Tag: Hamid Mir

  • Nawaz Sharif is coming to Pakistan next month, Shehbaz confirms

    Nawaz Sharif is coming to Pakistan next month, Shehbaz confirms

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said on Thursday that his elder brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, will return to Pakistan next month and face the law. It will be a major development if Nawaz Sharif comes back, as the upcoming elections are going to be held very soon.

    Shehbaz Sharif has also said in an interview with Geo News’ Capital Talk that he will visit London and meet the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head after the caretaker government takes charge.

    “Nawaz Sharif will come back to Pakistan next month and will face the law and lead the election campaign,” Shehbaz Sharif said, however, he did not mention a specific date.

    “He [Nawaz] will neither wear a hat nor a bucket”, the outgoing PM said, criticising former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is arrested and in Attock jail currently.

    Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the PML-N president, expressed hope that his party would win the upcoming general elections and that he would work as a party activist under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.

  • Shahid Khaqan Abbasi confirms Gen Bajwa wanted an extension

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi confirms Gen Bajwa wanted an extension

    Former Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has confirmed that former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa did indeed ask for an extension from the incumbent government.

    Talking on Geo News’ programme ‘Capital Talk’, Abbasi told senior journalist Hamid Mir that he met former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bajwa twice in November 2022. “I met him twice. He knows what I said,” the PML-N leader said in reply to Mir asking him if he was campaigning for an extension for the former army head.

    “I can say that other than Nawaz Sharif, I was the one man who was openly against giving an extension,” he categorically said, adding that he even told his party to leave the government if it was being pressurised to grant the extension.

    He said that in 2018, one year before General Bajwa got an extension in his tenure of service, he told the COAS that he will destroy his own reputation and mar the image of the institution he represents. “I said the same thing in 2022, that this extension will completely destroy the country’s systems,” he stated.

    Hamid Mir then said, “So this means he was trying to get an extension.”

    “He absolutely was,” Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said in reply, adding that General Bajwa had sent a “clear message” for an extension.

    When asked whether his government was threatened with a martial law, the PML-N leader said that he has no knowledge of such a threat. “But, a lot of people from a lot of parties were in favour of this,” he said, emphasizing that only one man was very clear about not granting an extension. “That was Nawaz Sharif,” he said.

    The host asked Shahid Khaqan Abbasi if he used to meet General Bajwa and then fly to London to talk to his party head Nawaz Sharif. “Yes I did. It was done in the country’s interest,” he replied. Elaborating further, he said that he was outside the country when he received “suspicious” news and then went to party supremo Nawaz Sharif. “I met General Bajwa with Nawaz Sharif’s permission. Then I went back and told Mian Sb what happened, gave my option and came back.”

    He clarified that he told the army head that a smooth transition of command was his biggest responsibility and will be his legacy. “I repeated this to him again and again. He is now part of history. It is not appropriate to discuss this now,” he concluded.

  • Imran Khan says President Alvi will consult him on the appointment of new COAS

    Imran Khan says President Alvi will consult him on the appointment of new COAS

    Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has claimed that President Arif Alvi will consult him on the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    The former Prime Minister made the explosive claim during an interview with ARY News. Stating that he was in contact with President Alvi, who is a member of PTI, Imran Khan said, “I am in contact with the President over the summary related to a key appointment”, adding that being the party chairman, Alvi would consult him.

    “I have no issues with whoever is made the army chief but I want that the decision should be taken on merit,” he stressed.

    When asked whether the President would delay the appointment of the new Army Chief, the PTI head said, “President Alvi and we have decided to play within constitutional boundaries.”

    He said that the people who are responsible for the appointment of this top army post are corrupt and he has reservations about their choice.

    Appearing on Geo News programme “Capital Talk” on November 21, when senior journalist Hamid Mir asked Defence Minister Khawaja Asif that why Imran Khan chose November 26 as the date for his long march, the minister stated that Khan might be considering the option that the President would not approve PM Shehbaz’s recommendation for the COAS.

    Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed that it has finally received the summary from the Ministry of Defence with a list of names of the candidates for the new COAS and the chairman joint chief of staff committee (CJCSC).

