Current Final

Tag: Nawaz Sharif

  • SCBA president files petition against lifetime disqualification in SC

    SCBA president files petition against lifetime disqualification in SC

    President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Mohammad Ahsan Bhoon on Thursday filed a petition against the lifelong disqualification of lawmakers and said that such a law without the right to appeal is unjust.

    The petition asks the Supreme Court (SC) to rule that the declaration by a court of law under Article 62(1)(f) only applies to the election under question, and does not entail a perpetual or lifetime bar on contesting future elections, reports Dawn.

    The petition argues that the lack of clarity regarding the procedure for a declaration under Article 62(1)(f) continues to pose an obstacle to the constitutional protection of citizens under Article 17(2), which allows citizens to form or become a member of any political party.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the result of this petition can affect the outcome of SC verdicts disqualifying former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, as well as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) disgruntled leader Jahangir Tareen.

    The two were disqualified as lawmakers in judgements rendered in the Panama Papers case on July 28, 2017, and the Hanif Abbasi case on Dec 15, 2017, respectively.

    The contents of the petition said that the principle of lifetime disqualification should only be applied to electoral disputes. Under Article 184/3 of the Constitution, the SC cannot act as a trial court and there is no right to appeal against the decisions made by the apex court, which contradicts the principles of justice.

    The petition said that the lifelong disqualification without the right to appeal is unjust to the voters. 

  • Government ally PML-Q’s Chaudhry Shujaat advises govt to focus on inflation instead of Nawaz

    Government ally PML-Q’s Chaudhry Shujaat advises govt to focus on inflation instead of Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has advised the government to focus on national issues instead of Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan.

    Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that Nawaz will not come back. “It seems rather funny when PTI’s members make comments about his return.”

    He further stated that if the government keeps focusing on Sharif’s return, then Pakistan is in the hands of Allah. According to him, the government has spent a large amount of money on his [Nawaz] proceedings.

    While talking about the issues in the country, he also pointed out that no one gives any sort of solution to solve inflation because they [govt] are busy in the leg-pulling of others.

  • ‘It’s in the interest of the country that establishment and Khan be on same page’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘It’s in the interest of the country that establishment and Khan be on same page’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that there is no difference between Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and the military leadership and it is in the interest of the country that the establishment and Imran Khan be on the same page.

    In an exclusive interview with BBC Urdu, Rasheed said that the military leadership had decided that it would stand by the elected government.

    Responding to a question about the differences between the government and the army, the minister said, “Small differences can happen. There may be differences of opinion between the civil government and the establishment, but they are on the same page.”

    Rasheed had recently stated that the hand of the establishment is on Imran Khan’s head and later said that he was asked to withdraw this statement.

    However, Rasheed said he was still standing by his statement and that he had been asked by a person in the civilian government, not the establishment, to withdraw his statement. “I did not name the establishment but I meant that the policies of the government and the institutions are on the same page,” he explained.

    Rasheed further said that the PM is adamant on the issue of corruption and accountability and that he fired many people from the party or positions who were accused or suspected of corruption. “Imran Khan can’t do more than that,” he said.

    Accountability was Imran Khan’s biggest slogan but we did not get the success we deserved, he added.

    Rasheed said that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was trying to repatriate those wanted by the courts and the government in Pakistan, but he also complained that despite many efforts, it is still not possible for Ishaq Dar to return.

    Regarding the return of former PM Nawaz Sharif, he said that the government of Pakistan is trying to get him back. “We have been doing this for three and a half years. We sent him ourselves, it is our fault. He [Nawaz] managed to throw dust in everyone’s eyes and went out.”

    Rasheed said that the reason for the former adviser on accountability and interior Shahzad Akbar’s resignation and the Prime Minister’s displeasure with him was not only about bringing back Nawaz Sharif or Shehbaz Sharif but also because “we could not bring back the money”.

    Sheikh Rasheed says there is room for improvement everywhere in the accountability process. “We need to prepare cases well, be good lawyers. Imran Khan has no lack of intent, he says giving National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) would be treason.”

