Tag: (PM) Imran Khan

  • ‘Shehbaz Sharif will be at the forefront of the race for the slot of PM after Nawaz Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    ‘Shehbaz Sharif will be at the forefront of the race for the slot of PM after Nawaz Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said that the PML-N leadership, including Shehbaz Sharif, had authorised the party supremo Nawaz Sharif to make all decisions for the party, including the selection for the prime minister’s candidacy slot in the general elections of 2023. Maryam was talking to journalists after attending the hearing of her appeal by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Avenfield Apartment reference on Tuesday.

    “Shehbaz Sharif is a fatherly figure, he is president of the PML-N, but the decision on his candidature is to be taken by the party leadership.”

    Her 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.

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

    On the other hand, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said that there is no doubt our workers chant slogans in the name of Nawaz Sharif.

    “If Nawaz Sharif is not available, or does not want to become prime minister then the senior-most member next to Mian Nawaz Sharif is Mian Shehbaz Sharif Sahab.”

    Rana Sanaullah while talking about the disqualification cases against Maryam Nawaz said that even if the cases against her end, Shehbaz Sharif will be at the forefront of the race.

    On being asked if Maryam Nawaz has political ambitions and will she support someone else in the race, Rana said that once a name is announced by the leadership, everyone will fully support the candidate.

  • Sri Lankan cricket legend Ranatunga thanks PM Khan for ensuring justice for Priyantha Kumara

    The former 1996 Cricket World Cup-winning Sri Lankan captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, thanked Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for his efforts to find all those involved in the lynching of Priyantha Kumara and his support for the deceased’s family.

    Sharing the letter he wrote to the premier, Arjuna tweeted, “Thank you for all your efforts in bringing justice for the crime committed against Priyantha Kumara, and for the continued support and commitment toward his family.”

    The letter reads, “You [Imran Khan] have always been unwavering in facing challenges whether it be on the cricket field or the political arena. Since you’ve become the prime minister of Pakistan, you have been carefully addressing some controversial issues in the country.”

    Earlier this month, 49-year-old Kumara, a manager at Rajco factory in Sialkot, was lynched by a mob. The mob tortured him to death and later burnt his body.

    Following the news, PM Khan condemned the incident and ensured the punishment of those who were involved.

    A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against 900 workers of Rajco Industries and several arrests have been made.

  • In Pictures: Priyantha Kumara buried in Sri Lanka with state honours

    In Pictures: Priyantha Kumara buried in Sri Lanka with state honours

    Sri Lankan manager, Priyantha Kumara, who was lynched and his body burnt by a mob in Sialkot on December 3, was buried in his native village in Sri Lanka on Wednesday with state honours.

    The Buddhist clergy performed his religious rituals before police led the procession along with Kumara’s family and friends. They carried a casket with his remains to the cemetery.

    Condolence banners and white flags that symbolise mourning were displayed along the roads.

    Buddhist Clerics are performing Religious Rituals
    The wife of Priyantha Kumara prays with children and family members during a funeral held in Srilanka

    Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan national was working as a manager in a factory located in Sialkot since 2010. He allegedly tore posters off a wall in the factory, which had religious text written on it. After taking down the poster, hundreds of people gathered, dragged him outside, killed him, and then burnt his body on Friday.

    The victim’s brother, Arunasiri Wasantha Kumara Diyawadana, who is also working in Pakistan at a garment factory as a technical director, said that factories should have a secure environment.

    He added, “That was not happening in this particular case.”

    He requested both governments to find the root cause of the incident, whether it is a religious or industrial dispute and they have to find the solution accordingly.

    Family members of Srilankan manager Priyantha Kumara carrying his casket to a cemetery during his burial in Colombo, Sri Lanka
    The mother of Priyantha Kumara crying in front of his casket
    Gavith, a son of Priyantha Kumara, places his father portrait on casket during burial
    The wife of Priyantha Kumura cries in front of his casket

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that from now on, no one will be spared who resorts to violence in the name of religion.

    PM Khan made these comments during an event that was being held to honor Malik Adnan who tried to save Kumura.

    The police have arrested more than 100 people involved, and one of the main culprits, Farhan Idrees has been arrested. Farhan gave an interview to local news channels, taking pride in the murder he committed.

