Tag: Chaudhry Fawad Hussain

  • ‘Fawad Chaudhry’s face shouldn’t have been covered’: PML-N’s Malik Ahmad Khan

    ‘Fawad Chaudhry’s face shouldn’t have been covered’: PML-N’s Malik Ahmad Khan

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Malik Ahmad Khan has said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry should not have been presented in court with a white cloth covering his face.

    “If any kind of brutality happens with Fawad, I will condemn it. If due process is not followed, or in case of mistreatment, I will be the first one to [protest]. His face shouldn’t have been covered yesterday. They should have presented him in court openly,” said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader while addressing a press conference on Thursday.

    However, Malik believed that Fawad should not have threatened the Election Commission and their families. He said that his relationship with Chaudhry spans 30 years. “The one who threatened the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) isn’t the Fawad I know,” said Malik Khan.

    Former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar tweeted that such actions by the ECP will damage the remaining reputation of the institution.

    Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail also spoke up, tweeting, “Fawad should not have been arrested and handcuffed.”

    Stating that Chaudary was wrong to threaten ECP officials and families, Miftah said he should have instead been served a notice. “IK was wrong to jail us for months without charge only—-because we opposed him.”

    Former Chairman Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani, said that the Chaudhary’s arrest under section 124A, PPC, 1860, for sedition is unwarranted.

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), deploring the continuous use of archaic, colonial laws against sedition by successive governments against their political opponents, said that Fawad Chaudhry was the latest in the series.

    “The charges must be dropped immediately, and the government of the day must act more responsibly,” the human rights watchdog has stated.

    Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) also strongly condemned Fawad Chaudhry’s arrest and demanded his immediate release.

    SCBA termed his arrest a classic example of abuse of power and political victimisation.

  • ‘PM Khan wear a helmet whenever you go, people will grab you from collar’: Maryam Nawaz

    ‘PM Khan wear a helmet whenever you go, people will grab you from collar’: Maryam Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz has said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan is turning his guns on the Opposition as he is aware that his party’s lawmakers are “ready to jump ship” because of his “failures”.

    “There is unrest in the country; terrorism is on the rise once again […] I want to tell the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, (PTI) MPAs and MNAs: stop supporting the government,” the PML-N leader said.

    “It’s my honest opinion: wear a helmet whenever you go to meet the people,” Maryam told PM Imran Khan, adding: “People will grab you from the collar, so be careful from now on,” said Maryam.

    Maryam said that at first PML-N, supremo Nawaz Sharif did not favour moving a no-confidence motion against PM Khan. But, according to her, the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) convinced him to listen to people’s demands.

    The PML-N leader said the masses also demand the prime minister’s ouster. “Nawaz heard people’s voice and backed the no-confidence motion,” she stated.

    In response to the Opposition’s strategy, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that the PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam “orchestrated the drama of no-confidence motion” against PM Imran Khan in a bid to flee the country.

  • 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.

  • Dr Nauman Niaz and Shoaib Akhtar reconcile after on-air dispute

    Dr Nauman Niaz and Shoaib Akhtar reconcile after on-air dispute

    Pakistan Television (PTV) host Dr Nauman Niaz and former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar reconciled after a long dispute, which occurred during a live show in the T20 World Cup transmission.

    Read More – ‘Disappointed’: Shoaib Akhtar vows to fight lawsuit after receiving recovery notice from PTV

    As per the Pakistan Television Twitter page, Dr Nauman apologised to the former cricketer and Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry called them to his house and made peace among them.

    Fawad Chaudhry shared a tweet with poetry on friendship on this occasion. “It was not so much a matter of discussion,” he said.

    “Social media is so big now that even small things become big. Anyway, all is well that ends well,” the Federal Minister of Information added.

    Senior analyst and journalist Saleem Safi was also present at the truce.

    In a video, Nauman said: “Shoaibi (Shoaib Akhtar), I am extremely sorry for whatever happened on screen and it shouldn’t have happened and the reason behind it is that we have a friendship of 30 years and that shouldn’t go down.”

    The camera then moved to Akhtar and he said: “Its okay! He should have said it long time ago.” While Nauman added: “It’s never too late.”

    Taking to Twitter, Akhtar said that he is “accepting the apology” of Dr Nauman and wants to “move on from this”.

    The two indulged in a heated exchange in PTV’s show. The host asked the veteran cricketer to leave the show, while Akhtar resigned on-air after that.

    Read More – ‘I resign from PTV’: Shoaib Akhtar, Nauman Niaz exchange hot words on air

    In an interview with Rauf Klasra, Nauman had already apologised to the former cricketer and in another show, Akhtar also said he had forgiven him.

