Tag: Nawaz Sharif

  • ARY News paid Rs1 million to forensics firm to check Saqib Nisar’s audio: Dawn

    ARY News paid Rs1 million to forensics firm to check Saqib Nisar’s audio: Dawn

    Primeau Forensics, the United States of America’s (USA) forensic audit company, confirmed on Wednesday that inspected the leaked audiotape of former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar forwarded by a private news channel of Pakistan, ARY News, reports Dawn.

    “It was a specific thing that we did for our client and we are not discussing it with anyone,” a company representative told Dawn. “We have no press release.”

    He said the client, ARY News, had the report, and “only they can share the details with others”.

    ARY asks for forensic audit:

    “According to ARY News, the audit of this 45-second file showed two reverberences in the voice as the person spoke from two different locations. The voice was clearer during the last 20 seconds as it came from a closer range.”

    “ARY News claimed that when it asked Primeau Forensics if the recording was of the original conversation or came from an edited tape, the company said the two parts of 20 and 25 seconds each were recorded in a different environment.”

    “Primeau Forensics told ARY News that it believed the unknown Fact Focus clip was generated from at least two different sources”.

    “They observed two different reverberences, indicating that the first portion of the audio was likely recorded in a different environment than the second portion”.

    Primeau Forensics, an audio-video image forensic expert- has more than 30 years of experience in the field. As per their official website, their experts have processed over 5,000 audio, video, and image forensic investigations and provided expert testimony in over 500 cases in local, state, and federal courts.

    ARY News claimed that it had paid Rs1 million for the audit.

    The US-based company has worked for attorney generals of multiple US States, CNN, AP, and other major organisations. ARY News claimed that it had paid Rs1 million for the audit.

    ‘Please run the news in UK/USA. Only in Pakistan, these news channels can lie & defame’: Ahmed Noorani

    Ahmed Noorani, the journalist who broke the news of the leaked audio of Saqib Nisar, tweeted, “Anxiously waiting for the ARY to air news against me and my expose of Saqib Nisar audio in UK & USA so I can send a legal notice & proceed against it.”

    “I am disappointed so far. Please, run the news in UK/USA. Only in Pakistan, these news channels can lie & defame. Stop being cowards.”

    Leaked audio of Saqib Nisar:

    In November, leaked audio of a conversation allegedly claimed that Saqib Nisar was the person who passed on the directions of handing down conviction to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz only because the “institutions” wanted the former prime minister penalised in order to bring ahead Imran Khan.

    As per the leaked audio, reported by Ahmed Noorani for Fact Focus, Chief Justice Nisar instructed that Mian Sahib (Nawaz Sharif) and his daughter (Maryam Nawaz) must be sentenced even though it is unfair.

    “Whether it is fair or not, it has to be done,” he conveyed to the person on the other end. “Regardless of the merit, we will have to do it (sentence Nawaz Sharif), and even to his daughter,” said Justice Nisar.

    Saqib Nisar denies the audio clip, says never contacted any judge

    While speaking to Fact Focus, Justice Saqib Nisar said that he never contacted any judge of accountability court to order him to pass any verdict against Nawaz Sharif or his daughter. “Why I would do that,” Saqib Nisar questioned adding, “I have no grudges against Mian Nawaz Sharif.” He said that no one from the Pakistan Army or the ISI ever contacted him or pressured him on this count.

    Samaa News claims CJP Nisar’s leaked audio ‘pieced together’

    Later, Samaa TV, a private news channel ran a news story and claimed that the former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar’s clip appears to be pieced together from two separate speeches of former CJP.

  • Shehbaz or Maryam: Who will be PML-N’s candidate for PM slot in 2023, reveals spokesperson

    Shehbaz or Maryam: Who will be PML-N’s candidate for PM slot in 2023, reveals spokesperson

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Muhammad Zubair while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said that the party vice-president Maryam Nawaz has political ambitions hinting that she might be a candidate for the position of prime minter in the next general elections from PML-N.

    His comments come after former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had announced that Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif will be PML-N’s candidate for prime minister in the general elections of 2023.

    Khaqan made these comments during a political talk show on Dawn News, ‘Khabar Se Khabar’. He said as Maryam Nawaz was not illegible, it’s likely that the party president is nominated since he leads the party.

    “Shehbaz Sharif is our president and he will be our next candidate for prime minister,” said Khaqan.

    Responding to Khaqan’s comments, Zubair said that Khaqan was one of the most senior members of PML-N and that he could not challenge his statements.

    “It’s a long way to go, Nawaz Sharif is not illegible, both Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz are facing court cases. The situation isn’t clear yet. The future will tell who is illegible [to be a candidate],” said Zubair.

    PML-N leader further said, “I have been hearing the case hearing in Islamabad High Court (IHC), I do not have a legal background but I am100 per cent sure that Maryam Nawaz will get relief in her cases because there is no corruption against her.”

    Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada further asked Zubair if Shehbaz Sharif will be the next nominee for the position of prime minister, to which he responded that Shahid Khaqan might have some knowledge as he has been in a place of leadership, he might have information on the matter.

    Khanzada said, “You are one of the closest leaders to Maryam Nawaz in the party, it is not possible that this interview [of Khaqan] came a day earlier and it is not possible that you have not conversed with Maryam Sahiba on this.”

    “I have not talked to Maryam Nawaz. She is busy with her son’s wedding. Having said that, there are no second thoughts on the leadership qualities and competence of Shehbaz Sharif. He has led upfront during the toughest of times,” responded Zubair.

