Tag: Ahsan Iqbal

  • ‘Long March will be dealt with iron hands’: PML-N leaders and ministers react to Khan’s long march

    ‘Long March will be dealt with iron hands’: PML-N leaders and ministers react to Khan’s long march

    After Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday announced that his long march will commence from Friday, federal ministers and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders came forward, stating that the government will deal strongly with the marchers who are planning to come to Islamabad.

    Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said that the long march was announced because Khan wants National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to escape punishment in the foreign funding and Toshakhana cases.

    PML-N leader and former federal minister Abid Sher Ali said that, “The government will deal with the long march with iron hands. There is no leniency for certified thieves”.

    Meanwhile, PML-N leader and former Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Khan can do whatever he wants but the government is not going anywhere. “Imran Khan may launch a long march or do as he wishes, the government will remain as it is,” he stressed.

    While speaking on the Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath‘ he said that neither politics nor democracy will survive in the country if a tradition takes hold to overthrow the government through long marches.

    He posed a question: “Why does a long march take place whenever bilateral relations with China get off the ground?” Moreover, he mentioned that the last time when the long march was announced, Chinese President Xi Jinping was set to visit Pakistan.

    It is pertinent to mention here that in 2014, President Xi had to call off his scheduled visit to Pakistan because of the political unrest in the country caused by long march in the federal capital. At the time, the Chinese ambassador had even approached Khan to suspend his protest for a few days in order to allow the visit to take place. However, he refused.

    On October 25, Khan announced his party’s much-awaited long march. The march will begin on Friday, October 28 from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk at 11am.

  • US officials take notice Ishaq Dar’s heckling incident at airport

    The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan said that United States (US) officials had taken notice of an incident in which Finance Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar was heckled at the Dulles International Airport in Washington DC.

    FO Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad recalled the time when Saudi authorities raised the issue when the government delegation was targeted by certain individuals during the visit.

    On Thursday, Dar was harassed at the airport and people can be heard chanting “chor”. This was followed by an exchange of abusive words from both sides.

    Dar is currently in the US on a four-day visit to attend the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

    It is pertinent to mention that this is not the first time that a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader has been harassed.

    Prior to this incident, Minister of Information Marriyum Aurangzeb was heckled and harassed by a group of PML-N’s political opponents in London while she was in a coffee shop.

    In July, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal was harassed by a group of PTI supporters when he went to a restaurant in Pakistan.

  • ‘Relief activities for floods could continue for next two years’: Ahsan Iqbal

    ‘Relief activities for floods could continue for next two years’: Ahsan Iqbal

    Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, has said that relief activities after the devastating effects of floods across the country could continue for the “next two years”.

    “Natural disasters are a result of climate change, however, we are coming up with plans to deal with them in the future. For now, the government has allocated Rs40 billion for 20 underdeveloped districts.”

    The federal minister said that the armed forces, provincial governments and district administrations are working actively to provide relief.

    “The floods have caused wide-scale destruction”, he added while urging the nation to unite and help those affected by floods.

    On Thursday, Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman announced that the Parliament has approved the country’s largest “Living Indus” initiative that is aimed at protecting the cradle of civilizations which was under serious threat due to environmental degradation and anthropogenic activities.

    The floods have also raised questions on whether Pakistan will be able to pay its debts on time. Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have sought climate justice to compensate for the destruction.

    It is pertinent to mention that the US is so far the largest donor to flood relief and rehabilitation funds. Washington has provided about $56 million to Pakistan since July.

    Devastating floods are responsible for killing more than 1,600 people and the damages to the infrastructure is estimated at nearly $30 billion.

  • ‘Khan has created hatred among people because of his chor, daku narrative’: Ahsan Iqbal

    ‘Khan has created hatred among people because of his chor, daku narrative’: Ahsan Iqbal

    Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has built up a narrative of chor and daku (thieves and bandits) which has created hatred among the people.

    Talking to Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath” on Wednesday, the minister said that Khan has multiple times raised slogans and accusations of bandits and robbers against him. He said that his reputation was destroyed however after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruled in his favour, he is now free of all charges.

    On the show, Iqbal also recalled an incident where PTI supporters harassed him and hurled accusations of ‘chor chor’ (thief) at him. The minister said: “They did it because of Khan’s narrative against me.”

    High Court gives a clean shit to Iqbal

    IHC acquitted Ahsan Iqbal in a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), accusing Iqbal of misusing authority by funding a provincial government project Narowal Sports City.

    During the hearing on Wednesday, NAB’s Additional Prosecutor General Jahanzeb Khan Bharwana was absent. The court asked the NAB investigator to outline where the alleged corruption had taken place, to which the official said that Bharwana was to present his arguments but he was not present in the court.

