Miftah Ismail, General Secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Sindh, recently took to Twitter, saying that Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has restricted fuel supplies to Independent Power Projects (IPPs), potentially resulting in significant load shedding in the coming week.
As per Dunya News, PSO has shut off supply of oil to IPPs. We should expect very severe load shedding from next week. Allah Khair karay. Imran Khan’s incompetence, corruption, lies and lust for power really has destroyed so much in our nation.
He directly accused Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan of the impending power outage, writing that it is the result of his incompetence, corruption, falsehoods, and “lust for power: that has gotten the country into such a mess.
After an hour, Former Energy Minister, Hammad Azhar responded to Ismail’s tweet, calling it “Fake news” and claiming that he had checked with PSO and there had been no such supply cuts notified for IPPs.
Fake news. Checked with PSO. They are supplying to IPPs as per commitments with them. https://t.co/Rc3EkafMAG
“My statement regarding IK’s corruption (Farah), incompetence (Buzdar), lying (Sh Rasheed) & hunger for power (Suri) is valid,” Ismail responded with a strange tweet to cover up his incorrect finding about PSO.
Yes Dunya news has said the news was incorrect. But my point about IK’s corruption (Farah), incompetence (Buzdar), lies (Sh Rasheed) & lust for power (Suri) is valid. Today is your last chance to do justice to your pedigree. Renounce the subversion of constitution by IK. Be bold https://t.co/GAVMAFaNwh
It is worth noting that PSO serves a diverse range of customers, including Pakistan’s industrial sector, several power projects, aviation, and maritime sectors. On a daily basis, the company meets the POL needs of millions of clients.
Apart from selling oil to Pakistan’s power utilities, such as K-Electric and Wapda, PSO is the primary supplier of furnace oil to all IPPs in the country, with a local market share of more than 80 per cent.
PTI dissident Abdul Aleem Khan on Monday criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan and accused him of not being “sincere to the nation”.
Once a close aide of the PTI chairman, Aleem has grown disillusioned over the past few years and recently took a position against the party by deciding to support the joint opposition in the Punjab Assembly.
Talking to the media in Lahore today, he said he regretted dedicating 10 years of his life to the party. “I have supported the PTI with great loyalty, hard work and kept my ego aside. We thought there would be a Naya Pakistan in the face of Imran Khan,” he said.
“I’m sad that the person I spent 10 years of my life for is not sincere with the nation.”
Aleem criticised the premier over a number of issues ranging from the National Accountability Bureau “hounding” him to his insistence on retaining Usman Buzdar as the chief minister and then the nomination of PML-Q leader Pervez Elahi as the new Punjab CM.
Aleem rued that he had been branded a “traitor to the PTI” as he called out his critics and claimed that no one in the party had sacrificed more than him.
In a similar vein, he issued a challenge to the prime minister to bring forth any evidence of corruption against him, for which he said he was imprisoned for six months.
“Why wasn’t a reference made against me? What proof do you have? Bring it in front of the nation and tell them that these were Aleem Khan’s misdoings and corruption … I promise that if I turn out to be lying then I will shoot myself.” he said.
The PTI dissident levelled a number of allegations against Buzdar as well, saying that he was involved in bribery over transfers and postings in Punjab. He also accused Farah Khan, an associate of the first lady, of being complicit in these transfers.
He said any investigation would uncover who she (Farah) was forwarding the money of her alleged corruption while responding to a question about whether the first lady was also involved in supporting Farah.
Aleem criticised the prime minister for Sunday’s dissolution of the National Assembly as well, questioning what had stopped him from doing so before. He said that the premier could not dissolve the assemblies once a no-confidence resolution was submitted against him.
Actor Haroon Shahid took to his twitter handle to call out Aleem for his shocking remarks against Imran Khan.
#surprise@abdul_aleemkhan I remember working for you when I used to work at a digital media agency and we were running your social media pages. Bohat si baatain Hain waisay WhatsApp par meray paas 😁🤫 pic.twitter.com/h5zYbjMhOe
The Verna hero stated that he has many proofs against Aleem since the time he was working for the politician’s digital company, which he might spill to the media.
