Tag: PMLN

  • COAS Bajwa is making farewell visits, is he really going to retire?

    COAS Bajwa is making farewell visits, is he really going to retire?

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Sialkot and Mangla garrisons to bid farewell to various formations, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

    The head of the armed forces met officers and men at both locations and addressed the troops even as speculations raged about whether the Chief will ask for or be offered an extension of tenure.

    At the garrison, General Bajwa appreciated the formations for their excellent performance during various operations, training, and natural calamities. Moreover, he also advised them to keep serving the nation with zeal and commitment regardless of circumstances.

    According to the military’s media wing, on his arrival in Sialkot, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Muhammad Aamer and by Lieutenant General Ayman Bilal Safdar at Mangla garrison.

    Earlier this week, COAS Bajwa visited Peshawar Corps Headquarters where he urged officers to stay focused on their professional duties and serve the nation. A few weeks ago, the army chief also took the top military commanders into confidence about his retirement plan.

    Last month, during an informal talk at the National Defence University (NDU) the COAS reportedly stated that he would retire on the due date—November 29. The statement however did not quell rumors about an extension in his service tenure.

    Qamar Javed Bajwa is set to retire after six years in office. He was appointed in 2016 by then-Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and later granted an additional three-year extension in 2019 by former PM Imran Khan.

    It has been reported this week that suggestions were made to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) by “certain elements” to convince the COAS to continue as the head of the armed forces.

    Some reports suggested that the government was told to give an extension to the incumbent army chief, and dissolve the government so that an interim government could be formed which would then continue for six to seven months.

    The Chief’s farewell visits might now finally put all speculation to rest.

  • Sharif brothers agree on resisting PTI pressure: reports

    Sharif brothers agree on resisting PTI pressure: reports

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif agreed not to succumb under Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) pressure, especially on their Chairman Imran Khan’s key demand of early elections, reports Geo News.

    The Premier, who is currently in London, had a meeting that lasted for over three hours with only Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz, Suleman Sharif, Hasan and Hussain Nawaz and a few other family members present. No one from the party was asked to join the meeting.

    Nawaz told Shehbaz to “continue doing his best to take Pakistan out of the economic crisis” and “not succumb to any kind of pressure”.

    According to the news report, when Shehbaz Sharif was asked if he will be discussing the appointment of the next army chief with his sibling, the PM said: “I have come today to meet my elder brother and my family. I am meeting them and their children after a long time.”

    After the end of the meeting, he was again pressed as to when the next chief of army staff will be appointed but the PM dodged the question, stating instead that the meeting was a family get together with and said: “ my brother, my nieces, my nephews and rest of the family too. We had lunch, gup shup and congratulations to all of you on Pakistan’s (cricket) win.”

    This visit to London is the third such trip since Shehbaz became prime minister in April. Sharif’s visit to London comes two weeks before the end of General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure. The army chief is set to retire on November 29.

    It has been reported that Shehbaz will consult Nawaz on the appointment of the Pakistan army chief.

  • Suggestions are being made to govt to let COAS Bajwa continue

    Suggestions are being made to govt to let COAS Bajwa continue

    Suggestions are being made to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) by “certain elements” to convince Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to continue as the head of the armed forces, reports The News.

    According to the newspaper’s sources, a suggestion was given to the government to give an extension to the incumbent army chief, and dissolve the government so that an interim government could form which would then continue for six to seven months.

    However, it has been reported that the party has said “no” to these options. PM Shehbaz and his senior party leadership insist on completing the term of the present assemblies and holding the next elections in October-November 2023. According to the party, the appointment of the COAS is at the discretion of the Premier and key military appointments would be made as per the law and Constitution.

    It is pertinent to mention that COAS Bajwa is set to retire by the end of November, a time frame that he has reportedly verbally confirmed multiple times.

    It was also reported a few weeks ago that Imran Khan, former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been seeking the continuation of the incumbent army chief until the new elections are called.

