcel of our system. We have huge respect for them, but the decision-making rests with the prime minister and the cabinet.”

    Missing Persons

    The BBC host asked about missing persons the security establishments, and the deep state?

    “ISI and army respect human rights just as any other civilian government will do. They are the most civilised army of the world, they are the most responsible army of the world. People in Pakistan respect them for their role,” said Fawad.

    “Least number of missing persons were reported in Imran Khan’s government. We are the only government that has just passed a law against disappearance. We are the only ones who have made illegal confinement a criminal offense. And now the bill has been passed and will go to the parliament,” added Fawad

    Imran Khan’s pledge to deliver

    The show host said that PM Khan’s promises have not been delivered to the people of Pakistan.

    “Unfortunately, I do not agree with your conclusion. Right now Pakistan’s growth rate is 3.94 per cent, which is one of the highest in the whole world despite all the Covid crises,” said Fawad.

    Fawad added, “People who have voted for Prime Minister Imran Khan and PTI are still ardent fans. In the next elections, PM Imran Khan will be elected again.”

    Covid situation

    Sackur asked why only one per cent of Pakistan’s population has been vaccinated.

    “As far as Covid is concerned Pakistan is a great success story. The partial lockdown story that Prime Minister Imran Khan implemented in Pakistan was a great success story,” replied Chaudhry.

  • Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari condemn attack on journalist

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry and Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari on Wednesday condemned the attack on journalist Asad Ali Toor, by unidentified men.

    As per the official account of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, SSP Islamabad has been directed to probe the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    As per Asad Ali Toor’s video statement, three unidentified men broke into his apartment and tortured him. The three assailants can be seen leaving Toor’s apartment in the CCTV footage, reported BBC Urdu. Journalist Shahbaz Zahid also posted the CCTV footage on Twitter.

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also called for a full and transparent inquiry of the incident.

    Amnesty International has also urged authorities to take urgent steps for the safety of media workers in Pakistan.

    Journalists from around the country have condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Toor.

    The federal cabinet in April approved the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill. Last year, journalist Matiullah Jan was abducted in Islamabad but was released after 12 hours while last month, senior journalist Absar Alam survived an assassination attempt in Islamabad. The Freedom Network’s annual state of press freedom report released in April 2021 highlighted a dramatic escalation in the climate of intimidation and harassment of journalists and the media in Pakistan.

  • TLP ban: federal cabinet approves formation of a review committee

    TLP ban: federal cabinet approves formation of a review committee

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said in a press conference that a committee has been formed in line with the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). It will hear the appeal by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and send its recommendations to the cabinet.

    CPEC visas, electronic voting, Palestine issue, and economy were some of the few agendas discussed during the federal cabinet meeting.

    The use of electronic voting machines has been approved by the cabinet. Chaudhry said that members of Bar associations and press clubs told him they want to use this technology for their elections. He said the government will help them.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1397142494803070976

    A special procedure has been approved for visas for Chinese citizens who want to invest in CPEC projects. These work visas will be valid for two years and will be issued within 48 hours. Separate immigration counters will be established for their facilitation.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1397150396074930176

  • No new group being formed within PTI, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while addressing a press conference in Lahore with the members of Jahangir Khan Tareen group, said that no new group is being formed within PTI and the party “is one family”.

    “We are all in agreement on fundamental issues. Nauman Langrial and other leaders are second-generation politicians,” and the party should benefit from their experience. “There was just a need to improve communication between us,” he said.

    During the presser, the minister said that the JKT group has, “expressed confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s leadership and they are proud of their relationship with the PTI and these are the basic things which we are all united on.”

    He continued by saying that everyone in the party is clear on these issues. “Imran Khan is our leader and PTI is our party.”

    “The opposition is under the false impression that there are differences within PTI, hopefully, now the opposition’s celebration will end.”

    Talking about the ongoing investigation against Jahangir Khan Tareen, Fawad said that “neither Jahangir Tareen is expecting any undue favours from Imran Khan nor the prime minister is the type of a person who will extend any.”

    Earlier on May 19, Jahangir Khan Tareen hosted a dinner at his residence and announced a ‘group of like-minded people’. The group appointed PTI’s Raja Riaz as Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly while PML-N’s Saeed Akbar Nawani will lead in the Punjab Assembly.

  • Shehbaz files contempt petition in LHC against FIA officials

    Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif submitted a contempt petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday, against six officials who allegedly barred him from flying abroad despite the court’s order granting him permission.

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s name has been added to the Exit Control List (ECL).

     Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry, in a tweet said that with the approval of the cabinet and completion of all legal formalities, Shehbaz’s name was added to the no-fly list.

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that Shehbaz had not submitted any medical documents for travelling abroad or specify the treatment for his illness.

    “This is the first time that a verdict was given the same day a petition was filed. Shehbaz was trying to flee the country,” he remarked.

    Sheikh further added we want fair treatment for all prisoners and this is not fair. “What are the chances that Shehbaz Sharif will return when his brother Nawaz Sharif has yet to come back?” said Sheikh.

    He added that the PML-N leader may influence the approvers.

    Rasheed said Shehbaz can file an appeal against the decision in the Interior Ministry within 15 days.

    Earlier this month, the Lahore High Court granted Shehbaz permission to travel abroad once for medical treatment.

    After obtaining bail, Shehbaz was about to fly to London when an FIA team at the airport stopped him from travelling on the grounds that his name had been on the list of persons barred from leaving the country.

  • اپنا اپنا چاند

    اپنا اپنا چاند

    اللہ کا شکر ہے اس برس بھی ہم نے روایت کی پاسداری کرتے ہوئے عید کے چاند کو ایک بار پھر غیر متنازعہ بننے سے بچا لیا۔ ‘چن’ چڑھانے میں ویسے بھی ہمیں ملکہ حاصل ہے اس لئے سب سے پہلے پشاور والے پوپلزئی صاحب نے رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے اعلان سے قبل ہی چاند کی نوید سنا دی دوسری جانب کیونکہ نئے چئیرمین صاحب نام میں بھی آزاد واقع ہوئے ہیں تو اس بار کی رویت کا اعلان کرنے میں بھی وہ آزاد خیال ہی رہے بھلا ہو شاید کسی نے یاد کروایا کہ حضرت سحری کا وقت ہوا چاہتا ہے بتا دیں کہ سویاں پکانی ہیں یا سحری کا پراٹھا تو رات گئے رویت ہلال کمیٹی بھی آسمان سے چاند توڑ کر لے آئی اور  قوم کے قدموں میں نچھاور  کر دیا بجائے شکرگزار ہونے کے یار لوگ الٹا چاند ہونے نہ ہونے پر بحث کر نے لگ گئے بڑی ہی نا شکری قوم ہے بھئی کبھی اسے ‘تبدیلی’ ہضم نہیں ہوتی تو کبھی پانی سے چلنے والی گاڑی جیسے سائنسی انقلاب کو رد کر دیتی ہے۔ سائنس سے ویسے بھی ہمیں کو پرخاش ہے کیونکہ برصغیر میں جب لاؤڈ اسپیکر  نیا نیا آیا تو اس بیچارے پر بھی حرام ہونے کے فتوے لگ گئے ٹی وی تصویر وغیرہ وغیرہ سے مخاصمت کی کہانیاں بھی کوئی زیادہ پرانی نہیں۔

    خیر بات کہاں سے کہاں نکل گئی واپس آتے ہیں بےچارے چاند کی درگت بننے کے واقعہ پر جب یہ سارا معاملہ چل ہی رہا تھا تو اسی  اثناء میں ایک عدد آڈیو لیک بھی سامنے آ گئی جس میں ایک ممبر رویت ہلال کمیٹی کچھ اور ہی کہانی سنا رہے تھے اگرچہ ‘سافٹ وئیر’ اپڈیٹ ہونے کے بعد انکی وضاحت بھی سامنے آ گئی تھی۔ اور تو اور کیونکہ وزارت سائنس و ٹیکنالوجی فواد چودھری جیسوں سے پاک ہو چکی تھی اس لئے سائنس کی حقیقتوں کو لہرا لہرا کر کوئی چیلنج کرنے والا بھی موجود نہیں تھا لیکن وزارت اطلاعات میں ہونے کے باوجود بھی انہوں نے اپنے دور وزارت میں بنائی ایپ کے زریعے چاند کے حوالے سے بیان جاری کر دیا لیکن کیونکہ ہر کوئی اپنا اپنا چاند لے کر پھر رہا تھا تو انکی سائنسی دلیل کو کسی نے کوئی خاص گھاس نہیں ڈالی۔ قصہ مختصر یہ عید میٹھی ہونے کے ساتھ ساتھ چٹخارے دار بھی رہی کیونکہ عید کے دن ہر گھر کی محفل کا گرما گرم موضوع گفتگو ‘چاند’ ہی تھا سوشل میڈیا اور واٹس ایپ وغیرہ پر بھی  کوئی سائنسدان تھا کوئی ماہرفلکیات اور کوئی دینی عالم کی ذمہ داریاں نبھا رہا تھا۔

