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Tag: Shahbaz Sharif

  • ‘Free and fair’ elections, demands Khan

    ‘Free and fair’ elections, demands Khan

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Sunday demanded free and fair election and revealed that he expects match-fixing in Punjab by-elections.

    PTI took out countrywide protests against rising inflation at Khan’s call on Sunday. Khan addressed his supporters via video-link.

    On Monday, Khan thanked his supporters for coming out across Pakistan yesterday, especially those “who braved difficulties & in some cities rain, to join our protest against massive inflation & clearly reject Imported Govt of crooks imposed by US regime change conspiracy”.

    No free lunch, warns Khan

    Imran Khan warned that Pakistan can become the next Sri Lanka. He said that Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has asked for the support of the United States (US) for the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. “I want to tell Miftah Ismail and Shehbaz Sharif that the Americans have a philosophy, which is that there is no free lunch. Everything has a price. The US will extract our sovereignty as a price.” Khan said that the new government seems ready to pay this price.

    Recognising Israel part of foreign conspiracy agenda: Khan

    Khan also mentioned Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Saleem Mandviwalla’s statement on the potential of Pakistan having diplomatic ties with Israel. “This is part of the same agenda due to which there was a regime change. The agenda is to follow what Israel, India and the US want,” said Khan.

    However, Mandviwalla clarified on Sunday that his words were being taken out of context. “I never wanted Pakistan to further ties with Israel or indulge in trade with it,” said Mandviwalla, adding that recognising Israel was not in Pakistan’s interests.

    Match-fixing in Punjab by-polls on the cards

    “We have to struggle together. Get ready. I will soon give another call for protest, which will continue until we are given a date for free and fair elections. Not just elections but free and fair elections,” said Khan.

    He reiterated that there is a plan of rigging by-elections in Punjab through ‘match-fixing’. By-polls in Punjab are set to take place next month in July.

    Imran Khan’s full address can be seen here:

  • Coalition govt shows ‘full confidence’ in PM Shehbaz, as Zardari hosts dinner ahead of budget

    Coalition govt shows ‘full confidence’ in PM Shehbaz, as Zardari hosts dinner ahead of budget

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari hosted a dinner for leaders and members of the coalition government, on June 9 ahead of the fiscal budget 2022-23 announcement in Islamabad.

    The fiscal budget that is to be released on June 10, 2022, (today) was the centre of discussion at the dinner. The meeting also discussed the overall political state of the country and expressed full confidence in Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    Zardari was also lauded by the coalition leaders and members for his efforts to unite the parties together. PM Shehbaz also received advice from members and leaders present at the dinner.

    In attendance were Yousaf Raza Gillani, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Sherry Rehman, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Pervez Ashraf, and Rana Sanaullah among others.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilalwal Bhutto-Zardari was not in attendance at the dinner because he is currently in quarantine.

  • ‘Can still hear you, Calibri queen’: Khaled Anam slams Maryam Nawaz for removing ARY’s mic

    ‘Can still hear you, Calibri queen’: Khaled Anam slams Maryam Nawaz for removing ARY’s mic

    Senior actor Khaled Anam took to his Instagram stories to taunt the Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz for removing ARY channel’s mic at a press interaction. She also referred to the channel as a blackmailing channel.

    Earlier this month he grilled veteran cricketer Shahid Afridi for his recent statements regarding former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    He sarcastically pointed out how Shahid at times used to get out with zero runs on the cricket field.

    In a recent interview with his family, Afridi stated, “I’ve liked Shehbaz Sharif since the beginning. Show me an administrator like him in Pakistan, you can’t because there is none,” countered the cricketer.

    “I didn’t congratulate an Israeli prime minister, I congratulated a Pakistani prime minister. No matter who it was, I’d congratulate them,” he argued. “In my congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif, there was a protest as well, a personal protest between me and Imran Bhai,” he said. In his tweet, he wrote, “Congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on being elected the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan and I hope that he will be able to use his management skills to bring Pakistan out of the current economic and political crisis.”

    Afridi said Imran has been a role model for him since 1989 or 1990. “I wanted to become like him,” he said. “When he entered politics, I supported him. When he set up Shaukat Khanum, I supported him. Until he was in government, I supported him. But, I, my family my children, the whole of Pakistan had a lot of hopes for him,” he said.

    The cricketer revealed that the 2013 election was the first time he had ever voted in his life. “A lot of educated people were inspired by Imran Bhai to go vote,” he said.

    “I said everything as a Pakistani citizen. I did not have any political motives. And I will continue to say what I want. We have the right to do this and we should remember that,” he said.

    The cricketer said he knew he would be criticised for congratulations PM Shehbaz but there were no political motives behind his message. He reiterated that he would have congratulated whomever was the premier because the position itself deserves respect. “We must respect our leaders so the world respects us,” he said.

