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Tag: Nawaz Sharif

  • Only Allah can bring Nawaz Sharif back: interior minister

    Only Allah can bring Nawaz Sharif back: interior minister

    As the debate surrounding convicted former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s extradition to Pakistan from the United Kingdom (UK) intensifies, Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed has said that “only Allah can bring Nawaz back to Pakistan”.

    Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, the minister said that the current government could bring neither Nawaz nor former finance minister Ishaq Dar back to Pakistan because there existed no extradition treaty between the two countries.

    “Now, only Allah can bring them back,” he said while speaking of the former chief executive of the country, Nawaz, and his finance minister, Dar.

    Dar had left the country for “medical treatment” in the midst of investigations by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against him, whereas his ex-boss, ailing Nawaz, had left the country after bail on medical grounds while serving a jail term.

    While the government has been trying its best to bring the two back, they have managed to remain in London and appear on talk shows or at anti-government public gatherings via video link.

    Earlier this week, it was reported by a local English daily that British Home Secretary Priti Patel had written to PM Imran Khan’s adviser on accountability, Shahzad Akbar, pointing out that the UK government was subject to international law in the case of Nawaz.

    The home secretary had reportedly confirmed that the British government would give Pakistan’s extradition request full attention under the provision of UK law if a formal request were received. At the same time, Patel had stressed that the UK was subject to international law and could not go against the established legal principles.

    The report had quoted sources as saying that Pakistan had asked for the deportation of Nawaz in a letter sent via British High Commission but a formal extradition request had not been filed. The home secretary’s letter to Pakistan meant that the UK would not consider deporting Nawaz, acting on the deportation request made by Pakistan.

  • ‘Dear Mian Sahib’: Modi’s letter to Nawaz emerges

    ‘Dear Mian Sahib’: Modi’s letter to Nawaz emerges

    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi wrote a letter to former premier Nawaz Sharif to offer his condolences after the death of the latter’s mother Begum Shamim Akhtar, it has emerged.

    Begum Shamim passed away last month.

    The letter, dated November 27, was delivered to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad last week. Charge d’ Affairs of Indian High Commission Gaurav Ahluwalia asked her to convey the letter to her father Nawaz.

    In the letter itself, Modi shared a personal memory of meeting Sharif’s late mother during his visit to Jati Umra residence back in 2015.

    “I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of your mother Begum Shamim Akhtar on November 22 in London. My heartfelt condolences are with you in this hour of intense grief,” wrote the Indian premier.

    “I recall my interaction with her during my brief visit to Lahore in 2015. Her simplicity and warmth was indeed very touching,” Modi wrote, expressing his personal bond with the Sharif family.

    “In this moment of profound grief, I pray to the Almighty to bestow strength upon you and your family to bear this irreparable loss. May the departed soul rest in peace,” Modi added.

    It may be noted that it was Nawaz who started developing a personal relationship with Modi soon after he was elected PM in 2014 by personally making a visit to his oath-taking. Nawaz also sent a white sari for Modi’s mother, who had gifted a shawl to Nawaz’s mother when he had visited India.

  • Maryam says doctors haven’t stopped Nawaz from eating pizza

    Maryam says doctors haven’t stopped Nawaz from eating pizza

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz has defended father Nawaz Sharif after his picture eating pizza went viral on social media, inviting criticism from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and others.

    Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the PML-N vice president said that the former prime minister eats pizza once in a while. She made these remarks in response to a question wherein the reporter asked her to comment on the criticism that the photo of the former premier invited for eating pizza despite being a heart patient.

    She asked whether any doctor had forbidden a heart or platelets patient from eating pizza. She further said that she did not know Nawaz Sharif to have any particular fondness for pizza.

    Maryam also talked about the Senate election. She termed the government’s decision to hold early Senate polls a ‘controversy’. According to Maryam, she was not opposed to the amendment pertaining to the secret ballot, but she would oppose the early polls.

