Tag: Fawad Chaudhry

  • ‘Kaptaan bhaag gaya’: Opposition criticises govt for postponing joint Parliament session

    ‘Kaptaan bhaag gaya’: Opposition criticises govt for postponing joint Parliament session

    Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari termed the government’s decision of postponing the joint Parliament session as their victory.

    “Imran Niazi should resign after it was clearly exposed that he had lost the trust of his members and allies,” said Shehbaz.

    “The hasty convening of the joint meeting and then the hasty adjournment shows the seriousness of the government that had made sensitive and serious issues like legislation a child’s play,” he said.

    “Those claiming to compete on the field have fled the field,” he said. Shehbaz Sharif said that the postponement of the joint session of the Parliament proves that the government has confirmed its defeat on the legislation of “black laws.”

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Wednesday that the government postponed the Parliament’s joint session as it had “foreseen its defeat”.

    Taking to Twitter, Bilawal said “Kaptaan bhag gaya” (the captain ran away), sharing President Arif Alvi’s notification for the postponement of the session.

    “Yet another victory for the United Opposition in the Parliament today. Government ran away from joint sessions when they saw they would be defeated yet again. Kaptaan Bagh[sic] gaya,” tweeted Bilawal.

    Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and announced that the joint parliamentary session, which was earlier called by President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday (November 11) has been postponed.

  • Joint parliamentary session postponed: Fawad Chaudhry

    Joint parliamentary session postponed: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and announced that the joint parliamentary session, which was earlier called by President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday (November 11) has been postponed.

    Chaudhry said that electoral reforms are extremely important for the future of Pakistan. He said that the government wants a consensus on this issue, which is why Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has been asked to contact the Opposition again and build a consensus on electoral reforms bill. Chaudhry added that this is why the joint session has been postponed.

    “We hope that the Opposition will seriously consider these important reforms and we will be able to come up with a common strategy for the future of Pakistan, ” he added.

    On the other hand, the “united” Opposition said they were certain that their members would be present at the joint session and had agreed to defeat the government bills on electoral reforms, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance and other bills.

  • ‘Perhaps we should consider holding of referendum,’ suggests Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar on talks with TTP

    ‘Perhaps we should consider holding of referendum,’ suggests Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar on talks with TTP

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar took to Twitter to question the government’s decision of holding talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

    Mustafa Khokhar tweeted, “The question of holding talks with TTP is of immense public importance. This decision can not be taken unilaterally by any individual or the govt.”

    “Perhaps we should consider holding of [a] referendum under Article 48(6)(7) of the constitution. Let the nation decide in ‘YES’ or ‘NO’,” added Mustafa.

    According to the Constitution of Pakistan, Article 48(6)(7) states, “(6) If at any time the Prime Minister considers it necessary to hold a referendum on any matter of national importance, he may refer the matter to a joint sitting of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and if it is approved in a joint sitting, the Prime Minister may cause such matter to be referred to a referendum in the form of a question that is capable of being answered by either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.”

    “(7) An act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may lay down the procedure for the holding of a referendum and the compiling and consolidation of the result of a referendum.”

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Monday announced that talks between the government and the TTP were underway in line with the Constitution and that the ceasefire would be extended keeping in view the progress of the talks.

    “The state’s sovereignty, national security, peace in relevant areas, and social and economic stability will be considered during the talks,” said Fawad.

  • ‘Govt and TTP agree on complete ceasefire’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Govt and TTP agree on complete ceasefire’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced on Monday that a complete ceasefire had been reached between the government and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to state-run Pakistan Television (PTV).

    The minister said that talks between the government and the TTP were underway in line with the Constitution and that the ceasefire would be extended keeping in view the progress of the talks.

    “The state’s sovereignty, national security, peace in relevant areas, and social and economic stability will be considered during the talks,” said Fawad.

    Fawad added that the interim Afghan government had facilitated the negotiations and progress on the restoration of “complete peace” in these areas of the country was a positive development.

  • Politicians extend Diwali wishes to Hindu community celebrating their festival of light

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan took to Twitter and extended his wishes to Pakistani Hindus on the eve of Diwali, the festival of lights.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter and wrote, “May the festival of lights be the source of peace, love, and joy around the world!”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto wished the Hindu community and tweeted, “Happy #Diwali to everyone celebrating.”

    Maryam Nawaz tweeted, “Wishing you all the happiness and prosperity. Diya jalaaye rakhna.” [Keep the lights burning].

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) minister Fawad Chaudhry wished the community and tweeted, “Very Happy Diwali to those celebrating… #Diwali.”

    PTI leader Asad Umar tweeted, “Wishing all Hindus a very happy Diwali.”

    PPP Senator Sherry Rehman too wished those celebrating Diwali.