    “But if Imran Bhai says the [Durood Sharif], so do we every day in our prayers. But the fact of the matter is, God gives and God takes away. God gave Imran Khan and then He took it away. And He took it away because Imran Bhai made a lot of mistakes. And he should accept those mistakes,” said Afridi.

    “If he accepts those mistakes, he will be able to create a good political party and come back stronger. I’ve always thought Imran Khan’s vision has been superb. It’s the vision of a leader. But to implement a vision, you need a team and he doesn’t have that team,” he criticised.

    “The people he had were sidelined. Why were they sidelined? What things happened that Imran Bhai could improve? I feel like you should never leave the ground and for him, the ground is parliament. He should never leave parliament. After leaving it, you’re again coming out on the streets and on top of containers. Why are you doing this, friend?” he asked.

    Once the video of his comments was uploaded online, it went viral, inviting a lot of criticism and hate from supporters of the former premier.

    Earlier the Yeh Na Thi Hamari Kismat star shared his take on the new government’s decision to rescind the 10% increase on paycheck. He took to Instagram to share his stance.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WhatsApp-Image-2022-04-14-at-3.57.44-AM.jpeg

    Meanwhile actress Ayesha Omar liked his statement on a portal’s feed, showing her agreement.

    While interacting with the media after his victory, the Prime Minister-elect announces 10% raise in salaries for those government employees who are receiving pay up to Rs100,000 per month. He also announces to jack up pension of retired civil, and military officials by 10% from April 1. Meanwhile, he also announces to increase the minimum wage of workers to Rs. 25,000 per month.

  • PM Shehbaz condemns the killing of Sikh citizens in Peshawar

    PM Shehbaz condemns the killing of Sikh citizens in Peshawar

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the killing of two Sikh citizens in Peshawar.

    “Strongly condemn the killing of our Sikh citizens in Peshawar, KP. Pakistan belongs to all its people. Have ordered a high level inquiry to ascertain facts. The killers will be arrested & meted out exemplary punishment. My most sincere sympathies to the bereaved families,” PM said in a tweet.

    Unknown assailants killed two persons of the Sikh community at Sarband area in Peshawar. According to the police, two persons riding on motorbike opened fire on two shopkeepers of the Sikh community selling spices at Bata Tal Bazaar. They succumbed to their injuries on the spot.

    The deceased were identified as Kanwaljeet Sigh and Ranjeet Singh. According to journalist Iftikhar Firdous, the Islamic States Khurasan (ISKP) chapter says it carried out the attack targeting two Sikhs. In October 2021, ISKP also claimed another such attack in Peshawar.

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also condemned the killing of Sikh citizens.

  • ‘Please don’t go out in the heat to get tanks filled’: Miftah Ismail

    ‘Please don’t go out in the heat to get tanks filled’: Miftah Ismail

    Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Sunday that the government has no plans to raise the price of petroleum goods for the time being.

    Addressing a press conference, the finance minister said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had rejected the proposal of increasing petroleum prices today, adding that the government could not burden the people any further.

    “We are not increasing prices today. Please do not go out in this heat to get your tanks filled,” said Miftah Ismail.

    However, Miftah later tweeted, “But due to changing circumstances and international oil prices, we may have to revisit our decision soon.”

    The finance minister stated that he will be part of a delegation travelling to Qatar for talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next week and he hoped the negotiations would be productive for the country.

  • PTI Punjab Governor refuses to take oath of Hamza’s cabinet

    PTI Punjab Governor refuses to take oath of Hamza’s cabinet

    Omer Sarfraz Cheema, the governor of Punjab, has decided not to swear in the newly-formed provincial cabinet. According to him, the resignation of Usman Buzdar is illegal.

    “Yesterday, a crime was committed at Governor House. My official residence was held under siege to hold the illegal oath-taking ceremony of a ‘fake’ chief minister,” said Cheema, while addressing a press conference.

    In his statement he repeated that Buzdar’s resignation was addressed to the Prime Minister, not the governor, adding that the former governor Sarwar could not accept a resignation which was not addressed to him, he added.

    “The oath-taking of Hamza Shahbaz was illegal after I rejected the resignation of Usman Buzdar on legal grounds.”

    He questioned how Hamza’s cabinet could be legitimate when his election and swearing-in are both ‘unlawful’. He further added that he cannot endorse anything beyond the ambit of the constitution.

  • Exclusive: PM Shehbaz says next army chief will be appointed as per rules, regulations

    Exclusive: PM Shehbaz says next army chief will be appointed as per rules, regulations

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called the PM House a ‘Jamhoori House’ (Democratic House) and said that his government believed in media freedom. In an interaction with journalists at the PM House on April 26, Sharif said that the previous government was not just incompetent and corrupt but had damaged the country’s economy and foreign relations. PM Shehbaz talked about several issues.

