Tag: Asad Umar

  • PM Khan to reveal ‘threat letter’ to senior journalists, allied parties

    PM Khan to reveal ‘threat letter’ to senior journalists, allied parties

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan announced that he would show the “threat letter” reportedly containing evidence of a “foreign conspiracy” against the government to senior journalists and one member each of the government’s allied parties. On March 27, PM Khan had waved a letter during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) power show in Islamabad and talked about a foreign conspiracy to oust his government.

    “The document that I have, I will show it to senior journalists today. We want to protect the nation and can’t divulge details in public. People think this is a joke and I have decided to share it with top journalists,” adding that he would call one member of each allied party and show them the document and “prove that it is real”.

    PM Khan’s comments came during a ceremony for the launch of the E-passport facility in Islamabad.

    “People can take whatever decision they want to. But beware of the fact that, directly or indirectly, you may become a part of a huge international conspiracy,” he said, adding that the document would provide proof of the same.

    “Foreign funding is being used to change the government. Money is coming from abroad and people inside the country are being used. Some of them are unaware they are being used and some are intentionally using this money against us,” said PM Khan.

    “But this is a foreign imported conspiracy. And it started when people from abroad started controlling Pakistan through telephone calls. They cannot tolerate a leadership that works in the people’s interest.”

    “We sacrificed our interests for those abroad but they never valued it,” he said.

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said yesterday that Khan was ready to share the “threat letter” with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial. 

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Minister for Planning and Development Umar said he has seen the letter himself, adding that if someone had doubts, the “prime minister is ready … he thought we can share with the chief justice of the Supreme Court”.

  • PM Khan ready to share ‘written letter of foreign conspiracy’ with CJP Bandial: Asad Umar

    PM Khan ready to share ‘written letter of foreign conspiracy’ with CJP Bandial: Asad Umar

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan is ready to share the “threat letter” with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial. PM Khan claimed during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) March 27 rally that he had evidence of a “foreign-funded conspiracy” to topple his government and showed a letter to the audience.

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Minister for Planning and Development Umar said he has seen the letter himself, adding that if someone had doubts, the “prime minister is ready … he thought we can share with the chief justice of the Supreme Court”.

    Chief justice has a very good reputation

    Asad Umar said that after the masses questioned the credibility of the letter, the prime minister deliberated over sharing the letter with someone, and he thought that it would be right to share it with the CJP — as he is a credible person.

    “He holds a high office […] and the chief justice himself is a well-respected man,” the federal minister said, noting that it would be shared with the CJP when the need might arise.

    “Obviously, it is the highest office of justice in Pakistan, it is a huge position that has respect in this country. Personally too, the chief justice has a very good reputation. The prime minister said that on the nation’s behalf, if necessary, and for the people’s satisfaction, he is ready to present the letter to the chief justice of the Supreme Court.”

    Letter stated that if Imran Khan remained the prime minister, it would lead to “horrific consequences”

    “This is a very concerning thing and it is important because this letter clearly mentions the no-confidence resolution. There is no ambiguity that the no-confidence motion is being talked about.”

    Umar further said the letter stated that if Imran Khan remained the prime minister, it would lead to “horrific consequences”.

    ‘Letter shared with top civil, military leadership’

    Without naming anyone and in an apparent reference to opposition leaders, Umar referred to demands sharing contents of the letter.

    “They are asking why can we share the letter with them,” he said, adding that “national secrets are very sensitive in nature and there are clear laws on with whom these could be shared”.

    Umar then insisted that the letter was a “reality” and revealed that he had seen it.

    “I bear witness to it,” he said.

    Umar further said the letter had only been shared with the top civil and military leadership and a few members of the federal cabinet.

    Nawaz Sharif is involved in the “conspiracy” against PM Imran Khan

    Without naming anyone and in an apparent reference to Opposition leaders, Umar referred to demands sharing contents of the letter.

    “They are asking why can we not share the letter with them,” he said, adding that “national secrets are very sensitive in nature and there are clear laws on with whom these could be shared”.

    Umar then insisted that the letter was a “reality” and revealed that he had seen it.

    “I bear witness to it,” he said.

    Umar further said the letter had only been shared with the top civil and military leadership and a few members of the federal cabinet.

    Pakistan has a leader who is not attending foreign phone calls and is connected with the people

    “Until now, they were unaware, but now, they have been informed about the letter. So, it is up to them to decide whether they will side with forces working against Pakistan or not,” added Chaudhry.

