Tag: Maryam Nawaz

  • Islamabad Chief Justice says no need to investigate audio recordings if evidence is not brought to court

    Islamabad Chief Justice says no need to investigate audio recordings if evidence is not brought to court

     The Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC), Athar Minallah on Wednesday remarked that why the court should investigate a case when the concerned appellants didn’t bring any audio before the bench, reports The News.

    The court was hearing the inquiry commission to probe into the alleged video of former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar.

    The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed said the petition has been filed under Article 199-C of the Constitution.

    “Why are people choosing only one prime minister and coming to court as their proxy? Thousands of people were sacked. No video in their respect came. It is a proxy war. Today everyone is saying he has two videos and he has four videos. This is the season of harassing and pressurising judges,” said AGP.

    “Sometimes an audio, sometimes some concocted affidavit is released,” the attorney general said, referring to an affidavit by former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Judge Rana Shamim in which he accused ex-CJP Nisar of colluding to deny bails to Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz before general elections 2018.

    “If a facility is given to one PM, then why was it not given to Bhutto,” asked the AGP.

    Salahud Din Ahmed, president SHCBA, said the AGP was holding bar associations responsible for every case. “See the statements given by Prime Minister Imran Khan against the judiciary and judges. It is now being said to either do accountability of the last 70 years or not at all to divert attention.”

    The petitioner argued that the judiciary was being made controversial through different tactics and the court could stop this practice by probing the allegations against judges. At this, the attorney general responded that all matters of the past could be sent to parliament. “One appeal against conviction in the Avenfield Reference is being heard in this court. That one appeal has perplexed the entire judiciary,” Khalid Javed added.

    While acknowledging that those whose cases would be affected by the alleged audiotape had not approached the court, Ahmed said his stance was that courts were being made controversial. The judiciary could stop that from happening by ordering an inquiry, he added.

    The IHC chief justice observed that any audio or video could be constructed in today’s age of advanced technology. “Anybody can make audio and ask for an investigation. The court remarked if we declare the petition seeking an investigation into audio maintainable, then what will be the impact on the pending appeals?”

    Justice Minallah noted, however, that the matter of the affidavit was different because the person concerned — Rana Shamim — had himself approached the court. “You’re unsure yourself about the [authenticity of] the audiotape you’re mentioning. A commission can be formed when there are grounds. The people who have cases [which could be affected by it] have not brought the audiotape to the court. Why should we [take action]? Is there anyone to take ownership of the audiotape?” he questioned.

  • Exclusive: Junaid Safdar reveals his honeymoon plans

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz and Captain (R) Safdar’s son, Junaid Safdar’s wedding is surely the talk of the town these days. The wedding reception will be held on December 14 in Islamabad and the Valima in Lahore on December 17.

    We approached Junaid and got to know some exclusive details regarding his wedding, views on his mamu’s [Hamza Shehbaz] singing and the honeymoon.

    When asked if is he going to sing at his wedding, he replied: “I have nothing planned in particular. It really depends on how the event proceeds. It was quite spontaneous during the Nikkah as well. Singing is something quite personal to me but because the nikkah was a strictly family affair.” He revealed that he sang a few lines from one of his favourites on his Nikkah.

    Hamza Shehbaz’s singing videos from one of Junaid’s pre-wedding events became a social media hit. When we asked Junaid if he thinks his uncle sings better than him, he clearly said he has no doubt about it, adding that “I cannot possibly attempt to tackle the songs he sings so effortlessly.”

    As the wedding is just around the corner, we asked if he is planning to go back to London after the Valima? Junaid answered it with a ‘yes’. He said, “This event would be incomplete without Abujan’s [Nawaz Sharif] blessings, and the blessings of Hassan and Hussain Mamu, my Khala [Asma], and Ali Dar Khalo.”

    While talking about his wedding, Junaid clearly seemed really excited about it. He said that this event is a breeze for the family after a long spell of turmoil.

    He talked about the recent tragic events in his family that have happened in the past few years. He said, “Political turmoil is a recurrent theme and therefore, insignificant when compared to personal, family turmoil. I am talking about personal, family turmoil here. My grandmother’s fight against cancer. The passing of my grandmother whilst my mother, grandfather and father were in prison. The passing of my great grandmother. The smiles have now returned Alhamdulillah and it’s a heartwarming sight.”

    Talking about his honeymoon plans, he disclosed that plans were initially finalised. However, they are now pending as the couple is waiting for further covid-related information.

    Dulha Junaid is set to get married to Ayesha Saif, daughter of former politician Saif-ur-Rehman. The couple got nikkahfied in August this year in London.

  • ‘Those who are unhappy with their wife opt for second marriage’: Capt Safdar

    ‘Those who are unhappy with their wife opt for second marriage’: Capt Safdar

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Captain (R) Safdar said that the men who are unhappy with their wives opt to get married again, adding that there is peace in his house.

