Current Final

Tag: Shehbaz Sharif

  • ‘Tons of chicken meat is burnt for witchcraft in Bani Gala’: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘Tons of chicken meat is burnt for witchcraft in Bani Gala’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif alleged that tons of chicken meat is burnt for ‘witchcraft’ in Bani Gala.

    Speaking on Aaj News programme, “Faisla Aap ka”, Shehbaz said, “I am saying this with complete responsibility. This is the situation, but the PM is speaking about ‘Riyaasat-e-Madina’ and ‘Amar Bil Maroof [enjoining good]’,” he added.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader further said that people are deprived of food and children are yearning for milk, but tons of chicken is being burnt in Bani Gala for witchcraft.

    Shehbaz ruled out the possibility of a dialogue with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. Shehbaz said Imran Khan talks about ‘Riyaasat-e-Madina’ and on the other hand, promotes cartels.

    “There is no question that I will talk to someone who is so egoist, he lies, what did he do with the cartels?”

    Responding to PM Khan’s statement in which he said he has a surprise for the Opposition, Shehbaz said, “Before he surprises us, we will surprise Imran Khan.”

    Anchorperson Asma Shirazi asked Shehbaz if he has more surprises up his sleeve, to which he said, “Absolutely, we will bring surprise after surprise. Don’t you worry, in the next few days we will bring surprises and you will be shell-shocked.”

  • Nawaz Sharif’s close aide Chaudhry Nisar refuses to join PTI

    Nawaz Sharif’s close aide Chaudhry Nisar refuses to join PTI

    Estranged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party member and former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan revealed that he will not join Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) despite his meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, according to Daily Jang.

    “Nisar will neither return to PML-N nor work under Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, hence will maintain his independent status,” said the news outlet’s sources.

    On Wednesday, PM Khan said that he met Chaudhry. “I have had an association with him [Chaudhry] for the last 40 years,” he revealed, adding that Nisar will be “taking all political decisions himself”.

    Jang report further reveals that Chaudhry was offered chief ministership of Punjab when PTI came to power. However, at the time, Nisar refused it and thought that in an assembly, where the PML-N is in the Opposition, he would not be able to speak against PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif.

  • Supreme Court to take up presidential reference on Article 63-A today

    Supreme Court to take up presidential reference on Article 63-A today

    The Supreme court (SC) will take up the presidential reference seeking opinion on Article 63-A of the Constitution – which deals with the disqualification of parliamentarians over defection – at 1pm on Thursday, reports Dawn.

    A five-member bench of the SC comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial will head the bench, which also includes Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.

    Earlier, on Monday, a two-member bench of the apex court comprising CJP Bandial and Justice Akhtar took up the presidential reference and declared that a larger bench would hear the case.

    Justice Faez Isa “perplexed” over CJP Bandial’s decision to hear the presidential reference

    The senior-most judge of SC Justice Faez Isa has said that he is “perplexed” over CJP Bandial’s decision to hear the presidential reference for the interpretation of Article 63-A together with the SCBA petition over the no-confidence motion.

    In a three-page letter to the top judge, dated March 22, Justice Isa has questioned multiple legal aspects along with the formation of a larger bench “without the inclusion of senior-most judges”.

    “On 19 March 2022, a two-member bench headed by yourself and an hon’ble judge 8 in seniority, heard CP No. 2/2022 in Court on a Saturday, despite the filing of the petition on Thursday. On the said date it was ordered that CP No. 2/2022 be heard ‘along with a Reference, if any, that is filed under Article 186 of the Constitution and the petition and the proposed reference were ordered to be fixed together for hearing. I am perplexed as to how a matter which had not been filed was ordered to be fixed for hearing,” the letter said.

    Justice Isa further stated that the apex court rules demand that the constitution of a bench is done fairly and as per the law, referring to Article IV of the Code of Conduct, which says:

    “[…] a judge must avoid all possibility of his opinion or action, in any case, being swayed by any consideration of personal advantage, either direct or indirect.”

    “The Constitution specifically recognises the most senior Judge of the Supreme Court (including in Article 175A(3) and Article 180), and with seniority comes responsibility, which must not be shirked. The most senior Judge also ensures the continuity of the Supreme Court as an institution,” Justice Isa wrote.

    Better if the assembly’s fight is fought inside the assembly: CJP Bandial

    Justice Bandial on Monday heard a plea filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) about the lawful proceeding of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly (NA).

    During the hearing, which was attended by three bigwigs of the Opposition — PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, SCBA counsel argued that NA Speaker Asad Qaiser summoned the session 17 days after the submission of the no-confidence motion. However, according to Article 95, the session has to be called within 14 days.

    He further argued that the no-confidence motion could not be adjourned before voting. To this, CJ observed that it is an “internal matter” and it would be “better if the assembly’s fight is fought inside the assembly”.

