Current Final

Tag: PTI

  • EXCLUSIVE: Accused journalists, Fawad Chaudhry respond to leaked audio allegations by Maryam Nawaz

    EXCLUSIVE: Accused journalists, Fawad Chaudhry respond to leaked audio allegations by Maryam Nawaz

    In a 2022 first, another leaked audio conversation between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and PML-N Leader Pervaiz Rashid has come to the surface.

    Audio leak: “There is not one single person [journalist/analyst] whom we can call a spokesperson for the party,” Rashid

    As per the leaked audio, Pervaiz Rashid, referring to how criticism was directed towards PML-N on a political talk show on Geo News, said to Maryam Nawaz, “They have a programme called ‘Score Card’ [Report Card], Hassan Nisar is a part of its [panel] he abuses us a lot.”

    “They have added Irshad Bhatti as well,” added Maryam Nawaz. “Irshad Bhatti whom they have added gives derogatory remarks [against us],” said Rashid.

    “Mazhar Abbas has a tilt against us in his comments. He criticises us and sometimes spins the conversation and makes fun of us, but it is primarily against us,” said PML-N leader Rashid.

    Rashid lamented the fact that there was not one single person [journalist/analyst] whom they could call a spokesperson for the party.

    “Sattar Babar [Babar Sattar] has his independent opinion,” said Rashid. “He [Babar Sattar] generally isn’t in our favour,” interjected Maryam.

    “There was another one who didn’t give our point of view. Just like these people abuse us, he used to do the same to [Prime Minister (PM)] Imran Khan,” said Pervaiz Rashid. “Niazi [Hafeezullah Niazi]”, added Maryam Nawaz. “Yes, Niazi,” replied Rashid. “They have removed him and are not publishing his columns as well.”

    “This is really unjust and cruel [behaiour] towards us,” said Rasheed.

    At this point in the alleged audio, Maryam says she would first ask Niazi the reason for his removal from the panel and then take up the matter with Jang Group owner Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman.

    “I will request you to ask Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman, that why is this happening, in this way the programme will be unbalanced. There was one check on Imran Khan, you have stopped that and you have imposed barking dogs on us,” Rashid continued.

    “You are absolutely right uncle, this is biasness towards us,” said Maryam Nawaz.

    Towards the end of the clip, Maryam allegedly passes instructions that a pair of baskets that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif brought from Azerbaijan should be sent to journalists Nusrat Javeed and Rana Jawad.

    “Maryam Nawaz has been trying to dictate the media in a rather stupid manner”: Fawad Chaudhry

    The Current contacted Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry to provide the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) stance on the leaked audio.

    “Many anchors consider themselves as God when they sit on TV channels. They speak against people,” said Fawad, adding “Language is very important. When one sits to analyse or critique on someone they should be careful with their words.”

    “PML-N has been mananging the editorial policy. Maryam Nawaz has been trying to dictate the media in a rather stupid manner,” said Fawad.

    In an exclusive conversation with The Current, the journalists and analysts who have been called out by the PML-N leadership had rather interesting revelations to make.

    “I am not surprised. I stand by words and comments”, Journalist Mazhar Abbas

    Senior Journalist Mazhar Abbas, while talking to The Current, said, “I am not surprised, be it Maryam Nawaz, Pervaiz Rashid, Fawad Chaudhry or anyone from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), I stand by my words and comments.”

    Responding to the allegations of PML-N Abbas said, ” I do not spin my words, though I have been a left-arm leg spinner in my earlier days and that has nothing to do with my journalism.”

    “I have been a journalist for 40 years and I am not bothered by the criticism of these politicians.”

    Agreeing with Fawad Chaudhry, Abbas said that the use of proper language is very important but the minister needs to tell this to his party fellows as well.

    Taking a jibe at PML-N, Abbas said, “The PML-N should also ponder on their own actions and the way they talk. I will not comment on the way they do it. I have my way of criticism. However, I shall want to correct Rashid Saab, the show he is talking about is called ‘Report Card’, not Score Card.”

