Tag: Pakistan

  • Khan denies contacting Malik Riaz to patch up with Asif Zardari

    Khan denies contacting Malik Riaz to patch up with Asif Zardari

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan denied contacting property tycoon Malik Riaz for reconciliation with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

    Khan’s comments come in relevance to an alleged telephonic conversation that was leaked on social media. In the audio conversation, Malik Riaz can be heard saying that Khan wants a patch up with Zardari. Riaz said, “Aaj usnay bohot hee message kiye hain mujhe. [He sent many texts to me today.]” Zardari responds that it is “impossible” now.

    Khan’s denial came while speaking to digital journalists in Peshawar.

    Pressure to recognise Israel

    Khan revealed that when he was in power, there was “a lot of pressure” on his government to accept Isreal as a sovereign state.

    “We were sent a message that you should think about your country but at this time, I cannot reveal who had sent the message to us,” said Khan.

    Khan criticised the government and alleged that it was going to recognise Israel after a Pakistani expatriate delegation living in the United States (US) visited Israel.

    No need for PTI MNAs to verify their resignations

    On the matter of PTI members of the National Assembly’s (MNAs) resignations, Khan said they have resigned from their posts, and there was no need for them to verify their resignations.

    “We had announced in front of the National Assembly’s speaker that we have resigned. There is no need for a member to verify their resignation individually […] the day we come back to the assembly, it will mean that we have accepted this imported government,” said Khan.

    Only the army and the PTI can keep Pakistan intact

    Speaking about the appointment of the army chief, Khan said he did not know about the candidates nor did he think about the procedure. He claimed there were “individuals within institutions” who had “opinions on certain issues”. However, he did not name the individuals.

    “Only the army and the PTI can keep Pakistan intact,” he said.

  • ICC Women’s cricket championship cycle to begin with Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match in Karachi

    ICC Women’s cricket championship cycle to begin with Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match in Karachi

    The first one day international between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will mark the beginning of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-2025 cycle. The first match will be played tomorrow, June 1. The remaining two matches will also be also played in Karachi.

    In the championship, each team will play eight three-match series (four home and four away) over the next three years.

    Pakistan will play against South Africa, Ireland, Sri Lanka, West Indies in Pakistan, and will then play against England, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh on international grounds.

    “After a dominating performance in the T20Is against Sri Lanka, we are now focused on delivering our best in the ODI series which is a part of the ICC Women’s Championship. I am pleased that two more teams have been added to the new cycle of the championship,” said Pakistani captain Bismah Maroof.

    “This step from the ICC will help promote the women’s game in Bangladesh and Ireland besides providing them direct qualification opportunities,” she added.

    “Our aim, like the rest of the sides, would be to earn a direct spot in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. In the qualification format, each and every series matters, hence our goal would be to start on a positive note by securing a series win against Sri Lanka while accumulating maximum points.”

    The teams also did a training session on May 30.

    Pakistan won all the three T20I matches against Sri Lanka.

  • Pakistan, TTP extend ceasefire indefinitely, agree to continue negotiations

    Pakistan, TTP extend ceasefire indefinitely, agree to continue negotiations

    The Government of Pakistan and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have agreed to extend a ceasefire, reportedly indefinitely and continue negotiations to end the conflict that has resulted in the killings of thousands of people, reports Dawn.

    The agreement was made after both the government of Pakistan delegation and the TTP delegation met and held separate meetings with the Acting Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund in Afghanistan.

    Afghanistan’s spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid and TTP spokesman Muhammad Khurasani had earlier announced the extension of the ceasefire till May 30.

    From the TTP’s side, disbandment of the faction being termed as an armed militant group and the reversal of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) merger into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) were key demands.

    However, the government didn’t accept the demands, saying that some demands were acceptable whereas others were not going to be accepted by Pakistan.

    The government’s delegation also made it clear that no armed group would be allowed to enter Pakistan territory.

    The next round of negotiations is expected to take place in the second week of June, in which a tribal jirga will hold direct talks with the TTP in Kabul.

  • Woman travelling from Multan to Karachi raped by train staff

    Woman travelling from Multan to Karachi raped by train staff

    A woman was gang-raped by train workers while travelling from Multan to Karachi on the Bahauddin Zakariya Express. According to details, the victim was raped by three men. The incident took place on May 27.

    Pakistan Railways in a statement said that ticket-checker Zahid, took the victim to an air-conditioned compartment of the train, where the manager Aqib was already present. Aqib, Zahid and another train staffer then sexually assaulted the victim.

