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Tag: PM Shehbaz

  • Court ends ‘assets beyond means case’ against Dar after five years

    Court ends ‘assets beyond means case’ against Dar after five years

    An accountability court in Islamabad on Tuesday ended proceedings in an assets beyond means case against Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Ishaq Dar.

    During the hearing, Judge Mohammad Bashir remarked that “After the [National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022], this case does not fall under the jurisdiction of this court.”

    “We can neither announce a decision in favour of NAB nor can we issue a decision in favour of the suspect. The trial against Ishaq Dar ends here,” Judge Bashir said.

    In August, the National Assembly passed the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, which sought to exclude private transactions from the scope of NAB.

    Following the amendment, accountability courts withdrew 50 major corruption cases, including the case against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, and former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shahbaz.

    The case

    In 2017, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) registered a case against Dar, accusing him of possessing assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income.

    Following the case, he went to London and remained there for five years until September when he returned to Pakistan and took up charge of the finance ministry.

  • Who should be the next army chief? PM consults Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    Who should be the next army chief? PM consults Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has begun discussions with the senior leadership of ruling parties on the appointment of the new army chief, sources have revealed to Geo news.

    A report aired on the news channel has said that allied parties have fully mandated the Premier to make the nomination in accordance with established protocols.


    Sources said that the leader of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, called the prime minister to inquire about his health.

    The two leaders then discussed the state of the nation and the selection of the new army chief over the phone, according to sources.

    Maulana urged the PM to choose the new army head in accordance with established protocols. Sources have also revealed that co-chairman PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, who is in Islamabad, may meet with Shehbaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman.


    Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had also acknowledged that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has the constitutional right to appoint the army chief but questioned if he can “morally” appoint the right person.

  • Khawaja Asif says PM Shehbaz didn’t consult Nawaz on COAS appointment

    Khawaja Asif says PM Shehbaz didn’t consult Nawaz on COAS appointment

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that no decision regarding the appointment of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has been made as yet.

    When asked if Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif was not being consulted on the matter, the minister said: “Consultations have not yet taken place on the army chief’s appointment. These are just newspaper reports”, reports Geo News.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has just returned home from Britain after having several meetings with his brother Nawaz. It was being widely reported that the two brothers were holding consultations on who should be the next head of the armed forces.

    Speaking with journalists outside the National Assembly, Khwaja Asif said: “The prime minister has discretion regarding the appointment of the COAS; therefore, he will make the decision on the appointment.”

    Responding to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s interview with Financial Times where he said he “no longer blamed the US” and wants “dignified” ties with the country if he comes back to power, Asif sarcastically asked if this was the first time Khan was taking back his words.

    “He turns away from everything, how many things have been said in the last four years? Has Imran Khan stood by anything he says,” the minister asked.

  • Pakistani Twitter defends PM Shehbaz against former Irfan Pathan’s remarks

    Pakistani Twitter defends PM Shehbaz against former Irfan Pathan’s remarks

    Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan continues his Twitter tirade against Pakistan cricket fans after he turned his guns towards Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    After the England team crushed Indians in the T20 World Cup semi-finals, the premier wrote an interesting tweet, writing, “So, this Sunday, it’s: 152/0 vs 170/0″, he said in reference to the scores of Pakistan and England against Indian cricket team in T20 World Cups of 2021 and 2022, respectively. Both teams defeated India without losing a single wicket.

    But the premier’s tweet didn’t sit well with Indian cricket fans. Replying to PM Shehbaz’s tweet, on the eve of World Cup final, Pathan said, “Aap mein or hum mein fark yehi hai. Hum apni khushi se khush or aap dusre ke taklif se. Is liye khud ke mulk ko behtar karne pe dhyan nahi hai.” (This is the difference between you and us. We are satisfied with our happiness, while you look for happiness when others are in trouble. That is why you are not concentrating on your country’s well-being).

    Pathan, who has criticised Pakistan’s cricket team and fans in the past, was taken to task by Twitterati with many of them calling him a “hypocrite”.

    https://twitter.com/WrathOfTatars/status/1591373147408068608?s=20&t=iSuBHNZdXjRwT_dg_I5PQA

    Earlier, the Indian bowler came under fire after he cracked a joke at the expense of the Pakistani cricket team during the ongoing T20 World Cup taking place in Australia.

    On Wednesday, when Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets and booked a place for themselves in the final of the tournament, Pathan tweeted that while Pakistan won the match, they still have no “grace”.

    After receiving the backlash, Irfan tweeted again and clarified that his comment was not meant for Pakistani players.

  • ‘Waqar and Khurram killed Arshad Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    ‘Waqar and Khurram killed Arshad Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Khurram and his brother Waqar, who were hosting slain journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, conspired with local police to kill the newsman.