    “I will not hesitate in saying that Maryam Nawaz has political ambitions. But along with that, she abides by party discipline. She will completely contribute to the electoral victory of PML-N,” added Zubair.

  • After break-up with Christian Betzmann, Zoya Nasir reveals her crush

    After break-up with Christian Betzmann, Zoya Nasir reveals her crush

    Actor Zoya Nasir took to her Instagram stories to reveal her latest crush after breaking up with Vlogger Christian Betzmann. The Dobara diva confessed that she has a crush on PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and Captain Muhammad Safdar Awan’s son Junaid Safdar.

    Earlier in September, Zoya praised singing skills of Junaid Safdar. The Zebaish diva took to her Instagram story and wrote, “He’s an amazing singer. All things aside. Politics choro and give our amazing singers a run for their money.”

    In August 2021 Junaid married Ayesha Saif Khan in London on Sunday in a lavish ceremony. The duo tied the knot at The Lanesborough, a 5-star hotel in Knightsbridge.

    Photo: Courtesy Zehra Photography

    Junaid exclusively told The Current that, “Rukhsati and Valima will be in Islamabad/Lahore once dates are finalised,” he said. Junaid did not reveal his honeymoon plans, saying, “I think we will decide post December once all other marriage ceremonies take place in Pakistan.”

    After his singing video went viral, many female celebrities praised him for his crooning skills.

    singing skills
  • Nawaz is against Pakistan says Zardari, Shehbaz lashes back

    Nawaz is against Pakistan says Zardari, Shehbaz lashes back

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif has criticised Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for his remarks against Mian Nawaz Sharif.

    “Zardari Sahib’s statement about Mian Nawaz Sharif is unfortunate. Mian Sahib’s unwavering commitment to Pakistan has always been unquestionable. Zardari sb. knows the conditions in which MNS had to go abroad. We should refrain from such remarks & work for [the] greater good of [the] country,” tweeted Shehbaz.

    Without taking Nawaz Sharif’s name, Asif Zardari had accused PML-N chief of being against Pakistan. “They are against my homeland. Those who don’t wish to die in my homeland, what can they do?”

    Zardari said, “We belong to this land and we will die here.” The former president was addressing a media talk on Monday in Lahore.

    On Sunday (December 5), PML-N’s Shaista Pervaiz Malik defeated PPP candidate Aslam Gill in Lahore’s NA-133 by-polls. Shaista Malik secured 46,811 votes while Gill’s votes were 32,313.

  • 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.

  • ‘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.

  • PM Khan takes offence at Nawaz Sharif’s presence at conference

    PM Khan takes offence at Nawaz Sharif’s presence at conference

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan while talking about the Asma Jahangir (AJ) Conference that took place in Lahore last week, pointed out how the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo was allowed to address the event, reports Geo News.

    Speaking at the inauguration ceremony PM Khan further said, “Unfortunately, due to colonialism, Muslims suffered from mental slavery around the world,” he said.

    He further added that Pakistan’s youth was confused about it in today’s world and said that the 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.

    PM Khan said, “A seminar happened in Lahore where Supreme Court (SC) judges were invited. But the chief guest there was an absconder, convicted by the very judges present there.”

    “This person had escaped abroad after lying,” he said while adding that if our society doesn’t consider corruption an evil, it can’t progress.

    However, the AJ Foundation in a press statement clarified the rumours surrounding Sharif’s closing speech.

    “Nawaz Sharif, has addressed gatherings previously and it is entirely regrettable not to say embarrassing, that internet cables were disabled to blackout his speech. This act in itself is an indication of the state of freedom of expression in the current regime where Pakistan is ranked as 145 out of 180 countries,” reads the statement.

    They also revealed that several prominent members of the ruling party were invited to all three conferences, many of whom spoke at all three conferences, and others declined the invitation.

    Furthermore, they argued that the “ruling regime is diverting attention from the real threat to institutions, the state of the economy and freedom of expression in the country” while adding that the platform will not follow vendettas of political parties when inviting speakers and they will remain an open and uncensored platform.

    In response to this, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari termed the foundation’s statement “bizarre” and tweeted, “AJ Foundation claiming that convict Sharif being asked to address the conference did not show a political bias because I [Mazari] had been invited to the first conference to address closing session is absurd. I was invited as Human Rights Minister. I was not and am not a convict or a fugitive.”

     

  • 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.

  • Maryam Nawaz’s lawyer requests court date change, clash with Junaid Valima date

    Maryam Nawaz’s lawyer requests court date change, clash with Junaid Valima date

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s lawyer Azam Nazir Tarar requested the accountability court of Islamabad to shift his client, Maryam Nawaz’s court hearing date as it clashes with her son’s wedding reception. The judge has been requested to change the next hearing on some other date.

    Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar’s son Junaid Safdar’s Valima ceremony is to be held in Lahore on December 17, reports Geo News.

    Junaid Safdar tied the knot on August 22 with Ayesha Saif, daughter of Saif-ur-Rehman, a long-term ally of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, in London. The photos and videos of the Nikkah ceremony went viral on social media, leaving netizens in praise of the couple and Junaid’s singing skills.

    Maryam Nawaz and her husband could not attend the ceremony held in London as their name is on the Exit Control List (ECL), which restrains her from leaving Pakistan till the verdict of the court cases against her is announced.