Tag: government

  • PDM to table no-trust motion against the government

    PDM to table no-trust motion against the government

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) president Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced on Friday that the Opposition alliance has decided to move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and would contact the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s allies in the Centre for this purpose.

    “All parties in the PDM have agreed on bringing a no-confidence motion against these illegitimate rulers and contacting the government’s allies in this regard,” said Maulana.

    “[We will ask government allies] to have mercy on this country and nation, considering their impoverished condition,” he added. “[We will tell them] that remaining an ally of such a government is not politically and economically beneficial for the country.”

    When asked why the PDM announced the decision to bring about a no-confidence motion against the government without completing the “homework”, Fazl said that the Opposition should be allowed to make preparations first.

    “The PDM has announced the no-confidence motion at this stage because we have a firm intention of doing so. Without preparations, we cannot give a date, so let us do our work,” he said.

    Answering a question about the planned long march, he said that it will take place as per the schedule, while the PDM’s steering committee will chalk out a plan for this purpose.

    When a reporter asked Fazl what the PDM will do if the government’s allied parties refuse to cooperate, he said: “In that case, we will hold talks with them once again and try to convince them.”

    He added that the PDM will “not contact any PTI member,” adding that if they contact the anti-government alliance themselves, there could be any reason for that.

    “We are neither going to bribe anyone nor lure them [to join us] by offering any seats [political incentives],” Fazl maintained.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif said that the citizens of Pakistan are protesting against inflation and the ensuing poverty.

    “Who else would come forward to rid them of this tyrant government if not us?”

    Reacting to PDM’s announcement of bringing about a no-confidence motion against the PTI government, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the move will serve as a “victory for democracy”.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “It is a victory for democracy that most Opposition parties now agree to bring a no-confidence motion against the government. The PM has lost the confidence of the people, it is about time he lost the confidence of Parliament.”

  • PTI’s Zartaj Gul lashes out at anchor Kamran Shahid, asks if she should call his show ‘pathetic’

    PTI’s Zartaj Gul lashes out at anchor Kamran Shahid, asks if she should call his show ‘pathetic’

    Minister of State Zartaj Gul lashed out at anchorperson Kamran Shahid when he called the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ‘pathetic’.

    While speaking on Dunya News programme, ‘On The Front with Kamran Shahid’, Gul was told by Shahid that the government’s focus should be governance.

    “From the past two to three years the governance of [PTI] has been pathetic. You [government] shouldn’t be worried about Nawaz Sharif or anything else,” said Shahid.

    Gul while responding to the government being labelled as pathetic said, “You [Kamran Shahid] being the host [of the show] can not call my government pathetic.”

    “How would you feel if I say that you are conducting your programme in a pathetic way. You need to increase the value of your show and give better analysis,” responded Gul.

    “You cannot become a party, you are the host,” said Gul, adding, ” Senator Afnan Ullah or Major General (R) Ejaz Awan can say this to me, [being fellow panelists] discussing political analysis but as a host, you cannot.”

    ” You being the anchorperson, I will also say to you, that you are conducting your show in a pathetic way, improve your standard,” said Gul.

    Shahid interjected Gul and said, “You can call my programme pathetic and give it minus zero numbers. I will give a warm welcome to your criticism and learn from the suggestions you give for my improvement.”

    “I wouldn’t act like you or your prime minister and act tone-deaf towards issues and become rigid on one thing and make it a matter of my ego.”

    “The government made things a matter of ego and took a U-turn from all the promises it made to the people,” said Shahid.

  • Electricity prices increase by Rs 4.30, petrol by Rs.6

    Electricity prices increase by Rs 4.30, petrol by Rs.6

    The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved the decision to increase power tariff by Rs4.30 per unit on account of fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for November 2021.

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    The adjustment will be shown separately in the consumers’ bills on the basis of units billed to the consumers in the month of November 2021 by the XWDISCOs.

    Similarly, the government is likely to increase the prices of petroleum prices by Rs6 per litre this month. However, the Ministry of Finance is yet to make the final announcement, reports Geo News.