I think it would only make the workers and supporters more charged up if Khan Saab publicly expresses regret for all the people who had to vote for the likes of Amir Liaqat, Aleem Khan, Noor Alam etc. because electable politics was the need of the hour. I had to vote for Aleem 😢 https://t.co/tHj5IbUDIT
The Qayamat actor also express his regret on voting for Aleem in the past because of the PTI factor.
In April 2021, the Amanat star lauded the efforts of Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar for keeping the city of Lahore well-maintained.
“On a drive this morning I realized how well Lahore is maintained,” wrote the Qayamat actor on social media. “Yes, there was a phase when there were issues with the waste management but this morning was a pleasant surprise to see horticulture, waste management, and traffic police all doing their job well.”
“Well done Buzdar,” he added.
Haroon further said: “I’ve started to realise that Buzdar and his team have been working without many PR antics and their work is now showing.”
“There’s a whole PR cell working against him both from within and outside but frankly he’s slowly defying them with his work,” he added.
I've started to realize that Buzdar and his team have been working without many PR antics and their work is now showing. There's a whole PR cell working against him both from within and outside but frankly he's slowly defying them with his work.
64 per cent Pakistanis believe that there is no US conspiracy to overthrow the PTI government, Gallup survey has revealed. The survey was conducted between April 3 and 4, according to which 64 per cent Pakistanis cited inflation as the main reason behind the fall of the PTI government.
Those who participated in the survey said that the main reason behind the Opposition’s efforts to remove the government is inflation and lack of relief for the people.
Only 36 per cent of the participants said that the US was behind the fall of the government.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has named Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu as the United States (US) representative who had a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador in the US, which led to the ‘threatening’ diplomatic cable.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is in a state of political chaos as the no-confidence motion against Khan was dismissed abruptly on Sunday. The move came after Suri termed it “unconstitutional”, saying that it was backed by “foreign powers”.
President Dr Arif Alvi has sent letters to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif to seek suggestions for the appointment of a caretaker PM.
3 اپریل کو قومی اسمبلی کے تحلیل کیے جانے کے پیش نظر صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا وزیر اعظم عمران خان اور قائد حزب اختلاف میاں محمد شہباز شریف کو نگراں وزیر اعظم کے لیے موزوں شخص کی تجویز کے لیے خط pic.twitter.com/XXSHNcRrC4
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 4, 2022
The letter states that the caretaker PM will be appointed after the mutual consultation of the President, current PM, and Leader of the Opposition.
The letter also mentions that if consultations fail, both government and the Opposition will nominate one person for the seat to a committee comprising both Govt and the Opposition.
However, responding to the letter, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari questioned the President, saying that if there is no Assembly, then how can the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition exist name any caretaker prime minister? What would be the status of consultation between them?
Bilawal also asked the Supreme Court (SC) to stop this ‘coup’.
A day earlier, Deputy Speaker National Assembly (NA) Qasim Suri dismissed the no-confidence motion against Khan, terming it “unconstitutional”, saying that it was backed by “foreign powers” under Article 5.
Following this development, Executives [Khan and Alvi] announced the dismissal of the National Assembly under Article 58. However, Imran Khan will remain seated as PM till the appointment of a caretaker PM.
Mr. Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, shall continue as Prime Minister till the appointment of caretaker Prime Minister under Article 224 A (4) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 3, 2022
Federal Information and Law Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted in the morning around 9am that Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has been removed from his position. “A new governor will be announced later. According to the Constitution, the Deputy Speaker will be the acting Governor.”
وفاقی حکومت نے گورنر پنجاب چوہدری محمد سرور کو ان کے عہدے سے برطرف کر دیا ہے، نئے گورنر پنجاب کا اعلان بعد میں کیا جائیگا، آئین کے مطابق ڈپٹی اسپیکر قائم مقام گورنر ہوں گے
Senior journalist Hamid Mir tweeted that he spoke to Chaudhry Sarwar, who told him that the Prime Minister’s Office was forcing him to do unconstitutional things that he refused. “He said Fed Govt wanted me to delay today’s session of the Punjab Assembly when he resisted they sacked him on the demand of Ch Pervez Elahi,” added Mir.