    “Our grandmothers used to sing old folk songs like ‘Desan da Raja‘, what happened if Maryam [Nawaz] sang a song as well,” asked Captain Safdar while talking to the media outside the Supreme Court.

    Praising his wife Maryam as a great leader, Safdar said, “Leaders are leaders. They sing songs and anthems.”

    Talking about his son Junaid Safdar’s wedding, he said that he will sing songs and dance at his son’s wedding festivities. He revealed that the song ‘Vote ko izzat do‘ will also be played at the wedding.

    Safdar further revealed that close family, relatives and friends are invited to the wedding.

    When asked whether Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari will be among the attendees at Junaid’s wedding or not, Safdar replied, “It is okay if Asif Zardari and Bilawal do not come to the wedding. Asif Zardari is in my heart and I will go to Bilawal’s wedding even if not invited.”

  • ‘Nice to see them singing, this is normal Pakistan’: Fawad on Maryam Nawaz, Hamza singing

    ‘Nice to see them singing, this is normal Pakistan’: Fawad on Maryam Nawaz, Hamza singing

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while addressing the media, praised the signing skills of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz and Leader of the Opposition in the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, Hamza Shehbaz.

    Fawad’s comments come in connection to the viral video of both Hamza and Maryam where they were singing at an event for Maryam’s son Junaid Safdar’s wedding.

    Maryam Nawaz sang ‘Chura Liya‘ in a melodious voice and Hamza too sang at the same event.

    Fawad, praising the singing skills of the Sharif family, said, “I really appreciate Hamza Shehbaz and Maryam Nawaz [for their singing skills].”

    “In our personal gatherings, we sing songs and we celebrate. It was nice to see them singing,” said Fawad.

    “It was nice to see this because normal Pakistan is exactly like this,” added Fawad.

    Fawad further said, “We have political differences with them, not personal ones.”

  • PTI trolls Maryam Nawaz’s singing at her son’s festivities, Twitterati react

    Focal person to Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar shared Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s singing video and Twitter suggests that he mocked her for it.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social representative Azhar Mashwani took to Twitter and said, “The Sharif family can make a lot of success in video and sound production field. Not bad.”

    https://twitter.com/MashwaniAzhar/status/1468075682890665984?s=20

    Upon his criticism, Twitter users fired back at Mashwani. Human Rights Activist and Lawyer Jibran Nisar said, “Punjab has developed so much, milk canals are flowing, rations are being distributed free of cost, rule of law prevails, no fake encounters, no sit-ins, no violence, so the bored CM’s focal person is commenting on the marriage.”

  • ‘Aag laga de gaye’: PML-N Rana Sanaullah warns government

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Punjab President Rana Sanaullah said if the government tries to hold the upcoming elections using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) he will burn them.

    In a press conference on Friday, Sanaullah while talking about foreign loans stated, “Pakistan has gone bankrupt. The entire economy including the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been handed over to International Monetary Fund (IMF).”

    He said, “Electronic machine par intekhaab hua toh machino ko polling station se nikal kar aag laga de gaye” (We will try every strategy against EVMs. If the election is held through this [EVMs], we will take out the machines from polling stations and set them on fire.)

    Talking about PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s leaked audio, he claimed that the government is exaggerating about the relevance of the audio.

    Prior to this, Rana talked about EVMs in a show and said if the government tries to force the elections through EVMs, the party would be left with no option but to follow the TLP way of protesting.

  • ‘Affidavit was sealed, don’t know how it was leaked’: Rana Shamim’s response on Saqib Nisar

    ‘Affidavit was sealed, don’t know how it was leaked’: Rana Shamim’s response on Saqib Nisar

    The former chief judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim on Tuesday told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the affidavit he had signed accusing former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar was leaked.

    “My affidavit was sealed and only [kept] with my family. I don’t know how it was leaked,” said Rana Shamim.

    Chief Justice IHC Justice Athar Minallah had previously taken notice of the story published in The News, in which Judge Shamim in a signed affidavit wrote that he was a witness to Nisar giving directions to a high court judge, not to release Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections. The report was written by senior journalist Ansar Abbasi.

    IHC judge had directed the ex-judge to submit his response.

    Presiding over the hearing, Justice Minallah said the case was related to his court and its accountability, adding, that the judiciary’s freedom was dependent on the freedom of the press.

    Justice Minallah asked Shamim whether he had submitted his response as asked by the court earlier to which the latter replied that there had been a tragedy in his family and requested the court to give him time till December 12 and schedule the next hearing after that.

    The IHC chief justice gave Shamim five days to submit his written response.

    “I have not yet seen my affidavit,” the ex-GB judge informed the court.

    “You must have recorded the affidavit for some purpose. You will inform in the written response how the affidavit was revealed after three years,” pressed IHC judge, inquiring whether Shamim had given the affidavit or not.

    Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan, who was also present in today’s hearing, requested the court to direct Shamim to present the “original” affidavit in the IHC, stating, “This case is related to Article 19 and Article 19-A of the Constitution. The media’s role is secondary, responsibility lies on Rana Shamim.”