    When NAB asked for an adjournment, IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah denied the request.

    It came to light that NAB started the proceedings based on a report published in a newspaper. Justice Minallah then inquired about the newspaper on the basis of which the case was registered. NAB officials identified the paper as Metrowatch.

    The judge further inquired about the details of the newspaper, and what its report stated, and instructed the official to read it out loud.

    “Did the NAB chairman check the accuracy of the facts? A case of corruption related to a public welfare project was started on this basis?” the chief justice questioned incredulously.

    Justice Minallah said that if the case was initiated on the basis of a Metrowatch report then why was the person responsible for restarting the project in 2009 not arrested? He noted that Iqbal was not even a public officeholder at the time.

    Subsequently, the court dismissed the case against Iqbal.

    In 2019, Iqbal was arrested by NAB and remained in custody for two months.

    In April, Iqbal filed a petition in the high court, alleging that NAB had filed the reference against him as part of the then-ruling PTI’s campaign to victimise political opponents.

  • ‘Floods are a lesson’: Ahsan Iqbal criticises construction on waterways

    ‘Floods are a lesson’: Ahsan Iqbal criticises construction on waterways

    Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal along with the representatives of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Pakistan Army briefed media personnel at the National Flood Response and Coordination Center, Islamabad regarding flood relief work today (Saturday), reports Radio Pakistan.

    National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Akhtar Nawaz said that the year 2022 showed the realities of climate change in Pakistan. “We saw four heatwaves that caused forest fires and monsoon rains began prematurely,” he said.

    “We had predicted 25 percent more rainfall this year but it turned out to be 190 percent higher. We saw glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) as well,” he explained.
    Ahsan Iqbal, while talking to the media said, “Pakistan’s carbon emission is less than 1 per cent however, we are among the countries that are most vulnerable to the climatic disasters.

    “The scale of the floods warrants a major humanitarian response for which the support of the international community has started pouring in and we are extremely grateful. However, the scale of devastation is massive and requires a large humanitarian response,” he remarked.

    “The floods are a lesson for Pakistan as it proves that buildings should be constructed on waterways,” he added.

    Pakistan is experiencing one of the worst floods of its history. In the last 24 hours, 57 more deaths have occurred which has taken the death toll to 1,265.

  • ‘Three crore people have become homeless due to floods’: Ahsan Iqbal

    ‘Three crore people have become homeless due to floods’: Ahsan Iqbal

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said that 55 lakh households were affected, while more than three crore people became homeless due to the devastating floods and rains across Pakistan.

    “A safe analysis suggests that 55 lakh poor households have been affected, while more than three crore people have been displaced due to the floods. We need more than one million tents for these people,” said Iqbal while speaking on Dawn News programme, ‘Live with Adil Shahzeb’.

    At least 151 people lost their lives in rains and flash floods in Punjab, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) says in its report.

    Four more people have died in the rain and flood-related incidents in Balochistan during the last 24 hours, according to PDMA.

    Read more: Here is how you can help flood victims

    A report issued by the PDMA Balochistan said the death toll since June 1 in the rain-destructed province has reached 234. The deceased include 110 men, 55 women and 69 children.

    Federal Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman said that death toll in Pakistan has gone up to 903.

  • Passports, CNICs of PTI supporters to be blocked if involved in heckling, warns Rana Sanaullah

    Passports, CNICs of PTI supporters to be blocked if involved in heckling, warns Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah tweeted on Tuesday that a “so-called political party” and its leader “who suffers from insanity” have started a campaign based on hate and malice. Rana advised everyone, especially Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters, that if any supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) heckle them, they should make their videos from their mobile phones instead of responding to them.

    “Make a video so that the hecklers can be identified and send it to Director FIA Cybercrime Wing through mail, or WhatsApp or tag FIA on social media after posting the video. Proper action will be taken against them, including blockage of passports and/or identity cards so that people’s right to freedom of movement under Article 15 is protected.”

    Rana further added that if the hecklers start physical fights, the law permits self-defence.

    In response to Rana Sana’s series of tweets, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that Rana Sanaullah is a “scarecrow” who is being used by someone else.

    Chaudhry said that Rana “has the support of someone else”, which is why he is using this type of language.

    Rana Sana justified his tweets and stated: “Let me make it clear that as public representatives, politicians are accountable to people and there is absolutely no restriction on asking questions. But action will be taken if any politician is harassed in the name of freedom of speech.”