However, Mir deleted his tweet and later tweeted a new one saying, “Governor @ChMSarwar called me and said he is still governor.”
Governor @ChMSarwar called me and said he is still governor. He will make some announcement shortly.
In November 2018, a video surfaced in which Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Tariq Bashir Cheema could be seen complaining to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Khan Tareen that Chaudhry Sarwar should be controlled as he was not letting Usman Buzdar work.
“Sir, control Sarwar! He will not let your chief minister continue,” Cheema could be heard telling Tareen.
Federal Minister for Information and newly appointed Law Minister Fawad Chaudhry has reportedly given directions to set up a commission on the foreign conspiracy issue.
The commission will look into factors such as the change of government and the no-confidence motion through a foreign conspiracy and will compile a report on it.
The federal minister also has issued orders to replace dozens of legal officers in major cities, i.e. Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore and has directed them to perform their duties in an efficient manner.
On April 1, Chaudhry was given additional charge of the law ministry.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that a plot to assassinate Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has been reported by security agencies. Therefore, PM Khan’s security has also been increased.
سیکیورٹی ایجنسیوں نے رپورٹ کیا ہے کہ وزیر اعظم عمران خان پر قاتلانہ حملےکا منصوبہ سامنے آیا ہے، ان رپورٹس کے بعد حکومتی فیصلے کے مطابق وزیر اعظم کی سیکیورٹی میں اضافہ کر دیا گیا ہے۔
The minister’s words come a day after PM Khan, during a live address to the nation, said that “an international conspiracy” is being hatched against his government.
Fawad is not the only Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader who has talked about the assassination being plotted against PM Khan.
PTI leader Faisal Vawda said that a conspiracy was being hatched to assassinate the premier over his refusal to “sell the country”.
Vawda made these claims on ARY News show “Off the Record” in response to a question about a letter that PM Khan brandished at the PTI’s March 27 power show in Islamabad and claimed it contained “evidence” of a “foreign conspiracy” to topple his government.
He also said that the prime minister was told multiple times that bulletproof glass needed to be installed before his dais at the March 27 rally. “But as always and as usual, he said my [death] will come when Allah wills. Don’t worry about it,” Vawda quoted him as saying.
The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) continued its decline against the US Dollar (USD) today, reporting losses in the interbank market. At the close of the session today, the local currency lost 30 paisas against the US dollar.
It fell 0.16 percent against the US dollar, closing at Rs182.64 after losing 30 paisas and closing at Rs182.34 in the interbank market on Tuesday, March 29.
Pakistan’s ongoing political volatility and economic problems continue to weaken currency reserves as the country attempts to remove obstacles toward financial relief.
After global oil prices surged on Monday, the PKR maintained its downward trend against the greenback.
The rupee has lost about 17 per cent of its value since its last peak in May 2021. To date, the local currency has lost more than 13.6 per cent of its value.
It is worth noting that the Pakistani currency depreciated 30.5 per cent against the US dollar in the last three years under the government of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has decided to part ways with the government in principle. The final decision was announced today during a press conference, flanked by leaders of the joint Opposition, MQM-P. MQM is a government ally at the Centre.
The development was “historic”
MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at the beginning of the conference said the development was “historic” and at the same time, it was a “test for the political leadership of the country” as the coming days would pose several challenges to them.
“Today, we are gathered here to vow that we should work beyond promises and ensure that the decisions we take impact common Pakistanis,” Siddiqui said.
A national jirga of the opposition … has come together: Shehbaz
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said: “Today is an important day in Pakistan’s history because a joint opposition … a national jirga of the opposition … has come together and efforts have been made for national unity.
“This agreement will be implemented in letter and spirit,” added Shehbaz.