    “This is a joint conspiracy of Waqar, Khurram and five Kenyan police officers,” said the federal minister on Geo News programme “Geo Pakistan” adding that the murder was a “target killing”.

    The interior minister said that Sharif went to Kenya from Dubai on Waqar’s sponsorship and he was staying in his flat. He also said that Waqar helped Sharif in getting an online visa.

    It is pertinent to mention that when Sharif was shot, Khurram was with him, driving the car, however, he was not injured by police gunfire and remained unharmed.

    “We have the record of everything including why Sharif went to Waqar’s house and stayed as a guest,” claimed the minister. He also revealed that Waqar is not being named in the case because the commission has yet to go and look into these matters.

    During the interview, Sanaullah said that Sharif didn’t want to leave the country.

    The interior minister said that he would request Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to talk to the Kenyan president again because the Kenyan police are “not cooperating”.

    Earlier in the week, “On the Front” host Kamran Shahid unearthed details of the murder on his show, stating, “At eight o clock on the night of October 23, Arshad Sharif was shot while sitting in the car with Khurram, who drove him [Arshad Sharif] via a long route instead of the usual one on the day the anchorperson was martyred.”

  • ‘I am captain who brought neutral umpires’: IK on whether he wants military out of politics or not

    ‘I am captain who brought neutral umpires’: IK on whether he wants military out of politics or not

    Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that he is the one who in the entire history of the game, brought in a neutral umpire to get fair results.

    Khan was talking on TRT World’s “The Newsmakers” with Andrea Sanke, when the anchor asked, “You want the military out of Pakistan’s politics, or do you want the military on your side in Pakistan’s politics?”

    Khan replied: “Let me say one thing. In the two hundred year history of test cricket, and international cricket, I am the captain who brought the neutral umpires. I am the one who actually brought in the neutral umpires in cricket because we wanted a fair result.”

    “You must understand, for me right now, the most important thing in Pakistan is how do we get out of the quagmire, how do we get out of this situation”, he stated.

    During the interview, Khan again mentioned the names of PM Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Major General Faisal Naseer as the minds behind the assassination attempt on his life. “We are governed by criminals”, Khan said.

    He reiterated that he wants an independent investigation. “We are a popular party in Punjab but we couldn’t get a case registered against them because the provincial police refused,” he told the host.

    “If they turned out to be innocent in the investigation so it’s fine. At least it’s my right, they almost killed me”, Khan said.

    He claimed that all the investigative agencies in the country are under these three people [Shehbaz, Sanaullah and Faisal Naseer].

    About Naveed, the gunman who shot at the former Prime Minister, Imran Khan said, “After 20 minutes of the incident, a man appears and says that I shot Imran”.

    Khan raised a question: “Who brought him on television? Police are not allowed to do this unless a proper investigation is carried out.”

    Stressing that he was more determined now, Imran Khan said that he was expecting something to happen. “I predicted this four months ago that there was a plot against me,” he said.

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former prime minister and a senior leader of the ruling coalition, also spoke with The Newsmakers and called the allegations levelled by Khan tragic. “It is a tragedy that a person of Imran Khan’s stature, who served as the prime minister of the country, would stoop so low to accuse the [sitting] prime minister and intelligence officials of being behind this shooting,” he said.

    Abbasi said the shooting took place in a province that Khan’s PTI party controls and called for an investigation to ascertain the motivation behind this shooting. “The shooter has been arrested and the truth should come out. I think for Imran Khan to speculate and try to gain political points out of this is something that is very much not acceptable,” Abbasi said.

    Imran Khan rejected Abbasi’s statement, saying he does not need popularity gained by accusing others.

    Khan called on the Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial to be “more assertive” when it comes to dispensing justice.

    “Justice persists when every person, even the most powerful, is brought under the rule of law. I, as the head of a province, can’t get the three people to be investigated, imagine what the situation will be for the common man,” he said, adding that PTI’s movement for “real struggle” demanded rule of law.

  • Suggestions are being made to govt to let COAS Bajwa continue

    Suggestions are being made to govt to let COAS Bajwa continue

    Suggestions are being made to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) by “certain elements” to convince Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to continue as the head of the armed forces, reports The News.

    According to the newspaper’s sources, a suggestion was given to the government to give an extension to the incumbent army chief, and dissolve the government so that an interim government could form which would then continue for six to seven months.

    However, it has been reported that the party has said “no” to these options. PM Shehbaz and his senior party leadership insist on completing the term of the present assemblies and holding the next elections in October-November 2023. According to the party, the appointment of the COAS is at the discretion of the Premier and key military appointments would be made as per the law and Constitution.

