Tag: PMO

  • LHC orders PM office to stop intelligence agencies from contacting judges

    LHC orders PM office to stop intelligence agencies from contacting judges

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to instruct all intelligence agencies not to contact any member of the judiciary.

    Justice Shahid Karim issued a four-page written interim order on Saturday in the Sargodha’s ATC judge harassment case.

    On June 12, the LHC Chief Justice took notice of the incident based on the complaint of District & Sessions Judge (D&SJ) Muhammad Abbas, who said he faced harassment from an ISI official because he refused to meet in his chambers.

    The suo motu notice was taken by former LHC chief justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan on the ATC judge’s complaint. However, Justice Karim took over the proceedings after Shahzad Ahmad’s elevation to the Supreme Court.

    The written order states that no agency should “approach or contact” a judge, whether of the superior or subordinate judiciary, or any member of their staff in the future.

    Justice Karim also said that the judges of ATC across Punjab are directed to download a call recording application to record all the calls they receive.

  • ‘First army chief to be appointed on merit in Pakistan’: PM Shehbaz lends support to COAS Munir

    ‘First army chief to be appointed on merit in Pakistan’: PM Shehbaz lends support to COAS Munir

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, in a series of tweets, has lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, slamming his criticism of the establishment and current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

    Calling out Khan, Shehbaz Sharif wrote, “PTI’s disgusting smear campaign against COAS Munir at the behest of Imran Niazi is deserving of the strongest condemnation”, adding that “Khan is going to the extent of damaging the country and undermining our armed forces and their leadership.”

    In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz strongly condemned the “vile campaign” against the Pakistan army and COAS Munir and called on overseas Pakistanis to raise their voice against it.

    Referring to the COAS as the “first army chief to be appointed on merit in Pakistan”, Shehbaz Sharif stressed that such a campaign could only be the agenda of the enemies of the country.

    He said that “toxic politics” was being spread through overseas Pakistanis.

    The premier called on patriotic Pakistanis living abroad to raise their voices against the “foreign-funded campaign” and not become a part of such conspiracies.

    In response, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said the statement is only to create distance between the people and the army so “PDM can continue looting”.

    On the behalf of the party, he clarfied that the party wishes well to the army chief.

    A day earlier, hundreds of Pakistanis Americans gathered outside the White House, in the United States (US) to demand an end to the government’s actions against Imran.

    During the demonstration, one of the protesters said that the “establishment must realise its mistake”.

    On March 3, the PTI chief said that he is ready to hold talks with the COAS for the sake of the country, claiming that the army chief considers Imran his enemy.

  • ‘Zero tolerance’; PM warns terrorists

    Amid rising terror attacks, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan will adopt the policy of zero-tolerance against terrorists.

    From his account on Twitter, the Premier said that the National Security Committee (NSC) has come up with two major decisions, which include adopting a zero-tolerance policy against terrorists and forming a roadmap to revive the economy of Pakistan.

    A day earlier, the second round of the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting reiterated a “zero tolerance” policy for terrorism in the country, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

    A press release issued by the PMO after the meeting’s conclusion said the NSC reaffirmed its determination to take on “any and all entities that resort to violence”, adding that any violence would be dealt with the “full force of the state”.

    On December 30, 2022, the forum vowed to respond firmly to resurgent terrorism in the country and declared militants as “enemies of Pakistan”.

    On the other hand, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that Afghanistan’s soil is being used against Pakistan despite an agreement with the Taliban government.

    During Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, the minister urged the Taliban to fulfill commitments made in the Doha deal.

    “The Pakistani government is in constant touch with Afghanistan in connection with border violations”, he said.

    Over the past few months, the law and order situation in the country has worsened, with terrorist groups like the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) executing attacks across the country.

  • ‘Siyasat mein mudakhlat ghair aaini hai’: General Bajwa

    ‘Siyasat mein mudakhlat ghair aaini hai’: General Bajwa

    In his last address as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa paid tribute to the martyrs of the country before launching into a speech laden with admissions and omissions.

    Speaking at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the outgoing army chief said, “Today, on the Defence and Martyrs Day, I am giving an address as the army chief for the last time.” Before beginning his address, he apologised for the delay in the Defence and Martyrs’ day ceremony due to devastating floods across the country.