    In an interview with Kamran Khan on Dunya News, Khan suggested that COAS Bajwa, be given an extension in his tenure of service.

    Talking about the possibility of appointing a new Army Chief, Khan said, “There can be a provision in relevance to the selection of the new COAS. When the next government comes, they can appoint a new COAS.”

  • ‘PM Shehbaz visiting Khan is under discussion’: Rana Sanaullah

    ‘PM Shehbaz visiting Khan is under discussion’: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has once again strongly condemned the assassination attempt on former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan which took place on November 3 in Wazirabad during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.

    In a press conference, the minister called the incident an act of “religious extremism”. However, he was of the view that “PTI’s attitude towards the incident is also regrettable and condemnable.”

    He revealed that so far four deaths have been reported due to the unfortunate incident, adding that PM Shehbaz Sharif has announced compensation for the people who have lost their lives.

    He said that the federal government has asked the Punjab government to form a Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

    He, further said that “we consider Khan a political opponent and not an enemy, but he [Khan] considers us his enemies.”

    About the accusations made by the PTI chief, implicating Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah himself and Major General Faisal Naseer of plotting the assassination attempt, the Interior Minister said that it is “very saddening” that Khan has named people without any investigation or proof.

    Talking about the alleged confession video of the shooter, the minister said that the allegations levelled by him are extremely alarming.

    The minister also hinted at the possibility of PM Shehbaz visiting Imran Khan to inquire about his health.

    “If the environment gets better, PM Shehbaz might visit Khan but right now we have been blamed. So the discussion is under consideration, PM Shehbaz will decide this matter,” he stated.

  • ‘Deny Imran face saving’: Nawaz instructs Shehbaz

    ‘Deny Imran face saving’: Nawaz instructs Shehbaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Monday prohibited his younger brother, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, from accepting the demands of Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Taking to Twitter, Nawaz taunted Imran Khan for the relatively sparse crowds in the march. “The one who claimed to bring one million people out on the streets couldn’t even manage to gather 2,000 workers,” the former Prime Minister wrote.

    He said that he has instructed PM Shehbaz not to bow before Khan’s demands at any cost. “Whether he instigates a mob of 2,000 people or 20,000 people, neither to listen to any demand of this fitna (rabble-rouser) nor to give him any chance to save face.”

    He added that the prime minister should “focus all of his energy on serving the public”.

    Nawaz went on to say that ever since Khan’s lies have been exposed, the nation has become apathetic to his narrative. “He told one lie after another so brutally and brazenly that the DG ISI [Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum] was forced to break his silence and tell the truth to the nation”.

    He said that despite the passage of many days, Khan could not come up with a clarification. “That is why all his emphasis is habitually limited to swearing.”

    On the other hand, Imran Khan, in an interview has said , “Let them impose martial law.” On the fourth day of his long march, his statement was addressed to the establishment in reply to a question asked by journalist Imran Riaz Khan.

    “Impose martial law. If they want to impose, It doesn’t affect me,” said Khan.

    Khan further added that the current political scenario in the country was worst than former President and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Pervez Musharraf’s martial law. Khan added that when PTI leaders Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gill were tortured they were told that, “Imran would face the same.”

  • PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq appointed as the new law minister

    PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq appointed as the new law minister

    Ayaz Sadiq, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader and incumbent federal minister for Economic Affairs, has been appointed as the new Federal Minister of Law and Justice.

    In an official allocation notice, it is stated, “In terms of rule 3(4) of the Rules of Business, 1973, the Prime Minister has been pleased to allocate the portfolio of Law and Justice to Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the federal Minister for Economic Affairs, with immediate effect.”

    The development has come a week after the unexpected and dramatic resignation of Azam Nazeer Tarar as the law minister.

    Sadiq began his career with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and joined PML-N in 2001. He has been elected twice for the slot of National Assembly (NA) speaker. He was also the acting President of Pakistan in 2014.

    Azam Nazeer Tarar steps down as law minister, citing ‘personal reason’

    On October 24, Federal Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar resigned from his post for “personal reasons”.

