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Tag: PTI

  • Fayyaz ul Hassan offers to hold a joint press conference with Azma Bokhari

    Fayyaz ul Hassan offers to hold a joint press conference with Azma Bokhari

    Punjab’s Provincial Minister for Prisons Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and Secretary Information Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azma Bokhari had an interesting exchange outside the Punjab Assembly earlier today.

    Fayyaz Chohan offered to hold a joint press conference in the Punjab Assembly with Azma Bokhari.

    “Azma sahiba can talk openly against our government and then it shall be my turn to comment on her party [PML-N],” said Fayyaz laughingly.

    https://twitter.com/arifawan779/status/1400038584984518667

    Azma Bokhari said she should be allowed to answer him point-by-point. Chohan Fayyaz said it would not be possible.

    On being asked by a reporter as to why the two individuals weren’t ready to do a joint press conference, Azma said, ” He [Fayyaz] should resign from his ministry, and stand beside me and hold a press conference as today’s presser is the Opposition’s.” Azma further added that she would happily welcome him [Fayyaz] and present him with a garland if he resigns and joins the Opposition.

    “I offered her [Azma] to speak first because I personally respect her,” said Fayyaz.

    Fayyaz Chohan later took to Twitter and said, “I offered Azma Bokhari to hold a joint press conference today, I was ready to give her the first turn but Azma did not dare accept.”

    To which Azma tweeted, “I asked you to resign. You are not destined to stand beside me.”

  • ‘I should get justice by now’: Jahangir Tareen

    ‘I should get justice by now’: Jahangir Tareen

    Speaking to the media outside a Lahore sessions court, estranged Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen on Monday said he wants justice. “Don’t do politics with us, do justice with us,” said Tareen.

    Tareen was asked by a reporter if he had any contact with any high-ranking government official in Islamabad.

    “I have had no meeting with any senior government official. There was no meeting and this news is wrong and based on a misunderstanding. We are fighting our case in court and waiting for (Senator Barrister) Ali Zafar’s report,” he responded.

    Tareen said speculations were doing the rounds that Zafar had provided a “verbal report” to Prime Minister Imran Khan, which he said, was in his favour.

    “Imran Khan promised justice will be done. A lot of days have passed, I should get justice by now,” he said.

    Tareen said whatever Zafar had said about the cases against him should be made public.

    When questioned if the report was against him, would he accept it, the sugar baron answered: “We know some things which I don’t want to tell in the media. When the report comes and whatever happens then I will put everything in front of the media.”

    MNA Raja Riaz, a member of the pro-Tareen group, had previously said that Barrister Zafar had completed his probe and given a ‘clean chit’ to the disgruntled PTI leader. However, Senator Ali Zafar later rubbished those claims and said that no report had been submitted by him.

  • ’PPP not discussed in PDM’: Maulana Fazl

    ’PPP not discussed in PDM’: Maulana Fazl

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman on Saturday said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP) were not discussed in the forum, as they are not part of the alliance.

    “They [PPP] can still contact the PDM leadership and apprise them about their intentions. But it is not something that we will waste time over anymore during PDM meetings,” said Maulana Fazl.

    Earlier on Friday, Shehbaz Sharif said that no party has the right to bring or kick another party out of the alliance. “PDM is a forum and decisions are taken with consensus.”

    PDM also rejected the government’s “one-sided” electoral reforms, which include the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), and announced a fresh wave of anti-government protests.

    “PDM rejects the government’s unilateral electoral reforms ordinance, including the voting machines, and terms it as pre-poll rigging,” said Fazl.

    In this regard, the Election Commission of Pakistan, which is responsible for holding transparent elections, should call a meeting of all political parties to take a unanimous decision on reforms, Fazl added.

    The Opposition alliance announced a future course of action. On July 4, a massive anti-government protest will be held, followed by another one in Karachi on July 29.

    On the occasion of August 14, a massive protest will be held in Islamabad, with PDM showing solidarity with Kashmiris and Palestinians.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will host a budget seminar soon to form a unified strategy during the budget session, while the task to hold the event has been given to PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif.

    The PDM chief said PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif attended the meeting via video, while other Opposition party leaders were present in person.

  • ‘No party has the right to kick another party out of PDM’: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘No party has the right to kick another party out of PDM’: Shehbaz Sharif

    “No party has the right to bring or kick another party out [of the alliance]. Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is a forum and decisions are taken with consensus,” said President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif on Friday.

