Tag: Asif Ali Zardari

  • ‘She would have been a grandmother for the first time’: Bakhtawar, Bilawal remember mother

    ‘She would have been a grandmother for the first time’: Bakhtawar, Bilawal remember mother

    The 14th death anniversary of Benzair Bhutto Shaheed is being observed today. Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Billwal Bhutto and Bakhtawar Bhutto took to social media to remember their mother.

    Bilawal shared a picture of his mother and wrote, “Remember, remember, the 27th of December.”

    Bakhtawar re-shared Bilawal’s post and wrote, “Our mother Shaheed Benazir Bhutto missed more now than I did when I got my grades for college or whilst graduating, even when I was planning my wedding, marriage ceremony, months of pregnancy- now with my newborn – she would have been a grandmother for the first time this year.”

    Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on December 27, 2007. She was elected as prime minister of Pakistan twice. She was the first woman to lead a Muslim country.

  • Zardari says ‘superpower’ in Pakistan needs a different ‘solution’

    Zardari says ‘superpower’ in Pakistan needs a different ‘solution’

    Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari, while addressing party workers at Zardari House, said that the ‘superpower’ was asking to share some formula but he told them that first this [government] should be sent packing and then talks could be held.

    “I said it is the parliament [in 2018] that this hotchpotch sort of [government] could not last,” said Zardari without taking any names. He further added, “The conditions are such that now they are asking for help. We should make a way, devise a formula. I have told them there is no formula.”

    “Your formulas are the reason that the country is in this state. The answer is pretty straightforward now. Send them packing and then talk with us,” said Zardari.

    “The superpower said to me that they made me the most powerful civilian president. [So I said] I gave all the power to the parliament within three months,” said the former president.

    He said that building Pakistan was easy but they could neither build the country nor listen and understand. But a time would come when they would have to listen, understand and follow our advice, he said without naming anyone.

    “I just need your prayers to have more strength.” He said, “I would make them understand Bhuttoism and make them run.”

    He said people would see that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari would become prime minister. Zardari said that the PPP had been fighting and would keep fighting.

  • Zardari corruption case: NAB references busted, not in accordance with law

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday declared the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari ‘ultra vires and not according to the law’, reports The News.

    IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah condemned NAB authorities and said that all its references got busted for not being prepared as per law. He said that the Bureau was just wasting its time by making pointless references, adding that NAB was not above the law.

    “How the bureau could declare null and void the Income Tax Order by itself,” the CJ observed, adding that NAB did not have any jurisdiction to nullify the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Assessment Order.

    Earlier, IHC had noticed that NAB challenged the acquittal request of Zardari, without obtaining the original record of the case.

    The court noted that it took NAB seven years to realise that the appeals were filed without possessing the original record.

    CJ Minallah said NAB should now admit it had made a mistake by filing these references since it did not have proof against the former president.

    “And if indeed, there were no proofs, then the court will also take action against the former bureau chairman in whose tenure these cases had been filed,” said the IHC CJ.

  • Zardari case records went missing seven years ago during transportation

    Zardari case records went missing seven years ago during transportation

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday noticed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has challenged the acquittal of former President Asif Ali Zardari without obtaining the original record of the case, reports Dawn.

    A two-member bench comprising of Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah and Justice Aamer Farooq was hearing NAB’s appeal against the acquittal of Zardari in a case.

    NAB Additional Prosecutor General Jahanzaib Khan Bharwana informed the bench that the original record of the reference had gone missing.

    The court noted that it took NAB seven years to realise that the appeals were filed without possessing the original record.

    Bharwana told the court the record had gone missing while it was being transported from the Lahore High Court to the Supreme Court.

    Justice Aamer Farooq questioned, “Please, tell us whether the anti-corruption watchdog is interested in pursuing its appeal or not?” reports The News.

    Farooq said that NAB’s cases do not have any substance, adding, “NAB’s job is to hold corrupt people accountable. Now it is time to hold it accountable.”

    CJ Minallah said NAB should now admit it had made a mistake by filing these references since it did not have proof against the former president.

    “And if indeed, there were no proofs, then the court will also take action against the former bureau chairman in whose tenure these cases had been filed,” said IHC CJ.

    Justice Minallah asked whether the NAB officials had any idea what cost the country’s economy had to pay for their rash steps. “Truth of the matter is that the bureau had failed to satisfy the accountability court with respect to allegations against Zardari,” he added.

  • ‘Those who are unhappy with their wife opt for second marriage’: Capt Safdar

    ‘Those who are unhappy with their wife opt for second marriage’: Capt Safdar

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Captain (R) Safdar said that the men who are unhappy with their wives opt to get married again, adding that there is peace in his house.

    “Our grandmothers used to sing old folk songs like ‘Desan da Raja‘, what happened if Maryam [Nawaz] sang a song as well,” asked Captain Safdar while talking to the media outside the Supreme Court.

    Praising his wife Maryam as a great leader, Safdar said, “Leaders are leaders. They sing songs and anthems.”

    Talking about his son Junaid Safdar’s wedding, he said that he will sing songs and dance at his son’s wedding festivities. He revealed that the song ‘Vote ko izzat do‘ will also be played at the wedding.

