Law Minister Farogh Naseem has resigned and will fight Chief Of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s case tomorrow (Wednesday), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ministers confirmed after an emergency meeting of the federal cabinet concluded on Tuesday.
In a press conference today, federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed that Naseem had tendered his resignation during the cabinet meeting. “Prime Minister Imran Khan has accepted Naseem’s resignation,” he said.
Cabinet approves new summary seeking Gen. Bajwa’s extension
The prime minister had called an emergency meeting of the cabinet for the second time during the day.
The cabinet’s approval was sought for giving an extension to army chief General Bajwa after the Supreme Court had earlier suspended a notification over the same matter.
An amendment in the Defence Act was approved by the cabinet. Reports claim that the new summary was sent to President Alvi for approval.
Opposition leaders reiterate demand for ‘transparent’ elections post APC meeting
In his address, Fazl said that the government should take up the holy quran-burning incident with the government of Norway.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman led all parties conference (APC) was held in Islamabad. The opposition parties are deliberating on the next course of action in their anti-government campaign.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz leader Ahsan Iqbal addressed the media after the session.
PTI’s conscience clean in foreign-funding case: PM Imran
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that the opposition was misleading the people in the foreign-funding case.
Speaking to his party’s spokespeople PM said, the PTI submitted all relevant details to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), noting that the leaders of two of the country’s biggest political parties made money through money-laundering.
Reacting to opposition’s call for APC he said they were doing so and protesting to mask their embarrassment. However, the people have rejected their protest.
Nawaz to be admitted in hospital upon cardiologist’s advice
Dr Adnan Khan, has said that Professor Simon Redwood of the London Bridge Hospital had recommended hospital admission for the former prime minister to undergo angiogram followed by further intervention.
“Once he has gone through all haematological investigations, we will then have a clear picture of what is required next and what the exact treatment should be”, Dr Adnan added.
Treason case: Musharraf, Govt file petition against special court’s verdict on Nov 28
The federal interior ministry and former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf both submitted pleas in the Islamabad High Court on Monday, requesting it to stop the special court from announcing its reserved verdict in the high treason case against the former army chief.
The special court, constituted to try the former military ruler for high treason, was set to announce its verdict on November 28. The IHC will hear the case on Tuesday.
The ministry in its plea has stated that the accusers to be tried with Pervez Musharraf were not included in the trial. The prosecution team was denotified on Oct 23, but it proceeded with the case on Oct 24 without having an authority in the matter.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman has disclosed the “conditions” upon which the opposition’s Azadi March sit-in was called off.
“I was assured that a change would come in the month of December […] I was assured that new general elections would be held in the next three months,” Dunya News quoted Maulana Fazl as saying.
JUI-F chief said that we need to wait “whether in-house change [in the parliament] is brought or the entire government is sent packing”.
Meanwhile, Fazl has called multiparty conference (MPC) of the opposition parties on November 26 aimed at discussing next course of action against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Reports reveal that Fazl has invited several influential politicians including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Ahsan Iqbal and Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, among other senior leaders of opposition parties.
However, PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz has excused herself from attending the meeting due to health issues, including blood pressure and diabetes.
The protests, led by JUI-F supremo, began with the ‘Azadi March’ on October 27 from Karachi. Thousands of supporters reached Islamabad on October 31, holding a two-week sit-in on the city’s main highway.
Later on November 13, Fazl ordered his supporters to disperse across the country to block roads, in what he termed as ‘Plan B’ to topple Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has lashed out at Prime Minister Imran Khan, referring to him as a ‘mental patient’, Geo Newsreported.
According to the details, Marriyum while speaking to media on Friday said that after PM Imran today’s speech it was clear that he was a mental patient and needed to get himself checked.
She said, “We’re convinced Imran Khan is a mental patient, he should get himself a medical examination.”
PML-N spokesperson said that it was fortunate that Shehbaz Sharif was being compared to Nelson Mandela, addinf that Imran Khan had nothing to show for after five years of governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and one year in power at the federal level.
“The issue here is that the government’s performance is zero,” she said. “He should have spoken about how the Peshawar BRT cannot be completed even after five years.”
Marriyum further said that a case against the prime minister should be filed for provocative speech.
PM Imran on Monday, had said that when he saw the former premier Nawaz Sharif climbing the stairs of the plane he remembered the doctors’ reports, which said the patient ‘will be gone [forever]’ if not allowed to go abroad.
Meanwhile, Senator Sherry Rehman has also criticised the premier for mimicking political rivals by saying that was all he was doing these days.
“Imran Khan has destroyed the country and now all he does is mimic his rivals,” she said, adding that “He should think before he speak–his words contradict his own stance.”
She said that people were unable to find jobs in the country and the PM was saying that the economy was stabilising.
On Monday, PM Imran had made fun of PPP’s Bilawal over the latter’s “rain theory”.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Havelian-Thakot motorway under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he had mimicked Bilawal and said that his theory had startled scientists across the globe.