  • Contempt of court petition to be filed against Shehbaz if he fails to submit Nawaz’s medical report: AGP

    Contempt of court petition to be filed against Shehbaz if he fails to submit Nawaz’s medical report: AGP

    The Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) has written a letter to the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif to bring back Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan.

    The AGP has instructed Shehbaz to submit Nawaz’s medical reports within the next 10 days; in case he fails to do so, contempt of court petition will be filed against Shehbaz.

    The AGP also mentioned that according to media reports, Nawaz is in good health, while when he was leaving the country, his condition was described as critical.

    The letter further said that as soon as Nawaz reached London, “his condition improved”.

    “After reaching London, Nawaz did not stay in the hospital for a single day and remained involved in his political activities,” the letter stated.

    The AGP highlighted that the affidavit and the court order were “violated as Shehbaz did not submit Nawaz’s medical reports”.

    In line with the federal cabinet’s decision, the Punjab government formed a medical board to examine Nawaz Sharif’s health reports submitted in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

  • ‘I also voted to let him go’, Asad Umar clarifies comment that PM sent Nawaz to London

    ‘I also voted to let him go’, Asad Umar clarifies comment that PM sent Nawaz to London

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has clarified his previous statement about Prime Minister’s (PM) decision to send Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to London. He said his statement was taken out of context.

    “Spin being given to an answer of mine regarding Nawaz Sharif exit abroad, the discussion was about whether the PM takes decisions or someone else imposes decisions. I stated that the PM takes decisions as I was asked about the Nawaz Sharif exit decision in that context,” Umar tweeted.

    Further, he added that sending Nawaz to London was a “collective decision and was decided in the Cabinet”.

    Previously, while on a TV program the federal minister revealed that it was “100% Imran Khan’s decision” to send the former PM to London for his medical treatment. “This was first discussed in a cabinet meeting,” he said, adding that the decision was entirely made by the prime minister and the premier did not say that the decision was not his. 

  • Maryam Nawaz tells PM Khan not to make a scene, pack up and move out of office

    Maryam Nawaz tells PM Khan not to make a scene, pack up and move out of office

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz responding to the warnings and threats made by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Sunday, saying, “Imran Khan Saheb! There is no use of crying and making a scene now. Pack up and move out.”

    Taking to Twitter, Maryam said, “The longer you stay in power the more problems will be for you and the masses. You have been badly defeated.”

    “Your ultimatum that you will get more dangerous if ousted from power is no more than a hollow threat. The masses will offer thanksgiving prayers the day you leave the power. You are not Nawaz Sharif behind whom masses are standing nor are you an underdog or a victim. You are a conspirator and have fallen prey to your nemesis,” tweeted the PML-N leader.

    “The ‘cartels’ you are complaining about are the MAFIAS on your right & left who have fleeced 220 million & who run your kitchen,” tweeted Maryam.

    Referring to PM’s tirade against Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif and accusing the judiciary of issuing status quo orders in certain cases, she said, “Your reality has dawned on the world, do not blame the judiciary. You have only your vindictiveness & revengefulness to blame.”

    Maryam Nawaz further criticising the premier said, “Your dashed hopes @ImranKhanPTI are a new hope for the incompetency & ineptitude stricken people of Pakistan who are waiting for you to spare them the 4-year long ordeal that has cost them their lives.”

    PM Khan on Sunday warned the Opposition said, “If I exit the government, I will pose a greater threat to you. Right now, I am sitting quietly in my office and watching the drama unfold. But if I take to the streets, you will have nowhere to hide.”

    PM Khan’s remarks came while answering callers’ questions, during the telecast of the fifth ‘Aap Ka Wazir Azam Aap Ke Sath’, a town-hall-style broadcast where the premier takes questions from the public and responds back to their queries.

  • ‘If I am forced out of the office, I will be more dangerous’: PM Khan

    ‘If I am forced out of the office, I will be more dangerous’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Sunday warned the Opposition said, “If I exit the government, I will pose a greater threat to you. Right now, I am sitting quietly in my office and watching the drama unfold. But if I take to the streets, you will have nowhere to hide.”

