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Tag: Shehbaz Sharif

  • COAS appointment notification to be issued by Nov 26 says Khawaja Asif

    COAS appointment notification to be issued by Nov 26 says Khawaja Asif

    Khawaja Asif, Minister for Defence, said Monday that the notification for the appointment of the next chief of army staff (COAS) would be issued by November 26 before the end of the tenure of the outgoing chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa – who retires on November 29.

    Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly (NA) on November 21, Asif said his ministry had received a letter from the Prime Minister, asking for initiation of the appointment process on Monday, which had been forwarded to General Headquarters.

    He said the summary, along with the service dossiers of the senior-most lieutenant generals proposed for elevation and appointment as chief of army staff and chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, was likely to be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office within two days.

    Appearing on Geo News programme “Capital Talk” on November 21, the minister said, “The appointment process for the highest offices in the Pakistan Army has commenced today.”

    “Once the matter [the appointment issue] is settled, the political leaders should join hands, sit together, and talk so that the appointment is not politicised in the future,” he emphasised.

    When senior journalist Hamid Mir asked Khawaja Asif as to why Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), chose November 26 as the date for his long march, the minister stated that Khan might be considering that President Dr Arif Alvi would not approve PM Shehbaz’s recommendation for the COAS.

    Lashing out at Imran Khan for “causing damage” to the honour and prestige of state institutions after being ousted from office, Asif said, “Today, an institution [army] is categorically stating that it has decided to give up its political or unconstitutional role and has made the announcement that it will play its constitutional role of defending the motherland, but Imran Khan has made their neutrality a curse.”

  • Fact Check: Is the viral video of Shehbaz Sharif with UK lawyer legit?

    Fact Check: Is the viral video of Shehbaz Sharif with UK lawyer legit?

    Claim: A video of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (PM) in London is being shared on social media.

    Users are claiming that the video depicts the Premier sitting in a court in the United Kingdom (UK) where he and his son-in-law, Imran Ali Yousaf, are being panelised in the Daily Mail defamation case.

    Shehbaz Sharif had sued the Daily Mail in 2019 for an article which had suggested that he along with Yousaf “stole British taxpayers’ money” given to Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) set up to help the victims of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake.

    In this particular video, the man sitting next to Sharif can be heard saying, “Mr Sharif misappropriated UK taxpayers’ money and particular government aid intended for the victims of the devasting 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.”

    Fact: The video is of a press conference held by Sharif himself in 2020, in which he formally launched a defamation suit against journalist David Rose and Daily Mail and Associated Newspaper Limited (ANL) — the publishers of Mail Online.

    The disclosure of formal court action was made at a press conference at the offices of British law firm Carter-Ruck by Alasdair Pepper and Antonia Foster, who are representing Shehbaz in his legal case against the paper. Shehbaz was present with his lawyers at the press conference where the announcement was made.

    The lawyer said that Carter-Ruck had decided to move the court after failing to get a substantive response from the newspaper despite several requests over a passage of several months. He said that in nearly seven months the Mail had refused to engage with Sharif’s lawyer.

    Pepper argued that the article in the Mail, followed by a social media campaign launched by journalist David Rose, was gravely defamatory for Shehbaz, carrying false allegations that he misappropriated UK taxpayers’ money in the form of aid intended for the victims of the devastating 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) official Twitter account also corrected the false claim and blamed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for spreading “lies”.

    Verdict: FALSE

  • Who should be the next army chief? PM consults Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    Who should be the next army chief? PM consults Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has begun discussions with the senior leadership of ruling parties on the appointment of the new army chief, sources have revealed to Geo news.

    A report aired on the news channel has said that allied parties have fully mandated the Premier to make the nomination in accordance with established protocols.


    Sources said that the leader of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, called the prime minister to inquire about his health.

    The two leaders then discussed the state of the nation and the selection of the new army chief over the phone, according to sources.

    Maulana urged the PM to choose the new army head in accordance with established protocols. Sources have also revealed that co-chairman PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, who is in Islamabad, may meet with Shehbaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman.


    Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had also acknowledged that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has the constitutional right to appoint the army chief but questioned if he can “morally” appoint the right person.