    Shehbaz further added that we had invited ‘parliamentary leaders’ to the dinner, which had nothing to do with the PDM

    “Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has already clarified this matter. I, being the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, have a duty to fulfil. We had gathered to discuss the upcoming budget, the ill-performance, and massive failures of the sitting government,” added Shehbaz.

    Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, took to Twitter to comment on Shehbaz Sharif’s stance. “Shehbaz Sharif should first focus on uniting the PML-N instead of uniting the opposition. The boat is in a whirlpool.”

    Chaudhry further added that the government was ready to sit with the Opposition to discuss election reforms.

    The PML-N will host an important meeting of the PDM in Islamabad today. The meeting will take place at the PML-N secretariat. The meeting will be held under the chairmanship of the Leader of Jamat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and acting president of PDM Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    Matters relating to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Awami National Party (ANP) will be contemplated upon. Opposition leaders will decide if both parties can be taken back again in the alliance or not.

    The PDM leaders will discuss the political situation in the country and the future strategy of the anti-government alliance.

    Just a day ago, Shehbaz in a TV show hinted at his plan to convince his elder brother and the PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif on these issues in the larger national interest.

  • ‘Didn’t meet Tareen,’ Shahzad Akbar and Ali Zafar deny allegations

    ‘Didn’t meet Tareen,’ Shahzad Akbar and Ali Zafar deny allegations

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Advisor on Accountability Shahzad Akbar on Wednesday denied reports that he had met disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT).

    Both Shahzad Akbar and Barrister Ali Zafar denied having a joint meeting with Tareen in Islamabad, which was claimed by Raja Riaz, a member of the JKT group.

    Akbar took to Twitter to categorically deny he met Tareen.

    “Contrary to reports/statements on media, there has been no meeting with JKT. Barrister Ali Zafar has already denied any report being associated with him on the issue of pending FIA investigations,” tweeted Akbar.

    “PM Imran Khan’s commitment with the process of accountability and justice remains unshakable,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Senator Ali Zafar said he had meetings with Tareen but did not see him in the presence of Akbar on Tuesday.

    Raja Riaz also claimed that the one-man committee constituted by PM has given a clean chit to Jahangir Tareen.

    “Barrister Zafar had briefed advisor to the prime minister on accountability Shahzad Akbar and Jahangir Tareen in a meeting on Tuesday in Islamabad on his findings of the sugar scam probe. Zafar told them that Tareen had not been found guilty of the charges framed by the FIA Lahore,” said Riaz.

    Barrister Ali Zafar denied this news as well.

    “Some persons/media are busy guessing on what my findings in JKT (Jahangir Khan Tareen) turn out to be. Let me make it clear that there is no report submitted by me,” tweeted Zafar.

    “Any findings, not necessarily in writing, shall be purely internal to the PTI and have no legal value or status nor can the same have any relevance to or affect pending inquiries/investigations against the sugar barons or Tareen,” Zafar said in a series of tweets on Wednesday.

    “I have been tasked to see into complaints of JKT and will be making my recommendations directly and only to the PM once I conclude,” tweeted Zafar.

    The FIA had registered two FIRs against Jahangir Tareen and his son Ali Tareen under Rs5 billion money laundering and fraud charges in the sugar ‘scam’. Both are on interim bail till May 31.

    Last month, PM Khan had formed a one-man committee comprising Barrister Ali Zafar to ascertain whether there was any truth to the concerns that some people holding key positions in the government and the PTI were politically victimising Tareen.

  • Pakistan to host World Environment Day on June 5: PM Khan

    Pakistan to host World Environment Day on June 5: PM Khan

    Addressing a ceremony in Haripur in connection with the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan will be hosting World Environment Day on June 5.

    “This is a great honour and acknowledgment of the fact that Pakistan is among a handful of countries trying to reduce the impact of climate change and global warming,” said PM Khan.

    PM Khan said that his government had taken steps to protect the environment, adding that it was a worrying sign that Pakistan was included in the list of 10 countries that are worse affected from climate change.

    Earlier this month, Pakistan was chosen to host the World Environment Day 2021 in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on June 5.

    This will be the first time in history that the country will be officially hosting the day.