    He began by paying tribute to those who lost their lives by saying: “Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the martyrs who are the pride of Pakistan while acknowledging the patience of their bereaved families.” He also reassured them that the army will continue to fulfill their financial needs.

    During his address, he also stressed that the basic job of the armed forces is to protect the geographical boundaries of the countries.

    However, in the second part of the speech, COAS Bajwa spoke about political matters.

    Tacitly admitting to a longstanding charge, the COAS said that the Pakistan army is “often subjected to criticism” and the reason was the army’s involvement in politics.

    Reiterating what Director General ISI General Nadeem Anjum had said before, General Bajwa insisted once again that the army will not interfere in politics.

    “Pichlay saal February mein faisla kiya kai ab siyasat mein mudakhalat nahin hogi. Fauj ki siyasat mein mudakhlat ghair aaini hai,” he said. (Last year in February, we decided not to interfere in politics. Army’s interference in politics is unconstitutional.)

    “I assure you we are strictly adamant on this and will remain so,” he said.

    In what seemed like a criticism of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, General Bajwa said that a false narrative was built and a campaign was started against the Pakistan army.

    ‘Kya ap ko lagta hai ke mulk mei foriegn conspiracy ho aur hum chup rahy’: General Bajwa

    Talking about Imran Khan’s claims of his government being ousted because of US interference, General Bajwa asked, “Was it possible for the army to remain silent if there was a foreign conspiracy?”

    “Had this been the case, it would have been the most heinous sin on our end,” he emphasised, pointing out that the army could’ve replied but didn’t for the sake of Pakistan.

    ‘Inappropriate and undignified language was used against us’: General Bajwa

    Without naming Khan, who has at various times termed the institution “neutral”, “janwar”, “Mir Sadiq”, and “Mir Jafar”, the army chief said that instead of welcoming the military’s decision to stay away from politics, “many sectors used very inappropriate and undignified language while making the army the target of severe criticism. To criticise the army is the right of political parties and the people, but they should select their language carefully,” he added.

    ‘Calling governments’ selected and imported is wrong’: General Bajwa

    Gen Bajwa also said that political parties started criticising the army after the 2018 general elections when Khan’s government was labelled as “selected” and following the successful vote of no confidence this year, the incumbent administration is being labelled as “imported”.

    “We need to reject this behaviour,” he stressed while adding that every party will have to develop the strength to accept its victory as well as defeat.

    He said that the next government which will be formed after elections should be known as elected.

    ‘Political parties should reflect on their behaviour’: COAS

    Emphasizing on reconciliation, General Bajwa said that the army had initiated its process of “catharsis” and expected that political parties would follow suit as well and reflect on their behaviour. “This is the reality, mistakes have been made by every institution, including political parties and civil society. The army has started its catharsis, and I hope political parties will also reflect on their behaviour,” he said.

    Calling the 1971 debacle that ended with the country being split into two, a “political failure” the COAS said that the creation of Bangladesh was not a military failure.

    The COAS said that lessons should be learned from such mistakes so the nation could move forward.

    In the last part of his address, he hoped that political stakeholders would set aside their egos, learn from past mistakes, move forward and take Pakistan out of this crisis. He stressed the need for the nation to shed intolerance and adopt a “true democratic culture”.

    Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that it has finally received the summary from the Ministry of Defence with a list of names of the candidates for the new COAS and the chairman joint chief of staff committee (CJCSC).

    General Bajwa is set to retire on November 29 after six years in office. He was appointed in 2016 by then-PM Nawaz Sharif and later granted an additional three-year extension in 2019 by former PM Imran Khan.

  • Bye bye Bajwa: PM gets names of next army chief nomination, decision awaited

    Bye bye Bajwa: PM gets names of next army chief nomination, decision awaited

    The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has confirmed on Wednesday that it has finally received the summary from the Ministry of Defence with a list of names of the candidates for the appointment of the new chief of army staff (COAS) and the chairman joint chief of staff committee (CJCSC).

    “Prime Minister [Shehbaz Sharif] will take a decision on the appointments as per the laid down procedure,” the brief statement read.

    Military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement confirming the development late last night.

