Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that the name of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) will be revealed by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Discussing the all-important appointment on Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, the defence minister said that the process to appoint a new head of the armed forces would start on Monday.
During the show, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said that the change of command ceremony would be held on November 29. He also predicted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march would suffer a severe blow the day the appointment decision was finalised.
تعیناتی کاعمل پیرسےشروع ہوجائےگا،منگل یابدھ تک نئےآرمی چیف کانام سامنےآجائے گا،اور29نومبرکوکمانڈتبدیلی کی تقریب بھی ہوجائےگی۔اختلاف عمران خان کی خواہش ضرورہوسکتی ہےمگرتعیناتی کےحوالےسے حکومت کااپنے اتحادیوں یاعسکری قیادت سے کوئی اختلاف نہیں ہے۔ خواجہ آصف
COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the incumbent army chief, is set to retire later this month. On multiple instances, he has ruled out an extension in his tenure — and so has the military.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said the matter of the next army chief’s appointment would be settled in a day or two.
“I believe the Prime Minister has completed this process (of consultation) and will bring it to paper, today or tomorrow or the next two days, [it] takes no time,” he said.
“I will also request you that this is a matter of a day or two so don’t ask questions which can lead to unnecessary speculation,” he said, adding that “there is not a lot of time left to this decision and it will come before you.”
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Friday, September 2, said that the government has 13 months more of its tenure but he may not have that much time left.
Addressing a seminar in Karachi, the Finance Minister said, “The government has 13 months but I may not have that much time,” said Ismail, hinting at the increasing criticism and dissatisfaction that his party has expressed over his performance.
In recent times, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has shown dissatisfaction in how Miftah is handling the country’s economy.
‘Misleading and incorrect’: Nawaz Sharif reacts to reports that he is ‘dissatisfied with Shehbaz’
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has distanced himself from statements attributed to him regarding his brother and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said that they are “misleading and incorrect”.
“I remain hopeful that the sincere and tireless efforts by SS under the most challenging circumstances will bear fruit and he will steer the country out of the mess created by Imran Khan,” tweeted Nawaz Sharif.
The negative comments attributed to me about PM Shahbaz Sharif are misleading and incorrect. I remain hopeful that the sincere and tireless efforts by SS under the most challenging circumstances will bear fruit and he will steer the country out of the mess created by Imran Khan.
Nawaz Sharif’s tweet came after senior analyst Suhail Warraich revealed that he is not satisfied with the performance of his brother Shehbaz Sharif or Finance Minister Miftah Ismail. Warraich said Nawaz wants Shehbaz to review his policies.
“Nawaz had already said that they should not take over the government and go towards elections. It seems like he [Nawaz Sharif] has made up his mind that he wants the economic policies reviewed, and he would want Ishaq Dar to manage it. He [Nawaz Sharif] does not trust Miftah Sahib,” said Warraich on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.
عمران خان خطرے میں ہیں مگر ابھی بھی معاملات کیسے بہتر کرسکتے ہیں؟ دیکھیے سینئر صحافی سہیل وڑائچ کا تجزیہ
“Mian Sahab repeatedly kept telling me to go and meet Shehbaz Sharif and ask him what are these policies and that he [Shehbaz Shairf] needs to review his policies,” said Warraich.
Warraich said that Nawaz is not happy with PML-N’s present narrative.
Warraich further revealed that Nawaz’s next narrative will be directed against the judiciary, not the army. He said Nawaz will write a letter to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to complain about the delay in hearing of his cases.
The senior analyst said that Nawaz Sharif believes that like Quaid-e-Azam, cases should be faced without being jailed, and added the former premier is of the view that he should return once the jail issue is resolved.
“Nawaz believes Imran is a fascist who needs to be dealt with first, while matters of democracy can be taken care of later,” Warraich added.
Suhail Warraich recently met Nawaz Sharif in London.
This is not the first time Nawaz Sharif has reacted to his brother’s policies and government. Earlier this month, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz tweeted that Nawaz Sharif was unhappy with the government for increasing petrol prices.