PTI’s conscience clean in foreign-funding case: PM Imran
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that the opposition was misleading the people in the foreign-funding case.
Speaking to his party’s spokespeople PM said, the PTI submitted all relevant details to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), noting that the leaders of two of the country’s biggest political parties made money through money-laundering.
Reacting to opposition’s call for APC he said they were doing so and protesting to mask their embarrassment. However, the people have rejected their protest.
Nawaz to be admitted in hospital upon cardiologist’s advice
Dr Adnan Khan, has said that Professor Simon Redwood of the London Bridge Hospital had recommended hospital admission for the former prime minister to undergo angiogram followed by further intervention.
“Once he has gone through all haematological investigations, we will then have a clear picture of what is required next and what the exact treatment should be”, Dr Adnan added.
Treason case: Musharraf, Govt file petition against special court’s verdict on Nov 28
The federal interior ministry and former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf both submitted pleas in the Islamabad High Court on Monday, requesting it to stop the special court from announcing its reserved verdict in the high treason case against the former army chief.
The special court, constituted to try the former military ruler for high treason, was set to announce its verdict on November 28. The IHC will hear the case on Tuesday.
The ministry in its plea has stated that the accusers to be tried with Pervez Musharraf were not included in the trial. The prosecution team was denotified on Oct 23, but it proceeded with the case on Oct 24 without having an authority in the matter.
Hundreds of charity posters and pamphlets with a picture of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif have emerged in different parts of London, requesting donations for the ailing former prime minister’s (PM) treatment, a private media outlet has reported.
“Please donate your Sadqa and Zakat to save your qaumi (national) hero,” read the banners, a majority of which have emerged in East London.
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The former premier is currently in London for medical treatment. On Wednesday, PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif, while talking to media, had said that his brother’s medical treatment would begin after a complete medical examination.
“Nawaz has undergone some medical tests today [Wednesday] with others more to follow,” he had said while briefing media over the ongoing treatment of the former premier outside Guy’s Hospital. Shehbaz had also prayed for the health of the three-time prime minister of the country.
Ex-PM Nawaz reached London on Tuesday night for medical treatment in a “high-end air ambulance” equipped with an intensive care unit and an operation theatre.
Nawaz was accompanied by PML-N President Shehbaz and personal physician Dr Adnan Khan. A team of doctors and paramedics were also on board to cope with any emergency situation.
As soon as the former premier exited through the VVIP gate at Heathrow in London, he was welcomed by a convoy of party loyalists who took him home. In a statement, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Nawaz had safely landed in London and thankfully had not faced any medical complications during the flight.
She also asked the nation to pray for Nawaz’s health.
Ailing former premier was granted bail on humanitarian grounds while he underwent treatment at Lahore’s Services Hospital following a precarious drop in his platelet count last month. He was shifted to the hospital from Kot Lakhpat jail and later diagnosed with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an immune disorder that leads to an abrupt and sharp drop in blood platelet.
Last week, the Lahore High Ccourt (LHC) had permitted Nawaz to seek medical treatment abroad without any conditions for a time period of four weeks. In its decision, the LHC said that in case Nawaz’s health doesn’t improve then the time-period can be extended, adding that the government officials will be able to contact Nawaz through the Pakistani Embassy.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s former wife Reham Khan has lashed out at her former husband over the government’s restrictions on “Maryam Nawaz’s Diet Coke”, Pakistan Today reported.
According to the details, Reham in a video statement criticised the governmetn and said, “The Sharif family is a very resilient family. Your leader [Imran Khan] cannot spend even a single day in jail”, adding it would be very difficult if your leader [Imran Khan] is stopped from consuming Coke in jail.”
“You have placed restrictions on her Diet Coke today. Tomorrow if you have to spend a day in jail, you may not be served any Coke, Pepsi or Seven-up,” she added.
Reflecting on the events of 2014, Reham said what was happening today on the Pakistani political landscape was ‘karma’. She said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman was doing the same things—dharna, long march, shutterdowns, protests—which Imran did in 2014.
While commenting on statements by the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) leader and Sheikh Rasheed, Reham said, “The betrayal and disloyalty that you have carried out with people, the same is happening (with you now). The same people, with whom you formed your small majority, are threatening you. They are not Reham Khan”.
She further said, “Your allies are also going to leave you. Ch Pervez Elahi was advising you to let Nawaz go abroad but you did not respond. You were disloyal to others in the past and now your people are going to be unfaithful to you.”
“What you (Imran) did to him in Punjab by bringing Buzdar. Now it’s time for Pervez Elahi’s turn.”
Lahore High Court (LHC) has allowed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad for four weeks for medical treatment, saying the duration could be extended based on medical reports.
As per reports, an air ambulance will arrive on Tuesday morning to transport Nawaz Sharif to London. Nawaz’s physician, Dr Adnan Khan took to social media to announce that the former premier was scheduled to travel to London within 48 hours once he’s clinically stabilized.