    Chaudhry said this is “not a new thing” as earlier ex-prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated, former premier Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was prosecuted, and former military ruler Gen Zia-ul-Haq lost his life in a plane crash.

    The information minister said that the decisions taken in the past were part of Pakistan’s history. “But now, Pakistan has a leader who is not attending foreign phone calls and is connected with the people.”

  • Pakistan reports no deaths due to Covid for the first time in two years

    Pakistan reports no deaths due to Covid for the first time in two years

    For the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country, Pakistan has reported zero Covid deaths today (Wednesday).

    The country witnessed a slight rise in cases, with a 1.28 per cent positivity rate and 443 reported new cases, as per the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

    However, the country has been maintaining a positivity rate below 2 per cent since mid-March.

    Earlier, NCOC chief Asad Umar had announced the decision to lift all the Covid-19 related restrictions but made it clear that the vaccination restriction would not be lifted.

    On March 12, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Dr Faisal Sultan announced the government’s decision to shut down NCOC.

    In recent months, the rate of Covid cases in Pakistan has remained low after almost three years of fighting the global pandemic.

  • PML-Q doesn’t count for much in Punjab: Asad Umar hits out at PTI’s ally whom PM Khan is expected to meet today

    PML-Q doesn’t count for much in Punjab: Asad Umar hits out at PTI’s ally whom PM Khan is expected to meet today

    

    Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar termed the coalition party Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) as a party of a few districts of Punjab and said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was needed in Pakistan.
    

    Speaking at the Pakistan Overseas conference, Asad said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is the party of Pakistanis across the country while PML-Q is the party of some districts of Punjab while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is the party of GT Road and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is the party of Sindh.
    

    Earlier, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, commenting on the politics of Punjab, said, “I am not one of those who blackmail for chief ministership with five seats in hand.”
    

    It is being reported that National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser held a meeting with the legal department to seek an opinion regarding the voting of disgruntled members of the party.
    

    Sources privy to the matter have revealed that the Speaker was informed that none of the members can be stopped from casting their votes, however, the party can take action against those who violate its policy.
    

    They further added that citing Article 63(1)A of the Constitution of Pakistan, the legal department said the law is very clear in this regard.
    

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

    

    


    

    

    

    In a tweet, he said the “biggest rally” in Pakistan’s history would be held at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, located in front of Parliament House, on March 27 during which PM Imran would give a “historic speech”.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Govt to close the National Command and Operation centre: Dr Faisal Sultan
    
			
    Govt to close the National Command and Operation centre: Dr Faisal Sultan
    
			
    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Dr Faisal Sultan has announced that the government has decided to shut down the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC).
    

    According to Dr Sultan, PM Khan himself is expected to formally announce the shutting down of NCOC by the end of next month. He said that the responsibilities of the NCOC will be carried out by the National Institute of Health.
    

    March 27 will mark the 2nd anniversary of the establishment of the NCOC.
    

    NCOC was established after the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan. The centre is the main entity in charge of Pakistan’s national Covid-19 effort’s policies and implementation.
    

    In recent months, the rate of Covid cases in Pakistan has gotten low after almost three years of fighting the global pandemic.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Peshawar BRT wins Gold Standard, Asad Umar congratulates Khattak, CM KP
    
			
    Peshawar BRT wins Gold Standard, Asad Umar congratulates Khattak, CM KP
    
			
    Planning Minister Asad Umar took to his Twitter account to congratulate Defence Minister Pervez Khattak and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Mahmood Khan, after the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) wins the Gold Standard rating. According to Umar, only 11 cities in the world have such a high rating.
    

    “Well done Peshawar on being given the gold standard rating for its BRT and thus becoming only the 11th city in the world to get the gold standard rating. Congratulations Pervez Khattak and Mahmood khan,” the minister wrote in his tweet.
    

    Umar also retweeted a tweet by Asian Development Bank (ADB) which read, “Pakistan’s Peshawar is now officially 1st in the subcontinent, 3rd in Asia 11th city globally to receive Gold Standard. Dr Walter Hook, a member of the tech committee that evaluates world-class BRTs presented the standard to KP’s minister Kamran Bangash today.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Well done Pakistan’: 58% of eligible population fully vaccinated
    
			
    Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that 58 per cent of  Pakistan’s eligible population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. He also mentioned that Pakistan has set a record by administering 2.24 million Covid-19 vaccination doses in a day.
    