    مسئلہ بڑا سادہ سا ہے کہ کیا چاند کی رویت ایک خالص دینی مسئلہ ہے یا سائنسی؟ کیا اس کا کوئی درمیانی راستہ نکالا جا سکتا ہے جس کے تحت ملک اس افراتفری اور بدتمیزی کا شکار نہ ہو۔ اگر نظر ڈالی جائے تو مختلف اسلامی ممالک اس مسئلے کے حل کے لئے مختلف حکمت عملی اختیار کرتے ہیں ملائشیا،  ترکی مصر اور دیگر مسلم ممالک نے اپنا اپنا طریقہ کار بنا رکھا ہے کوئی خالص سائنسی بنیادوں پر رویت ہلال کرتا ہے تو کوئی سائنس اور انسانی آنکھ سے دیکھنے کو ملا کر ہم بھی دوسرے طریقہ پر ہیں لیکن بات کچھ بنتی نظر نہیں آ رہی اور اس بار کی عید پر تو معاملات اور ہی بگاڑ کی جانب چل پڑے تھے لیکن یہاں جہاں آپ نے سائنس کی بات کی نہیں وہاں ہمارے لوگوں کا مذہب خطرے میں پڑا نہیں۔ جہاں سائنس مذہب کی مددگار ثابت ہو رہی ہو تو پھر اس پر ہی یہ معاملہ کیوں نہیں چھوڑ دیا جاتا۔ آخر دیگر دینی معاملات بھی تو وقت کے ساتھ ساتھ سائنسی بنیادوں پر حل کئیے جا ہی رہے ہیں اور ماضی میں چھوڑے گئے بھی ہیں۔

    افسوس کا مقام ہے کہ آج جب سائنس اتنی ترقی کر چکی ہے کہ دنیا تو چھوڑ مریخ کے دو چاندوں کے بھی طلوع اور غروب کا وقت بتا دے تو ہم ایک خاندان میں دو دو عیدیں منا رہے ہوتے ہیں۔ پاکستان کے علما اور فقہا اور سائنسدانوں کی ایک کمیٹی بنا کر اس مسئلہ کو ایک ہی دفعہ کیوں نہیں حل کر لیا جاتا اور اس میں پشاور کے مفتی پوپلزئی صاحب کو بھی ہونا چاہئے تاکہ تمام اختلافی آراء کو ایک جگہ جمع کر کے ایک قومی اتفاق کی فضا بنا دی جائے یہ لوگ چاہیں تو دیگر مسلم ممالک سے رابطے کر کے انکے طریقہ کار پر رہنمائی بھی لے سکتے ہیں۔ قوم جو ایک انتشار اور ہیجان میں مبتلا رہتی ہے اور  اس قسم کی باتیں سننے میں آتی ہیں کہ جی روزہ تو قضا ہو گیا یا دیکھا آج تو چاند دوسری کا لگ رہا ہےسے یہ میٹھی عیدیں کھٹی کرنے کی کیا تک ہے۔

  • PM Imran Khan expresses grief over ‘Uncle Sargam’s’ demise

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed his grief over the death of Farooq Qaiser, the voice of the legendary fictional character Uncle Sargam.

    “Saddened to learn of Farooq Qaiser’s death,” wrote the PM on Twitter. “He was not just a performer but would constantly raise awareness about social injustices and issues.”

    “My condolences and prayers go to his family,” added the premier.

    Farooq Qaiser passed away on Saturday, May 14 after suffering a heart attack, his grandson Muhammad confirmed to Pakistan Television News (PTV).

    Besides PM Imran, other prominent personalities including Fawad Chaudhry, Humayun Saeed Adnan Siddiqui, Shaan Shahid, Ali Zafar and Maryam Nawaz also expressed their grief over the death of the legendary artist.

    Born in 1945 in Sialkot, Farooq Qaiser was a renowned puppeteer, artist and columnist and was associated with PTV from 1976. Qaiser spent his early childhood in Peshawar and Kohat and in 1970 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore. Later he received a master’s degree in Graphic Arts from Bucharest, Romania in 1976 and also trained for puppetry there.

    He also received his master’s degree in Mass Communication in 1999 from the University of Southern California, School for Communication and Journalism, United States.

    With a prolific career, Qaiser was the recipient of the Pride of Performance Award (1993), the Lifetime Achievement Award (2010) and PTV’s Silver Jubilee Award besides many other national and international titles.

    Rest in peace Uncle Sargam! You have been an important part of our childhood.