Tag: Arif Alvi

  • Govt to present Finance Bill 2023 today to fulfil IMF conditions

    Govt to present Finance Bill 2023 today to fulfil IMF conditions

    The federal government has been forced to head to parliament after President Arif Alvi ‘adv­ised’ Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday to take parliament into confidence over the Rs 170 billion in new taxes that are being levied.

    As per the agenda, the National Assembly will meet at 3:30pm and Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar will present the Finance Supplementary Bill, 2023 in the lower house.

    A session of the Senate has also been summoned at 4:30pm to move the bill there as well so the document can be sent to President Dr Arif Alvi immediately for assent.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who didn’t attend the last session, will be present during today’s meeting.

    The governm­ent had initially planned to introduce “tax and non-tax mea­­sures” to generate funds to the tune of Rs 170 billion. However, in a last-minute change, it decided to drop proposals pertaining to non-tax measures, particularly the flood levy to the tune of Rs 100 billion.

    In a late-night development, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued SRO178 to enhance a federal excise duty on locally manufactured cigarettes which would generate up to Rs 60 billion in taxes on tobacco products.

    The government will generate Rs 55 billion more through a 1 per cent increase in GST – from 17pc to 18pc. The remaining Rs 55 billion will be collected through an increase in excise duty on airlines tickets, sugary drinks and an increase in withholding tax rates.

    Dar had called on President Alvi to apprise him about the talks with the IMF for the revival of the programme.

    The government decided to approach the Parliament after President Dr Arif Alvi gave the government a cold shoulder on bringing the mini-budget via an ordinance in his meeting with Dar.

    “The president advised that it would be more appropriate to take parliament into confidence on this important subject, and that a session be called immediately so that the bill is enacted without delay,” a statement issued by the President House said after the meeting.

  • President takes notice of increasing online bank frauds in Pakistan

    President takes notice of increasing online bank frauds in Pakistan

    President Dr Arif Alvi has taken serious notice of the rising trend of online banking frauds where fraudsters obtained contact details of banks’ clients by impersonating bank officials to get account and banking information and then used these details to swindle money out of clients’ accounts.

    In a press release released on Saturday, the President directed the Banking Mohtasib of Pakistan (BMP) to take serious notice of this worrisome trend and implement meaningful, effective measures, such as appropriate checks and balances and foolproof security systems that could distinguish between genuine and fraudulent transactions, to curb this threat urgently.

    A renowned novelist and playwright, Mirza Athar Baig, had his bank account robbed of Rs1.1 million by an online fraudster, according to news reports. The president’s secretariat has asked Baig to lodge a complaint and formally raise the issue with BMP to get relief from the bank.

    Under the president’s direction, the president’s secretariat has advised Mirza Athar Baig to file a complaint and formally raise the issue with the BMP in case the bank is unable to fix his problem and reimburse him within the allotted time limit.

    Even though he had resolved hundreds of such cases through the BMP and given comfort to those who had been affected by internet frauds, the president expressed disappointment that fraudulent activities and practises were growing in the banking sector.

    Additionally, he underlined the importance of bringing about structured and methodical improvements in online banking systems by swiftly detecting fraudsters and enforcing severe, exemplary sanctions against them.

  • Is Imran Khan coming back to National Assembly to take PM Shehbaz out?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has hinted at the possibility that his party may return to the National Assembly (NA) to table a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    The PTI fears that its dissenting member Raja Riaz who is holding the parliamentary party leader’s position in the NA may decide to vote in favour of PM Shehbaz if President Dr Arif Alvi asks Shehbaz Sharif to take the trust vote.

    Talking to the media at his Lahore residence, Khan said planning and consultations with party leaders and legal experts are going on to strategise how PTI’s turncoats can be stopped from siding with the ruling coalition of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

    “He [Shehbaz Sharif] will have sleepless nights in the days to come”, Khan reportedly said to journalists.

    He claimed that some Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNAs want to join the PTI.

    “Some PML-N members of the National Assembly are in contact with the PTI and they have expressed their interest in joining our camp. We will test them before giving them party membership,” Imran said, adding that he saw elections taking place in March or April.

    The former ruling party is considering “testing” PM Sharif’s strength in the house sensing that cracks are appearing in PDM’s ranks.

    PTI’s senior leader Fawad Chaud­hry has said that the party’s return to the National Assembly was linked with its plan to oust PM Sharif, reports Dawn.

    He said PTI was seeking legal opinion on how it could bind its MNAs to vote in line with the party policy in case of a no-trust move, and if that can be achieved without joining the assembly.