    “Fawad Chaudhry publically slaps anchors and now he is schooling us about language,” Columnist Hafeezullah Niazi

    Columnist Hafeezullah Niazi while commenting on the leaked audio said, “This conversation is from 2017 after former PM Nawaz Sharif’s visit from Azerbaijan.”

    “In 2017 Maryam Nawaz was handling the PML-N media cell. And this audio is of a private conversation. Whatever is being said in this audio is absolutely correct,” said Niazi.

    “They have said the right thing about me. I used to come hard on Imran Khan. Unfortunately, some loose talk does take place on private news channels political talk shows,” said Niazi.

    Reacting to the words of Fawad Chaudhry, Hafeezullah said, “Fawad Chaudhry publicly slapped anchors and now he is schooling us about language. Why didn’t he remember ethics and language then? He is taking out some old grievances with PML-N.”

    Talking about the remarks of Pervaiz Rashid, and his derogatory words, Hafeezullah said, “Pervaiz Rashid talks like this. It’s his private style of talking. These talks weren’t for the public,” adding that Maryam Nawaz has never denied these conversations.

    “Maryam’s fame in politics started with her managing the media cell of PML-N. Her career is from social media,” said Niazi.

    The Current has also reached out to senior Journalist Hassan Nisar, Irshad Bhatti, and Geo News and we are still waiting for a response.

  • ‘Tell people there is no inflation’: PM satisfied with economy, says he is ‘brand’ of the party

    ‘Tell people there is no inflation’: PM satisfied with economy, says he is ‘brand’ of the party

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Monday asked his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokespersons to inform the masses that there is no inflation in the country, as he expressed satisfaction over the economic team’s performance, reports The News.

    “We had inherited a ruined economy,” he said while hinting at the Opposition while chairing a meeting of the government and party spokespersons to discuss the national economy.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin briefed the meeting. He assured that inflation has come down in December as compared to November and next month inflation will come down further as global commodity prices are declining.

    The premier directed that the statistics of the economy should be made public and asked his party to inform the people about the reduction in inflation next month.

    He told his party members that their prime minister was “their brand”, as he advised them to not let the Opposition dominate the political environment.

    “Your leader is not like those of the Opposition. The Opposition defends its dacoit, thief, and corrupt leaders,” he added.

    Despite the reassurances the inflation is growing at an alarming rate as earlier this month, the government increased the prices of petroleum products by Rs4 per litre.

    Last week, through the mini-budget 17 percent Good and Service Tax (GST) has been imposed on mobiles and multiple imported food items.

  • ‘Legal action will be taken against you if Nawaz doesn’t return’: Fawad warns Shehbaz

    ‘Legal action will be taken against you if Nawaz doesn’t return’: Fawad warns Shehbaz

    The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that either Shehbaz Sharif asks Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan or legal action will be taken against him [Shehbaz] for providing a fake affidavit.

    In a press conference, the minister said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has directed the Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) to ensure Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is brought back to Pakistan.

    Following Fawad’s statement claimed that the PML-N secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI)-led government is suffering from “Nawaz phobia.”

    “The government holds cabinet meetings only to discuss Nawaz Sharif, which shows that it is suffering from Nawaz Sharif phobia,” he said.

    Meanwhile, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that “Nawaz Sharif had gone abroad for treatment after seeking permission from the country’s judiciary.”

    “Issuing statement against Nawaz and Shahbaz on a daily basis shows how panicked the government is,” Marriyum said.

    She went on to say that instead of telling the attorney general to ensure Nawaz’s return to Pakistan, the government should direct him to take action against those who steal wheat, sugar, electricity, gas, and medicines.