  • Govt to free more than 2,000 jailed TLP activists after agreement

    Govt to free more than 2,000 jailed TLP activists after agreement

    Pakistan is to free more than 2,000 jailed activists of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)  and the government has allowed the proscribed organsiation to contest elections, under a deal with the government struck to end weeks of violent clashes, reports Reuters.

    TLP has agreed to avoid violence and withdraw its longstanding demand to have France’s ambassador expelled over the publication of blasphemous caricatures by a French satirical magazine, negotiators from both sides told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government banned the TLP after its protests turned violent earlier this year, designated it a terrorist group, and arrested its chief Saad Hussain Rizvi.

    In addition, the government has agreed not to contest the release of the group’s jailed leader as well as nearly 2,300 activists and to remove their names from a terrorist watch list, the three negotiators told Reuters.

    Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat said nearly 1,000 of the activists had already been released.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry did not respond to Reuters‘ request for comment.

  • ‘You people do not stand together on any issue’: PM Khan shows anger for disunity among PTI leaders

    ‘You people do not stand together on any issue’: PM Khan shows anger for disunity among PTI leaders

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday complained to the members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that they “do not stand together on any issue”, reports Geo News.

    The prime minister reportedly expressed displeasure over the ‘grilling’ of two federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Azam Swati by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and directed other leaders of the ruling PTI to stand by them on the matter. The premier seemed angry over the “disunity” among the PTI leaders.

    The premier told them all to “speak the same language” on national and political issues.

    The prime minister, however, barred PTI leaders from commenting on the government’s latest deal with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

    He expressed these views while presiding over PTI’s core committee meeting, which was held a day after the government signed a secret deal with the TLP.

  • PM Imran Khan calls National Security Committee meeting on Friday

    PM Imran Khan calls National Security Committee meeting on Friday

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and announced, “In view of the current situation due to the unlawful activities of the banned party [Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP)], Prime Minister Imran Khan will convene a meeting of the National Security Committee tomorrow, Friday.

    Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali on Wednesday called the situation alarming, saying it was a matter of serious concern that the violent protesters of the banned TLP were armed with weapons and opened straight fire on police.

    Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday in a hard-hitting press conference on TLP’s ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”

  • ‘We will not bow down and let TLP play havoc’: Punjab IGP

    ‘We will not bow down and let TLP play havoc’: Punjab IGP

    Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali on Wednesday called the situation alarming, saying it was a matter of serious concern that the violent protesters of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) were armed with weapons and opened straight fire on police, reports Dawn.

    “We will not bow down and let the proscribed organisation play havoc,” said Sardar Rao.

    “A banned organisation is dictating the government to devise the country’s foreign policy as per its (TLP) wishes forgetting that it was the sole domain of state authorities,” the IGP said.

    “The TLP is a proscribed organisation and its armed men fired straight shots at police besides carrying out violent attacks,” he said.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday in a hard-hitting press conference on TLP’s ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”

    “TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan. Other institutions [in Pakistan] should also realise their role in this matter. It is the duty of all the institutions to fulfil their duty in this regard,” said Fawad.

    “Just like we dealt with all terrorist organisations, TLP shall be dealt in the same manner,” said the minister.

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said on Wednesday that the Rangers were being called in Punjab for 60 days to maintain law and order in the province.

  • ‘No one has the guts to blackmail the state, TLP will be treated as a militant party in Pak’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘No one has the guts to blackmail the state, TLP will be treated as a militant party in Pak’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in a hard-hitting press conference on Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”

    “TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan. Other institutions [in Pakistan] should also realise their role in this matter. It is the duty of all the institutions to fulfil their duty in this regard,” said Fawad.

    “Just like we dealt with all terrorist organisations, TLP shall be dealt in the same manner,” said the minister.

    “In today’s cabinet meeting, it was decided that such activities will not be tolerated. We will not tolerate those who challenge the writ of the state,” he said, adding that the Pakistani state had defeated major terrorist organisation such as Al Qaeda.

    “No one should make the mistake of thinking that the state is weak. Those who made this mistake later realised they were wrong.”

    “No one has the guts to blackmail the state. We have acted in a restrained manner and not once used power. This is a matter of respect for our country and the safety of every citizen,” added Fawad.

    Warning the people spreading fake news on the matter, Fawad said, “We will come hard on you. And this will not be tolerated.”

    The minister’s remarks came as fresh violence erupted between law enforcers and TLP supporters near Sadhoke in Punjab’s Gujranwala district on Wednesday. At least four policemen were martyred and dozens injured.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands, reports Geo News.

    “The government will not allow violence for political purposes,” PM Khan.

    “The government and the state are on one page regarding the protests, the protesters will be dealt with severely if they try to enter Islamabad,” said the premier.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said, “If Imran Khan’s sit-in was legitimate when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was in the Opposition, then why isn’t TLP’s long march justified.”