    A first information report (FIR) was filed at the Railways Police Station under Sections 377 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    As per Pakistan Railways, the accused persons have been arrested.

    Police is further investigating the incident.

  • ‘Produce missing persons or appear before court’: IHC sends notice to Musharraf, IK, PM Shehbaz

    ‘Produce missing persons or appear before court’: IHC sends notice to Musharraf, IK, PM Shehbaz

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the government to issue notices to former President General Pervez Musharraf, former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and the current PM Shehbaz Sharif for following an “undeclared tacit approval of the policy regarding enforced disappearances.”

    The court directed that the federal government shall produce the missing persons before the court on June 17 or justify the failure of the state to effectively investigate.

    IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Athar Minallah said, “Musharraf and all other successor chief executives [PM Shehbaz and Khan] shall submit their respective affidavits explaining why the court may not order proceedings against them for alleged subversion of the Constitution in the context of undeclared tacit approval of the policy regarding enforced disappearances and thus putting national security at risk by allowing the involvement of law enforcement agencies, particularly the armed forces.”

    The court also noted that the involvement or even a perception of the involvement of the armed forces in acts “amounting to a violation of human rights and freedom of the citizens weakens and undermines the rule of law.”

    On Sunday, the high court issued a 15-page order in a case related to the disappearance of journalist Mudassar Mahmood Naro and five other people after their petitions were in their final phases, but the federal government requested an “adjournment.”

    The court also noted the fact that how the Pakistani media ignores this form of abuse and that reporting on the matter is not a priority. Moreover, the court also expressed dissatisfaction over the role of parliament in regard to the disappearances. It said that “they are the most important and crucial organs of the state but nothing has been placed on record to indicate that they may have adopted a proactive role to fulfill their Constitutional obligations.”

    Journalist Mudassar has been missing since 2018 from Khyber Pakhtunkhua.

  • Khan says govt ‘to recognise Israel’, Israel’s president praises Pakistani delegation

    Khan says govt ‘to recognise Israel’, Israel’s president praises Pakistani delegation

    Israel President Isaac Herzog has said that he had had an “amazing experience” while meeting a Pakistan expatriate delegation living in the United States (US). Herzog referred to this visit as an example that showed him “great change” towards Israel’s ties with the Muslim world.

    Herzog said he received a delegation of Pakistani expats who lived in the US “together with other members of other countries in their region”.

    No change in govt’s policy on Israel: Foreign Office

    However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan categorically rejected the notion of any delegation from Pakistan visiting Israel.

    “The reported visit in question was organised by a foreign NGO that is not based in Pakistan,” the Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said in a statement.

    “Pakistan’s position on the Palestinian issue is clear and unambiguous. There is no change whatsoever in our policy on which there is a complete national consensus.”

    The statement further added that Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination. 

    “The establishment of an independent, viable, and contiguous Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions, is imperative for just and lasting peace in the region,” the statement added. 

    Govt going to accept Israel: Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan criticised the sitting government as the Pakistani expats delegation visited Israel. More criticism was hurled their way after Herzog praised the Pakistani-American delegation.

    Khan on Sunday criticising the government and alleged that it was going to recognise Israel.

    “This government will strike a deal with India to sell the people of Kashmir, and to top it off, they are also going to accept Israel,” he said while addressing the PTI workers’ convention in Charsadda.

    There was no Pakistan delegation visiting Israel: Anila Ali

    A 15-member delegation visited Israel to promote interfaith harmony. The trip was organised by the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Council and an NGO called Sharaka. Founder of the American Muslim and Multifaith Women Empowerment Council, Anila Ali, led the delegation.

    After Khan’s allegations, Anila tweeted: There was no #Pakistan delegation visiting #Israel.

    Pakistan does not recognise the state of Israel: Ahsan Iqbal

    Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal clarified no official or semi-official delegation from Pakistan met the Israeli president.

    “The participants in this delegation were Pakistani-Americans who have already provided an explanation in this regard,” the planning minister said in a tweet.

    Iqbal said the policy of the Government of Pakistan is clear — it does not recognise the state of Israel. “All our sympathies lie with brothers and sisters of Palestine.”

    Israeli President received a delegation of Pakistani expats

    “I must say this was an amazing experience. We haven’t had a group of Pakistani leaders in Israel in such scope. And that all stems from the Abraham Accords [a deal brokered by the United States in 2020 which saw normalisation of relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain], meaning Jews and Muslims can dwell together in the region.”

