Tag: Imran Khan

  • PM Khan says PTI more popular now, like in the 2014 dharna, all thanks to the Opposition

    PM Khan says PTI more popular now, like in the 2014 dharna, all thanks to the Opposition

     Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan Friday said that institutions are neutral in this political fight between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and the Opposition.

    The premier made these comments during a meeting he had with senior journalists.

    “The PM was confident that he would defeat the no-trust motion,” said Geo News anchor Shahzad Iqbal.

    “Since the Opposition had submitted the no-trust motion, our popularity has increased manifold, the same we had during our 2014 dharna,” said PM Khan. 

    “Some people feared that the popularity of PTI was declining but it has increased in the last two weeks. A massive rally will be held on March 27 that would show how popular is our party. Those who think our government will be toppled should change their mind,” said the premier.

    “I think the umpire is neutral and the Opposition has brought this no-trust motion to save their corruption and especially the cases of Shehbaz Sharif,” the PM was quoted by the anchor. 

  • PML-N to file case against Buzdar for stealing records from his own office

    PML-N to file case against Buzdar for stealing records from his own office

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s Punjab Information Secretary Azma Bokhari revealed that the party will register a case against Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar for allegedly stealing ‘official records’ of the CM House, reports Dawn.

    In a statement, she said, “Buzdar has removed the official records from the CM House and shifted it to an unidentified place,” while adding that if he [Buzdar] had not removed official records why did he delete video footage of the CM House when moving things around.

    Bokhari also alleged that CM Punjab has become a billionaire through corruption and he has made properties. She claimed that Buzdar would soon leave PTI and join another political party.

    However, the Punjab government said that these allegations are rubbish.

    Earlier, on another matter, the provincial government also dismissed reports regarding CM Buzdar that he had directed the concerned department to prepare a summary for enhancing the perks and privileges for ‘former’ CMs.

  • Speaker Asad Qaiser is ‘Imran Khan’s stooge’, says Opposition after Qaiser adjourns NA session till Monday

    Speaker Asad Qaiser is ‘Imran Khan’s stooge’, says Opposition after Qaiser adjourns NA session till Monday

    The much-awaited and critical National Assembly (NA) session on the vote of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was adjourned till Monday (March 28) by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.

    “Since this is the tradition of this house, that whenever a respectable member [of the assembly] passes away, the [NA] session is adjourned till the next [working] day in their honour,” said Qaiser. “This has happened for years and this had happened a total of 24 times in the past.”

    Addressing a press conference outside Parliament House right after the session was adjourned, Leader of the Opposition in NA Shehbaz Sharif said that the Speaker has become a “stooge” of PM Khan.

     “This was a constitutional obligation and he violated the Constitution by not doing this,” said Shehbaz adding, “The Constitution and the law is above tradition and voting should have been allowed … tradition aside, the Speaker should have taken up the motion [but] he did not listen and left.”

    Shehbaz tweeted, “This partisan behaviour does not suit the custodian of the House. U cannot stop the inevitable through such underhand tactics!”

    Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that PM Khan was “fleeing the pitch”.

    Taking to Twitter, Bilawal wrote, “Speaker provided another weak excuse to avoid tabling the no-trust move.”

    “Imran can’t run forever. PM has no sportsman spirit and cannot face defeat with grace. The once great Kaptaan will go down like a rat on a sinking ship,” he said.

    Prior to the session, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “Nothing will happen in the assembly session today.”

  • ‘Tons of chicken meat is burnt for witchcraft in Bani Gala’: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘Tons of chicken meat is burnt for witchcraft in Bani Gala’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif alleged that tons of chicken meat is burnt for ‘witchcraft’ in Bani Gala.

    Speaking on Aaj News programme, “Faisla Aap ka”, Shehbaz said, “I am saying this with complete responsibility. This is the situation, but the PM is speaking about ‘Riyaasat-e-Madina’ and ‘Amar Bil Maroof [enjoining good]’,” he added.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader further said that people are deprived of food and children are yearning for milk, but tons of chicken is being burnt in Bani Gala for witchcraft.

    Shehbaz ruled out the possibility of a dialogue with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. Shehbaz said Imran Khan talks about ‘Riyaasat-e-Madina’ and on the other hand, promotes cartels.

    “There is no question that I will talk to someone who is so egoist, he lies, what did he do with the cartels?”

    Responding to PM Khan’s statement in which he said he has a surprise for the Opposition, Shehbaz said, “Before he surprises us, we will surprise Imran Khan.”

    Anchorperson Asma Shirazi asked Shehbaz if he has more surprises up his sleeve, to which he said, “Absolutely, we will bring surprise after surprise. Don’t you worry, in the next few days we will bring surprises and you will be shell-shocked.”