    Read more- ‘Remorse and embarrassment’: Ahsan Iqbal says family who harassed him apologised

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressed a rally in Lodhran on Tuesday where he justified the heckling of Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

    “You must have seen on social media that Ahsan Iqbal went to eat at McDonalds. He claims that Imran Khan has taught people to misbehave. O Ahsan Iqbal, you lying Aristotle. This is not misbehaviour, this is the truth: you’re a thief.”

    Last week, a pro-PTI family hurled ‘chor chor’ at Iqbal at a restaurant on the Motorway. The family later apologised to Iqbal for their misbehaviour and visited him at his residence in Narowal.

  • ‘Remorse and embarrassment’: Ahsan Iqbal says family who harassed him apologised

    ‘Remorse and embarrassment’: Ahsan Iqbal says family who harassed him apologised

    Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said on Sunday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, who harassed and chanted slogans at him at a restaurant earlier this week, had come to meet him and apologised for their actions.

    Taking to Twitter, Iqbal said, “The family involved in the incident came to Narowal and apologised for their actions in the meeting, expressed remorse and embarrassment.”

    “We are all Pakistanis and have a right to disagree with each other but that should not turn into hatred and one must maintain mutual respect,” said Iqbal.

    A day earlier, Iqbal said that the incident highlighted the culture PTI Chairman Imran Khan was teaching his followers.

    The planning minister said the “disease of extremism and hatred” in society was affecting Pakistan like “cancer”.

    Read More: Video: Ahsan Iqbal harassed by PTI supporters in restaurant

    Addressing PTI supporters, he urged them to carefully consider if their leader was as sincere to them as they were to him. “Imran has a track record of using people and throwing them away like tissue paper,” he claimed.

    “Since over a decade, Khan has been running his ‘chor’ campaign, however, he could not even prove a single allegation during the four years he was in power,” he said, adding that it is the responsibility of a politician to train their workers; however, Khan has failed to do so.

    “I think Khan needs a psychologist,” he asserted.

  • Video: Ahsan Iqbal harassed by PTI supporters in restaurant

    Video: Ahsan Iqbal harassed by PTI supporters in restaurant

    Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal was harassed by a group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters on Friday when he went to a restaurant.

    Video of the incident took social media by storm where a pro-PTI family could be seen hurling ‘chor chor’ at Iqbal.

    https://twitter.com/waqasakhter077/status/1545479722112524289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1545479722112524289%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F426815-ahsan-iqbal-heckled-in-restaurant-by-pti-supporters

    Taking to Twitter, Iqbal wrote: “Today, a family — who apparently considered themselves elites and supported PTI — clashed with me.”

    “Instead of holding a dialogue with me they started chanting slogans,” he wrote, adding that other people present at the restaurant also started chanting slogans against the PTI.

    Criticising the PTI Chairman Imran Khan for instilling hatred, Iqbal wrote: “Just like their ignorant leader, his supporters are following suit.”

    Responding to the video, PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry negated Iqbal’s claims that other people present at the restaurant chanted slogans against the PTI.

    “Sir, in this video, only your disrespect could be seen. Stop lying,” he wrote on Twitter, advising Iqbal to “go in public wearing a burqa”.

    Twitterati reacted to the incident and called out the pro-PTI family’s behaviour.

  • Ahsan Iqbal’s remarks about cutting down chai consumption make international headlines

    Ahsan Iqbal’s remarks about cutting down chai consumption make international headlines

    Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal’s recent statement about cutting down on tea has not just taken social media by storm but international media has widely covered his remarks.

    “I appeal to the nation to reduce tea intake by one or two cups daily because we borrow money for tea import as well,” said Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday.

    People in Pakistan urged to drink fewer cups of tea was how BBC covered it.

    CNN’s headline says: Pakistanis told to drink less tea as nation grapples with the economic crisis

    People in Pakistan urged to drink fewer cups of tea, was how Iqbal’s statement was covered by the Saudi Gazette.

    AlJazeera also reported Ahsan Iqbal’s statement: Pakistan minister slammed for ‘drink less tea, save money’ appeal

    Turkish news media outlet TRT also did a story and a video on the same with the title: Pakistan minister stirs controversy with ‘drink less tea, save money’ plea

    Indian media also jumped in and did a news piece with the title: Pak Minister Asks Citizens To Drink Less Tea As Economy Faces Loan Burden: Report

    The Print wrote: ‘First roti, now tea? Pakistan’s angry response to the minister who wants them to drink less

    ABC Australia did a video report on Ahsan’s statement.

    ‘Cutting chai’ | Pakistan Minister urges people to reduce tea consumption, wrote The Hindu.