  • You won’t be able to guess which Pakistani politicians are on TikTok

    You won’t be able to guess which Pakistani politicians are on TikTok

    TikTok isn’t only popular among the general public but also among Pakistani politicians too. Many leaders from across the political spectrum are now officially present on the video-sharing app.

    Despite being banned several times in the country, TikTok remains one of the most popular social media apps among internet users. It’s no surprise then that our politicians are making their way to the wildly popular app. Any guess, who do we have on the first spot?

    1- President Dr Arif Alvi

    President Dr Arif Alvi has a verified account on TikTok with 10,000 plus followers. The president’s account handle is @dr.arifalvi.

    2- Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has recently joined TikTok and managed to gain 2500 plus followers so far. His account handle is @bbzppp.

    3- Zulfi Bukhari

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Zulfi Bukhari, with a verified account, has 7000 plus followers. He goes by the handle of @sayedzbukhari

    4- Hina Parvez Butt

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Hina Parvez Butt has a following of 120,000 plus people. Her account handle is @hinaparvezbutt.

    5- Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan

    PTI’s Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan has more than 130,000 followers on Tiktok. His account handle is @fayazulhassanchohan.

    6- Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal

    PTI’s Mian Aslam Iqbal has the most followers among politicians with 180,000 plus TikTokers following him. He uses the handle @mmaslamiqbal on TikTok.

    So, when are you making your account on TikTok?

  • President Alvi ‘warns’ Imran Khan about not talking against new army chief

    President Alvi ‘warns’ Imran Khan about not talking against new army chief

    President Dr Arif Alvi has allegedly strictly warned Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to stop his party leaders and social media team from criticising the Pakistan military and the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, reports Journalist Ansar Abbasi for Jang.

    Sharing a screenshot of a WhatsApp message sent to party leadership and social media team, a PTI source said that the president also told Khan that for the new military establishment, the honour of the institution is like a red line, which must not be crossed.

    It has been revealed in the story that Imran Khan’s message was forwarded to the PTI Parliamentary Party’s WhatsApp group. In the message, Khan directed its social media team not to criticise the new army chief and made it clear that the instructions have to be followed very strictly. The person who shared this message on the group said that Khan’s directive should be followed by everyone.

    Similarly, in another group of party leaders and social media managers, Khan wrote, “Please ensure that there is no criticism of the new chief and the army.”

    When PTI leader and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhary was asked by the news outlet about Alvi’s message, he said that both the President and Imran Khan have made it clear that there will be no attack against the army and COAS Munir.

    He hoped that the new army chief would come up with new policies and hoped that he would not repeat the alleged anti-PTI policies of former COAS, General (r) Bajwa.

    It is pertinent to mention that Khan has directly targeted the former army chief multiple times for being “neutral”. He has also targeted others within the military, including senior officers of the Inter-Services Intelligence.

  • Farwell visits: General Bajwa meets PM, President one day before retirement

    Farwell visits: General Bajwa meets PM, President one day before retirement

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif met the outgoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Islamabad on Monday as a part of the army chief’s farewell visits.

    During the meeting between the two, the Premier commended General Bajwa’s services and said that he played an exemplary role in bringing Pakistan out of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic and floods, reports Radio Pakistan.

    He said the Pakistan Army under the leadership of General Qamar Javed Bajwa played a valiant role in crushing terrorism in the country.

    “You got the honour of leading the world’s best army,” the prime minister told COAS Bajwa.

    In response, General Bajwa thanked PM Shehbaz for his support in handling matters of national importance.

    Before meeting the Premier, the army chief paid a farewell visit to President Dr Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadar where the president also commended Gen Bajwa’s services in the field of defence and also appreciated his services to the country and the Pakistan Army.

    The president also expressed best wishes for Gen Bajwa in his future endeavours.

    Pakistan Army’s change of command ceremony will be held tomorrow (November 29).

    Gen Bajwa will hand over the “baton of command” to General Asim Munir, who was selected to become the new army chief by PM Shehbaz on November 24. General Asim will be the 17th army chief to assume the command of the Pakistan Army.

    General Bajwa is set to retire on November 29 after six years in office. He was appointed in 2016 by then-PM Nawaz Sharif and later granted an additional three-year extension in 2019 by former PM Imran Khan.

  • 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.”

  • Khan tells President Alvi to make a plan to give ISPR ‘operational lines’

    Khan tells President Alvi to make a plan to give ISPR ‘operational lines’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has sent a letter to President Dr Arif Alvi, appealing to him not just as Head of the State but also as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to take note of “wrongdoings that undermine Pakistan’s national security”.