    Safdar further revealed that close family, relatives and friends are invited to the wedding.

    When asked whether Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari will be among the attendees at Junaid’s wedding or not, Safdar replied, “It is okay if Asif Zardari and Bilawal do not come to the wedding. Asif Zardari is in my heart and I will go to Bilawal’s wedding even if not invited.”

  • ‘Govt using all energy to sow seeds of legislation, someone else will benefit from its fruits’: Asif Ali Zardari

    ‘Govt using all energy to sow seeds of legislation, someone else will benefit from its fruits’: Asif Ali Zardari

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari took a jibe at the ruling party and Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for bulldozing the electoral bills in the joint session. “They [government] are using all their energy to sow the seeds of this legislation, but he [Imran Khan] will not benefit from its fruits; rather someone else will reap the benefits.”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) supremo Zardari while speaking to journalists was questioned over the joint session being convened without taking the Opposition into confidence and whether the government succeeded in its plans.

    Zardari said the government was getting success due to other reasons. “And you know the other reasons better,” he said.

  • ‘Those who brought Khan now admit they made a mistake’: Asif Ali Zardari

    ‘Those who brought Khan now admit they made a mistake’: Asif Ali Zardari

    Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday while speaking to reporters during his appearance at an accountability court said, “Those who brought Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan are now admitting that they committed a mistake,” adding that they are now figuring out how to undo that mistake.

    “Only Allah knows best how they can fix this mistake,” said Zardari.

    When asked a question relating to Maryam Nawaz’s petition which was similar to that of former PM Benazir Bhutto, Zardari said he would not talk about it as “Maryam Nawaz is like a daughter to me. What comment should I make on my daughter?”

    Replying to a question about ex-chief justice Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim’s affidavit, the former president said: “We have already seen this. Justice Qayyum had a tape with Saif-ur-Rehman and some friends as well.”

    A division bench of the Islamabad High Court comprising IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Amir Farooq heard the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) appeal against Zardari’s gold reference and Ursus tractors deal.

  • PM Khan says if Sharif and Zardari bring half the money they looted, he will slash prices of all food items by half

    PM Khan says if Sharif and Zardari bring half the money they looted, he will slash prices of all food items by half

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan addressed the nation and announced the “biggest” relief package worth Rs120 billion for the masses.

    “This [poverty alleviation] package, which is worth Rs120 billion, will be offered to Pakistanis by the federal and provincial governments,” he said.

    The premier said oil prices had risen by 100 per cent in the last 3-4 months internationally, while they had increased 33 per cent in Pakistan.

    “When you say petrol is expensive, it is the cheapest in Pakistan, but we will have to increase the price because otherwise our deficit will increase and we will be further burdened by debt,” he added.

    “You will be able to buy flour, ghee, and pulses at 30pc lower prices,” he announced.

    “We are also launching the Kamyab Pakistan [programme] with a funding of Rs1,400 billion to give interest-free loans to 4 million families,” he said.

    The premier then addressed the Opposition, who he said had been protesting against inflation.

    “I ask the two big families to bring half of the money they looted and took outside [Pakistan]. Even if they bring half [the money], I promise you and the nation that I will slash the prices of all food items by half,” he said, in an apparent jibe at the families of Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari.

  • Bakhtawar Bhutto announces the name of her son

    Bakhtawar Bhutto announces the name of her son

    The daughter of late Benazir Bhutto and former President Asif Ali Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, took to Twitter to announce the name of her son.

    “Mir Hakim Mahmood Choudhry,” tweeted Bakhtawar. She added that Mir Hakim is named after her late maternal uncle Mir and her late paternal grandfather Hakim Ali Zardari.

    Last week, Bakhtwar took to Twitter and informed her fans and followers with a health update, saying that her little baby boy is currently in a Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) but getting stronger.

    Bakhtawar tweeted, “Thank you for all the love & celebrations welcoming our little baby boy to the world.”

    Bakhtawar’s son was born on October 10.

  • PM Khan ‘laughs’ when asked about ‘appointment of DG ISI’

    PM Khan ‘laughs’ when asked about ‘appointment of DG ISI’

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday convened an emergency meeting of the ruling party’s parliamentary group at Parliament House.

    Journalists questioned PM Khan about the appointment of the Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency at Parliament House.

    “Who will be the new DG ISI?”

    PM Khan did not answer the question but laughed in response.

    Prior to this, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairperson and former President Asif Ali Zardari, made an appearance before an accountability court in Islamabad today, where journalists questioned him about the appointment of DG ISI and he responded with laughter as well.

    Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry, while talking to reporters at Parliament House, said, “Everyone, at the turn of every hour, is trying to twist the matter to gain some popularity.”

    He said that the process of DG ISI’s appointment has started and will complete soon and that “there’s no dispute between the government and the military”.

    “Everyone is on the same page.”

    Earlier today, Fawad took to Twitter and said the game that a certain section wanted to play on the issue of the appointment has failed.

    “Now it is being said that the prime minister will conduct an interview for the appointment of the new DG ISI. Meetings before such appointments are a normal practice,” he said.

    He added that it is “highly inappropriate” to make such meetings controversial.