  • ‘Yeh hai tabdeeli?’: Yasir Hussain calls out PM Imran Khan for public stripping and attack on four women

    ‘Yeh hai tabdeeli?’: Yasir Hussain calls out PM Imran Khan for public stripping and attack on four women

    Four women in Faisalabad were stripped naked and were beaten by locals on the accusation of theft on Monday, in Bawa Chak Market where dozens of people locked the women inside an electric shop. The women allegedly came there to drink water.

     A first information report (FIR) was registered and the suspects have been charged under sections 354-A (assault or use of criminal force against a woman and stripping her), 509 (insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 149 (unlawful assembly guilty of an offence committed in prosecution of common object) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

     “They continued to beat us for around an hour and made our videos in naked condition,” the complainant said in FIR, as reported by Dawn.

    “The suspects committed gross injustice by stripping us, dragging us through the market and torturing us and strict action should be taken against them,” the complaint’s statement read in the FIR.

    As per reports, no one stopped people from beating the women and many were making videos from their phones. After the video went viral, the police took action against the accused people and arrested five people.

    Actor and writer Yasir Hussain took notice of the incident and shared his take on Instagram stories.

    The Jhooti actor also questioned PM Imran Khan that is this the change that he promised to the citizens?

    Earlier the Bulbulay diva Ayesha Omar has responded to the incident on her social media handle.

    On the work front, Yasir is set to release his directorial debut Koel starring Mansha Pasha and Fahad Sheikh.

    Aaj Entertainment to air new drama serial 'Koel' soon - Life & Style - Aaj.tv

    Read More: ‘Sick mentality, no country for women, must introspect’: Adnan Siddiqui strongly reacts to Faisalabad incident

    Read More: Ayesha Omar reacts to public stripping and violent attack on four women in Pakistan

  • ‘Shattered and heartbroken’: Saba Qamar, Ayesha Omar strongly react to the Sialkot incident

    ‘Shattered and heartbroken’: Saba Qamar, Ayesha Omar strongly react to the Sialkot incident

    A Sri Lankan factory manager has been tortured to death on the charges of blasphemy. As per social media reports, he was working as a manager at a private sportswear manufacturing factory.

    As per District Police Officer (DPO) Umar Saeed Malik, the man was murdered by factory employees. According to the DPO, the police have arrived at the place of incident.

    In the video shared on social media, it can be seen that the man’s body was burnt publicly after he was murdered.

    Sialkot mob lynches Sri Lankan factory worker to death, burns corpse over blasphemy allegations - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

    According to sources, the Sri Lankan national allegedly tore posters off a wall in the factory, which had religious text written on it. He removed it from the wall as the wall was not a place where posters were allowed. After taking down the poster, hundreds of people gathered, dragged him outside, killed him and then burnt his body.

    His name was Priyantha Diyawadana. He joined the factory in 2010 and has been here since.

    According to journalist Rabia Mehmood, “Factory workers Talha, Furhan complained and decided on the spot to kill the SriLankan national.”

    She shared a picture of the two men who claimed to be part of the lynch mob and complained against the manager and then “dragged him out to burn him to death, and are using Tehreek Labbaik’s violence inciting narrative to justify why they did it”.

     Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar have termed the incident as “horrific”. Buzdar has also instructed IG Police to investigate the incident.

    A-list actresses Saba Qamar and Ayesha Omar expressed their grief and shock at the shocking incident on social media. Earlier the Raees diva Mahira Khan tagged PM Imran Khan and asked him to provide an answer for this.

    READ MORE: ‘A failure, killing middle class, shame’: Mathira lashes out at Imran Khan

    READ MORE: ‘Ashamed, sick to my stomach’: Mahira Khan expresses shock, asks PM Khan for answers on Sialkot tragedy

  • ‘Ashamed, sick to my stomach’: Mahira Khan expresses shock, asks PM Khan for answers on Sialkot tragedy

    ‘Ashamed, sick to my stomach’: Mahira Khan expresses shock, asks PM Khan for answers on Sialkot tragedy

    A Sri Lankan factory manager has been tortured to death on the charges of blasphemy. As per social media reports, he was working as a manager at a private sportswear manufacturing factory.

    As per District Police Officer (DPO) Umar Saeed Malik, the man was murdered by factory employees. According to the DPO, the police have arrived at the place of incident.