    “Another record set with 2.24 million vaccinations in a day. Last 4 days in a row we have vaccinated more than 2 million each day. Every 3 out of 4 Pakistanis eligible for vaccination have received at least 1 dose. 58% are fully vaccinated. Well done Pakistan,” the minister wrote in his tweet.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    As per the National Command Operation Center (NCOC), Pakistan recorded 3,498 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours with 39 people losing their lives to the deadly virus.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    NCOC allows 50 per cent crowd in Lahore leg of PSL, children under 12
    
			
    NCOC allows 50 per cent crowd in Lahore leg of PSL, children under 12
    
			
    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has allowed 50 per cent crowd for Lahore leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after a session chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar was held. The forum discussed the pandemic data, national vaccination progress, inbound health protocols and second leg of the ongoing PSL.
    

    Read More – PSL teams to arrive in Lahore today and tomorrow
    

    As per NCOC, “PCB has been allowed to conduct PSL Lahore matches with 50% stadium capacity for fully vaccinated spectators till February 15, 2022, however, from February 16 onwards 100 % stadium capacity for fully vaccinated spectators will be allowed. Children under 12 years of age (un-vaccinated) will also be allowed.”
    

    “RAT test for Inbound Passengers on arrival at Pakistani airports has been abolished with effect from February 8, however, RAT test will continue to be conducted for deportees from foreign countries and for non-vaccinated individuals arriving from land border terminals,” added NCOC in its statement.
    

    Days before the start of the PSL’s seventh edition, the NCOC had reduced the crowd capacity to 25 per cent in light of rising coronavirus cases. But now, as the positivity rate lowers, the forum has revised its decision.
    

    The Lahore leg matches will be staged completely under the lights of the Gaddafi Stadium. The matches will kickstart on February 10, with the unbeaten Multan Sultans facing off against Peshawar Zalmi.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    VIDEO: What was PM Khan looking at when he said ‘level hee aur hai’ at the Olympics?
    
			
    VIDEO: What was PM Khan looking at when he said ‘level hee aur hai’ at the Olympics?
    
			
    The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan is attending the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics at Bird’s Nest, Beijing along with federal ministers, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other diplomats on Friday.
    

    While talking to Fawad and watching the opening ceremony, Pm Khan commented on the stadium and said “is sab ka level hee or hai.” Check out the video:
    

    

    
https://youtu.be/IjYz0hcbfn4

    

    

    We have collected the pictures of the PM Khan enjoying the ceremony. Have a look:
    

    


    

     
    

    

    


    

    

    

    

    


    

    

    

    

    


    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    Along with PM Khan, Chinese President Xi Jinping was due to meet more than 20 leaders as Beijing officially kicks off the event. Countries whose leaders are attending include Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Argentina and Ecuador. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are also attending the opening ceremony.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    PM Khan visits China, ‘pitch book’ prepared to convince China to invest in Pak
    
			
    PM Khan visits China, ‘pitch book’ prepared to convince China to invest in Pak
    
			
    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has left for China on a four-day official on Thursday to attend the ceremony of the Olympic Games Beijing 2022 where he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. PM Khan is accompanied by a high delegation including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Special Assistant Khalid Mansoor. 
    

    Prime Minister Office (PMO), in a tweet, said, “The visit would mark the culmination of celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between and with more than 140 events organized to showcase the resilience of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.” 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    This visit would be PM Khan’s fourth visit to China. Previously, he went on a two day (October 8-9) visit to China in 2019, before the Covid pandemic. 
    

    Prior to the premier’s departure, cabinet members who are accompanying him termed this visit to China of great significance. 
    

    Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi revealed that many Chinese companies are “desirous” of investing in Pakistan. According to him, the visit will further expand bilateral relations and promote high-level exchanges. 
    

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin stated that it is a “very important” trip politically and economically. He added that China would be asked to relocate some of its required industry needs to Pakistan. 
    

    Meanwhile, National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf stressed that the trip is important in regards to solving the Afghan crisis. He said that the issue will be discussed during the visit as well.
    

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, while highlighting the years of friendship between both countries, said “Pak-China relations are deeper than the oceans and higher than the Himalayas.” 
    

    Planning Minister Asad Umar said the trip has come at a “very important time”. A special book has been prepared which will explain why Pakistan is a prime destination for investment and will be presented to the Chinese leadership, Umar shared via Twitter.