    It should be noted that the national television had sent a legal notice worth Rs100 million to ‘Rawalpindi Express’ after he stepped down during the live transmission of ‘Game On Hai’. In response, the cricketer turned analyst vowed to fight a legal battle after Pakistan Television (PTV) sent a legal notice to him.

  • NAB Amendment Ordinance 2021 promulgated

    NAB Amendment Ordinance 2021 promulgated

    President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday signed an ordinance that sharply reduces the jurisdiction of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and enables the president to reappoint the incumbent NAB chairman or extend his tenure, reports Dawn.

    Federal Law Minister Barrister Dr Farogh Naseem and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain earlier held a press conference and explained that the law would enable NAB to focus on mega corruption cases.

    The salient features of the ordinance, as reported by Dawn, are: the National Acco­untability Second Ame­n­dment Ordinance 2021 has amplified the Opposition’s role in the appointment of the NAB chairman.

    “All matters pertaining to Federal, Provincial or Local taxation, other levies or imposts, including refunds, or loss of exchequer pertaining to taxation will be dealt with in accordance with the revenue or banking laws and will be transferred from the accountability courts to the courts of competent jurisdiction.”

    “NAB cannot proceed against any person or entity who, or transaction in relation thereto, which are not directly or indirectly connected with the holder of a public office…procedural lapses in any public or governmental work, project or scheme, unless it is shown that a holder of public office or any other person has been conferred or has received any monetary or another material benefit from that particular public or governmental work.”

    “The ordinance has amended Sub-section (b) of Section (6) of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) to grant extension in the tenure of the NAB chairman by excluding the word non-extendable from the statute.”

    “However, it has retained the proviso that makes consultation between the Opposition leader and the leader of the house in the National Assembly on the appointment of NAB chairman but states that the president would consult both of them.”

    “The ordinance has increased the role of the Opposition and enhanced the parliamentary oversight as it has provided a forum of a 12-member parliamentary committee in case the consultation between the Prime Minister and the Opposition leader proves futile.”

    “The ordinance has enhanced the authority of prosecutor general of NAB empowering him to play a crucial role in advising the chairman to file or withdraw any reference from the court. It has also allowed the accountability court to grant bail to any accused.”

  • PTI leads in Cantonment Board polls, PML-N in second place

    PTI leads in Cantonment Board polls, PML-N in second place

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the biggest winner in the Cantonment Board elections held across Pakistan on Sunday, reports Radio Pakistan.

    According to the unofficial results, PTI got 58 seats, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) scored 51. Independent candidates claimed 49 seats.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has managed to win 14 seats and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) got 10 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) won five seats while Balochistan Awami Party (BNP) got two seats.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet said the Cantonment Board election results show that the Opposition has left with no standing following a crushing defeat.

    Reacting to the ruling party’s victory, federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said: “Cantonment elections once again show the PTI not only as the largest party but also the only national party.”

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif called party leaders and congratulated them on their success in the cantonment polls.

    Province wise results:

    PTI won the most number of seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) — 18 — followed by 28 in Punjab, 14 in Sindh, and three in Balochistan.

    PML-N won big in Punjab, bagging 51 seats, managing only five in KP, three in Sindh, and none in Balochistan. In Lahore, the PML-N bagged 15 of 19 wards.

    PPP was surprisingly unable to defeat PTI in Sindh, instead of tying with them for 14 seats. The remaining three seats were won in KP, meaning none were won in either Punjab or Balochistan.

    Independent candidates scored big in Punjab, bagging 32 seats. They secured nine in KP, seven in Sindh, and four in Balochistan.

    MQM won all of its 10 seats in Sindh, whereas JI won five in Sindh and two in Punjab.

    ANP won two seats in KP, whereas BAP won two in Balochistan.

  • Pakistan issues visas to Afghan cricket team: Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan issues visas to Afghan cricket team: Fawad Chaudhry

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday said that Pakistan has issued visas to the Afghan cricket team.

    Taking to Twitter, Chaudhry wrote that he hoped and prayed that the Afghan cricket team would bring smiles on the faces of its people. “My sincere prayers and best wishes are with you.” Fawad wrote the last line of his tweet in Pashto language.

    The Pakistan and Afghanistan cricket teams’ series was scheduled in Sri Lanka, which had announced 10-day restrictions on gatherings and other events in the wake of rising cases of Coronavirus.

    As per reports, the series is in jeopardy and is expected to be shifted to any other country.

    Meanwhile, the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan is back on track as Islamabad has issued visas to Afghan cricketers, reported Geo News.