  • CJP Bandial says not counting a vote during no-trust proceedings against Khan would be ‘contemptuous’

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday observed that not counting a vote that has been cast during the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan would be “contemptuous”.

    CJP Bandial further questioned that for how long a dissident Member of the National Assembly (MNA) could be disqualified.

    He made the remarks during the hearing of a presidential reference seeking the Supreme Court’s opinion on Article 63-A of the Constitution.

    Earlier, during the hearing, Justice Mandokhail questioned whether the MNA’s vote could be counted in the proceedings conducted before he was de-seated, observing there was no mention of not counting a vote in the 18th Amendment.

    Justice Akhtar observed that the purpose of Article 63-A was to stop defection from party policies. “The party’s collective opinion is above an individual opinion. The collective opinion is important for the stability of democracy.” He said one interpretation of Article 63-A was that the vote of dissidents should not be counted.

    Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan argued that the real issue was about clarifying Article 63-A(4). “Someone who violates the Constitution by defection cannot be praised. We cannot read what’s not written in the Constitution. Article 62(1)(f) states that an MNA should be honest and righteous.

    “Should defecting from the party be rewarded? Can those who are dishonest be considered righteous?” he asked.

    Justice Mandokhail replied that every MNA had the right to vote in accordance with Article 95, which deals with the procedure to bring in a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

    “If vote can be cast, it can also be counted,” he observed, asking the AGP why the government was seeking the court’s opinion if it already had the answer. “If you agree with this point, then withdraw this reference,” he added.

    Earlier, SCBA submitted its response in the apex court, stating that voting is an individual right of an MNA instead of a political party’s collective right under Article 95.

    It declared the MNAs’ right to vote for the no-confidence motion against the prime minister to be an individual capacity in its response to the presidential reference for the interpretation on Article 63A of the Constitution Pakistan.

  • ‘Early elections can also be called in the country’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘Early elections can also be called in the country’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Thursday said that Pakistan might move towards early elections, also adding that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan would defeat the Opposition’s no-confidence motion.

    During a press conference, Rasheed told disgruntled members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that “switching parties won’t earn them any good”, saying that “turncoats must also keep in mind that early elections can also be called in the country”.

    “I want Pakistan and democracy to progress. The situation in the country is moving towards betterment with every passing day,” said Rasheed.

    Rasheed claimed that the country would get “good news” from this point onwards.

    “Let me tell you with the responsibility that nobody is going anywhere,” the minister emphasised, saying he met Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar who is firmly standing with Imran Khan.

    “He is also not going anywhere,” Rasheed said regarding Buzdar.

    Rasheed said that he was not in touch with disgruntled PTI leader Jahangir Khan Tareen — whose group has not made it clear whether they will support the PM or not.

    “Jahangir Tareen is a good man, may God bless him with good health,” he said.

    Rasheed said PM Khan would hold a “historic” jalsa in Islamabad on March 27.

    PM Khan, in a video message today, invited the nation to join him on March 27 to reinstate the government’s stance against the “dacoits” ruling Pakistan for the last 30 years.

    The premier urged the Pakistanis to stand with the right side.

  • Cricket fans can now buy Pak-Aus match tickets online, priced between Rs. 500 – 4,000

    Ticket prices for the much anticipated one day matches between Pakistan, Australia have been revealed. The three-match one-day international and a T20I will be played at Gaddafi Stadium from 29 March to 5 April.

    Tickets for the three-match one-day international and T20I are now available for sale. Tickets are also available online at https://pcb.bookme.pk and as well as from the nearest M&P Courier outlets.

    Tickets for ODIs range from PKR 500 to PKR 3,000, while tickets for one-off T20Is have been priced from PKR 500 to PKR 4,000.

    These prices are in line with PCB’s commitment to make tickets affordable for Pakistan cricket fans.

    Payments can be made using Easypaisa/ Jazzcash/ creditcard/ Nift options, while https://pcb.bookme.pk/ helpline number is 03137786888. 

    At the time of entering the Gaddafi Stadium on match days, fans will have to show their Covid-19 immunisation certificates and valid CNICs.

