Tag: imran khan pti

  • PTI MNA demands top cabinet members including PM be placed on Exit Control List

    PTI MNA demands top cabinet members including PM be placed on Exit Control List

    After Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, another Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader is targeting the government on the floor of the National Assembly(NA) for “ignoring” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and demanded that top cabinet members’ — including the Prime Miniter (PM) Imran Khan himself — be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL), reports Dawn.

    Pointing towards the front rows of the treasury benches, where Prime Minister Khan also sits as leader of the house, PTI MNA Noor Alam Khan said, “Members who occupy the first three rows are the main culprits of the chaos in the country, so put their names on ECL and Pakistan will survive.”

    “Kindly get out of your aircraft, your land cruisers, and BMWs and see the [miserable] condition of the people,” said Alam, without naming anyone from the government.

    “It seems that Peshawar is not a district of this country, but Mianwali and Swat are,” said Alam comparing his hometown to the prime minister’s constituency.

    In December 2021, Noor Alam Khan heavily criticised his government while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’. Alam said, “I have to raise the voice for the people of Pakistan. I don’t care about the political seats, they are temporary.”

    Talking about competence, Noor Khan said, “You have to deliver, people will reject you if you don’t perform. The people who vote for us require good performance and if we don’t deliver, we are the ones to blame. I am sorry if it’s our incompetence, then we will blame Noor Alam, Shahzeb, or some institution for the shortcomings but not ourselves.”

    “[PM] Imran Khan should look at the people on his right and left to know about their assets and how they grew their assets,” said the PTI MNA.

    “If he closes his eyes [and condones what is happening around him], it will not set the affairs in order. He will have to solve the problems of inflation, power outages, and gas shortage.”

    “[PM] Imran Khan should look at the people on his right and left to know about their assets and how they grew their assets,” said the PTI MNA.

    “If he closes his eyes [and condones what is happening around him], it will not set the affairs in order. He will have to solve the problems of inflation, power outages, and gas shortage.”

  • Common man travelling to Murree shows they’re getting rich, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Common man travelling to Murree shows they’re getting rich, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that a rise in tourism indicates prosperity as it shows the income of the common man has increased.

    Taking to Twitter, the minister said that more than 100,000 tourist vehicles have entered Murree this year, due to which fares of hotels and guest houses have soared.

    “These statistics show that an increase in tourism in the country indicates prosperity as well as an increase in the income of the common man,” he said.

    Fawad added that in the current year, 100 big companies in the country have earned a profit of Rs929 billion, while all major media outlets have earned 33 per cent to 40 per cent in profits.

    Recently, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan asked his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokespersons to inform the masses that there is no inflation in the country, as he expressed satisfaction over the economic team’s performance.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin had also assured that inflation has come down in December as compared to November and next month inflation will come down further as global commodity prices are declining.

  • PTI did not disclose funding worth Rs310 million, hid bank accounts: report

    PTI did not disclose funding worth Rs310 million, hid bank accounts: report

    The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) hid 53 bank accounts and funds worth millions of rupees from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    The report of an ECP scrutiny committee probing the party’s funds revealed the following details.

    The committee’s report showed that the PTI had only disclosed 12 out of its 65 accounts, which are registered with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    The report stated that in the years 2008/2009 and 2012/2013, the PTI disclosed funding worth Rs1.33 billion against an actual amount of Rs1.64 billion which was reflected in SBP’s bank statement. Therefore, the party did not disclose funding worth Rs310 million.

    A scrutiny committee of the ECP constituted in March 2019 to audit foreign funds of the PTI had finally submitted its report to the commission on November 26, 2021, about six months after the last deadline was given.

    The PTI foreign funding case continues to linger since November 2014 when it was filed by Akbar S. Babar, the party’s founding member.

    In his petition, Babar alleged financial irregularities in the party’s accounts, including illegal sources of funding, concealment of bank accounts in the country and abroad, money laundering and use of private bank accounts of party employees as a front to receive illegal donations from the Middle East.

  • ‘Universities should research disastrous effects that western culture has on family life’: PM Khan

    ‘Universities should research disastrous effects that western culture has on family life’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Monday, during the inauguration ceremony of Al-Qadir University’s academic blocks, said that Pakistan’s youth was confused about itself in today’s world.

    He said young Pakistanis studied the western culture and were misled by it.

    The premier urged universities to research the disastrous effects that western culture was having on family life, and spoke out against how pornographic material was widely available on smartphones these days.

    He said universities were important as they can help people make “informed choices”, which will help people make smarter and better choices.

    PM Khan’s statement from his speech earlier this week caught the attention of the Twitterati and the premier was heavily criticised for his remarks.

    Writer and Vlogger, Saadia Ahmed wrote, “The most harmful effects on Pakistan’s family system come from Pakistan’s family system itself.”