    According to Justice Munib, a member’s individual vote has no “status”. Justice Munib Akhtar said after joining a political party, a member’s vote is considered a “collective” right.

    SCBA writes a reply to the apex court

    On Thursday, the SCBA submitted a written reply to the apex court ahead of today’s hearing in accordance with the court’s directives.

    In its reply, the SCBA said that the votes of MNAs “cannot possibly be construed as a collective right of a political party”, citing Article 95 of the Constitution, which deals with the procedure to bring in a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

    Fawad Chaudhry responds to SCBA’s reply to the apex court

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and reacted to SCBA’s response.

    Fawad said, “Reading SCBA’s answer, it seems that Supreme Court bar body is a subsidiary of Noon League,” says Fawad Chaudhry, adding, “Ordinary lawyers are dissatisfied with the role of lawyers’ organisations and the defeat of this group in the Lahore Bar elections is the result of the lawyers’ reaction.”

    Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan had submitted the reference seeking the SC’s opinion on Article 63-A of the Constitution on March 21.

  • ‘Will surprise one day before the vote of no-confidence’: Khan announces he will not resign

    ‘Will surprise one day before the vote of no-confidence’: Khan announces he will not resign

    Announcing that he will not resign in any case, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that he will fight the Opposition till the last ball and will give a surprise one day before the voting on the no-confidence motion, reports Geo News.

    Talking with journalists at the Prime Minister’s House, PM Khan said that the word “neutral” was misinterpreted. He said that the context of the word “neutral” was to promote goodwill and to prevent evil.

    PM Imran Khan said it was wrong to consistently attack and criticise the army as a powerful military was crucial for Pakistan. “Had the army not been here, the country would have split into three parts.”

    “The army should not be criticised for politicking,” he said.

    PM Khan further said that the politics of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is to cover up their theft.

    “Someone may have misunderstood that I will sit at home. I will not resign under any circumstances. I will not pull out from a fight,” said PM Khan.

    The premier said that he will win the match of no-confidence, and that he will not resign at the request of the corrupt gang.

    “The people are with me, 60 to 65 per cent of the honourable people are with me,” said the premier.

    The Prime Minister said that after March 27, his support will go above 90 per cent. “My trump card is that I have not shown any card yet,” said Khan.

    PM Imran Khan was asked about shaking hands with the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, to which he responded that he could not shake hands with a person steeped in corruption. “His [Shehbaz Sharif’s] politics will come to an end after his no-confidence motion.”

    “In which constitution is it to overthrow the government by spending money?” questioned the prime minister.

    The prime minister said he would “never” hold a consultative meeting with Shahbaz, as he stressed that the Sharif brothers — Shahbaz and Nawaz Sharif — and Asif Ali Zardari were “corruption brands” of Pakistan.

    When asked about former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar, PM Khan said that he met Chaudhry Nisar and has a 40-year-old relationship with him.

  • Ex-Bestie’s wish: PTI requests Tareen group not to take extreme steps

    Ex-Bestie’s wish: PTI requests Tareen group not to take extreme steps

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) disgruntled Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) group leader Aun Chaudhry claimed that Defense Minister Pervez Khattak contacted him last night (Friday) and urged Chaudhry not to take decisions immediately as the government will soon update them regarding the latest developments.

    According to Geo News, Tareen group leaders announced that they wouldn’t meet the ruling party’s members after which Governor Sindh Imran Ismail tried to contact Jahangir Tareen but he was unable to get in touch with him.

    However, the disgruntled group is holding meetings with the Opposition.

    Recently, Minister for Water Resources and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q)’s leader Moonis Elahi went to London, where both Tareen and Nawaz Sharif are currently residing.

    Earlier this month, Tareen was discharged from a private clinic. To convey his best wishes, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif sent him a bouquet.

    Previously, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s old friend Aleem Khan joined the JKT group. Later, he visited Tareen and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

  • 44% say Khan should resign before no-confidence motion: survey

    44% say Khan should resign before no-confidence motion: survey

    According to a survey conducted by Ipsos, 44 per cent of respondents are of the view that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan should resign ahead of the no-confidence motion while 33 per cent think he should fight it, reports Geo News.

    42 per cent of respondents are of the opinion that the no-trust motion would succeed against PM Khan while 26 per cent say the government would successfully defeat the motion and 31 per cent say that they are unsure about the outcome.

    To a question that if the no-confidence motion becomes successful, 27 per cent think Leader of the Opposition and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif should be the PM until new elections, 17 per cent say PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto and 6 per cent prefer PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the new premier.

    However, after the general elections, 18 per cent want PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to become PM, 16 per cent voted for Imran Khan, and 14 per cent for Shehbaz Sharif.

    According to the survey, a significant number of 48 per cent think that PTI’s allies should support the party’s rival, while only 27 per cent of the respondents said that the PTI coalition partners should come back to Khan.