    New army chief

    PM said that he has the constitutional right to appoint a new army chief. He added that he will appoint the new army chief as per the constitution and rules and regulations when the time comes for his appointment. This was in response to a question about the appointment of a new army chief since General Bajwa will not take an extension as per DG ISPR.

    Pak-US relations

    While answering a question about Pakistan’s relationship with the US, PM said that the US is a superpower so we need to maintain good relations with them. “Amreeka dushmani hamaaray waaray nahin” (we cannot afford enmity with the US). He added that we need to do some stock-taking regarding Pak-US ties and improve relations with the US.

    Foreign Policy

    Talking about foreign relations, PM Shehbaz said that the previous government had alienated allies and friends. “How can we say that we can raise the Kashmir issue without Saudi Arabia?”

    PM said that the members of the previous government had lied about loans on 8% by China apart from allegations of corruption against Chinese investment by Pervez Khattak and several others in PTI. “China helped us get rid of load shedding by investing in power plants.”

    Saudi Visit

    PM will be visiting Saudi Arabia tomorrow (April 28-30) on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. PM Shehbaz said that he is likely to meet the Saudi leadership during his visit.

    Load shedding

    He said that there there is no other reason for frequent load shedding other than the negligence of previous government for not buying LNG and furnace oil on time. He also criticised the previous government for its baseless allegations against the LNG contract signed by the previous PML-N government. He said that Qatar must have been amazed that instead of thanking them for such a good deal, PTI indulged in “ilzaam taraashi” [allegations].

    Economic crisis

    “Pakistan is going through one of the most difficult times. We are trying to take the country in the right direction. We have seen how Japan and Germany rebuilt their economies after tough times. We have the examples of South Korea and Bangladeshi economies too. Once upon a time, Pakistan had a better per capita income than China but look at us now. Our currency was better than India’s. When India was ahead of us in the steel industry, we were ahead of them in textiles.”

    “There is no point crying over spilt milk but now it is time to rebuild our economy,” said PM Shehbaz. He said that it will be a difficult challenge but is not impossible to bring back our lost place in the comity of nations by strengthening our economy. “Rome was not built in a day.”

    “If we were economically strong, our foreign policy would have been stronger.”

    PECA

    The PM was asked if roll back of PECA was on the cards, to which he said that his government believes in freedom of media and media will not have to face any curbs but they need to differentiate between truth and fake news. “Media should highlight our mistakes. We welcome that. But it should not spread fake news.”

    Missing files

    When asked that there are reports that some files have been taken by the previous government from the PM House regarding sugar scandal and other scandals, Shehbaz said that if he is given evidence about the missing files, he will find them.

    Accountability

    He said that in the name of accountability, there will be no revenge. “Ehtesaab ke naam par intiqaam nahin leinge,” said PM Shehbaz. He said that businessmen say they will not invest here because the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will either arrest them or harass them. “Businessmen kehte hain ya NAB giraftaar kar leinge ya zaleel kareinge unko.”

    Elections

    The PM said that we will go for elections after carrying out necessary reforms, especially electoral reforms.

    Threat letter

    PM Shehbaz said that the National Security Committee meeting issued a clear statement that there was no conspiracy. “The punchline of the statement was that there is no saazish, no conspiracy.”

    Shehbaz said that if the threat letter was received on March 7, why did the PTI government talk about it on March 28? “March tak moonh mein taalay kyun laga kar baithay thay?” He asked when did the previous government turn this letter into a conspiracy. “When they knew they were going to lose in parliament. There is no question of a conspiracy whatsoever.”

    Karachi attack


    “The attack in Karachi University is a huge tragedy where three Chinese nationals died. China is our friend. I went to the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad for solidarity,” said PM. He added that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah will go to Karachi on Wednesday (today) and help and coordinate with the Sindh government. “After our Saudi visit, we will hold a comprehensive meeting on security.”

    Afghanistan

    Afghanistan is not just our neighbour but our “baraadar mulk” (brother country). “If there is peace in Afghanistan, there will be peace in Pakistan. What is good for Afghanistan is good for Pakistan.”


    PTI resignations

    PM said that they have found out that many resignations were taken by force from PTI MNAs and were not given voluntarily. “We will know the truth when the legal process has been completed.” He was asked whether the government could convince PTI to take back its resignations to be an effective Opposition.

    PTI long march

    While answering a question about Imran Khan’s call for march to Islamabad, PM said that if they won’t do anything unlawful, nothing will happen to them but he won’t allow anyone to spread anarchy on the roads.