    A Twitter user tweeted, “Wish it was a country where harmful effects of family system on a person’s health was researched.”

    https://twitter.com/009barca/status/1466330905937690627

    Criticising the words of the premier a Twitter user wrote, “He’s trying his best to not get voted next year good for him.”

    https://twitter.com/sheilasjawani/status/1466358126400221185

    A Twitter user tweeted, “I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy creates a new discipline to study Pakistan’s Family System.”

  • PTI sends notice to member over false ‘fight’ allegations against Zartaj Gul

    PTI sends notice to member over false ‘fight’ allegations against Zartaj Gul

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a show-cause notice to PTI Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Riaz Fatyana for making “false” allegations against two members of the federal cabinet, reports Dawn.

    Fatyana alleged that the Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam got into an argument during the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

    The notice was sent on the complaint of Aslam by the PTI’s Standing Commi­ttee on Accountability and Disci­pline (SCAD).

    “Upon your return, as a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), you have made some absurd and totally fabricated and false assertions in the meeting held on November 25, including that there was a brawl between two senior officials and Zartaj Gul which led to her leaving the conference early, whereas she had left early only to attend the joint session [of parliament],” reads the show-cause notice.

    In the notice, Fatyana has been asked to submit a written statement by December 4 along with documents and evidence. He has also been offered to be heard in person to elaborate his written statement.

    Aslam, in his complaint, alleged that the MNA had come to Glasgow to attend the conference funded by a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) during his visit he made some “unreasonable demands” such as becoming a part of the official delegation.

    Last week, both cabinet members issued a joint statement denying any fight or misunderstanding at Conference of the Parties (COP)-26 and termed the allegations made by Riaz Fatyana “baseless”.

    On Friday, during a session of PAC, Fatyana alleged that the argument between Zartaj and Aslam made the former leave the conference and return to Pakistan.

  • Rs40 billion irregularities detected in PM’s Covid package, reveals audit report

    Rs40 billion irregularities detected in PM’s Covid package, reveals audit report

    Pakistan gave in to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) pressure by releasing the audit report of expenditures incurred on Covid-19, disclosing over Rs40 billion irregularities in operations, reports Shahbaz Rana for The Express Tribune.

    “The release of the report by the Ministry of Finance is one of the five prior actions that the IMF has asked Pakistan to implement if it wants to get the $1 billion loan tranche by January next year.”

    “The finance ministry issued Rs314 billion less supplementary grants from the prime minister’s (PM) stimulus package due to which citizens of Pakistan could not avail the complete benefit of the announced package resulting in suffering, economic hardship, and many private factories laying off their workers during Covid-19 process,” revealed the report.

    “Against Rs200 billion promised to daily wagers, only Rs16 billion were distributed among them. The vulnerable families were promised Rs150 billion but given Rs145 billion.”

    Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)

    “The maximum irregularities of over Rs25 billion were found against Rs133 billion spent under the banner of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which was equal to 19 per cent of its spending.”

    The BISP utilised Rs133.3 billion during the fiscal year 2019-20 and 13.1 million beneficiaries were paid.

    The audit observed Rs6.6 billion payments to relatively better-off 484,402 beneficiaries due to the absence of any clear policy which needs to be addressed before making any related future payments.

    “Over Rs16 million payments of Covid-19 cash transfers were made to those beneficiaries who had filers’ status and were well-off. There was also a case of withdrawal of Covid-19 cash grants from both BISP and Zakat by the same beneficiaries worth Rs318.7 million.”

    National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

    “The National Disaster Management Authority’s spending was Rs22.8 billion and the auditors raised a red flag on Rs4.8 billion or around 21 per cent of the spending.”

    “The auditors found mis-procurement on account of the installation of Resource Management System (RMS) by the NDMA with Rs42.5 million cost. A million-dollar loss was caused to the public exchequer on account of the purchase of ventilators at higher rates and China donated $4 million for the construction of 250 beds Isolation Hospital and Infections Treatment Centre (IHITC), but the money was never used. There were cases of overpayment to Chinese firms on account of the procurement of ventilators.”

    “The NDMA did not impose liquidated damages on supplier firms causing a loss of Rs2.7 billion and $8.3 million.”

    Utility Store

    “The AGP pointed out Rs1.4 billion loss due to irregular and ill-planned procurement of sugar. Another loss of Rs1.6 billion was caused due to irregular procurement of ghee/cooking oil and non-availability of fitness certificates of ghee/oils worth over Rs1.4 billion.”

    “The Rs323 million loss was caused due to non-observance of prescribed flour specifications and another expense of Rs1.7 billion incurred without laboratory test reports. The USC also made excess claim subsidies by increasing the profit ratio on account of the purchase of sugar.”

    Defence

    “The Rs200 million Covid-19 funds were diverted towards the clearance of liabilities and procurement of normal cardiac medicines. During an audit of Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, it was observed from the record that PPE items of the same specifications were purchased at higher rates by ignoring the lowest rates available in the comparative statement of tenders.”

    “The Rs235 million irregular payment was made to Pakistan International Airlines without fulfilling the required formalities against shipment of exactly the same commodity required to be transported through the armed forces’ service aircraft.”