  • ‘If horse-trading takes place, then I will be responsible for it’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif rubbished claims of horse-trading in the build-up to the no-confidence motion session and said when politicians were “being loaded on to a private aircraft, then what was that all about”.

    Shehbaz said that if the allegations of horse-trading turned out to be true, then he would apologise to the nation and step down from office. “If horse-trading takes place, then I will be responsible for it.”

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan took to Twitter and also hinted at horse-trading. Congratulating Pakistan Captain Baber Azam, the premier tweeted, “Unfortunately I could not watch this match as I am fighting on another front against match fixing where huge amounts of money are being used to lure my players!”

    Shehbaz’s comments came during an interview on Geo News’ programme “Capital Talk”. Speaking about the PTI’s plan to hold a rally before the no-confidence motion, the Opposition leader said that the government was “warning” lawmakers against voting in favour of the no-confidence motion.

    “They (government) are warning them of violence, but we do not plan on resorting to violence. They want to clash with the constitution and the law,” he said.

    “The national government minus PTI should be formed for the next five years,” said Shehbaz to anchorperson Hamid Mir.

    Mentioning that it was his personal idea of forming such a government, Shehbaz said that the new leadership that comes into power should work with all the dedication to uplift Pakistan.

    Both the government and the Opposition are set to hold massive rallies in Islamabad — with the government’s gathering scheduled for March 27, while the Opposition’s long march will take place after March 25.

  • ‘Sari zindagi nappy change kartay rahainge kya, bachay ko neechay utarainge tu seekhe ga’: Pervaiz Elahi

    ‘Sari zindagi nappy change kartay rahainge kya, bachay ko neechay utarainge tu seekhe ga’: Pervaiz Elahi

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that it is important to put the baby down and let him/her learn to walk on its own.

    Without naming any names, the PML-Q leader said that “the work carried out on the government’s behalf never allowed it to learn things for itself.”

    “The child will learn to walk only when you put him down,” he said metaphorically. “Would you keep on changing nappies all his life?”

    Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, while speaking on HUM News programme “Hum Meher Bokhari Kay Sath”, said that PM Khan was “100 per cent” in trouble because of the no-confidence motion against him.

    “The government 100 per cent lacks wisdom and understanding. They are going door to door, this is indication enough how troubled they are.”

    He further went on to share PML-Q’s grievances with the government. He said that all we have been showing is loyalty to the government and in return, all that is coming from their side is “dushmani“.

    The PML-Q leader said that they were still receiving threats and being blackmailed. “A week ago they said to NAB [National Accountability Bureau] to arrest Moonis [Minister for Water Resources and Pervaiz Elahi’s son].”

    Elahi said that he has already been offered Punjab’s chief ministership as well as electoral alliance — including seat-to-seat adjustment — by the Opposition alliance but the government has yet to make that offer.

    Elahi said: “We are waiting to see what the government has to offer. Maybe the government might do the same.”

     “The government 100 per cent lacks wisdom and understanding. The prime minister has a great desire for revenge, which is evident from the fact that he puts everyone in NAB and FIA. This is not how you govern,” he added.

    Elahi said that all that the government has done is ruin its relations with everyone. Without taking the PM’s name, the PML-Q leader said, “He has spoiled his relations with his own people as well. It is because of his own people that they are so worried. Tongue is one thing that can make or break things forever.”

    Elahi said that the Opposition alliance has the support of “more than required” lawmakers to pass the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly, warning that there are “plenty of surprises in store”.

    Talking about establishment, Elahi said, “DG ISPR has said on record that the establishment has nothing to do with politics, we are neutral in this. But did you see how he [PM] defined neutral, and said animals are neutral. Who was he saying this to?”

    He urged the government to move first and call off its planned political gathering for March 27, saying that it would put pressure on the Opposition to do the same.

  • Pakistanis prefer to sink with me than support the ‘three stooges’: PM Khan

    Pakistanis prefer to sink with me than support the ‘three stooges’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday called the Opposition leaders Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari the “three stooges”, referring to a classic American program. He told party members the Opposition’s no-trust move was a “blessing” as it had “lifted” the entire party and now all ready to ready for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally.

    Addressing the Pakistan Overseas Convention in Islamabad he said, “When the people saw the faces of the three stooges — they decided against supporting them and expressed their desire to go down with [me],” PM Khan.

    I challenge media, economists, and Opposition parties to debate with govt over performance

    PM Khan challenged media organisations, economists, and Opposition parties to debate with the government over its performance in the last three and half years, saying that “nobody served Pakistan as we did”.

    “[Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana] Fazlur Rehman sold religion for 30 years,” he thundered. “In my 3.5 years, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has said you cannot disrespect Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in the name of freedom of expression. [Canadian Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau has given a statement [against Islamophobia]. This has happened for the first time.”

