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Tag: Prime Minister Imran Khan

  • Imran govt considering imposing emergency to tackle any unrest regarding Gen Bajwa’s extension: report

    Imran govt considering imposing emergency to tackle any unrest regarding Gen Bajwa’s extension: report

    It is being considered at the highest level in the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan-led government that emergency may be promulgated to overcome any untoward situation arising due to developments regarding the extension in service for Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to perform actions or impose policies that it would normally not be permitted to undertake. A government can declare such a state during a disaster, civil unrest, or armed conflict.

    According to The News, no conclusive decision has been made by the high-ups concerned since most of the senior officials are dissenting with the proposal, but the possibility of imposition of emergency cannot be entirely ruled out.

    The report quoted sources as saying that pro-emergency segment of the leaders was of the view that “positive outcome was attained in the past through imposition of emergency-plus”, and suggested experimenting the same for a short time now since it wouldn’t be harmful.

    “It will also help the government create harmony in society and chaos could be averted that will be helpful in mitigating suffering of the people,” the pro-emergency leaders reportedly said.

    STATE OF EMERGENCY 2007:

    A state of emergency was declared on November 3, 2007, by former military ruler Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf, which lasted until December 15, 2007, during which the constitution remained suspended.

    When the state of emergency was declared, Musharraf controversially held both positions of president and COAS. He later resigned as army chief 25 days into the emergency on November 28.

    The state of emergency and its responses are generally attributed to the controversies surrounding the re-election of Musharraf during the presidential election on October 6, 2007, including his holding of both offices of president and army chief at the time.

    Then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry reacted promptly to the emergency declaration, convening a seven-member bench which issued an interim order against the action. He also directed the armed forces of Pakistan not to obey any illegal orders. Subsequently, the 111th brigade of Pakistan army entered the Supreme Court (SC) building and removed Chaudhry as well as several other judges and arrested them.

    It was announced earlier that the state of emergency would likely end in late November or early December 2007. After being sworn in for a second presidential term on November 29, 2007, Musharraf immediately declared that the state of emergency would end on December 16, 2007, although the emergency actually ended one day earlier, on December 15, 2007.

    Aftermaths of the emergency include the high treason case against Musharraf.

  • Army chief belongs at border, but he was getting his summary fixed at PM House last night: CJP

    Army chief belongs at border, but he was getting his summary fixed at PM House last night: CJP

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, who is heading the Supreme Court (SC) bench hearing the case pertaining to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extension, has said that “the army chief belongs at the border, but he was getting his summary fixed at the Prime Minister (PM) House last night”.

    On Wednesday night, the federal government, aided by the military’s counsel, drafted a new summary removing all legal lacunae pointed out by the apex court earlier in the day, as it heard the petition challenging Gen Bajwa’s extension.

    For the first time, the paperwork was completed with the assistance of Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch of the GHQ, according to The News.

    According to the publication, input from the JAG Branch was sought by the ministry concerned after the SC highlighted serious errors in the drafts presented to it following the suspension of the army chief’s extension.

    The fresh summary was inked by midnight, and has replaced the words “re-appointment” with “extension in service”. Once finalised, the summary was sent to the federal cabinet through a circulation process late on Wednesday night and then submitted to the president, who issued the requisite notification.

    The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and the attendees included the COAS himself.

    “The army chief’s job is to protect the country’s borders, but last night he stayed at the PM House to get his summary fixed. It’s embarassing,” the top judge reportedly said Thursday as the three-member bench resumed hearing the case.

    He added that it was regrettable how the COAS’s time was wasted because of the incompetence of the government at such a crucial time for national security. “He [Gen Bajwa] had to be there to guide them,” CJP Khosa was quoted as saying.

  • Indian Sikh donates 900sq ft land for mosque after Kartarpur opening

    An Indian Sikh has donated his 900 square foot (sq ft) land for the construction of a mosque in celebration of Sikhism founder Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary and Pakistan’s inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate Indian Sikh pilgrims.

    According to media reports, the 70-year-old merchant, Sukhpal Singh Bedi, who is a resident of Purkazi town of Muzaffarnagar district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), has said that the gesture is a tribute to Baba Guru Nanak’s teachings of peace and love.

    “Bedis, originally hailing from the Bedian town near Lahore, are the direct descendants of Baba Guru Nanak and so I feel it was my responsibility to make an example by following his teachings,” he reportedly said, hoping that the gesture will foster communal union in the area.

    He had handed over the documents of the land to Zahir Farooqui, the Nagar Panchayat chairman, who has thanked Bedi on behalf of the Muslim community.