    The incumbent COAS General Bajwa is set to retire on November 29 after six years in office. He was appointed in 2016 by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and later granted an additional three-year extension in 2019 by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

  • ‘Jab yeh long march ke liye aayeinge, iss ko pakar kar ulta kardeinge’: Rana Sanaullah warns Imran Khan

    ‘Jab yeh long march ke liye aayeinge, iss ko pakar kar ulta kardeinge’: Rana Sanaullah warns Imran Khan

    Federal Minister for Interior, Rana Sanaullah, has warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan about his party’s long march, saying, “Jab yeh long march ke liye aayeinge [Islamabad], iss ko pakar kar ulta kardeinge” (We will hang Khan upside down if he takes his long march into Islamabad).

    In Geo News’ programme “Capital Talk”, the minister replied to remarks made by Imran Khan himself. Earlier, Khan said even if Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Sanaullah turn upside down, they wouldn’t be able to stop the long march.

    The federal minister also said that there is a possibility of Khan and other party leaders being arrested during the long march.

    During the show, Sanaullah claimed that Khan doesn’t know about the steps the government would take.

    Despite repeating that the nation should remain ready for the march, Imran Khan hasn’t announced the date yet, claiming that he has completed the planning.

    When asked about PTI’s Senator Azam Swati’s arrest, the federal minister justified the incarceration, saying that Azam’s tweet tried to defame institutions and the tweet was objectionable.

    On October 12, Swati tweeted against Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Following this, he was arrested in the early hours of the morning by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

  • Former Governor Omar Cheema is new Punjab Home Advisor

    The name of former Governor of Punjab, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, has been approved by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for the slot of adviser to the Chief Minister (CM) Punjab on home affairs.

    This decision came about after the resignation of Punjab Home Minister Hashim Dogar, who reportedly left his post after differences with Imran Khan.

    Punjab Home Minister resigns as IK reportedly not happy with him

    Punjab Home Minister Hashim Dogar has stepped down from his office, citing personal commitments and health issues.

    On Tuesday, Dogar shared his resignation on Twitter with a caption saying: “Today I have resigned from my post due to my personal reasons. Inshallah, I will continue to work as a regular worker of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).”

    His resignation states: “It was a great pleasure to have served as Minister for Home and Prison Department under your able command. I feel regretted to inform you that I shall not be able to continue due to my personal commitments and some health issues.”

    “I was and will always be available to serve you and my party chairman for times to come”, he added.

    However, Journalist Hamid Mir, on Geo News’ programme “Capital Talk”, claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan called Dogar and asked for his resignation. Reportedly, he was not happy with the provincial minister.

    “Imran was told that Dogar belongs to the unit of a senior officer of the establishment and often meets him”, he said.

    Mir claimed that the PTI chairman had been getting information about Dogar. It is yet to be proved whether the information was correct or not.

    Earlier, Dogar said, “If Imran Khan announces a long march then the Punjab government will not become part of it. We will not facilitate the participants of the long march but security will be provided”.

    He also said that government resources will not be used and called Khan’s long march a “political matter”.

    On the contrary, reacting to Dogar’s statement, Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Pervaiz Elahi said, “That is, as such, no matter”.

  • ‘I am an easy target’: Miftah Ismail reacts to criticism after another petroleum hike

    ‘I am an easy target’: Miftah Ismail reacts to criticism after another petroleum hike

    Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail once again explained how the petrol prices are calculated after receiving criticism for the increase in petroleum prices.

    Responding to senior journalist Hamid Mir on Twitter, he said the government has not imposed any tax on petroleum products.

    Clarifying his position, the minister said that he did not say that the price will not be increased.

    “Mir sahib I said I will not add one penny of new taxes or levies to the price. And I have not. But you know Hamid sahib that the fuel price summary is moved by OGRA and sent to Finance division through the Petroleum division. We get it only a few hours before prices are set.”

    “I am an easy target. Which is fine. But this price change only reflects the change in PSO costs and doesn’t have any new taxes,” said Miftah Ismail.

    The finance minister added that people are welcome to critique or criticise him.

    “I know I am sincere to my country and have saved it from default and working to the best of my ability.”