“Mian Sahib strongly opposed this decision and even said that I cannot burden the people with one more penny. And if there is any compulsion of the government, I am not involved in this decision and he left the meeting,” tweeted Maryam.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the government is ready to form a judicial commission to inquire about life threats received by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Rana Sanaullah said that the government had provided Khan ‘prime minister-level’ security and around 150-200 security personnel had been deployed for his safety. He said that security stays with Khan all the time and they move him from Bani Gala to wherever he goes.
“However, if Imran Khan needs more security, then he should tell us. We will provide it too,” he added.
جان کو خطرے کی ویڈیو ریکارڈ کراکے چھپائی کیوں ہے اسے شیئر کرو،جوڈیشل کمیشن بنانے کو تیار ہیں۔عمران خان کےساتھ جس قسم کےلوگ ہیں انہی میں سےکسی نے موبائل فون نکالے ہونگے۔ عمران خان کو وہی سیکیورٹی ملی ہوئی ہے جو انہیں بطور وزیر اعظم ملی ہوئی تھی۔وزیر داخلہ
— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) May 16, 2022
“If you have recorded that video, then share it with the people. You say you will bring everything in front of the people of Pakistan, then you must share the video. They say one thing one day, and another the next day. Every few days, they bring a new fraud and lie. This man [Imran Khan] wants to divide the country and misguide the youth.”
Talking about PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s claim that two of Imran Khan’s mobile phones were stolen in the Sialkot jalsa, Rana Sanaullah said that Imran Khan’s mobile phones must have been stolen by his companions because Imran Khan is “surrounded by such people who can do it”.
On a question asked about the comments Khan made in relevance to Dr Rizwan’s death caused by a heart attack and poison that can be mixed in food, Sanaullah said, “What should I say to this horrendous man? He was the prime minister of this country and unfortunately is again the candidate for the position of prime minister. If something like this was even suspected, the family would have had his post-mortem done.”
“They bring such lies and fraud to their fan crowd and they believe whatever he [Khan] says. Anyone with wisdom knows about the lies told by Khan,” said Sanaullah.
جو شخص ملک کا وزیر اعظم رہا ہے اور دوبارہ وزیر اعظم بننے کا اُمیدوار ہے،کیا اُسے نہیں پتہ کہ ڈاکٹر رضوان کی موت اگر زہر سے واقعہ ہوتی تو انکے اہل خانہ ضرور پوسٹ مارٹم کراتے۔ ہرذی شعور آدمی کو انکے جھوٹوں کا پتہ ہے۔ وزیر داخلہ رانا ثناء۔
The 30-year-old Shari Baloch committed a suicide bombing near the Confucius Institute of Karachi University on April 26. In the suicide attack, she targeted four people including Chinese nationals and a van driver, reports Independent Urdu.
She was an educated woman who belonged from Kech, Balochistan. She had been with Balochistan Students Organisation-Azad (BSO Azad) since college. She later joined the separatist movement of the Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). She completed her master’s degree in education from Allama Iqbal Open University in 2014
However, as per Urdu news reported that he completed a bachelor’s in Education (B.Ed) in 2014 and earned a Master’s degree in education in 2018. Later, she also earned a master’s degree in Zoology. As per her allegedly Twitter account, she has done M.Phil in education as well. She was married to a doctor and have two children together, one son and a daughter. She was teaching in a government school in Balochistan but the school did not confirm it yet.
Her relative revealed to a reporter that most of the family members are part of the bureaucracy.
According to her relative, “It is being said on social media that some members of Shari Baloch’s family went missing so she took such a step to take revenge but not a single person in her family has gone missing to date. She was ideologically committed to it, so maybe she took such a step.”
Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Raja Umar Khattab also confirmed that it was the suicide attack that was carried out by a female clad-in-burqa. Police also released CCTV footage in which Shari Baloch was standing near the gate of the Confucius Institute. She blew up when a van was about to enter the institute at 1:52 pm.
[TRIGGER WARNING] VIDEO MAY BE SENSITIVE TO SOME AUDIENCE
Four people lost their lives including three Chinese nationals and a driver while three people survived from injuries including Ranger personnel, one Chinese national, and a security guard. The injured people were taken to a nearby hospital
The deceased three Chinese nationals are identified as Prof. Huang GuiPing, Ding Mufang, and Chen Sai while Wang Yuqing received injuries.
Later, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) took the responsibility for the suicide attack near the Confucius Institute.