PPP and MQM-P have to work together under any condition if we want to work for Karachi and Pakistan’s prosperity: Bilawal
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari thanked MQM-P and described its decision of teaming up with the opposition as “historic”.
“I want to repeat that PPP and MQM-P’s working relationship is not related to the no-confidence motion. PPP and MQM-P have to work together under any condition if we want to work for Karachi and Pakistan’s prosperity,” he said.
“Imran Khan has now lost his majority. He is not the prime minister anymore. The parliament session is tomorrow. Let’s hold voting tomorrow and settle this matter. We can then start working on transparent elections and the journey towards restoration of democracy and an end to economic crisis can then begin.”
Following the formal announcement, MQM-P’s Siddiqui signed the agreement with the opposition parties.
MQM-P’s Farogh Naseem, Aminul Haque step down as federal ministers
Both members of MQM-P serving as federal ministers, Farogh Naseem and Aminul Haque, have stepped down from their posts, hours after the party’s announcement to side with the Opposition in the vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Opposition congratulates Pakistan
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari congratulated Pakistan on the latest development.
“The united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement. Rabta committee MQM & PPP CEC will ratify the said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow IA. Congratulations Pakistan.”
The united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement. Rabta committee MQM & PPP CEC will ratify said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow IA. Congratulations Pakistan.
— Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (@BBhuttoZardari) March 29, 2022
Rabta Committee meeting today
A draft agreement had been finalised between the two sides in the early hours today but MQM will publicly announce its final decision once the Rabta Committee has ratified the agreement. MQM-P will convene a meeting at their Bahadurabad office today at 2pm to discuss the agreement with the Opposition. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui will preside over the Rabta Committee meeting.
متحدہ اپوزیشن اور متحدہ قومی موومنٹ پاکستان کے درمیان معاہدہ نے حتمی شکل اختیار کر لی ہے پیپلز پارٹی کی سی ای سی، ایم کیو ایم پاکستان کی رابطہ کمیٹی مجوزہ معاہدے کی توثیق کے بعد اس کی تفصیلات سے کل شام۴ بجے باضابطہ میڈیا کو آگاہ کیا جائے گا۔ @MQMPKOfficial@PPP_Org@pmln_org
Journalist Gharidah Farooqi tweeted the list of demands made by the MQM.
The government ally has asked the Opposition that the local government law will be made in accordance with Article 140-A, the Sindh government will present a draft amendment in the local body law in the assembly within a month, Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab will resign from his post, put an end to fake domiciles in Sindh, an increase in the powers of local bodies, and administrators of local bodies in Hyderabad, Karachi to be appointed in consultation with PPP and MQM.
ایم کیو ایم اپوزیشن معاہدہ؛ نکات؛
سندھ میں جعلی ڈومیسائل کا اجرا روکنے کے لیے قانون سازی کی جائے گی۔
بلدیاتی اداروں کے اختیارات میں اضافہ کیا جائے گا۔
حیدرآباد، کراچی میں بلدیاتی کونسلز میں ایڈمنسٹریٹرز کا تقرر پی پی/ایم کیو ایم مشاورت سے ہوگا۔ https://t.co/FjYgeVMevn
After the Opposition’s meeting, a delegation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also reached Parliament Lodges to convince the MQM, not to part ways with the government.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has revealed that after Shehbaz Sharif came to his residence and invited them for a dinner at their place, he came to know that not everyone in Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was on board with him and those people matter.
Geo News’ anchorperson Hamid Mir asked Elahi that if he were to become PTI’s candidate for Punjab’s chief minister, why did he meet key Opposition leaders.
“Maryam Nawaz and her group did not like the fact that the PML-N was giving so much to the party with only 10 seats.”
“This has happened thrice with us, because of which we were skeptical,” he added.
“I have a feeling that you have some issues with Maryam Nawaz, do you feel the same about Shehbaz too?” asked Hamid Mir.
To which Elahi did not give a clear answer.
The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday announced PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as its candidate for Punjab Chief ministership after incumbent Usman Buzdar presented his resignation to the prime minister.