    PM Khan’s remarks came while answering callers’ questions, during the telecast of the fifth ‘Aap Ka Wazir Azam Aap Ke Sath’, a town-hall-style broadcast where the premier takes questions from the public and responds back to their queries.

    ‘I am waiting for you [Nawaz Shahrif]… please come back’: Khan

    PM Khan called on former PM Nawaz Sharif to come back to face the cases against him, saying: “I am waiting for you… please come back.”

    ‘I do not consider Shehbaz Sharif an Opposition leader, he is a criminal’: PM Khan

    PM Khan lashing out at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership, said that he was willing to talk to the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), but he would never sit down with Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif — even for dialogue on key national issues.

    “The office of the Opposition leader has respect, but I do not consider him (Shehbaz Sharif) an Opposition leader, rather he is someone who has committed serious crimes against the country,” he said.

    ‘My party will complete its current term and also win another full term’: PM Khan

    PM Khan was confident that he and his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would not only complete their current term in office but would also win another full term, adding that the nation stood behind him, as he knew the people better than the Opposition did.

    “The reason why people came out for me was that I was trying to get back their looted wealth. You are only trying to cover your own [corruption],” he said.

    “The people recognise your true face now and whatever you have done with this country over the last 30-35 years. You need to understand that the lava is simmering. Once people take to the streets, they only need to be pointed in your direction, and you’ll see everyone of them running off to hide in London,” he said, addressing the Opposition.

    ‘Inflation only problem that gives me sleepless nights‘: Prime Minister Khan

    In response to a caller’s question, he admitted that inflation was the only problem that gave him sleepless nights.

    Insisting that inflation was a global phenomenon that had taken a toll on developed economies like the United States and the United Kingdom as well, he blamed the price hike of commodities on the disruption in the supply chain caused by the pandemic.

     “The biggest challenge we face today is inflation and the rising prices of commodities. I am well aware and cognisant of the issues being faced by the common man due to rising prices.”

    The prime minister said that the corporate sector has made a profit of Rs980 billion and “I would call them and ask them to increase the salaries of their staff because you have never made such a profit before today.”

    Chastises media, judiciary for protecting mafias: PM Imran Khan

    Chastising the media for not presenting a full picture of what was happening on the economic front, PM Khan accused journalists of only painting what he called a ‘bleak’ picture of the economy. Terming certain journalists ‘mafias’, he said they were merely trying to advance the agenda of the Opposition and never projected the achievements of the government.

    The prime minister called on the judiciary to be “merciful to the people” and not to support “mafia and cartels”.

  • IHC indicts ex-GB judge Rana Shamim in affidavit case, defers journalists’ indictment

    IHC indicts ex-GB judge Rana Shamim in affidavit case, defers journalists’ indictment

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday indicted former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Judge Rana Shamim for allegations that he levelled against former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar in a signed affidavit in London.

    IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah has deferred the framing of charges against the media personnel who were also named in the case, including journalist Ansar Abbasi and Jang Group owner Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman.

    The contempt of court case is in accordance with the publication of an affidavit containing allegations that Saqib Nisar attempted to influence a case against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, to bring Imran Khan into power.

    The IHC chief justice said the court had been disrespected and questioned whether anyone had any issue with the high court.

    Justice Minallah said the court could not give a license for anyone to disrespect it. “[It is] not even realised that there was an attempt to influence a case [that was being heard in court]. This court believes in open accountability and welcomes it. Has there been any order from July 2018 till now on which this perception [of judges being compromised] fits?”

    “The article is not related to Saqib Nisar but it has to do with this court. People have been told the judges of this court are compromised. A case was fixed for hearing two days later when the story was published,” Justice Minallah said.

    The chief justice addressed Judge Shamim and asked if he had heard any contempt cases himself during his tenure as a judge. Shamim responded in the negative, saying he had neither heard such cases nor believed in the concept of contempt.

    At this point, Justice Minallah gave Judge Shamim the opportunity to present the arguments made in his petitions. Shamim said that in the first petition he requested that a fact-finding inquiry be conducted into the case instead of framing the charges. In the other petition, he requested for the attorney general to be removed as the prosecutor.