    The PML-N leader also warned Prime Minister Imran Khan against pressurising the state institution, saying the PM will have to be answerable to the people of Pakistan for his acts.

  • VIDEO: The tea is not fantastic? Ex-PM’s video chiding help goes viral

    A cup of tea served to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif disturbed him during his address via video-link at an event organised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) media cell.

    “When you knew I was speaking then why did you keep it here,” the clearly perturbed three-time prime minister said in the footage.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    https://twitter.com/worldofjaved/status/1335591711964344320?s=19

    It is pertinent to mention here that the PML-N in accordance with its social mobilisation plan has announced holding seven workers conventions throughout Punjab to build the momentum for running a decisive movement against the government from the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) platform.

    The decision regarding holding workers conventions was announced during a PML-N Punjab chapter meeting presided over by party provincial President Rana Sanaullah and attended by senior leaders, including all divisional and district presidents and general secretaries.

    On the other hand, Shahbaz Gill, Adviser to PM on Political Communication, shared the footage of Nawaz Sharif with the caption, “Nothing but parchee (script) during the speech.”

    PML-N leader Hina Parvez Butt hit back at Gill, saying, “So, secretly you watch Nawaz’s speeches.”

  • KYA BOLA? (Dec 3): ‘Nawaz Bais-e-Ibrat’, ‘NAB Ko Maanty He Nahi’, ‘Dubai Py Hamlay Ki Dhamki’

    KYA BOLA? (Dec 3): ‘Nawaz Bais-e-Ibrat’, ‘NAB Ko Maanty He Nahi’, ‘Dubai Py Hamlay Ki Dhamki’

    Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on December 3, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    ‘Nawaz Bais-e-Ibrat’

    Daily Jang has quoted Prime Minister Imran Khan as saying: “Nawaz aur Zardari per Allah ka azaab aaty dekha, jo hamary lye nishan-e-ibrat ha. Apni zindagi mai dekha ky in ki halat kya hui. Kabhi jail ja rahy hain, kabhi bahir aa rahy hain.”

    ‘NAB Ko Maanty He Nahi’

    JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has refused to appear before NAB, saying the notice sent by NAB has no legal standing. Daily Jang reported: “Jab hum NAB jesy idary ko he tasleem nahi karty tou us ky notice ki bhi koi qanooni heysiat nahi. Aesy nafsiati hathkandoon sy maroub hony wali nahi hum.”

    Dubai Py Hamla?

    Dunya News has reported that Iran has warned the United Arab Emirates of retaliation if the US used its soil to attack Tehran. According to the newspaper: “Iran ny UAE ko dhamki di ha k Amreeki hamly ki soorat mai Dubai ko nishana bnaya jaye ga.”

  • Firdous Ashiq destroyed for saying Sharifs ‘parceling mother’s body to Pakistan through cargo’

    Twitterati are training guns at Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar’s aide Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan for saying that the Sharifs were “parceling the body of their mother back to Pakistan through cargo”.

    Begum Shamim Akhtar, 90, breathed her last in London on Sunday and her dead body is being brought back to Pakistan. According to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb, her funeral prayers will be offered on Saturday at the Sharif Medical City in Raiwind.

    “It is painful to see how those who used chartered flights to transfer cuisines are now parceling their mother’s body back to the country through cargo,” she was heard as saying during an informal media talk.

    With the government spokesperson also tweeting the same, her statement didn’t set very well with a number of netizens, who said:

    https://twitter.com/FatimaButt135/status/1331549114551717888

    Meanwhile, Qul would be held on November 29 which would be attended only by members of the Sharif family.

    PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and President Shehbaz Sharif have appealed to the people and workers to offer Fateha for their mother on the day of Qul in their respective areas.

  • KYA BOLA? (Nov 27): Wazir-e-Azam Lockdown Ky Sakht Mukhalif, Kulsoom Nawaz Ky Ghar Py Dhawa, Veena Malik Ky Dubai Sy Arrest Warrants?