Former PM #NawazSharif is scheduled to travel abroad, to London-UK, for medical treatment within 48 hours once he’s clinically stabilised, made travel-worthy & is safe for air travel. He will make the journey in a fully equipped & medically staffed Air Ambulance; arriving soon.
Air ambulance is an aircraft that is equipped to fly as an intensive care unit (ICU).
A
medically staffed and equipped air ambulance provides medical care in flight
while a non-medically equipped and staffed aircraft simply transports patients
without a care in flight. All medical equipment and medications are selected to
fit the needs of the patient that is being transported so it can differ from
patient to patient.
Common equipment for air ambulances includes medications, ventilators, ECGs (a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat) and monitoring units, CPR equipment ( a life-saving technique that is used when someone is suffering from any emergency issue such as cardiac arrest, heart attack or drowning), and stretchers.
The equipment in each air ambulance can include everything from breathing apparatus and monitoring systems, pacemakers and defibrillators (devices that restore a normal heartbeat by sending an electric pulse or shock to the heart) to blood transfusion equipment and a comprehensive supply of medication. The flight crew includes pilots and a medical team that will be able to meet patient needs.
What Nawaz Sharif’s air ambulance will include?
Dr Adnan tweeted that Nawaz’s ambulance would be equipped with a fully functional and staffed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as well as an operation theater. A team of doctors and paramedics headed by an Intensivist would also be there for Nawaz.
Former PM #NawazSharif will travel to London in a high-end Air Ambulance equipped with a fully functional & staffed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) & Operation Theatre (OT). A team of doctors & paramedics will be on board headed by an Intensivist. ETD (LHE): Tuesday 19NOV19 Morning.
Adviser to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Commerce, Abdul Razak Dawood, has given the credit of Pakistan’s improved rating in World Bank’s (WB) Ease of Doing Business Index to the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government and its good policies.
Pakistan has jumped up 28 places on the index and secured a place among the top 10 countries with the most improved business climate — a development that will greatly improve its image abroad.
Pakistan carried out six reforms that helped improving its ranking from 136 to 108, according to the WB’s annual flagship report, ‘Ease of Doing Business 2020’, released last month. It turned out to be the sixth global reformer and first in South Asia that brought ease in doing business in the past one year.
Praising the PML-N in what is being termed as challenging his own premier’s policy statement, Dawood has said that it was the previous government’s good policies that helped the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) carry out the said reforms.
“Ease of doing busniess started improving under the previous government and their efforts helped us make even better. It’s not just us… look how the power crisis has been overcome. All of it wasn’t done within a single year,” he can be heard as saying in a video doing rounds over the internet.
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According to The Express Tribune, the WB monitors a country’s business related regulations on 10 benchmarks that are as broad as from starting a business, to getting electricity connection, securing construction permits, paying taxes, dispute resolution, business insolvency and protecting minority shareholders’ rights. All these areas are closely looked at by the global investors before they take decisions on making investment.
The report measures how close each economy is to the best global practices in business regulations.
On the measure of absolute progress towards best practices, Pakistan has improved the score to 61 from 55, suggesting the country did some remarkable work this time around and built on the reforms introduced in the previous year as well.
International investors consult the report and the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum before taking decisions on investment plans.
While India remained top among South Asian nations, up 14 spots to 63, Pakistan also made a mark by climbing 28 positions and securing a place among the top 10 global business climate reformers and improving 28 positions in a year.
“This rise is significant and made possible by collective and coordinated actions of the federal government and provincial governments of Sindh and Punjab over the past year,” said the WB Country Director for Pakistan Illango Patchamuthu.
At least 100 provincial lawmakers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday submitted their resignations from standing committees of the Punjab Assembly to register their protest against non-acceptance of their demands.
According to sources, the PML-N lawmakers submitted their resignations to the secretariat of the provincial house for not appointing Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and not issuing production orders for jailed party leaders, including Khawaja Saad Rafique.
As many as 97 members of the standing committees out of 100 had on Wednesday submitted their resignations to the party leadership.
“It is a black day in the history of the Punjab Assembly when over a hundred members have tendered their resignations from the standing committees,” PML-N leader Malik Nadeem Kamran said.
He trained guns at the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for not issuing Hamza Shehbaz’s production orders and said that the government had backtracked on its promise of appointing Hamza as the PAC chairman.
“Now, the standing committees will not have any political or moral status for legislation and circumstances called for such extreme measures.”
A day earlier, an accountability court in Lahore extended Hamza’s judicial remand till November 28 in the assets beyond means case.
During the hearing, Presiding Judge Amjad Nazeer expressed resentment at the PML-N leader for not maintaining the decorum of the court and instructed him to come to the rostrum and stay quiet.
Hamza also exchanged harsh words with the judge and explained that the people interacting with him had come to the court on their own. “Next time, you will come straight to the rostrum,” the judge directed Hamza.
The defence counsel sought exemption from personal appearance for Shehbaz Sharif, saying he had to appear before the federal cabinet in Islamabad.