    Pak Army

    The PM said that the Pak Army has given a lot of sacrifices for this country. “It is wrong to say anything negative about Pakistan’s army. It is condemnable,” said the PM when responding to a question about social media trends against the army.

  • ‘Thanks for load shedding, it wasn’t there few weeks ago’: Ahmad Butt grills Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘Thanks for load shedding, it wasn’t there few weeks ago’: Ahmad Butt grills Shehbaz Sharif

    Actor Ahmad Ali Butt took to his Instagram stories to take a jibe at PM Shehbaz Sharif for load shedding across country.

    It is being reported that cue to higher demand and reduced generation due to fuel shortages, reduced gas supplies to power plants, Pakistan is experiencing 6-10 hours of electricity load-shedding.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shahbaz Sharif and former Minister of Energy Hammad Azhar exchanged accusing remarks on Twitter.

    “Mian Nawaz Sharif’s government halted the worst load-shedding in five years,” the Prime Minister declared in a tweet. The PTI administration failed to procure fuel on schedule or fix power plants. As a result, present load shedding is in effect. Power generation costs the population Rs100 billion per month due to inefficient plants. “We’re working on it”.

    The Punjab Nahi Jaungi star told PM that the problem of load-shedding that he has claimed to be working on, wasn’t during Imran Khan’s tenure.

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    In February 2021, PTI MNA and host Aamir Liaquat Hussain posted a video on his official Instagram handle in which he hit out at trolls for comments on his viral videos with his third wife, Syeda Dania.

    He tagged actor Ahmad in the caption.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T57blfBjsdU

    Butt earlier shared his stance on Aamir for letting his personal videos with wife circulate on social media.

    A video of the couple made the rounds on the internet platforms and the Jawani Phir Nahi Aani star reacted to the clip.

    Taking to his Instagram story, the Parey Hut Love actor wrote, “When you post something from the privacy of your bedroom, just remember you invited the whole world in. So don’t complain after, if they don’t leave.”

    On the work front, Ahmed will be seen next in Punjabi Hatte Dinde Chakk opposite Neeru Bajwa and Gippy Grewal.

  • Nawaz free to fly back to Pakistan, name removed from ECL

    Nawaz free to fly back to Pakistan, name removed from ECL

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will go on his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia on April 27. He will be accompanied by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    PM Shehbaz will call upon Saudi Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. The Pakistani delegation will also perform Umrah during the trip, reports The News.

    Member National Assembly Mohsin Dawar was supposed to accompany PM Sharif on his trip to Saudi but will most likely miss the trip as his name is on the Exit Control List (ECL). For being in the ‘anti-state category’, the names of Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir were not removed from the ECL as per the new policy.

    The new government removed the names of PM Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz, PML-N head Mian Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz from the Exit Control List (ECL) under a new policy, reported Azaz Syed for Geo News.

    Senior anchorperson Saleem Safi asked federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar why Dawar’s name has not been removed from the ECL when the Sharif family removed their own names. Tarar said that it is due to two categories of cases: one that deals with anti-terrorism, anti-state cases and narcotics while the other category is banking offences, misuse of authority, loans, etc. He added that now they will have to amend the Act and also take rules to the cabinet again.

    “I believe that when someone is an elected member of parliament and represents millions of people, there should be no travel ban for him/her. As a firm believer in human rights, I think this law is wrong and only should be applicable on extreme cases. But nobody should be placed on ECP indefinitely,” said Law Minister Azam Tarar.

    READ MORE: Maryam Nawaz moves court to get her passport back to travel

    Last week, Maryam Nawaz filed a plea before the Lahore High Court (LHC) to get her passport back in order to travel travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah in Ramzan. She also said that she wants to travel to London to visit her ailing father, Mian Nawaz Sharif.

    “I want to go to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah but cannot because my passport is surrendered at the LHC,” read Maryam’s plea.

  • ‘We still want immediate elections,’ Maulana Fazl tells the new govt

    ‘We still want immediate elections,’ Maulana Fazl tells the new govt

     Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has demanded immediate elections.

    Addressing his party workers in Islamabad, Maulana said that the maximum time this new government would be in power for is a year.

    “In this new setup, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam has its own identity and we are telling them [new government] that we still want immediate elections.”

    READ MORE: Zardari, Nawaz, Maulana have all been ruined by one man: Saleem Safi

    Maulana said that continuing to stay in power unnecessarily is not his party’s stance. The new government, he added, can take some time for electoral reforms but Maulana said that Imran Khan was ousted so that the people of Pakistan could be given their mandate back.

    “Now it is our responsibility to give back the nation what we promised.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also been demanding early elections. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that elections cannot be held before October as it needs four months to complete the process of delimitation of constituencies.