  • Khan agrees that PM Shehbaz can appoint constitutionally but has reservations morally

    Khan agrees that PM Shehbaz can appoint constitutionally but has reservations morally

    Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has acknowledged that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has the constitutional right to appoint the army chief but questioned if he can “morally” appoint the right person.

    Alleging that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was working on an agenda against the PTI, the former Prime Minister said, “Not only is it close to the Pakistan Muslim Leauge-Nawaz (PML-N) but also the handlers. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja passed decisions against us eight times and all of them were rejected by the judiciary.”

    Addressing his party’s Long March via video link, Imran Khan said about the CEC, “How could he pass judgments on us when he has been repeatedly giving decisions against us.”

    Khan, once again, called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan, saying that the nation was looking to him for justice in “three landmark cases”: Arshad Sharif’s murder, Azam Swati’s custodial torture, and the Wazirabad FIR issue.

    “CJP, we are looking towards you because we don’t have
    hope from anywhere else,” he said, adding that it was high time the courts became assertive and stood with the people of Pakistan.

  • Nawaz Sharif returning soon?

    Nawaz Sharif returning soon?

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif—who is currently in London— reportedly wants to come back to Pakistan soon as his return date is being discussed within trusted circles, reports Samaa News.

    According to the media outlet, Nawaz said that the public in Pakistan is facing financial problems, not political ones. About the general elections, he was of the view that they will be held at the designated time.

    Moreover, he claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s long march has failed. Sharif said that his party [PML-N] is against the politics of revenge and hatred.

    Last week, Nawaz was visited by his brother Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in Britain and conducted several meetings with him. It was widely reported that the two brothers were holding consultations on who should be the next head of the armed forces.

    The PML-N supremo was granted an eight-week bail on medical grounds in October 2019, and, he was allowed to travel to London for treatment for four weeks. However, Nawaz has not returned since then.

  • PM Shehbaz tests positive for Covid-19 for the third time

    PM Shehbaz tests positive for Covid-19 for the third time

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has tested positive for the coronavirus for the third time, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed on Tuesday.

    In a tweet, the minister said that the Premier was feeling unwell for the past two days and took a Covid-19 test today as per the doctor’s advice.

    She appealed to the nation and to PML-N workers to pray for Shehbaz Sharif’s speedy recovery.

    This is the third time the prime minister has tested positive for the virus. He had previously contracted Covid-19 earlier this year in January and once before in June 2020.

    Shehbaz Sharif landed back in Pakistan on Monday after a brief but busy trip to London. However, he had reportedly not been feeling well. It was also reported that while the Prime Minister was in London, he felt unwell and delayed his departure to Pakistan by a day.

  • All eyes on the COAS appointment as Gen Bajwa and President Alvi arrive in Lahore

    All eyes on the COAS appointment as Gen Bajwa and President Alvi arrive in Lahore

    President Dr Arif Alvi and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa were in Lahore on Friday night as speculations ran rife on who will be appointed the new army chief. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman is also in Lahore, recuperating from surgeries at his home in Zaman Park.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will soon return from London after consulting his elder brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif on the political quagmire in the country and the appointment of a new army chief.

    According to news reports, President Alvi has emerged as the leading figure in the army’s ongoing “backchannel talks” with PTI. He has already facilitated at least one direct meeting between Gen Bajwa and Khan at the Presidency.

    In an interview on Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath”, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira — whose party also holds an important position in the ruling alliance — said merit would determine who becomes the next army chief.

    “The [government] will appoint the next army chief from among the top-five senior generals,” Kaira said and mentioned that PM Shehbaz would return to Pakistan and deliberate over the matter with members of the government and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    Lashing out at Khan, Kaira said the person against whom Khan had reservations was the same man with whom he spent four years in power.

    Earlier this week, PM Shehbaz and Nawaz Sharif agreed not to succumb to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) pressure, especially on Khan’s key demand for early elections.

    The Premier had a meeting that lasted for over three hours with his elder brother. Reportedly, Nawaz told Shehbaz to “continue doing his best to take Pakistan out of the economic crisis” and “not succumb to any kind of pressure”.

    Meanwhile, Khan has also reiterated his stance on appointing the army chief on “merit” and criticised PM Shehbaz for consulting Nawaz on this all-important appointment.

    During an address to participants of his party’s long march in Gujrat via video link, Khan said: “Whoever fits the merit, should be appointed the army chief.”