    The premier said there had been a debate at the United Nations and a resolution would be passed against Islamophobia, adding that it was “because of us” and how the government raised the matter at different forums.

    The premier said that the Opposition parties had been taking turns in governing Pakistan during the last 30 years but the PTI government would “prove” that it had built the nation.

    They cannot defeat us: PM Khan

    The premier said he and his team were always trying to figure out ways to reduce the impact of inflation on the masses, but after the Opposition’s no-confidence motion, the focus shifted to mainstream politics rather than inflation.

    PM Khan said neither of the three parties — PPP, PML-N, and JUI-F — worked at the grass-root levels and did “actual politics”, while the PTI struggled for more than two decades to get to where it is today. “They cannot defeat us.”

    “Nawaz became the chief minister through General Jilani; Shehbaz, who used to give bribes to get his work done, Zardari became the president by ‘showing’ a fake paper; Fazl has been selling the religion from the last 30 years,” he said.

    If they are the ones to save Pakistan, it is better to drown with Imran Khan

    “I was thinking of how the country changed suddenly in 10 days, inflation was forgotten and my entire party was lifted.”

    All the Opposition politicians used to call each other corrupt, he said, thanking them for coming together so the nation could see that “if they are the ones to save Pakistan, it is better to drown with Imran Khan”.

    The premier said that PTI had risen from the grassroots which is why the Opposition parties could not compete with it.

    Fallen into captains trap

    PM Imran Khan said the Opposition leaders were under the “false impression that the people had forgotten their corruption”, but they were wrong as now, they had fallen into the “captain’s trap”.

    “I predict that not only is their no-confidence motion going to fail, but they will taste defeat in the 2023 general elections as well,” he said, foreseeing his party’s triumph in the polls.

    PM Khan said due to the corruption of the politicians, the country had become a “slave” to the foreign powers. “When our then prime minister [Nawaz Sharif] met then US president Barack Obama, his legs were shaking as he was cautious against saying something his ‘master’ might feel bad”.

    “Because they know [those countries] can catch their [corrupt Pakistani politicians’] money laundering whenever they want,” the prime minister said.

    Not anti-US, UK and India

    “You [Nawaz and Zardari] should have at least said that no law in the world allows anyone to play the role of judge, jury, and executioner,” he said, stressing “never have I been anti-American, anti-Britain or anti-India”.

    “I pray that a sensible leadership comes into power in India so that we can hold talks with them after revoking the August 5, 2019, decision on Kashmir.”

    Only an uneducated man would be against a country, he elaborated, adding that he was against their policies. “I was against the war on terror from day one and I will remain so.”

    The premier said 100 drone strikes had been conducted in Pakistan during the governments of Nawaz Sharif and Zardari and PTI leaders had staged sit-ins to protest but “they had no shame”.

    He also mentioned India’s “Hindutva” policy, expressing the wish that a “better government” comes to power in the neighbouring country that would grant rights to Kashmiris.

    Pakistan military was the reason behind the country’s stability

    The Pakistan military was the reason behind the country’s stability, as he gave an example of other Muslim countries — Libya, Syria, and Yemen — where the situation was dismal.

    Noting that despite having differences with former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, PM Imran Khan lauded him and acknowledged that he was a self-reliant leader.

  • Ab tou dharnay hongay: Govt, Opposition set to do jalsas on same day in Islamabad

    Ab tou dharnay hongay: Govt, Opposition set to do jalsas on same day in Islamabad

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to hold a massive, what they are calling, a ‘public meeting’ at D-Chowk on March 27.

    As per media reports, the government has cautioned lawmakers that they will have to make their way through the crowd of ‘one million’ to enter Parliament House for casting their vote on the no-trust motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, which is expected to take place on March 28.

    The decision to gather PTI workers at D-Chowk on March 27 was made in the ruling party’s core committee meeting, which was presided by PM Khan himself.

    It is being reported that the core committee was also attended by National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser and Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday called the entire nation to march towards the federal capital on March 23 for an anti-government long march.

    “People should be ready for staying in Islamabad […] we are not sure till when will the long march last,” said Fazl.

    “From the door of the Parliament House to Shahrah-e-Dastoor, we will hold a historic rally. Through this, we will give a safe passage to all lawmakers for reaching the [assembly] safely and casting their vote,” said Maulana Fazl.

    PDM chief made the announcement after a meeting of Opposition parties which was hosted by Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif.

    In response to the PDM chief’s announcement, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said he had already stated that the Opposition was against the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) session in Islamabad.

    “I had already said that Fazlur Rehman’s real agenda was against the OIC conference. They are not able to accept that OIC foreign minister’s meeting will take place here after 15 years,” tweeted Fawad.

    PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan said on Monday announced that the voting on the no-confidence motion against PM Khan will take place after March 27.