    KYA BOLA? (Nov 27): Wazir-e-Azam Lockdown Ky Sakht Mukhalif, Kulsoom Nawaz Ky Ghar Py Dhawa, Veena Malik Ky Dubai Sy Arrest Warrants?

    Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on November 27, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    Wazir-e-Azam Lockdown Ky Sakht Mukhalif.. Kiya Badla?

    Daily Jang has reported that PM Imran Khan, who was against lockdown during the first wave of COVID-19, has seemed to change his mind. “Corona lockdown ky hawaly sy agar wazir-e-azam aur opposition shaksiaat kay purany clips dekhin tou us waqt wazir-e-azam lockdown ky sakht mukhalif thy, aj kal in ki tweets sy lagta ha kay kuch haami ho gye hain.”

    Kulsoom Nawaz Ky Ghar Py Dhawa

    Daily Express has reported that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) raided the house of late wife of Nawaz Sharif. “Muslim League ki markazi tarjumaan Marriyum Aurangzeb ny kaha kay ‘NAB-Niazi’ gath-jorr ny marhooma maghfoora Kulsoom Nawaz ky Murree mai waqia ghar per Jummayraat ko dhawa bola… baghair notice ya itlaa ky ghar ky andar ghusnay ki kosish ki gai… videos banai aur char dewari ka taquddus paamal kiya.”

    Veena Malik Ky Dubai Sy Arrest Warrants?

    The spat between model Veena Malik and her husband has gaining momentum by the day. Jang News has reported her husband Asad Khattak as saying, “Veena Malik kay Dubai sy warrant-e-giraftari jald jaari hun gy. Veena Malik is bar mehrbani kar ky mery haqeeqi address per he notice bhejain.”

  • Maryam says was given ‘rat-contaminated food’ in Kot Lakhpat Jail

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has claimed that she was given “rat-infested food” by Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail staff during her imprisonment.

    In a conversation with journalists at Jati Umrah, the PML-N leader claimed that not only her food was contaminated, but she was also provided with medications that were rotten due to fungus. “They were not fit for use at all,” she claimed.

    Maryam, whose popularity has quadrupled since the disqualification of her father ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a corruption case, has gone to jail twice — once after conviction in the Avenfield case, second time was her alleged involvement in a sugar mills scam.

    The new accusations against the government came a fortnight after the PML-N VP claimed that cameras were installed in her jail room to humiliate her. The politician had said that if she revealed the details about how she and other female inmates were treated during detention, “they” will find no place to hide their faces.

    “I don’t want to hide behind these incidents at all. I’m struggling today, so I don’t want to show that I was affected; I don’t want to cry today that I have been abused,” she had said.

    Responding to the claim that Maryam was fed contaminated food, PM’s aide on accountability Shahzad Akbar accused the PML-N leader of concealing the truth. He said: “It’s on record that the food Maryam used to get in jail came from her home.” He said either Maryam is lying about it or the Sharifs’ residence is infested with rats.

    MARYAM IN JAIL:

    On July 6, 2018, Maryam was sentenced to seven years in jail by the NAB on corruption charges in the Avenfield reference case.

    The court had held that trust deeds presented by Maryam before the apex court were fake and had been tampered with. As a result, she was disqualified from contesting elections for 10 years.

    The next day, Maryam announced that she would return to Pakistan on July 13 to file an appeal against the decision. The same day, NAB announced to arrest her and Nawaz Sharif upon their arrival in Pakistan.

    She, along with her father, was taken into custody on July 13 upon their arrival at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport and were airlifted to Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

    On July 26, she challenged her sentence in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and filed a petition for bail. The next day, the court rejected her request for release on bail and adjourned the hearing till the end of the 2018 general election on July 25.