    “Nawaz Sharif always brings up the man who is beneficial for him,” Khan said referring to the appointment’s decision. The statement was in stark contrast to Khan’s stance of just a day earlier, as reported by Dawn, when he told journalists that, “They [government] can appoint whoever they want.”

  • ‘Waqar and Khurram killed Arshad Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    ‘Waqar and Khurram killed Arshad Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Khurram and his brother Waqar, who were hosting slain journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, conspired with local police to kill the newsman.

    “This is a joint conspiracy of Waqar, Khurram and five Kenyan police officers,” said the federal minister on Geo News programme “Geo Pakistan” adding that the murder was a “target killing”.

    The interior minister said that Sharif went to Kenya from Dubai on Waqar’s sponsorship and he was staying in his flat. He also said that Waqar helped Sharif in getting an online visa.

    It is pertinent to mention that when Sharif was shot, Khurram was with him, driving the car, however, he was not injured by police gunfire and remained unharmed.

    “We have the record of everything including why Sharif went to Waqar’s house and stayed as a guest,” claimed the minister. He also revealed that Waqar is not being named in the case because the commission has yet to go and look into these matters.

    During the interview, Sanaullah said that Sharif didn’t want to leave the country.

    The interior minister said that he would request Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to talk to the Kenyan president again because the Kenyan police are “not cooperating”.

    Earlier in the week, “On the Front” host Kamran Shahid unearthed details of the murder on his show, stating, “At eight o clock on the night of October 23, Arshad Sharif was shot while sitting in the car with Khurram, who drove him [Arshad Sharif] via a long route instead of the usual one on the day the anchorperson was martyred.”

  • Sharif brothers agree on resisting PTI pressure: reports

    Sharif brothers agree on resisting PTI pressure: reports

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif agreed not to succumb under Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) pressure, especially on their Chairman Imran Khan’s key demand of early elections, reports Geo News.

    The Premier, who is currently in London, had a meeting that lasted for over three hours with only Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz, Suleman Sharif, Hasan and Hussain Nawaz and a few other family members present. No one from the party was asked to join the meeting.

    Nawaz told Shehbaz to “continue doing his best to take Pakistan out of the economic crisis” and “not succumb to any kind of pressure”.

    According to the news report, when Shehbaz Sharif was asked if he will be discussing the appointment of the next army chief with his sibling, the PM said: “I have come today to meet my elder brother and my family. I am meeting them and their children after a long time.”

    After the end of the meeting, he was again pressed as to when the next chief of army staff will be appointed but the PM dodged the question, stating instead that the meeting was a family get together with and said: “ my brother, my nieces, my nephews and rest of the family too. We had lunch, gup shup and congratulations to all of you on Pakistan’s (cricket) win.”

    This visit to London is the third such trip since Shehbaz became prime minister in April. Sharif’s visit to London comes two weeks before the end of General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure. The army chief is set to retire on November 29.

    It has been reported that Shehbaz will consult Nawaz on the appointment of the Pakistan army chief.

  • Shehbaz meets with world leaders during climate change conference

    Shehbaz meets with world leaders during climate change conference

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday attended the inaugural ceremony of the United Nations (UN) Climate Implementation Summit at the coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.

    The “Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit” is part of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27).

    The premier separately met with the Presidents of Iraq, Tajikistan and Indonesia Abdul Latif Rashid, Emomali Rahmon, and Joko Widodo, respectively. He also conducted a meeting with Lebanese PM Najib Makati.

    In his meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Shehbaz Sharif thanked him for the assistance sent as aid for flood victims.

    In his meeting with the European Union Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, PM Shehbaz appreciated the spirit of EU nations for their support extended to the flood-hit population of Pakistan. The premier also met with UN chief Antonio Guterres.

    The PM arrived in Egypt on Sunday to participate in the conference that has drawn delegates from 197 countries.

    Before his departure, PM Shehbaz took to Twitter to say that he would raise the matter of the devasting effects of climate change in Pakistan.

    Last month, it was announced that PM Shehbaz would be the vice-chairperson for COP27.

    The conference is taking place at a time when millions of people in Pakistan, and millions more in other parts of the world, are facing severe adverse impacts of climate change.

    For the first time in the history of COP27, the members would discuss whether rich countries should compensate poor nations most exposed to the adverse effects of climate change.