  • ‘Only way to end inflation is to oust Imran Khan’: Bilawal Bhutto

    ‘Only way to end inflation is to oust Imran Khan’: Bilawal Bhutto

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the increase in prices of petroleum products is Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s new year’s gift to the citizens and the only way to end inflation is to oust the premier himself.

    In a series of tweets shared by the PPP official Twitter handle, Bilawal said, “Imran Khan claimed that 2021 would be the year of prosperity, but 2022 has arrived, where have the claims gone.”

    The PPP leader’s statement comes after the government announced an Rs4 increase in petrol price.

    He stated that the country witnessed higher inflation than a year prior during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) tenure, but they continue to blame previous governments labelling them as incompetent.

    Bilawal claimed that the PPP faced the worst economic crisis in the world’s history but did not let the citizens bear the brunt of the inflation.

    He urged the federal government to reduce the rates of petroleum products in line with international prices.

    The PPP chairperson stated that the only way to end inflation is to “oust Imran Khan.”

  • 2021: Not-so-silly government blunders of the year

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) has completed three years of its mandated constitutional term. During these years, ministers and officials including the Prime Minister (PM) himself have made countless blunders.

    Here is a list of top blunders made by the sitting government.

    1- PM Imran Khan

    ‘Human rights and women rights are different’

    At the platform where PM Imran Khan was supposed to talk about the Afghanistan crisis, he said human rights and women’s rights are different. The speech resulted in a lot of backlash as a series of severe discriminatory rules were already enacted by the Taliban across Afghanistan.

    Blamed rape cases on vulgarity

    A sensitive topic in Pakistan, the premier commented on rape in Pakistan and later was schooled not only by Pakistanis but also his ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith. While responding to a question about what the federal government is doing to curb the recent surge of rape cases and sexual violence especially against children. Khan instead of laying out his government’s plans blamed the rising cases on vulgarity.

    2- Punjab CM Usman Buzdar

    The Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Usman Buzdar hardly remains in limelight. But when he does something he makes sure to be in the headlines. Just like previous Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif, Buzdar paid a “surprise visit” to the tourism office and transferred the additional secretary “for being absent from duty” while not being aware that the officer held the additional charge of the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) Managing Director. She was at her other office. His government termed it as a ‘deliberate attempt’ to malign the CM.

    3- Fawad Chaudhry

    Quick question: ‘Adrak Garlic hota ha ya Lasan Ginger’. Well, if you are confused you gotta listen to our federal minister.

    Addressing a press conference on inflation, Fawad had a brain-freeze moment, when he couldn’t exactly recall what garlic meant in Urdu. The incident happened as the minister was talking about the decrease in price for garlic and onions. The minister was heard saying, “Garlic is adrak (ginger).” Isn’t it relatable?

    4- Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan

    In a horrific event that resulted in the loss of 65 lives. PTI’s leader Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan made a shocking statement. She said, “By the grace of Almighty Allah, ever since the government came into power, this is the first train accident that happened in this year 2021″. Later, she termed it out of context.

  • ‘Not everyone can take revolutionary decisions as PTI’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan during the launch of the Naya Pakistan Sehat Card for all citizens, stated that each family would be eligible for medical treatment of up to one million rupees per year under the universal health coverage programme.

    PM Khan stated that not everyone can take such revolutionary decisions as the PTI did, citing the example of the health card.

    “None of the governments in the past took such a bold decision of providing Rs1 million health insurance to the entire population,” the PM said.

    “The Punjab government has moved on a course that will uplift the country in pursuance of the forefathers’ vision to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state,” he said.

    “Our forefathers had dreamed to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state but unfortunately it could not be developed on that course,” PM Imran said.

    In a dig at the PML-N’s mantra of transforming Pakistan into an Asian Tiger, the premier stated, “Asian Tiger is nothing in comparison to the State of Madina; we are attempting to put Pakistan on a path of prosperity.”

    He stated that now the government will not spend money on building hospitals because private individuals will build them instead.