    While she was released following the suspension of the verdict against her father, husband and herself by the IHC, Maryam was once again arrested in August 2019 over Chaudhry Sugar Mills corruption charges; this time upon her arrival at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore to see Nawaz, who was serving his sentence in a separate corruption case.

    In November 2019, Maryam was released on bail by the Lahore High Court (LHC).

  • Will Nawaz stay in London till end of Imran govt?

    Will Nawaz stay in London till end of Imran govt?

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif is not going to accompany the dead body of his mother Shamim Akhtar, who died last week, giving rise to speculations that the ex-PM will not come back till the end of the incumbent government.

    His decision of staying in London couple with a tweet by PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz — wherein she asked her father to stay in London because the government was hell-bent on exacting revenge — has prompted people to ask if this was his plan all along.

    In a tweet following the death of her grandmother, Maryam had said: “I have requested Mian sahab not to come back [to Pakistan] at all. These are tyrants, these are the people hellbent on exacting revenge, and no humanity is expected from them.” Maryam also said that the government didn’t inform her of her grandmother’s death while she was attending a rally in Peshawar.

    Nawaz has been living in London since November last year when he was released on conditional medical bail for his treatment abroad. Dar, on the other hand, has taken self-exile in the United Kingdom after his removal from the post of Finance Minister in 2017 following the emergence of allegations of accumulation of assets beyond means against him. Both of them are wanted back home in multiple cases of graft and abuse of power

    Political analysts said the remarks by the PML-N vice president were devoid of logic, as Maryam couldn’t hold the government responsible in this case. “It is however her right to advise her father,” analyst Irshad Bhatti said in a Geo News show. According to Bhatti, the elder Sharif’s decision not to return was a “pre-planned” strategy by the PML-N to pressurise the government and seek reprieve.

    Similar views were shared by analysts Hassan Nisar, Dr Rasul Baksh Rais, and Muneeb Farooq.

    Farooq and Dr Rais said the former prime minister will not be coming back to Pakistan during the government of Imran Khan, and a recent statement by Maryam Nawaz, asking him to stay in London indefinitely, has proved it. Dr Rais said the decision that Nawaz will not return during the PTI government tenure was taken a long time ago and the statement made by Maryam was an attempt at political damage control.

    Shamim Begum, the Sharif family matriarch, breathed her last in London on Sunday due to a chest infection at the age of 89. Her body will be moved to Pakistan within next few days. Her grandsons, Hassan and Hussain, will also not accompany her dead body to Pakistan.

  • Nawaz welcome to attend mother’s funeral in Lahore, govt says

    Nawaz welcome to attend mother’s funeral in Lahore, govt says

    The government on Tuesday dismissed the impression of placing restrictions on the arrival of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his sons — Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz — and former finance minister Ishaq Dar for the funeral of Begum Shamim Akhtar, the mother of Sharif brothers who passed away in London on Sunday.

    Nawaz has been living in London since November last year when he was released on conditional medical bail for his treatment abroad. Dar, on the other hand, has taken self-exile in the United Kingdom after his removal from the post of Finance Minister in 2017 following the emergence of allegations of accumulation of assets beyond means against him. Both of them are wanted back home in multiple cases of graft and abuse of power

    Speculations arose after the sudden demise of Akhtar, who had travelled to London in February to live with her son, whether or not Nawaz and Dar will return to attend the funeral.

    Later on Sunday, Nawaz’s daughter and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz, in a tweet, said she had advised her father not to return because of what she claimed was the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government’s vendetta against the Sharif family.

    “They are welcome to come to Pakistan and attend the funeral,” Minister for Information Shibli Faraz said on Tuesday.

    In a tweet, Faraz warned the opposition party of trying to politicise the matter. “The narrative of state suppression is deliberate propaganda and an attempt to politicise this issue. Who are you trying to fool?”

    Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to bring the body back to Lahore within a couple of days to be buried next to the grave of her husband, Mian Sharif, at the family’s Jati Umra residence.