A spokesperson of BLA spokesman said, “Shari joined the Majeed Brigade two years ago and six months ago she confirmed that she was determined to carry out the attack. She has been active in her mission ever since.”
A tweet from her husband, Habitan Bashir Baloch also came to light for appreciating his wife’s selfless act.
He penned down, “Shari Jan, your selfless act has left me speechless but I am also beaming with pride today. Mahroch and Meer Hassan will grow into very proud humans thinking what a great woman their mother was. You will continue to remain an important part of our lives.
“The police had received reports regarding security threats to Chinese nationals and security was also provided to them, however, no intelligence report of suicide attack through a female bomber was received,” the top police official said while speaking on Geo News program Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath.
China has strongly condemned the recent suicide attack on Karachi University and extended deep condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims.
In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “The government of the People’s Republic of China expresses strong condemnation and indignation over this major terrorist attack and extends deep condolences to the victims and sympathies to the injured and bereaved families.”
Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao called the Pakistan Ambassador to China Moinul Haque and demanded that Pakistan should immediately make a thorough investigation into the tragic incident, and apprehend and punish the perpetrators to the full extent of the law. “We expect that Pakistan will take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens living across Pakistan and to avoid the recurrence of such cowardice incidents happening again.”
Moin ul Haque, in a message, said, “The entire nation is in shock and mourns the loss of these precious lives including our Chinese friends.”
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif also visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad after the incident to offer condolence over the incident.
PM said, “The blood of the Chinese people should not be shed in vain, and those behind this incident will surely pay the price.”
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Friday refused to accept the “minus Imran Khan” policy proposed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), reports Geo News.
“This cannot happen in any scenario,” said the PM according to media reports.
Chairing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) political committee, PM Khan said that the parties think this “minus one” formula will save the PTI-led government from falling.
“Fortunately, they are requesting […] this will boost our morale,” the premier was quoted.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad said that there was a rumour circulating that “everything is okay but Imran Khan. Everything can be saved if we go towards minus one.”
The minister declared that there is “no room for minus one” in the PTI, adding that if anyone had any misunderstanding, they should remove it.
MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, during an interview in Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath“, said, in the light of current developments, he thinks there was no chance for PM Imran Khan to stay in the office any longer.
“After today’s events, PTI government can survive but the prime minister’s survival is unlikely,” Siddiqui said.
اتحادیوں کا وزیراعظم کو مشورہ:
اگر وزیر اعظم چاہیں تو اب بھی تحریک انصاف کی حکومت بچ سکتی ہے مگر وزیر اعظم کا بچنا مشکل ہے۔خالد مقبول صدیقی
وزیر اعظم کو چاہیئے کہ آخری وقت تک ایڈوینچر کرنے کے بجائے تحریک انصاف کے ایسے رہنما کو آگے لائیں جو متفقہ امیدوار بن سکے۔طارق بشیر چیمہ pic.twitter.com/9WTiks1dSD
Speaking on the same show after Maqbool, PML-Q leader and Federal Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema agreed with the MQM-P leader’s views.
“Instead of opting for a new adventure, the prime minister should select a member from within the PTI who will be acceptable to all,” said the PML-Q leader — whose party is an ally in Punjab and the Centre.
“He has time till the [National Assembly votes on the] no-confidence motion,” Cheema said.
Senior journalist Saleem Khan Safi, while speaking on Geo News programme, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said that there was one man who had ruined the politics for many in Pakistan. Safi was giving his analysis on the recent Senate fiasco after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Amendment Bill 2021 was passed on January 28.
“Zaradri, Nawaz Sharif aur Maulana sub ki siyasat ko aik banday nay fail kar diya hai [One man has led to the failure of Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, and Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman’s politics],” Safi said alluding to Chairman of Senate Sadiq Sanjrani.
Safi went on to say that what happened in Senate on January 28 was a collective failure. “This is the failure of the Opposition that they could not devise a joint strategy against the government. This Opposition does not carry the traits of the Opposition. This entire matter was part of the script. It started with Yusuf Raza Gilani becoming the Leader of the Opposition, to the passing of various bills. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was the mastermind behind it all and he was the one who devised this script.”
“Sanjrani is our friend and a respected man. There was a time when he was in charge of the complaint cell in Gilani’s government. Giani played a role in the script prepared by Bilawal and former president Asif Ali Zardari. I will consider Gilani’s resignation as part of the script as well,” added Safi.