    In his resignation letter, addressed to President Dr Arif Alvi, Tarar wrote: “I have had the great honour and privilege to serve my country as the Federal Minister for Law and Justice under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”

    Citing the reason for his resignation, the PML-N leader said, “Due to personal reasons, I am unable to discharge my duties as the federal minister”.

    “Therefore, in terms of Clause (3) of Article 92 of the Constitution of the Republic of Pakistan, I hereby resign from my office,” his resignation letter added.

    Prior to this, Tarar supported Chief Justice (CJ) Umar Ata Bandial’s nominations of junior judges for elevation to the Supreme Court on the instructions of the federal government.

    However, it was being speculated that he was not comfortable with the government’s decision, therefore, he decided to tender his resignation, reports Express Tribune.

    Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ahsan Bhoon welcomed Tarar’s resignation. He said that Tarar showed loyalty to the party by following the government’s instruction, but he stood with the bar by resigning.

    Moreover, some media reports said that some powerful circles were upset at the sloganeering during the Asma Jahangir Conference the other day, in his presence. This resignation is seen in the context of that episode.

    Tarar is a senior PML-N leader, a lawyer, and a bar representative who assumed the responsibilities of Federal Minister for Law and Justice in April 2022.

  • Rana Sanaullah shares alleged audio of PTI’s Gandapur talking about bringing guns during long march

    Rana Sanaullah shares alleged audio of PTI’s Gandapur talking about bringing guns during long march

    During a press conference on Saturday, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah played an audio purportedly of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Amin Gandapur in which the PTI leader can be heard talking about bringing guns and men to the long march.

    In the audio clip, a man believed to be Gandapur is heard asking an unidentified person named “Asad Ali” about the number of available guns and individuals.

    Citing the audio, Sanaullah alleged that the PTI intends to spread “violence” and “chaos” during its long march to Islamabad.

    He further claimed that as per initial investigations, details of this conversation have been secured by the ministry, however, he refused to reveal the identity of the unknown person allegedly speaking to the PTI leader.

    Sanaullah said that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) should immediately arrest Gandapur and the unknown person.

    The script of the audio goes as follows:

    Asad Khan: Yes, Ali Khan?

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Mr president, what’s the position?

    Asad Khan: Sir, the position is A-one, what about you?

    Ali Amin Gandapur: How many guns are there?

    Asad Khan: There are several.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: License?

    Asad Khan: There are several licenses also.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Men?

    Asad Khan: There will be as many men as required, sir.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Okay. We are camping here in a nearby colony.

    Asad Khan: Yes.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: What is the nearest place here at the end here? Which colony is adjacent to it?

    Asad Khan: At ours?

    Ali Amin Gandapur: At the border… at the border… at the Islamabad-Pindi border.

    Asad Khan: Top [City] is also there, Capital is also there. There are several.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Top is at the airport.

    Asad Khan: Top is on the airport’s side, right… I sent you the entire map.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: I received it, I have it. You just keep the men and equipment ready there.

    Asad Khan: Sir, no problem, Insha’Allah.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Just stay in contact then, Insha’Allah.

    Asad Khan: Okay sir, Insha’Allah.

  • ‘Long March will be dealt with iron hands’: PML-N leaders and ministers react to Khan’s long march

    ‘Long March will be dealt with iron hands’: PML-N leaders and ministers react to Khan’s long march

    After Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday announced that his long march will commence from Friday, federal ministers and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders came forward, stating that the government will deal strongly with the marchers who are planning to come to Islamabad.

    Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said that the long march was announced because Khan wants National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to escape punishment in the foreign funding and Toshakhana cases.

    PML-N leader and former federal minister Abid Sher Ali said that, “The government will deal with the long march with iron hands. There is no leniency for certified thieves”.

    Meanwhile, PML-N leader and former Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Khan can do whatever he wants but the government is not going anywhere. “Imran Khan may launch a long march or do as he wishes, the government will remain as it is,” he stressed.