    The day will be celebrated across the world through various events and activities under Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

    The theme for the day this year will be ecosystem restoration, with a special focus on creating a good relationship with nature.

  • ’PDM is not Shahid Khaqan’s bonded slave’: Kaira

    ’PDM is not Shahid Khaqan’s bonded slave’: Kaira

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is not Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s personal slave or bonded labour that he can impose his views on the Opposition alliance.

    Kaira was talking to anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had said he would quit PDM if PPP was allowed to rejoin the Opposition alliance unconditionally.

    Kaira also said that while Shehbaz Sharif is making efforts to unite the Opposition, Shahid Khaqan was tearing it apart.

    Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said Shehbaz Sharif’s dinner had nothing to do with PDM.

    PPP leadership also urged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to take back his words against the party.

    Fazl on Tuesday said the PPP and the Awami National Party (ANP) could rejoin the PDM if they apologie to the Opposition alliance for going against its decisions.

    Fazl said both the PPP and ANP had been given sufficient time to get back to the PDM leadership, but they have not done so.

    “There are currently no proposals to invite PPP and ANP at the PDM meeting on May 29,” Fazl said. He added that during the upcoming PDM meeting, the Opposition leaders will decide the future of the PPP and ANP in the alliance.

  • Why doesn’t Maryam Nawaz drink lassi?

    Why doesn’t Maryam Nawaz drink lassi?

    Despite being told that how can one be Lahori and not drink lassi, PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz says that she doesn’t drink the heavy yoghurt drink. She was asked whether she was ‘having lassi’ by someone who tweeted a picture of her holding a silver glass.

    https://twitter.com/Rix_says/status/1397188965585797121

    To which she responded and said, “I wish I could have it everyday but I have to watch my weight so coffee only”.

    After her tweet, another follower commented that being Lahori and not having lassi is a crime.

    to which she responded and said, “Isn’t it?”

    This is not the first time Maryam has expressed her love for chilled drinks. She tweeted in 2013 that she loved the “tang of diet coke”, and in 2019 Imran Khan’s ex wife Reham Khan criticised her former husband for not letting Maryam Nawaz have diet coke when Maryam was in jail.

  • Accountability to continue without any discrimination: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Sunday said that he will not be blackmailed by anyone, adding that even if the government has to dissolve, the process of accountability will continue.

    According to sources, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar informed the PM about his meeting with the Tareen Group after which it was decided that the just demands of the group would be accepted.

    PM Khan, according to a source, told the party leaders that he will not let Jahangir Tareen get away if he is involved in the sugar scam.

    The meeting also discussed the Azad Kashmir elections and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur briefed the committee about the amendments in the relevant laws.

    The premier stressed that in order to make the process of elections fair and transparent, seeking technological assistance in the form of electronic voting is essential. He said that in the next elections, electronic voting will ensure that rigging does not take place.

    PM Imran said immediate steps should be taken to remove obstacles in the issuance of long-term visas to foreign investors, especially Chinese investors, and consider introducing a separate category for those involved in the CPEC project.

    The prime minister said that CPEC was not only a harbinger of economic growth for Pakistan, but also a path to development for the entire region.

  • No new group being formed within PTI, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while addressing a press conference in Lahore with the members of Jahangir Khan Tareen group, said that no new group is being formed within PTI and the party “is one family”.

    “We are all in agreement on fundamental issues. Nauman Langrial and other leaders are second-generation politicians,” and the party should benefit from their experience. “There was just a need to improve communication between us,” he said.

    During the presser, the minister said that the JKT group has, “expressed confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s leadership and they are proud of their relationship with the PTI and these are the basic things which we are all united on.”

    He continued by saying that everyone in the party is clear on these issues. “Imran Khan is our leader and PTI is our party.”

    “The opposition is under the false impression that there are differences within PTI, hopefully, now the opposition’s celebration will end.”

    Talking about the ongoing investigation against Jahangir Khan Tareen, Fawad said that “neither Jahangir Tareen is expecting any undue favours from Imran Khan nor the prime minister is the type of a person who will extend any.”

    Earlier on May 19, Jahangir Khan Tareen hosted a dinner at his residence and announced a ‘group of like-minded people’. The group appointed PTI’s Raja Riaz as Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly while PML-N’s Saeed Akbar Nawani will lead in the Punjab Assembly.