    “Maybe his son leaked the affidavit,” he contended, referring to Ahmed Hassan Rana, Shamim’s son and lawyer.

    Shamim said he had only one son, reiterating that he had not seen the affidavit himself.

    At this, Justice Minallah directed Shamim to submit his affidavit in court.

    When Shamim sought time to submit the affidavit, the AGP countered that the document was not 10 years old.

    The former GB chief judge repeated his statement that he had not seen the affidavit, and read it in the news report published.

    “Does he not remember [what happened on] November 10? If he has not written [the affidavit], who has?” the AGP questioned. “Every day is very important,” he added, referring to Shamim’s requests for more time.

    The IHC chief justice remarked that he does “not believe in contempt of court”, adding that judges should be held in higher regard.

    “Rana Shamim’s statement today has further complicated the case. Judges should not be used for political narratives,” said Minallah.

    The IHC adjourned proceedings of the case till December 7.

  • Alleged audio clip of Maryam Nawaz giving instructions to private news channels leaked

    Alleged audio clip of Maryam Nawaz giving instructions to private news channels leaked

    An alleged audio clip of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has been leaked on social media in which she can be heard talking to someone on phone. During the telephonic conversation the PML-N Vice President can be heard saying, “I talked to Mir Shakeel Sb [owner of Geo News] personally,I told him that are showing facts from both sides, instead you should tell people Imran Khan lied without any verification, and Imran Khan not only repeated this lie but also made ten other things.”

    She further said that she told Mir Shakeel that he has to do it [to push her narrative], and he [Mir Shakeel] did it.

    Maryam further said that she told Mian Amir Mahmood [Owner of Dunya News] the same, and he replied “Aap Dekhein me krta kia hun iske saath” [Now see what I do with him.]

    Earlier, another audio clip of Maryam went viral on social media in which Maryam Nawaz can be heard saying, “We have given many chances to Samaa News. The kind of news Samaa [airs] and the way its anchor Nadeem Malik is, we can no longer work with the channel. So we are not giving any ads to Samaa.” ”Samaa News, Channel 92, ARY News, and Channel 24 will not get any ads from us [PML-N],” said Maryam.

    Read more- Maryam Nawaz admits to blocking ads, media bodies urge govt to not use adverts to control editorial policy

    Maryam on November 25, confirmed the authenticity of her viral audio clip but the date of the clip is still not known, whether it was when PML-N was in government or opposition.

  • ‘PML-N calls us fascist, but they are more than that’: PM Khan reacts to Maryam Nawaz’s audio clip

    ‘PML-N calls us fascist, but they are more than that’: PM Khan reacts to Maryam Nawaz’s audio clip

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) calls the government “fascist”, but the party itself is “more than that”, reports Geo News.

    “They [PML-N] say that we impose restrictions on media and call us fascist, however, they are more fascist than us,” remarked the premier.

    He also questioned in what capacity did the PML-N leader issue such directives.

    PM Khan’s comments come in relevance to PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz’s audio where the latter can be heard refusing to give ads to media organisations.

    Earlier this week, in an audio clip doing the rounds on social media, Maryam Nawaz could be heard saying, “We have given many chances to Samaa News. The kind of news Samaa [airs] and the way its anchor Nadeem Malik is, our pact can no longer work with the channel. So we are not giving any ads to Samaa.”

    ”Samaa News, Channel 92, ARY News, and Channel 24 will not get any ads from us [PML-N],” said Maryam

  • Maryam Nawaz admits to blocking ads, media bodies urge govt to not use adverts to control editorial policy

    Maryam Nawaz admits to blocking ads, media bodies urge govt to not use adverts to control editorial policy

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, in a heated press conference on Thursday, confirmed the authenticity of her viral audio clip.

    In an audio clip doing rounds on social media, Maryam Nawaz can be heard saying, “We have given many chances to Samaa News. The kind of news Samaa [airs] and the way its anchor Nadeem Malik is, we can no longer work with the channel. So we are not giving any ads to Samaa.”

    ”Samaa News, Channel 92, ARY News, and Channel 24 will not get any ads from us [PML-N],” said Maryam.

    In response to a statement made by Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) said that government advertising should never be used to influence editorial content or to control free speech.

    The two bodies in their separate statements said that the governments should not try to create divisions within the media industry or use advertising as a tool to exercise control over news organisations.

    PBA said the present government had centralised the process under which decisions pertaining to advertisements are made, taking this right away from individual government organisations, departments and ministries, in order to exercise total control over media.

    “The present government’s track record on media relations has also come under a lot of criticism by media watchdogs and journalists’ bodies. When governments try to control freedom of expression, democracy and the people of Pakistan suffer the most,” it added.

    Meanwhile, APNS said, “The figures released are not only partial and selective but purposefully do not include the advertisement spending of the present government. The APNS asks the government to release the figures of advertising released to the media in the last 20 years.”

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry presented the record in the National Assembly.