    While speaking on the Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath‘ he said that neither politics nor democracy will survive in the country if a tradition takes hold to overthrow the government through long marches.

    He posed a question: “Why does a long march take place whenever bilateral relations with China get off the ground?” Moreover, he mentioned that the last time when the long march was announced, Chinese President Xi Jinping was set to visit Pakistan.

    It is pertinent to mention here that in 2014, President Xi had to call off his scheduled visit to Pakistan because of the political unrest in the country caused by long march in the federal capital. At the time, the Chinese ambassador had even approached Khan to suspend his protest for a few days in order to allow the visit to take place. However, he refused.

    On October 25, Khan announced his party’s much-awaited long march. The march will begin on Friday, October 28 from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk at 11am.

  • Shahzeb Khanzada calls out Maryam Nawaz for her ‘fascist’ tweet, says she needs to apologise

    Shahzeb Khanzada calls out Maryam Nawaz for her ‘fascist’ tweet, says she needs to apologise

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s insensitive tweet about senior journalist Arshad Sharif made headlines with people from both sides of the political divide condemning the content.

    “I don’t feel good re-tweeting this but this is a lesson for mankind that we must all imbibe,” the PML-N leader wrote in a tweet along with a photo of Arshad Sharif’s coffin at the airport.

    The original tweet, retweeted by Maryam, claimed that the anchorperson used to say Nawaz Sharif had sent her late mother back home in a parcel, adding that Arshad Sharif used to make fun of other people’s death and now his time had come.

    https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/1584836576080990208?s=20&t=8K-rN6nu7wepgsk3p-A1fw

    Twitter was ablaze with not just the public but many renowned journalists condemning the act by the PML-N leader.

    After several hours, Maryam deleted her tweet and apologised on Twitter.

    Her tweet said, “My tweet was not aimed at mocking someone but about learning our lessons from the past. I am undoing the tweet and apologise for the hurt it may have caused to the aggrieved which never was my intention. May no one ever have to go through this pain. Prayers for the bereaved family.”

    Geo News’ anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada was one of those who condemned the tweet and said that it is full of vengefulness and fascism.

    He further called out the PML-N leader and said that she needs to delete the tweet and apologise because she has hurt Arshad’s family who is still waiting for the arrival of his body.

    Senior journalist Hamid Mir also corrected Maryam Nawaz by posting an old tweet of Arshad’s in which the slain journalist had wished Kulsoom Nawaz recovery when she was ill.

  • ‘No shame in going down while putting up a valiant fight’: Politicians react to Pakistan’s defeat

    ‘No shame in going down while putting up a valiant fight’: Politicians react to Pakistan’s defeat

    After a nail-biting match, the Indian cricket team managed to defeat Pakistan by four wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

    A crucial partnership between Indian master batsman Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya sailed India to victory. Before Pandya’s (40) dismissal, he and Kohli (82) shared scored 113 runs off 78 balls.

    At the end of the match, India stood at 160 with the loss of eight wickets. Kohli was awarded the Man of The Match award.

    On Pakistan’s side, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets each, while Naseem Shah was able to get one.

    While there is disappointment over the Green shirts’ defeat, Pakistani politicians have come forward to support them.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif praised the “brilliant effort” by the team, saying it was a “great game”.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President, Maryam Nawaz, was of the view that “there’s no shame in going down while putting up a valiant fight”.

    “The match was an absolute cliffhanger and could’ve gone anywhere. Buck up Boys and gear up for the next fight!,” she said in a tweet.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry praised Kohli who nearly scored a century. In a tweet, Chaudhry also asked the Indian PM Narendra Modi to let the Indian cricket team come to Pakistan.

    Apart from these politicians, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, PTI’s Senator Faisal Javed, PML-N’s Hina Parvez Butt, and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Saeed Ghani applauded Pakistan’s performance and wished them good luck for the upcoming T20 World Cup matches.