    In the video shared on social media, it can be seen that the man’s body was burnt publicly after he was murdered.

    Sialkot mob lynches Sri Lankan factory worker to death, burns corpse over blasphemy allegations - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

    According to sources, the Sri Lankan national allegedly tore posters off a wall in the factory, which had religious text written on it. He removed it from the wall as the wall was not a place where posters were allowed. After taking down the poster, hundreds of people gathered, dragged him outside, killed him and then burnt his body.

    His name was Priyantha Diyawadana. He joined the factory in 2010 and has been here since.

    According to journalist Rabia Mehmood, “Factory workers Talha, Furhan complained and decided on the spot to kill the SriLankan national.”

    She shared a picture of the two men who claimed to be part of the lynch mob and complained against the manager and then “dragged him out to burn him to death, and are using Tehreek Labbaik’s violence inciting narrative to justify why they did it”.

     Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar have termed the incident as “horrific”. Buzdar has also instructed IG Police to investigate the incident.

    A-list actress Mahira Khan has expressed her grief and shock at the shocking incident on Twitter. The Raees diva tagged PM Imran Khan and asked him to provide an answer for this.

    READ MORE: ‘A failure, killing middle class, shame’: Mathira lashes out at Imran Khan

  • 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.”

     

  • ‘Who pressured you to sentence Nawaz Sharif and said that Khan needs to be in power?’: Maryam asks ex-CJP Nisar

    ‘Who pressured you to sentence Nawaz Sharif and said that Khan needs to be in power?’: Maryam asks ex-CJP Nisar

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, in a heated press conference in Islamabad, called upon former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar and asked him to come forth and tell the nation the truth.

    “Come forth, tell the nation who pressurised you?” Maryam Nawaz

    “Whether today or tomorrow, you will have to tell the nation the truth. There is still time. Come forth, tell the nation who pressured you to sentence Nawaz Sharif if it was unwarranted? Who pressured you to sentence Maryam Nawaz, if it was without merit. And who told you that [Prime Minister (PM)] Imran Khan needs to be brought to power?”

    “If Nawaz didn’t deserve the punishment, then why did you play with the justice system? You were sitting in the highest forum and why could you not refuse orders to convict Nawaz Sharif?”

    Maryam also asked Nisar why he allowed himself to be “forced to take an unconstitutional and illegal [step]”.

    “You will have to answer all this,” said Maryam.

    “After the TV channel said that [Nisar’s] audio had been pieced together to create the clip, Nisar too stepped forth to agree. So the TV channel deserves thanks,” Maryam Nawaz

    Addressing the media coverage regarding the leaked audio, without naming the channel, Maryam said that earlier Nisar denied any connection with the clip and said that it is not him who can be heard in the audio.

    “After the TV channel said that his [Nisar’s] audio had been pieced together from two of his previous speeches to create the alleged audio, he [Nisar] too stepped forth to agree,” said Maryam, adding, “So the TV channel that led to his [Nisar’s] admission of his voice being part of the clip deserves some thanks.”

    Addressing the TV channel directly, Maryam questioned the choice of the channel to omit specific bits from the audio clip that are the “real crux of the matter”.

    She also added that those words are the “charge sheet against Saqib Nisar” and demanded to know which speech those bits are from then.

    “So the bits that you like are his voice and the parts that you do not, are not his voice?” she asked.

    “Audio clips and videos may be material, but Justice Siddiqui is very much alive, he must be inquired about his allegations,” Maryam Nawaz

    “Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui also made a startling statement, while [former accountability judge] Arshad Malik was punished for speaking the truth,” Maryam said, adding that although the two judges had been punished, “nobody dared to come forward to provide justice to Nawaz Sharif.”

    She demanded that the parties involved in the Justice Siddiqui scandal be summoned in court, made to stand in the witness box and a sworn testimony be taken from them.

    Maryam said that audio clips and videos may be material that one can be skeptical about “but Justice Siddiqui is very much alive and he must be inquired about his allegations”.

    “Fifth testimony in favour of Nawaz Sharif”: Maryam Nawaz

    “You (Nisar) will have to give its answer to the people. Leave the audio, leave [the former top] Gilgit-Baltistan judge’s affidavit, and the statements of former judges and FIA’s Bashir Memon. This is the fifth testimony in favour of Nawaz Sharif. Will the nation forget these testimonies? Can you deny that an elected prime minister (Nawaz Sharif) was removed from power unjustly?”