    Ticket prices for 29 March, 31 March and 2 April ODIs

    Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis Enclosures – PKR3,000

    Fazal Mahmood, Imran Khan Enclosures – PKR2,000

    Rajas and Saeed Anwar Enclosures – PKR1,500

    Abdul Qadir, AH Kardar, Javed Miandad and Sarfraz Nawaz Enclosures – PKR1,000

    Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Majid Khan, Nazars, Quaid, Saeed Ahmad, Zaheer Abbas Enclosures – PKR500

    Ticket prices for 5 April T20I

    Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis Enclosures – PKR4,000

    Fazal Mahmood, Imran Khan Enclosures – PKR3,000

    Rajas and Saeed Anwar Enclosures – PKR2,500

    Abdul Qadir, AH Kardar, Javed Miandad and Sarfraz Nawaz Enclosures – PKR1,000

    Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Majid Khan, Nazars, Quaid, Saeed Ahmad, Zaheer Abbas Enclosures – PKR500

  • ‘I pray that the government allies will walk with Imran Khan’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘I pray that the government allies will walk with Imran Khan’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed speaking with reporters outside Prime Minister House has said that he prays to God that the allies of the government support Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on the day of the no-confidence vote.

    Rasheed said that it is for the public to decide who will win the vote, on March 27 people will come out in support of Khan and the Opposition will see it as well.

    Speaking with reporters he further said that Khan has got cards in his hand as well. He will reveal them on March 27 and everyone will see them.

    Earlier it was reported that three major coalition partners of the government, Mutahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), have decided to part ways with the government ahead of the no-trust motion against PM Khan.

  • ECP slaps Rs50,000 fine on PM Khan for holding public gatherings despite warnings

    ECP slaps Rs50,000 fine on PM Khan for holding public gatherings despite warnings

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) slapped a fine of Rs50,000 on Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan, Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Communications Murad Saeed and two provincial ministers Dr Amjad Ali and Muhibul Lah for violating the code of conduct as they all attended a public gathering in Swat on March 16 ahead of the no-confidence motion.

    Earlier, the ECP had restricted PM Khan and other government officials from attending any public gathering in districts of KP as the second phase of the local bodies elections is due in the region. Despite this, the premier and his officials ignored the warning.

    According to Geo News, District Monitoring Officer (DMO) Swat imposed a fine on the PM for breaching ECP’s code of conduct. Similarly, for attending a public gathering in Dir on March 19, Lower Dir’s District Monitoring Officer (DMO) Hameedul Lah had imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on PM Khan.

    ECP has reportedly also taken notice of the PM’s upcoming visit to KP’s Mansehra and called it a breach of the code of conduct.

  • ‘NAB is a fraud through and through’: Broadsheet CEO apologises to Nawaz, says no corruption found

    ‘NAB is a fraud through and through’: Broadsheet CEO apologises to Nawaz, says no corruption found

    Assets recovery firm Broadsheet’s CEO Kaveh Moussavi has issued an apology to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, withdrawing all corruption allegations and for being part of a “witch hunt”.

    Moussavi issued an apology to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader through a video interview with GEO News on allegations of corruption.

    “We found a lot of plundered wealth [linked to others], but I can categorically state after virtually 21 years of investigation that not one rupee was related to Mr Nawaz Sharif or any member of his family. If anyone says otherwise they are lying,” Kaveh Moussavi said.

    “I have no hesitation in issuing an apology to the former prime minister for my being party to a scam and scandalous nonsense masquerading as the National Accountability Bureau,” Moussavi said, adding: “NAB is a fraud through and through.”

    Kaveh Moussavi repeated his apology addressing Nawaz Sharif directly. “I repeat it: Mr Sharif, we owe you an apology because Mr Sharif you clearly were the victim of a massive organised scandalous witch-hunt. There’s no question about that. When facts change, I change my views.”

    “Twenty-two years ago when Pervez Musharraf had asked us to investigate you, we were led to believe and we started investigating and at every turn we found that investigation was sabotaged not because we were getting close to things but because the intention was something else. That actually was a witch hunt and the intention was not to find any looted assets,” said Moussavi.

    Kaveh Moussavi revealed that he was in touch with Prime Minister Imran Khan through Shipping and Ports Minister Ali Zaidi and that he had evidence to prove his conversations with Ali Zaidi.

    “I was in direct contact with the government. I sat and had lunch with minister Shehzad Akbar directly in London. I had a telephone chat with another minister, Ali Zaidi, who was commissioned by Prime Minister Imran Khan to speak with me and to cooperate but they showed not a scintilla of evidence that they were interested in going after the stolen money,” said Broadsheet’s CEO.

    “They were interested in using whatever we found as a political capital against their enemies, which I am afraid, was my experience with the NAB right from day one. From day one we insisted that we are not going to be an instrument of witch-hunt. Very soon it became clear that the NAB was nothing but an instrument of witch-hunt – a very incompetent and corrupt one. The reason why Imran khan promised the moon and didn’t get anywhere was because they had no intention of going anywhere,” said Mousaavi.

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter and said, “Corruption allegations were made to keep him out of public life. Now the whole edifice of lies, deceit & character assassination stands demolished.”