    It is reported that the implementation will be effective from January 16 after consultations with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. Recently, the government on the New Year’s eve had increased the prices of petroleum products to meet the petroleum levy target agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    The news came after PM Khan’s statement when he asked his party’s spokespersons to inform the masses that there is no inflation in the country.

  • ‘Get out from here’: SC reinstates Murtaza Wahab as Administrator Karachi after unconditional apology

    ‘Get out from here’: SC reinstates Murtaza Wahab as Administrator Karachi after unconditional apology

    The Supreme Court (SC) took back its order for the removal of Murtaza Wahab from the post of Administrator Karachi after he tendered an “unconditional apology” during a hearing of the Gutter Baghicha case at the Karachi Registry on Monday.

    The court directed that the post of administrator be “kept away from politics” and instructed Wahab to fulfill his responsibilities while remaining above “political affiliation and pressure”.

    Earlier, a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin issued a directive for Wahab’s removal after a heated exchange with him.

    Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan, Advocate General of Sindh Salman Talib Ud Din, Karachi Commissioner Iqbal Memon, Wahab, and Senior Director of the anti-encroachment department Bashir Siddiqui were present during today’s hearing.

    During the hearing of a matter related to the Gutter Baghicha park, Justice Amin, while addressing Wahab remarked, “These are state lands [and] not your personal property. [You will] have to return them. If we don’t take them [back] then someone else will. You will return the lands.”

    “Should we leave the government?” Wahab questioned, saying that major observations are made about the provincial government by the court.

    “Silence yourself mister, what are you saying? Don’t do politics here,” the chief justice reprimanded Wahab.

    “Get out from here. We will fire you right now. Are you an administrator or a political leader?” Justice Gulzar questioned. 

    “The administrator, prima facie, failed to perform his duties. The administrator’s behaviour is that of political leaders [and] not of serving the citizens,” the chief justice remarked.

    “Go and transfer Bin Qasim park [and] Hill park in your name. Take Frere [Hall] park too. How many parks are there in Karachi? Finish them now. Distribute the few remaining parks among your officers as well,” the chief justice scolded Wahab.

    “Is Karachi your personal property?” he questioned.

    Murtaza Wahab later apologised to the court for using harsh words.

    “I apologise for my behavior,” Wahab said.

    Justice Qazi Amin remarked that they have removed him [Wahab] from office. “You are no longer an administrator. You are not part of the state but the government,” he said.

    Wahab, while speaking to the media during a break in the hearing, said that he accepted whatever the court’s decision would be.

    He said that he has apologised to the court. “I was stating my opinion with great respect,” said Wahab, adding that this court is his own court.

    “[A person] should be heard before issuing a decision against them,” Wahab said as he looked forward to the court’s final decision after the break.

    The court later accepted the apology of Murtaza Wahab after a short break in the proceedings and withdrew the order to remove him from office.

  • Ex-CJ GB Rana Shamim’s salary shocks Twitter, didn’t even show up for the job

    Ex-CJ GB Rana Shamim’s salary shocks Twitter, didn’t even show up for the job

    Former Chief Judge of Gilgit Baltistan is yet again making headlines as the most expensive vice-chancellor of a university.

    The Sindh government appointed the Islamabad-based Rana Shamim, reports Samaa News, and got him at a shocking salary. After his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University (SZABU) when it came to fixing salaries and benefits, the Sindh government broke all records and set a monthly salary and benefits of Rs three million to Rana Shamim.

    No other vice-chancellor has been given this much salary in Sindh before, according to the report.

    It is being reported that Rana Shamim did not appear in the university for a year and a half and despite his absence was being given a pay cheque for Rs 30 lakhs.

    Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Murad Ali Shah, contradicting the news said, that it was incorrect that the judge had not visited SZABU for a year and a half.

    However, SZABU member syndicate and Sindh Assembly member, Liaqat Askani said that Rana Shamim last came to the syndicate meeting nine months ago.