    Zardari unhappy with govt’s decision to increase petrol prices

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari distanced himself from the recent increase in the petroleum prices by the government.

    Zardari said the PPP is a part of the government and supports it, but there must be consultations on such decisions.

    “We are all here in this government to give relief to the people and that should be our top priority. We are with the prime minister and will meet him soon and talk about the economic team,” he added.

    ‘I am not involved in this decision’: Nawaz Sharif leaves party meeting over increase in petrol prices

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter and said that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was unhappy with the government increasing the petrol prices and as a result left the meeting.

    “Mian Sahib strongly opposed this decision and even said that I cannot burden the people with one more penny. And if there is any compulsion of the government, I am not involved in this decision and he left the meeting,” tweeted Maryam.

    She further tweeted, “I stand with the people. Cannot support this decision.”

    The government increased the price of petrol by Rs6.72 per litre and decreased the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs0.51 and kerosene oil by Rs1.67 per litre.

    Read more: Govt raises petrol price by Rs6.72 to Rs233.91 per litre

    The price of light diesel oil (LDO) was raised by Rs0.43 per litre by the government.

    Prior to this, the coalition administration had decreased the cost of petrol and LDO starting on August 1 by Rs3.05 and Rs0.12, respectively.

  • The real story behind Imran Khan sitting on CM Punjab seat

    The real story behind Imran Khan sitting on CM Punjab seat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan met Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and former federal minister Moonis Elahi at the Chief Minister’s Office on Sunday in Lahore and discussed matters of mutual interest, the political situation, the administrative affairs of Punjab, and the law and order situation.

    A picture of their meeting was shared by Moonis Elahi on social media where Khan can be seen sitting on the CM’s seat while the chief minister sat opposite him. The picture went viral and was widely criticised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders.

    “No self-respecting, dignified man would sit on someone else’s official seat/chair but this man is hungry for power,” tweeted Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

    “Rude Tosha Fitna Khan sits on the chair of Chief Minister of Punjab,” tweeted PML-N leader Saad Rafique.

    The real story

    However, senior journalist Hamid Mir explained the real reason why Khan was sitting on the CM seat.

    Hamid Mir said that when Khan reached Elahi’s office to congratulate him, Pervaiz Elahi asked the PTI chairman to sit on the CM seat but Khan replied that it is Elahi’s seat.

    Moonis Elahi said to the PTI chairman that they got this seat because of him, so he should sit on it. After Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi’s insistence, finally Imran Khan sat on the chair of the Punjab Chief Minister.

    
    
  • ‘PPP was offered to bring down PML-N with the help of PTI’: Hamid Mir

    ‘PPP was offered to bring down PML-N with the help of PTI’: Hamid Mir

    Senior journalist Hamid Mir revealed that last year, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was offered that along to give a tough time to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with the help of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after some backdoor meetings.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Hamid Mir said, “The PPP knows the full truth. Last year, the PPP convinced the PML-N to bring a no-confidence motion. This is because last year in September/October, the PPP was contacted. I revealed in your show Shahzeb saab that Asif Ali Zardari was being contacted to leave Pakistan just like Nawaz Sharif left on medical grounds. However, Asif Ali Zardari refused to go abroad. This is where the story started and the PPP has never revealed who conveyed this message. One-on-one meetings were held with the PPP leadership.”

    Hamid Mir further revealed that some backchannel contacts were made between the PPP and PTI.

    “The PPP was told that it should bring down the PML-N with the help of the PTI. However, the PPP did not take any of this seriously. After this, there were some other developments. They learned that a formula was being formed to adjust PTI in Sindh and similarly the PPP in the federal government, and that election will be held in October 2022. However, an important appointment will take place in April 2022. When the party started probing the suggestions, it realised that this was a long process. During this time Kala Bagh Dam was also to be made, the 18 Amendment would be rolled back, and talks of having a Presidential system too came to the surface and that’s when PPP ki kanpaain tangna shuru hogai. [That’s when the PPP was alarmed].”

    “When the PPP realised this, they decided to contact Nawaz Sharif. Then Shehbaz Sharif saab was involved. And they were informed that before the elections, which were to be held in 0ctober 2022, the plan was to send the PML-N leadership to jail,” said Mir.