    Upping the ante in the war of words with the establishment, Khan in his letter raised questions about the joint press conference of the Director General (DG) ISI General Nadeem Anjum and DG ISPR Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar and asked, “How the head of Pakistan’s premier Intelligence Agency can do a public press conference?” His second question inquired how two military bureaucrats could carry out a, “highly political press conference targeting the leader of the largest and perhaps the only federal political party in Pakistan today?”

    “The parameters of a military information organisation such as the ISPR also need to be clearly defined and limited to information relating to defence and military issues. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces I call on you to initiate the drawing up of these clear operational lines for the ISPR,” the letter stated.

    Khan further said to the President said, “You are the Head of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and you must protect its democracy and its Constitution,” asking him to ensure that no person or State institution can be above the law of the land. “We have been seeing a massive abuse of citizens at the hands of rogue elements within State organisations, including custodial torture and abductions all carried out with impunity.”

    “You hold the highest Office of State and I am requesting you to act now to stop the abuse of power and violations of our laws and of the Constitution, which ensures the fundamental rights of every citizen.”

    Khan concluded his letter by telling Alvi to protect the country’s democracy and Constitution.

  • Politicians express condolences after reporter’s death, IK stops march for a day

    Sadaf Naeem, a reporter with Channel Five, died in an unfortunate accident near Sadhoke while reporting on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.

    She reportedly fell from the container after which she was crushed by the vehicle and passed away on the spot.

    Shortly after the incident, Khan announced that the long march has been postponed for the day and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

    “I say this with utmost regret that due to an accident we are postponing the march today. We pray for the patience and strength of the woman’s family to deal with the tragedy,” he told his supporters.

    The PTI chief also took to Twitter to extend his condolences. “I have no words to express my sorrow. My prayers and condolences go to the family at this tragic time. We have cancelled our march for today”, he said.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif also expressed regret over the death, saying that he was “deeply saddened” by the incident.

    Extending his condolences to the reporter’s family, PM Shehbaz praised Naeem as a “dynamic and hardworking reporter”.

    The President of Pakistan’s official Twitter handle said that President Dr Arif Alvi expressed regret over the death of Naeem and extend his sympathies to the deceased family.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif prayed for the departed soul.

    “I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of the precious life of a TV reporter Sadaf in the line of duty. My prayers are for the bereaved family. May she rest in eternal peace,” she said in a tweet.

    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, who was also present along with his party chairman during the long march, recalled the last interview between Sadaf and Imran which was recorded yesterday.

    He said: “I have rarely seen a more courageous and hardworking reporter than Sadaf, a brave girl, after an interview with Imran Khan yesterday, when Sadaf was introduced as the bravest and hardworking reporter in Lahore, her eyes lit up. Who knew that this meeting would be the last one, God bless you.”

    Fawad also requested the public to take caution while walking along Imran’s container, adding that the lives of all people contributing to the march were “precious and respected”.

  • ‘A great loss to journalism’: Politicians and journalists extend condolences on the demise of Arshad Sharif

    ‘A great loss to journalism’: Politicians and journalists extend condolences on the demise of Arshad Sharif

    The killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif late Sunday night has sent shockwaves across the country. Kenyan authorities have confirmed that the renowned television anchor was killed by local police, in what they have said was a case of mistaken identity.

    According to reports, the journalist left Pakistan in August for Dubai. It is unclear when did he go to Kenya.

    Following the tragic news, politicians, journalists extended condolences and expressed shock at the sudden demise of the leading newsman.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif wrote in a tweet, “I am deeply saddened by the shocking news of journalist Arshad Sharif’s tragic death. May Allah SWT grant him a place in Heaven. My deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family.”

    President Dr Arif Alvi termed Arshad’s death as “A great loss to journalism and Pakistan”. In a tweet, he extended his condolences on the journalist’s death.

    Former Prime Minister and Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, too turned to Twitter to express his shock, stating that that today the entire nation mourns Arshad Sharif’s death. He said, “Shocked at the brutal murder of Arshad Sharif who paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth – his life. He had to leave the country & be in hiding abroad but he continued to speak the truth on social media, exposing the powerful.”

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo spoke to the media in London. About Arshad’s death, he said, “I am really saddened by the news”.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the killing and extended his deepest condolences to “his family and loved ones”.

    Former Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari shared a Quranic verse through her Twitter account.

    More politicians and senior journalists including Arshad’s colleagues expressed their shock on Twitter when the news broke out in the early hours of Monday.