    It is pertinent to mention that COAS Bajwa is set to retire by the end of November, a time frame that he has reportedly verbally confirmed multiple times.

    It was also reported a few weeks ago that Imran Khan, former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been seeking the continuation of the incumbent army chief until the new elections are called.

    In an interview with Kamran Khan on Dunya News, Khan suggested that COAS Bajwa, be given an extension in his tenure of service.

    Talking about the possibility of appointing a new Army Chief, Khan said, “There can be a provision in relevance to the selection of the new COAS. When the next government comes, they can appoint a new COAS.”

  • PM Shehbaz writes letter to CJ asking to form judicial commission to investigate attack on Imran

    PM Shehbaz writes letter to CJ asking to form judicial commission to investigate attack on Imran

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter to Chief Justice (CJ) Umar Ata Bandial to request him to form a judicial commission to investigate the attempted assassination on Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The premier said that the investigation of the incident was being “mishandled” and in its aftermath a “derogatory campaign” had been launched against the leadership of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and state institutions.

    Putting forward five questions before the SC, Shehbaz Sharif has asked which law enforcement agencies were responsible to provide security to Imran’s convoy. He also questioned whether security protocols and other SOPs were put in place to secure the convoy and whether these protocols were adhered to. “What are the facts of the incident itself,” the letter says.

    “Whether law enforcement agencies and administrative authorities complied with the prescribed investigation, evidence collection, and handling procedures following the incident,” reads the letter.

    The last questions were: “Whether the investigation into the incident is being deliberately impeded? If yes, by which actors and why? Whether the shooting was a result of a criminal conspiracy hatched to assassinate Imran or the act of a lone shooter? Who are the actors responsible in either scenario?”

    PM’s letter to CJ about Arshad Sharif’s death

    In another letter to the SC, PM Shehbaz — who is currently in Egypt—wrote a letter to CJ Bandial and sought the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the death of slain journalist Arshad Sharif.

    The journalist was killed in a “mistaken identity” case last month in Kenya by local police.

    The Premier suggested the CJ focus on five questions — through which procedure did Arshad Sharif go abroad in August 2022? Who facilitated Sharif’s departure abroad? Was any federal or provincial agency aware of any threat to Sharif? Was any organisation or administration aware of any threat to Sharif? If Sharif’s life was in danger, what steps were taken to save him? What were the circumstances, and reasons under which Sharif went to Kenya from UAE? What is the truth behind the shooting incident in which Sharif died?

    The premier asked the chief justice to form a commission comprising all the justices of the SC. He also assured the apex court that the federal government would provide full support to the commission.

  • PM Shehbaz left for Egypt to attend Climate Change Conference

    PM Shehbaz left for Egypt to attend Climate Change Conference

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has left for Egypt to attend the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP27).

    The premier is accompanied by Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, other cabinet members and senior officials.

    Before his departure, PM Shehbaz took to Twitter to say that he will raise the matter of the devasting effects of climate change in Pakistan.

    “I will urge the world to deliver on its commitment on climate finance & loss and damage fund. Without financial support, the developing countries will continue to remain exposed to the multifarious threats of climate change. We are asking for climate justice”, he tweeted.

    The premier highlighted that Pakistan’s post-disaster needs assessment has shown that its journey to recovery and rehabilitation can be held back by public debt, rising international energy and food prices and lack of access to adaption funds.

    “The world should treat Pakistan as a case study,” he concluded in a series of tweets.

    Last month, it was announced that PM Shehbaz would be the vice-chairperson for COP27.

    The conference is taking place at a time when millions of people in Pakistan, and millions more in other parts of the world, are facing severe adverse impacts of climate change.

  • PM Shehbaz congratulates Lula da Silva on his election as the new Brazilian President

    PM Shehbaz congratulates Lula da Silva on his election as the new Brazilian President

    Brazil has elected leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as President after he beat far-right incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro in a tight presidential election on Sunday.

    Following the election, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif extended his wishes to Silva.

    “I extend my congratulations to H.E. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his election as President of Brazil. I wish him great success and look forward to working with him to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries. We share consensus on the dangers of climate change,” he said in a tweet.

    According to the country’s election authority, Lula secured 50.8 per cent of the vote compared with 49.2 per cent for Bolsonaro.

    In his victory speech, Lula said, “This country needs peace and unity. This population doesn’t want to fight anymore.”

    This is the first time that the sitting president failed to re-win the elections.

    Bolsonaro has made no public statement on the outcome.

    Lula, a hero for the country’s left, could not run in the 2018 election after being incarcerated on corruption charges which were later annulled.

    Lula left the presidency 12 years ago with record popularity after serving from 2003-2010. His conviction was later overturned by the Supreme Court, allowing him to run again for president this year.