    AYODHYA DISPUTE:

    The development comes days after the Supreme Court of India gave its verdict in the historic Ayodhya dispute case. Putting to rest the decades-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, the Indian Supreme Court had on November 9 decided in favour of Hindus as it allotted Ayodhya land to Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (Ram Birthplace Trust).

    Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas is an organisation to promote and oversee the construction of a temple in Ayodhya at the Ram Janmabhoomi, the reputed site of the birth of Rama, the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Hindu God Vishnu.

    With a five-judge bench pronouncing its unanimous judgment that was reserved last month on the Ayodhya case involving the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid, it ordered allotment of five-acre alternative land to Muslims for setting up of a mosque while deciding in favour of Hindus.

    The ruling said the Indian government will formulate a scheme in three months to set up a board of trustees for the construction of the temple at the disputed structure.

    “This court must accept faith and accept the belief of worshippers. The court should preserve balance,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi said while reading out the judgement.

    The court said Hindus believe that Lord Ram was born under the dome, adding that faith is a matter of individual belief.

    It said there is evidence that Ram Chabutra, Sita Rasoi was worshipped by the Hindus before the British came. The court said evidence in the records shows that Hindus were in the possession of outer court of the disputed land.

    “Arguments were made on archaeology report. Archaeological Survey of India’s credentials are beyond doubt and its findings can’t be neglected,” the court said.

    The court said that titles can’t be decided on faith and belief but on claims. The judgement stated that historical accounts indicate the belief of Hindus that Ayodhya was the birthplace of Lord Ram.

    The Indian SC dismissed the plea of Shia Waqf Board on a claim to the Babri Masjid, saying there was no evidence that Muslims abandoned the mosque. Hindus always believed the birthplace of Lord Ram was in the inner courtyard of the mosque, the verdict added. 

    According to the court, it is clearly established that Muslims offered prayer inside the inner courtyard and Hindus offered prayers in the outer courtyard.

    Ahead of the verdict, appeals for peace were made by the Hindu and Muslim organisations and various political leaders, including Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.

    Meanwhile, Delhi Police said it will initiate strict legal action against mischief-mongers or those found indulging in any activity that may adversely affect peace and public order.

    “Activities on social media platforms will be under observation,” said the police.

    Earlier, authorities banned the assembly of more than four people at one place in and around Ayodhya, a town in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh while the government ordered all schools and colleges to remain closed until Monday.

    BABRI MASJID DESTRUCTION:

    Babri Masjid was a mosque in Ayodhya, India. Located in Ayodhya district, at a spot believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of Hindu deity Rama, it has been a bone of contention between the Hindu and Muslim communities since the 18th century.

    The destruction of the mosque in 1992 sparked massive Hindu-Muslim violence that left around 2,000 people dead.

    Hindu hardliners say the mosque was built after a temple dedicated to the Hindu god was destroyed by Muslim invaders. After the demolition of the mosque, Hindus and Muslims took the issue to a lower court, which, in 2010 ruled that the disputed land should be divided into three parts — two for Hindus and one for Muslims.

  • Nov 27: News you need to know before heading to work

    Nov 27: News you need to know before heading to work

    Law Minister Farogh Naseem resigns

    • 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. 

  • CM Buzdar calls on PM Imran twice within 24 hours amid reports of his removal

    Amid reports of massive changes in the administration in the provincial cabinet, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar has called on Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, the second time within 24 hours, The News International reported.

    According to the details, a one-line statement was issued by the PM Office that Punjab CM Usman Buzdar met Imran Khan here at the Prime Minister Office on Monday.

    Meanwhile, Chairman of PM Inspection Team Ahmad Yar Hiraj has called on the premier and the two had deliberations on the performance of various government departments.

    The premier has said that in the light of the PMIT report, the government departments should make every possible effort to strictly follow the report.

    It is important to note here that the party’s core committee and members of the provincial assembly of Punjab had expressed serious concerns regarding the bureaucracy.

    In the last 15 days, CM Buzdar has held a series of meetings with the Punjab Assembly members who repeatedly have complained that the bureaucracy is not cooperating to resolve the public’s issues in the province.

  • Nov 26: News you need to know before heading to work

    Nov 26: News you need to know before heading to work

    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.

  • Imran’s aide differs on inflation statement, says govt cannot give any timeframe

    Two days after Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that his government will soon overcome inflation in the country “caused by the flawed policies of previous regimes”, his adviser on commerce, textile, industry and production, Abdul Razak Dawood, has said that no timeframe can be given in this regard.