    “I tried contacting him [Rana Shamim] once or twice after the syndicate meeting but I was informed that he is in Islamabad,” said Liaqat.

    Sindh Minister for Universities and Boards of Education Ismail Rahu said that the vice-chancellor should come to the university.

    On being questioned if Ismail had met the vice-chancellor, he responded that he had not met him even once.

  • ‘Government should have bought gas cargoes earlier’: Shaukat Tarin admits to gas crisis

    ‘Government should have bought gas cargoes earlier’: Shaukat Tarin admits to gas crisis

    Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Tarin admitted to the present gas crisis in the country.

    While speaking on Samaa News’ programme, ‘Nadeem Malik Live’, Shaukat Tarin said, “We [government] should have bought the gas cargoes on time as the purchasing time for it was over.”

    Tarin further said nobody knew about the international prices, which he stated were quite high and that the government should have bought some cargoes earlier.

    Tarin said the country’s imports of petroleum and gas touched almost $20 billion per year, which had been at $12 to $13 billion per year and now it had to pay $7-8 billion more in that regard.

    Shaukat Tarin said that as per the market pundits, the prices would come down during December and January when the intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic would start declining.

    Speaking on the gas crisis, Tarin said Pakistani companies were supplying gas to consumers. He added that a couple of gas discoveries were made in Lakki Marwat, however, money was needed for the extraction process.

    Last week, Energy Minister Hammad Azhar took to Twitter to challenge journalist Shahzeb Khanzada to a debate on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and gas.

    Shahzeb Khanzada, a year ago, had warned that the gas crisis was impending, kept reiterating that the crisis needs immense attention, otherwise the consequences shall be huge.

    Azhar took to Twitter and proposed a challenge.

    “I would like to challenge Shahzeb Khanzada to debate LNG and Gas issues with me moderated by a neutral anchor and with Independent experts. Let the ppl [people] see the facts without persistent interrupting, volume controls, teleprompters etc,” tweeted Azhar.

  • ‘I do not agree state does not have capability to deal [with TLP]’: Moeed Yusuf disagrees with Fawad’s statement

    ‘I do not agree state does not have capability to deal [with TLP]’: Moeed Yusuf disagrees with Fawad’s statement

    National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf, while speaking to anchorperson Saleem Safi during Geo News programme ‘Jirga’, was asked to comment on Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s statement on the government’s talks with the Tehreek-I-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Chaudhry had said that neither the state nor the government is ready to fight extremism.

    “I do not agree at all that the state does not have the capability to deal [with TLP],” stated Yusuf.

    “I had also said this publicly that a red line has to be drawn because the policemen martyred [during clashes with TLP] were also the state’s responsibility.”

    He cited the example of the infamous Lal Masjid episode, saying that the media at the time had called upon the state to use force as its writ was being challenged right in the heart of the capital.

    “And when the state used force, all of you [the media] stood against the government,” he added.

    Fawad Chaudhry had said the state and government are “not fully prepared” to deal with extremism, adding that they had to “take a step back” while dealing with the TLP.

    “Religious extremism was seen more in regions that are in India now. Areas over here (Pakistan) never had religious extremism to the extent [seen today],” he said, regretting that “Pakistan faces a grave danger today.”

    “We don’t have any potential threat from India. We have the sixth largest army in the world, we are an atomic power, and India cannot compete with us,” he continued. “We face no danger from America. We face no danger from Europe. The biggest danger we face [today] is from within [Pakistan].”

  • ‘Victory against injustice’: Rahul Gandhi’s response to Modi’s U-turn on controversial farm laws

    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has taken a U-turn by announcing that his government will repeal three controversial agricultural reform laws, which set off huge protests across India by the farmers.

    “Today I have come to tell you, the whole country, that we have decided to withdraw all three agricultural laws,” announced Modi.

    “In the parliament session starting later this month, we will complete the constitutional process to repeal these three agricultural laws.”

    “I appeal to all the farmers who are part of the protest … to now return to your home, to your loved ones, to your farms, and family. Let’s make a fresh start and move forward,” said the Indian prime minister.