    He also said it was important for the requirements of justice that former CJP Nisar’s reply was also made part of the inquiry and cross-examined. “This will not be a case of criminal contempt unless the facts stated in the affidavit are proven wrong,” he argued.

    The court proceeded to reject Shamim’s petitions and indicted him.

    Moreover, adjourning the indictment against the journalists, Justice Minallah said that if it was found during the trial that the news story was published deliberately, then action would be taken.

    After the arguments, Justice Minallah adjourned the proceedings till February 15 and asked Shamim to present his written response.

  • ‘[PTI leaders] spent winter nights in heated bedrooms,’ Maryam blasts govt, says no rift in party

    ‘[PTI leaders] spent winter nights in heated bedrooms,’ Maryam blasts govt, says no rift in party

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday rejected the claims of the government of having a forward bloc within the party and said that the government was fabricating such stories to divert attention from its incompetence.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday claimed that four PML-N leaders were “hell-bent on removing the party supremo Nawaz Sharif from the party.”

    Addressing a gathering in Lahore, Fawad said that there is a “rat race going on among senior PML-N members as to who would lead the party next,” adding that, “four top-most party leaders want to remove PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in a bid to take over the party’s leadership.”

    When asked about the reported attempt by her party leaders to replace the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Maryam said that Fawad’s statement was a way to hide from the questions of media about rising inflation and the government’s inabilities that led to the recent Murree tragedy.

    She said that after the death of tourists, instead of providing a balm to the wounds of the bereaved families, the inconsiderate ministers and government machinery started victim-blaming.

    Criticising the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leadership who used to make fun of PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam said, “Instead of following his example and borrowing the boots from him, they [PTI leaders] spent winter nights in the heated bedrooms of their official residences, maintained on public expense while tourists were dying in the snow.”

  • Forward bloc in PML-N: Will Nawaz Sharif be replaced by another party member?

    Forward bloc in PML-N: Will Nawaz Sharif be replaced by another party member?

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has claimed that four Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders were “hell-bent on removing the party supremo Nawaz Sharif from the party.”

    Addressing a gathering in Lahore, Fawad said that there is a “rat race going on among senior PML-N members as to who would lead the party next,” adding that, “four top-most party leaders want to remove PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in a bid to take over the party’s leadership.”

    The federal minister even claimed that the four members he was referring to “even went out to meet someone and confessed that since Nawaz had treated the country in a bad manner, they should instead be given a chance to lead the party.”

    When asked for names Fawad said that their names will soon be out and that the four of them sit in the front row.

    Energy Minister Hammad Azhar took to Twitter and asked the PML-N leadership to show courage and come forward with their ambitions.

    “It is a good thing that there are four members in the Noon League who have the courage to consider themselves more qualified and entitled to lead than the Sharif family,” said Hammad.

    “However, they should express this commitment openly, not behind closed doors. Will you spend your whole life in fear?” tweeted Hammad.

    Confirming what Fawad had said, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Special Assistant on Capital Development Authority (CDA), Ali Nawaz Awan, while speaking on Geo News programme, ‘Captial Talk’ said, “The entire city is talking about [replacement of Nawaz Sharif.]”

    I will name two members [out of the four hinted by Fawad] Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Khawaja Asif,” said Awan.

    Prior to this, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed had hinted on a minus Sharif leadership and said, “They [Opposition] want that the hand [protecting] Imran Khan should be on their head as well,” adding, ” this hand can be on their [Opposition] neck but never on their head.” Rasheed’s words hint towards the establishment.

    “I would like to say a historical sentence that all four Sharif’s are minus from the politics of Pakistan,” said Rasheed.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda, while speaking on ARY News programme, ‘Off the Record’ was questioned about the four names who wanted to replace Nawaz Sharif.
    “Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal, and Miftah Ismail are the names who wish to replace Nawaz,” said Vawda.

    Anchorperson Kashif Abbasi asked Vawda as to where did the above-mentioned people go and whom did they meet? Vawda said, “Any door can be knocked, one can go and meet anyone.