اپوزیشن کی پے درپے ناکامی۔ کوئی ایک شخص یا جماعت ذمہ دار یا مشترکہ ذمہ داری؟ دیکھیے سلیم صافی اور فہد حسین کا تجزیہ
Senior journalist Fahd Husain, who also was part of the panel on the show, said, “This is very obvious that the Opposition was given a clear message that they will not block the [SBP Amendment] bill.”
Agreeing with Safi, Husain said that how the events unfolded themselves makes it very obvious that everything that happened was pre-planned. “The way all this happened and the way the people went missing, they did not turn up, I will say that this was done in a rather crude manner. The Opposition should have taken advantage of this scenario and should have said that the government got the bill passed in an illegitimate manner, they [Opposition] have now got all this on themselves.”
Husain further said that what happened in the Senate cannot be fully put on Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). He said that the mistrust built between Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP over Yusuf Raza Gilani becoming the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate is still there and we are witnessing history repeating itself.
Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada asked Safi if the Opposition was a threat to the government. Safi said that the entire fuss of the Opposition was mainly to prove that they actually are the Opposition. Just like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), all this suits the PPP. If early elections take place, the PPP is of the view that they might not get to rule Sindh as well. “All these marches are just tactics to prove themselves as the Opposition,” said Safi.
“They [Oppostion] have not devised a concrete methodology towards their policies. We are ignoring the role of Sadiq Sanjrani in all this. If Zardari wants to rule completely, he should make Sanjrani chairman instead of Bilawal. If PDM wants success, they should make Sanjrani their leader,” said Safi.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while speaking on Geo News programme, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khandaza Kay Sath’, said, “I know 22 members of the National Assembly who don’t want to remain part of the incumbent government anymore.”
Abbasi said that if those 22 people step aside, the government will lose its majority in the House.
یہ کیوں نہیں ہوسکتا کہ آپ کی اور دیگر رہنماؤں کی یہ خواہش ہو کہ اگر نواز شریف وزیر اعظم نہیں بن سکتے تو آپ میں سے کوئی بنے؟ کیا اس کے لیے ملاقاتیں ہوئیں؟ کیا کسی عبوری سیٹ اپ کا وزیر اعظم بننے کے لیے ملاقاتیں ہوئیں؟ دیکھیے
Responding to Fawad Chaudhry’s claim that four PML-N leaders are “hell-bent on removing Nawaz Sharif from the party,” Abbasi said: “I am unable to understand Fawad’s statements as he is just trying to seek attention.”
He said that “no one desires the throne in PML-N”, adding that party leaders “just want the implementation of the Constitution in the country”.
“I never had the desire to become the prime minister,” Abbasi added.
The former premier said that the “government itself is walking with the help of crutches and can’t stand without it even for a single day”.
On being asked why did the four names turn up, Abbasi said the government is lying.
On the other hand, responding to Abbasi’s comments during the show, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz said that “without taking any names, we had just hinted at four senior leaders of PML-N, and now people can guess themselves who we were referring to.”
حکومت ابھی اپنی کارکردگی پر نہ اپنے اراکین کو مطمئن کر پا رہی ہے نہ اتحادیوں کو اور نہ ہی عوام کو۔ تو الیکشن کے قریب ٹوٹ پھوٹ اور بغاوت کا خطرہ اپوزیشن کو ہوگا یا حکومت کو؟ دیکھئے
Reacting to the proposed bill moved in the United States (US) Senate, evaluating Pakistan’s alleged role in Afghanistan before and after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the Republicans submitted the bill to build pressure on US President Joe Biden.
Qureshi, while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, said, “The anti-Biden administration in Congress views it [Afghanistan debacle] as a major opportunity to mount pressure on Biden. Pakistan cooperated with the US at every step.”
“Besides India, some forces want to target and destabilise Pakistan and put the whole burden of the Afghan situation on Pakistan.”
He said that in view of new realities, it is time to build new strategies. He also said that in the near future, a high-profile US personality will visit Pakistan.
American senators have proposed a bill in the US Senate, demanding a deeper investigation into the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan and sanctions on the group as well as those who assisted them in driving out the Ashraf Ghani-led regime.