    Israeli President Isaac was speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

    Pakistan refused to accept Israel as a sovereign state because of the Palestine-Israel conflict, and every government that came to power has endorsed this stance. Speculations were being created that the new government was in a way ready to recognise Israel as a sovereign state.

  • Daren Sammy receives Sitara-i-Pakistan

    Daren Sammy receives Sitara-i-Pakistan

    Former Peshawar Zalmi and West Indian captain Daren Sammy received Sitara-i-Pakistan award from the government of Pakistan.

    “Such a proud moment,” Sammy tweeted and shared a picture receiving the award.

    Daren Sammy wrote on his Intagram: “Cricket took me all over the world enabling me to see and play in some amazing places. Pakistan is definitely one of these places. A place that always makes me feel at home. It’s such an honor to have received this prestigious award( Sitara-I-Pakistan) from the Government and people of Pakistan. Thank you.”

    Peshawar Zalmi’s owner, Javed Afridi, also took to Twitter to congratulate Sammy on receiving the prestigious award.

  • Germany to strengthen trade and investment ties with Pakistan

    Germany to strengthen trade and investment ties with Pakistan

    In a recent meeting with Federal Minister of Commerce and Investment Syed Naveed Qamar, German Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Tobias Lindner expressed his hope that Germany and Pakistan would further strengthen and expand bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment.

    Both countries discussed multiple aspects of bilateral ties, along a great emphasis on improving trade and financial collaboration to sustain economic growth in a post-Covid pandemic world. The duo agreed to exchange business envoys to look into the prospect of B2B cooperation in renewable power, farming, food security, autos, and technical assistance.

    The Commerce Minister praised Germany for its constant support for Pakistan’s GSP Plus scheme. He emphasized the importance of GSP Plus in widening bilateral trade and offering Pakistan a level playing field in the European segment.

    He also clarified that the scheme has served as a precursor for essential progressive social changes, particularly those relating to women’s empowerment. The German Minister convinced his nation’s continued and forthcoming assistance for the GSP Plus Scheme.

  • After Saudi Arabia, PM Shehbaz set to visit Turkey

    After Saudi Arabia, PM Shehbaz set to visit Turkey

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will visit Turkey next week as his first visit to Ankara after assuming office in April.

    The Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar, in a briefing, said: “The prime minister would be visiting Turkey next week, and we would be sharing with you more details containing elements, specific elements, and engagements envisaged during this visit.”

    Prior to this, PM Shehbaz held two foreign trips to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    Following his visit, it was announced that Saudi Arabia is finalising the extension of the $3 billion deposit to Pakistan.

    On the other foreign engagements, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari visited Davos, Switzerland, to attend World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting (May 23-26), with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman accompanying him.

  • IMF urges FBR to collect Rs7.2 trillion in the upcoming budget

    IMF urges FBR to collect Rs7.2 trillion in the upcoming budget

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to collect Rs7.2 trillion in taxes in the upcoming budget, with personal income tax (PIT) and GST harmonisation being prioritised.

    “Discussions are ongoing as the FBR pitched up its tax collection target in the range of Rs6.9 trillion, but the IMF insists on stretching the FBR’s tax collection target in the range of Rs7.2 trillion in the coming budget for 2022-23,” top official sources confirmed on May 26.

    When contacted for comment, FBR Chairman Asim Ahmed stated that work in this area was still ongoing.

    Total tax collection would be expanded to Rs7.2 trillion in the upcoming budget, up from Rs5.9 to Rs6 trillion in the previous fiscal year, according to revised estimates. The government was also having difficulty meeting its non-tax revenue target for the current fiscal year because the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) did not provide its estimated Rs200 billion quarterly profit to the Ministry of Finance following the passage of the new SBP Amendment Act 2022. This sum may be provided in the next fiscal year, but the SBP found it difficult to provide it before June 30, 2022.

    Personal income tax (PIT) would be markedly restructured, with the taxable cap likely to be raised from the present level of 0.6 million to Rs1-1.2 million, and the amount of slabs lowered from 13 to six. The IMF also suggested significantly raising tax rates.

    Former Finance Minister Dr. Hafiz A Pasha stated that the maximum tax rate was imposed on an annual income ceiling of Rs 5 million, which was 300 per cent higher than Pakistan’s per capita income. He proposed that those earning Rs20 million or more per year be subject to the full tax rate.

    He furthermore recommended that the duration and rate of capital gains on stock shares be assessed and modified in order to collect more taxes.

    Via: Islamabad Post