    Other departments

    “The audit observed that the procurements of nine items had been made at higher rates causing a loss of Rs7 million. There were also cases of non-delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by UNICEF having the value of Rs1.3 billion. The Rs10 million discrepancy was found in cases of transportation and food items for passengers returning from abroad, handled by deputy commissioner Islamabad.”

  • PTI’s Aleem Khan resigns as minister to maintain neutrality of his ‘news channel’

    PTI’s Aleem Khan resigns as minister to maintain neutrality of his ‘news channel’

    Punjab Minister of Food Abdul Aleem Khan has resigned from the provincial cabinet headed by Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Usman Buzdar.

    Aleem took to Twitter to announce his resignation and tweeted, “I am grateful to them [government] for accepting my request. I am sending my resignation to CM Buzdar.”

    He revealed that he has met with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and persuaded him that it is important for him [Aleem] to resign.

    “In today’s meeting with the PM, I have persuaded him that in order to maintain neutrality with regard to my news channel Samaa News, it is necessary for me not to hold any government post. Therefore, accept my resignation as Punjab Minister of Food,” tweeted Aleem.

    After the alleged audiotape of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, Samaa News, a private news channel ran a news story, claiming that CJP Nasir’s clip appeared to be “pieced together” from two of his own speeches.

    In September, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Aleem Khan officially became the owner of Samaa News.

  • PM to visit Dubai to watch the final of T20 World Cup, if Pakistan qualifies

    PM to visit Dubai to watch the final of T20 World Cup, if Pakistan qualifies

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will go to watch the final of the T20 World Cup in Dubai if Pakistan beat Australia in today’s semi-final, Geo News has reported.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry requested PM Khan to visit Dubai to watch the match if Pakistan reaches the final. Chaudhry will accompany PM Khan on his visit.

    Pakistan will face Australia today in the second semi-final. New Zealand beat England yesterday in the first semi-final to qualify for the final.

    The final match will be played on November 14 (Sunday) at 7pm at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

  • PTI’s Ejaz Chaudhry claims that govt will consider adjusting TLP in Punjab’s seats

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Senator and President of Central Punjab Ejaz Chaudhry has claimed that the government will consider giving seats to the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Punjab constituencies, reports Saama TV.

    He said that other political affairs are also under consideration and the agreement between the government and the proscribed outfit can be very beneficial.

    “Our mission is the same,” said Ejaz Chaudhry. He said that he will meet Saad Hussain Rizvi once he gets free.

    Previously, the PTI government said that they had reached an agreement with TLP. Details of the agreement have not been revealed yet.

    Earlier this year, the government had banned the TLP, which restricted them to participate in the elections. Currently, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has restricted all television channels from covering any activity of the banned outfit.

  • Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum to take charge as DG ISI on Nov 20

    Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum to take charge as DG ISI on Nov 20

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan issued a notification on October 26 for the appointment of a new director-general (DG) of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum has been appointed as the new DG ISI and will take charge on November 20.

    Notification for the appointment of the General Officers

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Prime Minister Imran Khan today.

    The meeting was part of the ongoing consultation process between the premier and army chief about the timing of change of command in ISI and selection of the new DG ISI.

    During this process, a list of officers was received from the Ministry of Defence. Prime Minister interviewed all the nominees. A final round of consultation was held between the Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff today.

    After this detailed consultative process, the name of Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum was approved as the new DG ISI.

    The designated DG ISI shall assume charge on November 20.

    October 6: The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced a reshuffle in the army, in which Lt Gen Anjum replaced Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who has been posted as Commander of Peshawar-based Corps XI.

    October 12: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday confirmed the meeting between PM Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and said, “PM Khan is the authority in appointing the DG ISI,” further adding that “all legal methods will be adopted in the appointment of the new director-general”.

    October 13: Fawad took to Twitter and said, “The process of consultation between PM Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa over the appointment of the new DG ISI has been completed and the process for the new appointment is now underway.”

    However, rumours started circulating that PM Khan wanted Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to continue serving as the spymaster for some time due to the critical situation in neighbouring Afghanistan.

    October 14: PM Khan convened an emergency meeting of the ruling party’s parliamentary group at Parliament House. Journalists questioned PM Khan about the appointment of the DG ISI. PM Khan did not answer the questions 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.

    October 15: Fawad told the media that the notification regarding the appointment of the new DG ISI would be issued in two to three days.

    News started circulating that PM Khan would take interviews of the potential candidates for the appointment of the new DG ISI and that a new summary with names of candidates for the position of ISI chief had been sent to the Prime Minister. Fawad denied the news and said, “Prime Minister Imran Khan will just meet all candidates (for the slot of DG ISI).”

    October 19: Fawad said, “All the matters have been resolved” and announced that the notification of the new DG ISI would be issued this week.

    “It [Opposition] is thinking that there are some differences between the government and security institutions but its euphoria is gradually fading,” said Fawad.