Tag: Khawaja Asif

  • Will summon Faiz Hameed in Parliament, says Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that he will demand in the parliament that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director-General (DG) Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed should be summoned to the floor.

    Speaking on Mohammad Malick’s show “Breaking News” on 92 News, he alleged that Hameed brought Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) back to the country. Referencing to Hameed’s visit to Kabul in 2022 asked why Hameed gave out assurances that everything would be okay.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the former spy chief went to Kabul following the withdrawal of United States (US) troops from Afghanistan.

    He was expected to discuss border management and the overall security issue — to ensure that spoilers and terrorist organisations do not take advantage of the situation — with the Taliban.

    Further lashing out at Hameed, the federal minister said that hundreds of thousands of Afghanis are still in Pakistan and put the blame for the recent extreme episodes of terrorism on the former spy chief’s head.

    He also pointed out that terrorism incidents in the country did not increase just within six to eight months.

    Since government talks with the TTP broke down in November, the militant group has intensified its attacks across Pakistan including attacks on the police.

    According to statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), January 2023 remained one of the deadliest months since July 2018.

    In January, more than 100 people lost their lives in a suicide attack at a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines. The TTP initially claimed responsibility for the attack, however, it later backtracked and claimed that it did not perpetrate the bombing.

    TTP is also responsible for the recent attack on Karachi police chief’s office which took place on February 17.

  • ‘Pakistan default ho chuka hai’: Khawaja Asif

    ‘Pakistan default ho chuka hai’: Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan has already defaulted, and that we’re all citizens of a bankrupt country.

    “You all have heard that Pakistan is going to default. That has already happened. Pakistan has defaulted and we’re all living in a bankrupt country,” the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader said on Saturday while addressing a public gathering.

    “If we sell two golf clubs we will be able to pay off two third of our debt. These golf clubs are constructed on 1500 kanal of land in Pakistan. Have seen leaders begging for 230 million dollars.” said Khawaja.

    The minister also said that houses of the poor are demolished so that the real estate mafia can make money.

    “A cheetah killed a man in Islamabad, no one had the guts to register the FIR on the right person. The FIR was registered against an ‘unknown’ person,” said Khawaja while addressing the crowd.

    He also said that terrorism came to Pakistan because of our leaders.

  • No plan to arrest Imran Khan, says Khawaja Asif

    No plan to arrest Imran Khan, says Khawaja Asif

    Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif has denied that there is any plan to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, rejecting allegations that the government wants to arrest him.

    Speaking on the Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath” on Wednesday, Asif said that Imran Khan is attempting to exert pressure on the judiciary and other institutions.

    He also said that PTI uses abusive language towards the country’s institutions.

    Talking about PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry’s arrest, Asif said that if the judiciary grants bail to Chaudhry, the government would have no problem with that.

    The defence minister also stressed that the government will not abuse the law as Khan did during his time in power.

    On Thursday, President Dr Arif Alvi said that if Imran Khan will be arrested, it would lead to a severe public reaction.

    It is reported on Thursday that PTI workers and supporters spent the second consecutive night outside Khan’s Zaman Park residence to stop the police from arresting the PTI chief.

  • Lashkar-e-Khorasan claims responsibility for killing two intelligence officers

    Lashkar-e-Khorasan claims responsibility for killing two intelligence officers

    Lashkar-e-Khorasan, a relatively unknown terrorist group allied with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has claimed responsibility for killing two intelligence officers who were martyred on Tuesday in Khanewal, journalists have reported.

    The two officers, who were part of the counter-terrorism department of the intelligence service, were known for arresting members of the TTP and other militant organisations. They also had a formidable reputation for solving complicated terrorism cases including bombings.

    Both officers were shot as they were parking their vehicle outside a roadside restaurant in Pirowal where they reportedly planned to have tea.

    Terrorist incidents across the country are on the rise after a ceasefire pact with the government ended in November.

    Defense Minister Khwaja Asif had said on Monday that the recent spate of attacks were being staged by Pakistani Taliban hiding in Afghanistan. He asked the Taliban administration in the neighboring country to stop the attacks emanating from their soil.

  • ‘Aap ki kitni efficiency hai, marketain aik baje band hoti hain, bachay phir bhi zaida paida kartay hain’: Khawaja Asif

    ‘Aap ki kitni efficiency hai, marketain aik baje band hoti hain, bachay phir bhi zaida paida kartay hain’: Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, in a bizarre reference to the increasing population in Pakistan, said that there is no unforeseen increase in population in the countries where markets close at 8PM.

    The minister then said, “Your country’s performance is so efficient, despite closing markets at 1AM, they find time to produce more children.”

    The minister’s comments came while addressing a presser on government’s decision on its energy saving plan, applicable across the country. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that markets in all the province’s and federal areas will be shut down at 8 pm. Furthermore, wedding halls will close at 10 pm across the country.

    Asif said that if these timings are implemented then the country will save Rs 62 billion.

  • Markets to close at 08:30pm across the country: Khawaja Asif

    The federal government on Tuesday announced its energy saving plan, applicable across the country. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that markets in all the province’sr and federal areas will be shut down at 8pm. Furthermore, wedding halls will close at 10pm across the country.

    Asif said that if these timings are implemented then the country will save Rs 62 billion.

    Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, and Federal Minister for Housing and Works Abdul Wasay were also present at the media briefing.