    “Friends, I apologise to the countrymen and want to say with a clean heart and conscience that we must have fallen short in our efforts to explain (the benefits of the farm laws) to a section of the farmers.”

    Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, took to Twitter and wrote, “Congratulations on this victory against injustice!”

    In a high-profile protest against controversial agricultural reforms, tens of thousands of farmers drove a convoy of tractors festooned with brightly-coloured flags through the outskirts of India’s capital of New Delhi on the country’s Republic Day, January 26.

    Three laws pertaining to agriculture and farming were passed in India, which the farmers said would affect their livelihood. Modi billed these laws as necessary to modernise Indian farming.

  • Joint session ‘big victory’ for Govt, Opp to move ‘no-confidence’ motion against Senate Chairman

    Joint session ‘big victory’ for Govt, Opp to move ‘no-confidence’ motion against Senate Chairman

    The government on Wednesday managed to force amendments to the Elections Act, 2017, allowing the use of electronic voting machines and granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis. A total of 33 bills were passed amidst the Opposition’s continuous protest against them.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry termed the passage of 33 bills in a joint sitting of parliament a “big victory” for the government.

    Speaking at a press conference, Fawad said, “The Opposition will remember this defeat for a long time and must have realised about its strength today (Wednesday) in parliament and now its dream to remove the Senate chairman will not come true.”

    “Those considering moving no-confidence motion against government functionaries should have a second thought about their assessments,” said Fawad.

    The Opposition on Wednesday decided to challenge the bills that were passed in parliament.

    Earlier the Opposition was considering bringing a no-confidence motion against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani or National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser as a tester to confirm the present strength of treasury in parliament.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Khurram Dastagir said on a Dawn News TV show that the motion would be moved soon. They said if the motion became successful, then a similar motion could be moved against the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    On the Opposition’s decision to move the court against the bills, Fawad said both the Houses had approved the legislation, so it would not be an “easy task” to challenge them.

    “Both the Houses have passed the bills […] it will be hard to challenge them, but they can be challenged,” added Fawad.

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, speaking to media outside Parliament, said legislation was bulldozed and NA Speaker Asad Qaiser had “trampled” Parliamentary traditions.

    “Legislation cannot take place in such an atmosphere […] the votes counted for the Opposition were far fewer than their actual numbers,” he added.

    “We believe three or four additional votes were counted in favour of the government,” he said, adding: “We had more than 200 lawmakers in the house today.”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said, “The government did not emerge victorious today in parliament.”

    Bilawal tried to explain that according to the law, more than half of the combined votes of a joint sitting were required to get a law passed in parliament.

    Bilawal said he “tried his best” to draw the attention of the treasury benches and NA Speaker towards the joint sitting’s rules, but no one paid heed to it.

  • ‘When the govt needs our support, it talks to us, otherwise not’: PML-Q’s Kamil Ali Agha

    ‘When the govt needs our support, it talks to us, otherwise not’: PML-Q’s Kamil Ali Agha

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Information Secretary Kamil Ali Agha, while speaking on ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on Geo News, said: “When the government needs our support, like for passing the budget, it talks to us, otherwise not.”

    “This is a manufacturing fault of [the government], they do not consult their allies on any issue,” said Agha.

    “Our elected members are under a lot of pressure because of the government’s performance,” said Agha, adding that the elected members can hardly go to their constituencies.

    Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada intervened and questioned that Federal Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan says that the allies are “on-board” with the government and everything is good between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its allies.

    “Ghulam Sarwar is a ‘badshah admi‘ [King]. Despite being the aviation minister, he does not even know how many bills there are in Assembly,” replied Agha.

    “We have good relations with Ghulam Sarwar Khan, he should not have said this,” added Agha.

    “We do not complain unnecessarily. And Ghulam Sarwar is aware of this. We only complain when there is a problem,” said Agha.

    “We are trying our best to abide by the agreement we had with the government, now it depends on the government how it goes about things,” said Agha.