    Addressing a public gathering in Mianwali last week, the premier said that his government had inherited multiple economic issues, including low foreign exchange reserves, a huge circular debt and fiscal as well as current account deficits.

    “Previous administration had been spending reserve dollars to stabilise and maintain the value of the local currency. The PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] government had not found enough dollars to follow suit so a correction strategy followed,” he said.

    The premier also blamed rupee devaluation for inflation, adding that his government had nothing to do with it and the genie will soon be put back in the bottle.

    Speaking at a prize distribution ceremony at the concluding day of three-day 11th “Interiors Pakistan” international exhibition at the Expo Center organised by Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC), Dawood on Sunday said that inflation was a very big issue and the government was trying to control it.

    He said that no timeframe could be given in this regard, however, “prices of food items will soon be controlled”. “The price of dollar has stabilised, fluctuation has been brought under control,” Dawood maintained, adding that escalating prices will be controlled with the efforts of the government in near future.

  • ‘Imran is a mental patient,’ PML-N reacts to PM’s speeches

    ‘Imran is a mental patient,’ PML-N reacts to PM’s speeches

    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 News reported.

    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.

  • ‘Army chief’s extension is final,’ says PM Imran amid reports of govt-army rift

    ‘Army chief’s extension is final,’ says PM Imran amid reports of govt-army rift

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s office has again confirmed the three-year extension given to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa recently, saying a notification pertaining to the extension in the general’s tenure has already been issued on August 19, Pakistan Today reported.

    According to the details, the statement came after a meeting between PM Imran and Gen Bajwa amid reports of an alleged rift between the civilian government and the military establishment. This was the second meeting of the two bigwigs in a week.

    During this meeting, the top leaders discussed matters pertaining to national security, said the statement issued by the PM House.

    In the earlier meeting, Gen Bajwa met Imran in an apparent attempt to allay the latter’s concerns over the recent political developments in the country. The statement further said that the two sides discussed the prevailing situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) and at the western border, and internal security issues were discussed.

    The PM’s meeting with the army chief was followed by a meeting with Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed on Tuesday.

    However, media reports dub these meeting as an attempt to assuage Imran’s concerns by the military. “The government and army are not on the same page due to disagreement on certain points, especially the exit of former PM Nawaz Sharif from the country on health grounds,” reports had earlier stated.

    After these statements, military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor refuted claims of an alleged divide between the country’s civilian and military leadership, reiterating that both sides are on the same page.

    “This is baseless gossip. There is absolutely nothing of the sort,” said ISPR director general as he dismissed speculations of a rift.

    “The army is supporting a democratically elected government as per the constitution. There will be no let-up in this [support] as it is a must for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan”, he added.

  • VIDEO: How Nawaz ‘on deathbed’ walked to plane on foot, left me stunned: Imran

    VIDEO: How Nawaz ‘on deathbed’ walked to plane on foot, left me stunned: Imran

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has 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, Geo News reported.

    According to the details, PM Imran while addressing a gathering in Mianwali after putting the foundation stone for a hospital said that in the reports it was written that “the patient had heart problems, kidney problems, high sugar and if the patient is not allowed to go abroad then he will be ‘gone’ [forever].”

    PM said that he wondered if Sharif’s recovery owes to the luxurious plane he travelled in or to the London climate, adding that he seeks clarity on the issue and that the matter needs to be investigated.

    The prime minister taunted former PM again by saying that maybe Nawaz had recovered by simply looking at the plane “since it was such a magnificent plane and a common man cannot travel in such an aircraft”.

    The statements from PM Imran have come only a few days after he had put the burden of letting Nawaz travel abroad for treatment on Pakistan courts.

    Watch Video:

    Imran Khan had earlier said in an indirect reference to Nawaz’s travel to London that there are separate laws for the weak and powerful in the country, requesting the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa to deliver prompt justice.

    PM also urged CJP Khosa and puisne judge of the Supreme Court Justice Gulzar Ahmed to come forward and restore public confidence in the judiciary.

    CJP Khosa later responding to PM’s remarks reagarding the judiaciary said that Imran Khan himself agreed for ‘someone’ to travel abroad, so it should not be said that the judiciary was the sole authority in the matter.

    CJP added, “Do not taunt us regarding the powerful, everyone is equal before the law”.

    After CJP Khosa’s remarks Imran Khan clarified his stance and said that the government agreed to allow the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo for medical treatment on “humanitarian grounds”.