    She continued: “There is no proof against me and I was [sentenced to prison] for seven years. Now National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has no evidence to furnish in the IHC (Islamabad High Court).”

    She said it was “ridiculous” that Nisar was not saying anything in his defence, while government ministers were defending the ex-CJP “haphazardly”.

    “Imran Khan never called a meeting to discuss inflation, but after the audio leak he called a meeting,” Maryam Nawaz

    “[PM] Imran Khan never called a meeting to discuss inflation, but after the audio leak he called a meeting asking his party men to discuss the PML-N tenure in public,” she alleged, saying the ministers and the premier were actually saving themselves “because they know they will suffer badly once Saqib Nisar is proved guilty”.

    “Saqib Nisar get a forensic audit conducted, face the law and build a dam from the money he gets after winning the case,” Maryam Nawaz

    “I want Saqib Nisar to get a forensic audit conducted, face the law and build a dam from the money he gets after winning the case,” she said, calling upon the judiciary “not to bear the burden of someone whose truth is now out”.

    Stressing politicians’ responsibility to protect the prestige of the judiciary, the PML-N leader stated: “Judiciary is bigger than these individuals. We don’t want to take matters beyond a certain point [and] the judiciary should clear its name itself.”

    She then quoted former chief justice Asif Saeed Khosa as writing in the Panama Papers case judgment that “Behind every great fortune, there is a crime,” and said: “The crime and conspiracy that took place before the 2018 elections are also exposed before everyone now.”

  • PM Khan wins Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award

    PM Khan wins Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award

    Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has won the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award.

    PM Khan has been given the award for his contribution to sports, including leading Pakistan cricket team to win the 1992 Cricket World Cup. He was declared International Sports Personality.

    The ceremony to announce the winners of the eleventh edition of the MBR Creative Sports Award – the largest such award in terms of prize money and categories, and the first dedicated to creativity in sports – was held on Monday at Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest pool, in the presence of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

    Taking to Twitter, Senator Faisal Javed Khan shared the news of PM Khan’s achievement, saying: “PM Imran Khan wins prestigious Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award for his contribution to sports. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Award honors individuals with remarkable achievements in their lives & contributions globally.”

  • ‘Jis mulq me’: Salman Saqib slams PM Imran Khan’s electronic voting announcement, Areeba reacts

    ‘Jis mulq me’: Salman Saqib slams PM Imran Khan’s electronic voting announcement, Areeba reacts

    Earlier this week, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that electronic voting is the only way to ensure transparency and prevent rigging in the elections, a statement from the PM Office said Thursday.

    Actor Salman Saqib took to his Instagram stories to slam this decision by the PM.

    The Chupke Chupke star stated that in a country where the electoral petrol pumps are a scam, how can then the digital voting process be transparent?

    Actress Areeba Habib liked Salman’s post hinting at her support to his statement.

    PM Khan made these comments during a meeting in Islamabad, where he was briefed on the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the electoral process.

    PM Khan further said that overseas Pakistanis are an asset for Pakistan and they would definitely be involved in the electoral process.

    “Overseas Pakistanis are an asset of the country, they must be involved in the election process. Electoral reforms, electronic voting, and voting process for overseas Pakistanis should be completed soon,” he instructed the concerned officials.

    On June 10, the National Assembly had passed the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, which pertains to fair, free and transparent election through the utilisation of technology and modern gadgets.

    However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed severe concerns over some clauses in the electoral reforms bill passed by the National Assembly, including voting rights for overseas Pakistanis as well as use of EVMs, and has assessed that many proposed amendments may violate constitutional requirements, reports Dawn.

    ECP says the right of vote to overseas Pakistanis cannot be given till the required legislation by parliament is made regarding various practical aspects, including whether they should have extra seats in the Assembly, what kind of procedure should be adopted for them to vote, etc.

    ECP says the use of EVMs cannot be adopted till it is determined whether these machines are capable of conducting free and fair elections; whether they can operate in conditions of hot weather, load-shedding, etc.; how the accuracy, secrecy, and transparency of votes can be ensured; and whether without proper testing, the ECP can ensure free and fair elections with these machines.