    “We want to ensure that everyone in rural areas has access to health care, and by March 2022, all families in Punjab will have health cards.”

  • Video: Female MNAs physically fight during the mini-budget session

    The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmakers got involved in a physical fight during the National Assembly’s session at the time of the presentation of the controversial finance bill i.e. mini-budget.

    In a video, PTI’s Ghazala Saifi and PPP’s Shagufta Jumani can be seen shouting and pushing each other when the protesting opposition members had gathered in front of the seats of ministers.

    However, immediately after that the members of the treasury and the Opposition separated the two members of the National Assembly.

    PTI’s Saifi issued a statement claiming that she had got her thumb fractured. She said, “I am appalled at the way Shugafta Jumani has conducted herself. To behave in such a way, in a space which has such specific codes of ethics, a place for us to voice the concerns of the people we represent, for it to be reduced to this sort of brawl-like behaviour should be a cause of intense shame for Ms Jumani.”

    On the contrary, according to PPP’s Jumani and other party members, Jumani was attacked by Saifi and she only retaliated.

    PPP MNA Raja Pervez Ashraf said that Jumani had come to him complaining that a PTI lady had attacked her. He claimed that she also received a minor injury and termed the incident unfortunate, reports Dawn.

  • Federal government to present mini-budget of Rs350 billion today

    The federal government will present the mini-budget worth Rs350 billion today.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan summoned a meeting of the federal cabinet that will approve the mini-budget at noon today. The federal cabinet, with PM Khan in the chair, will give a go-ahead to the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021.

    The Finance Amendment Bill 2021 will directly be presented in the National Assembly (NA) as part of the government’s effort to get the IMF package worth $6 billion.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin will introduce the bill in the house to amend certain laws relating to taxes and duties.

    The Opposition has already vowed to block the passage of the bill during the NA session. The opposition has claimed that the bill will further increase inflation and add to people’s misery.

  • ‘Nawaz won’t come back, we will bring him back’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Nawaz won’t come back, we will bring him back’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that Nawaz Sharif’s arrival to Pakistan has been hyped for no reason. It does not make any difference whether he comes or not.

    “We have prevented the mafia group from establishing a foothold in any city,” he said.

    “We will contest the next elections with full force under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan,” he added.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that the government will bring Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif back after the finalisation of an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) government and ruled out the possibility of Nawaz’s voluntary return to the country.

    “We will bring back the PML-N leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif because he himself will never return,” said Fawad.

    “We have been addressing the legal lacunas relating to the matter for the last two years. Rest assured, he will not return, but we will bring him back,” Fawad said emphatically.

    Fawad emphasised that the opposition was not capable of toppling the government, as it required leadership which they did not have.

    “They are only issuing statements to appease their workers. Everybody knows that Imran Khan gave them [the] toughest time while in [the] Opposition,” he noted.

  • PM Imran praises India tech, says India $150 billion, Pak $2 billion

    PM Imran praises India tech, says India $150 billion, Pak $2 billion

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Lahore Technopolis, a special technology zone (STZ) on December 23, praised India’s IT sector.

    “Unfortunately, Pakistan lagged behind in the sector despite having ideal conditions, including a huge population of young people,” he said, adding that within 15 to 20 years, Indian tech exports boomed to $150 billion while Pakistan’s could reach only $2 billion.

    PM continued by talking about the involvement of overseas Pakistan’s investing in Pakistan. “China and India had also first attracted their own firms operating abroad to invest at home,” he said, “Pakistani individuals, as well as the firms operating abroad including the Silicon Valley, were interested to invest in Pakistan which necessitated incentives and ease of doing business.”

    Talking about the project, PM said that the project would help provide incentives to the tech industry and bring ease for the businessmen, in accordance with the government’s vision.

    Exemplifying Amazon, Google and other tech giants, the prime minister said during COVID-19, all other businesses had faced a slump but the profits of the tech companies multiplied during the pandemic.