    “Both the PPP and PML-N never really told anyone that they were bringing in the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan. They kept it a secret.”

  • Parts of the ‘threatening letter’ may have been forged: claims Hamid Mir

    Parts of the ‘threatening letter’ may have been forged: claims Hamid Mir

    Journalist and Anchorperson Hamid Mir, while appearing on Geo News, has claimed that sources in the Foreign Office told him parts of the ‘threatening letter’ may have been forged.

    “The document on the basis of which Prime Minister Imran Khan has dissolved assemblies and President has notified it, that document is not original,” said Mir while talking about the ‘threatening’ letter.

    Senior Journalist Asma Sherazi took to Twitter to question who would be responsible for Pakistan being ridiculed all over the world and who will fix the country’s reputation?

    Journalist Hasan Zaidi referred to the claim by Hamid Mir as a “new twist.”

  • ‘Political unrest’: Will there be a clash between govt and Opposition?

    ‘Political unrest’: Will there be a clash between govt and Opposition?

    The federal capital is bracing for trouble as both government and Opposition are in full action. Since the no-confidence motion has been submitted, the political chessboard has been a mess.

    From witnessing a thundering prime minister and rather threatening federal ministers to equally vocal Opposition leaders, Pakistan politics has had much to offer in the month of March. Political analysts are calling the government ‘rather desperate’ and the Opposition ‘aggressive’.

    Who will win the tug of war to power is yet to be decided as Islamabad might witness two long marches, the OIC, Pakistan Day Parade, and the vote of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will enter Islamabad on March 25 instead of March 23.

    PM Khan has announced to hold a historic gathering on March 27.

    The Current reached out to political analysts and senior journalists and asked whether there will be a clash on March 27.

    The government is not going in the right direction: Hamid Mir

    Senior journalist Hamid Mir, while speaking with The Current, said that seeing how Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is doing its governance, the government is not headed in the right direction.

    There will definitely be a clash: Asma Shirazi

    Senior political analyst Asma Shirazi said that seeing the unrest in the country, a clash between the government and opposition is “definitely possible”.

    Shirazi said that seeing the ministers and how they are reacting and giving statements, it seems unlikely that a clash can be avoided. “The government needs to understand that maintaining law and order is highly important,” said Shirazi.

    Agar million na bhi aye, 10 hazar bhi aye tu system ko khatra hai: Sabir Shakir

    Anchorperson Sabir Shakir said that both the government and Opposition want a power show. Their display of power will be the problem.

    Commenting on how the government officials are saying that they will gather one million people on D-Chowk on March 27, Shakir said, “Agar million na bhi ain, 10 hazar bhi aye tu system ko khatra hai [Even if a million people don’t turn up, 10 thousand people too can prove dangerous for law and order.]”

    Followers of PM Khan learn from his misbehaving tone and apply the same: Sana Bucha

    Journalist Sana Bucha categorically said that Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf and Prime Minister Imran Khan seem rather aggressive and desperate right now. In the past, we have seen them misbehaving and even now PM Khan is saying that the people of Pakistan need to do ‘Jihad’ against the Opposition, she said.

    “The followers of PM Khan learn from his misbehaving tone and apply the same [when given a chance],” said Bucha.

    “I am very certain that batamizi will happen,” added Bucha.

    If all is well and the house is in order, why is the government trying to be hostile: Ajmal Jami

    Anchorperson Ajmal Jami, commenting on the recent political temperature, questioned the government for showing aggression.

    “If all is well and the house is in order, why is the government trying to be hostile?” questioned Jami.

    Jami also commented on the PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s statement where he asked the government and Opposition to call off the long marches as it was not the job of the government to hold marches. Jami said that it was a heavy statement.

    “Chaudhry’s statement carried a lot of importance and weightage here, the government must not take it as a filler but consider it by all means,” said Jami.

    There is worry and tension on the government’s end: Ayesha Baksh

    Anchorperson Ayesha Baksh has said that both the Opposition and the government are challenging each other.

    “There is worry and tension on the government’s end,” said Baksh.

    “All concerned people should be active in the federal capital, the government is bringing matters on the road,” said Baksh.