    The minister further elaborated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed all federal government entities to reduce their energy usage by 30% and to stop using unneeded lighting and other appliances.

    He said that a strategy to save energy provided by the power division had been approved for implementation by the federal cabinet.

  • Govt announces shut down of markets, restaurants at 8pm to save energy

    Govt announces shut down of markets, restaurants at 8pm to save energy

    The federal government on Tuesday announced a plan to save energy. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that all the markets and restaurants across the country will be shut down at 8pm. 

    Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira were also present at the media briefing.

    “If 20% of the workers are sent for work from home on a rotational basis, this will save Rs56 billion,” said the minister.

    Pharmacies have been exempted from these restrictions.

    “The government is also introducing e-bikes, which will phase out the bikes that use petrol. The government is negotiating with companies to phase out the bikes that use petrol and modify the existing bikes,” said Asif.

    A definitive strategy on that, however, is anticipated to be announced on Thursday when the federal government finalises its consultations with all provincial governments.

    “Pakistan’s cabinet decides to take energy conservation measures that will save billions of rupees and burn less fossil fuels. Energy is a huge carbon emitter. Committee will take pathways to the provinces and report back in two days,” tweeted Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman.

  • Imran Khan says President Alvi will consult him on the appointment of new COAS

    Imran Khan says President Alvi will consult him on the appointment of new COAS

    Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has claimed that President Arif Alvi will consult him on the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    The former Prime Minister made the explosive claim during an interview with ARY News. Stating that he was in contact with President Alvi, who is a member of PTI, Imran Khan said, “I am in contact with the President over the summary related to a key appointment”, adding that being the party chairman, Alvi would consult him.

    “I have no issues with whoever is made the army chief but I want that the decision should be taken on merit,” he stressed.

    When asked whether the President would delay the appointment of the new Army Chief, the PTI head said, “President Alvi and we have decided to play within constitutional boundaries.”

    He said that the people who are responsible for the appointment of this top army post are corrupt and he has reservations about their choice.

    Appearing on Geo News programme “Capital Talk” on November 21, when senior journalist Hamid Mir asked Defence Minister Khawaja Asif that why Imran Khan chose November 26 as the date for his long march, the minister stated that Khan might be considering the option that the President would not approve PM Shehbaz’s recommendation for the COAS.

    Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed that it has finally received the summary from the Ministry of Defence with a list of names of the candidates for the new COAS and the chairman joint chief of staff committee (CJCSC).

    The incumbent COAS General Bajwa is set to retire on November 29 after six years in office. He was appointed in 2016 by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and later granted an additional three-year extension in 2019 by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

  • Name of new COAS will be revealed by Tuesday or Wednesday, says Khawaja Asif

    Name of new COAS will be revealed by Tuesday or Wednesday, says Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that the name of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) will be revealed by Tuesday or Wednesday.

    Discussing the all-important appointment on Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, the defence minister said that the process to appoint a new head of the armed forces would start on Monday.

    During the show, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said that the change of command ceremony would be held on November 29. He also predicted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march would suffer a severe blow the day the appointment decision was finalised.

    COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the incumbent army chief, is set to retire later this month. On multiple instances, he has ruled out an extension in his tenure — and so has the military.

    Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said the matter of the next army chief’s appointment would be settled in a day or two.

    “I believe the Prime Minister has completed this process (of consultation) and will bring it to paper, today or tomorrow or the next two days, [it] takes no time,” he said.

    “I will also request you that this is a matter of a day or two so don’t ask questions which can lead to unnecessary speculation,” he said, adding that “there is not a lot of time left to this decision and it will come before you.”

  • ‘Excellent’: says PM Shehbaz after meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

    ‘Excellent’: says PM Shehbaz after meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud on Tuesday held a bilateral meeting at the Royal Palace of Riyadh.

    During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the bond between both Islamic countries, reports Radio Pakistan.

    PM Shehbaz thanked the Saudi leadership for extending assistance to Pakistan during the recent devastating floods, particularly for establishing the air bridge between Riyadh and Islamabad to provide relief goods in flood-affected areas.

    Meanwhile, crown prince Salman termed the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia very important for the two countries as well as for the region and the world.

    Taking to Twitter, PM Shehbaz described the meeting as “excellent”. He said, “We agreed to upgrade and enhance bilateral ties and fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to new heights in line with the requirements of the changing world. I told the crown prince that people of Pakistan are eagerly looking forward to his visit,” he added.

    Later, the premier and his accompanying delegation performed Umrah at Makkah’s Grand Mosque, where he “prayed for the peace and prosperity of Pakistan as well as Muslim ummah.”

    PM Shehbaz addressed the Future Investment Initiative Conference in Saudia

    PM Shehbaz addressed the Future Investment Initiative Conference in Saudia and highlighted the importance his government attaches to enabling the participation of Pakistani youth to become agents of change in the technology world.

    In his address with attendees at the sixth edition of the FII summit, Sharif called the conference a “remarkable” forum launched by his Saudi “friends.”

    “For the investment in solar and wind energy projects in Pakistan, I am standing before you, inviting you to please come forward and invest in these fields”, PM said on the occasion.

    PM Shehbaz landed in Riyadh on Monday where he was received by Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud at the airport. The premier is accompanied by several federal ministers. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and other officials are with him.

    The Saudi Crown Prince is likely to visit Pakistan on an official visit in November.

    The last time the crown prince visited Pakistan was in February 2019 when former PM Imran Khan was in power.