    “GHQ has forwarded the summary for selection of CJCSC and COAS, containing names of 6 senior most Lt Gens, to MoD,” said the ISPR in its tweet.

    It is believed that the six men currently in the running to be the next chief of army staff are (in order of seniority) Lt Gen Asim Munir (currently Quarter Master General), Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza (Commander 10 Corps), Lt Gen Azhar Abbas (Chief of General Staff), Lt Gen Nauman Mehmood (NDU Presi­dent), Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (Commander Baha­walpur Corps), and Lt Gen Mohammad Aamer (Com­mander Gujranwala Corps).

    Khawaja Asif, Minister for Defence, said Monday that the notification for the appointment of the next chief of army staff (COAS) would be issued by November 26 before the end of the tenure of the outgoing chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa – who retires on November 29.

    The summary itself and the delay in its dispatch from GHQ has been the subject of much speculation as General Bajwa’s retirement date looms near.

  • PM Shehbaz announces Rs5 million for families of victims in PTI’s long march

    PM Shehbaz announces Rs5 million for families of victims in PTI’s long march

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has announced a compensatory amount of Rs5 million (Rs50 lac) for the families of each victim who died during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ongoing long march.

    In a tweet, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, said that the PM has directed authorities to immediately complete the procedure and deliver the cheques to the families of the victims.

    A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said: “The Prime Minister, while expressing his grief over the tragic deaths during the recent long march of a political party, has been pleased to announce financial assistance of Rs.5 million each in favour of legal heirs of the deceased.”

    According to the PMO statement, the compensation would be extended to the next of kin of Moazzam Gondal, Sadaf Naeem, Samir Nawaz, and Hassam Baloch. Three of the four victims lost their lives after they were run over by PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s container and one was killed in the Wazirabad shooting where the PTI chief was attacked.

    “The Prime Minister has further been pleased to direct that the cheque(s) of financial assistance shall be handed over to the families of the deceased persons immediately after completing the procedural requirements,” the statement reads.

  • PTI to form JIT to determine intelligence agency behind ‘bugging’ PM House and audio leaks: Khan

    PTI to form JIT to determine intelligence agency behind ‘bugging’ PM House and audio leaks: Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday said that his party intends to approach courts over the matter of audio leaks and will seek the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe which intelligence agency is involved in the “bugging” of the Prime Minister House and Office.

    Khan took to Twitter and said, “The Audio Leaks are a serious breach of national security as they call into question the entire security of the PMO, PMH. As PM my secure line at my residence was also bugged. We intend to go to Court to estab authenticity of Leaks & then form JIT to investigate which Intel agency is responsible for the bugging & who is leaking out the audios many of which are edited/doctored.” [sic]

    “This is critical bec sensitive security issues are & have been illegally recorded & subsequently hacked, implying confidentiality of Pak’s national security has been exposed globally,” [sic] said Khan.

    The comments made by the former premier in the purported audio suggested that it was recorded before the voting on the no-confidence motion was held against him.

    Khan said that it is a critical matter as “sensitive security issues are and have been illegally recorded and subsequently hacked”, which implies that the confidentiality of the country’s national security has been “exposed” globally. 

    The federal cabinet has already formed a committee to investigate the breach of security. 

  • ‘Imran Niazi lies day and night, he is a fraud’: PM Shehbaz

    ‘Imran Niazi lies day and night, he is a fraud’: PM Shehbaz

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif Thursday called out Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, terming him the “biggest fraudster”.

    “I can swear to God he [Khan] is a fraudster and has tried to create rifts in important institutions of Pakistan,” he said while addressing a press conference.

    “I’m finally saying this today that the entire Opposition has been vindicated by God. And Imran Khan — who lies day and night — is a fraudster […] he had isolated the nation and played with it. He attacked the army and tried to create divisions,” the Premier said, mincing no words.

    Shehbaz stated that the government wanted to show Imran’s “true face” to the nation. “The decision will be taken by you through the vote,” he reminded the public.

    Recalling the no-confidence motion

    Narrating the incidents that happened during the time of the no-confidence motion back in April, the premier said, “Let’s go back to April 3 when voting was to be held on the no-confidence motion and everybody knows the incidents that took place on that day. But I just want to narrate what exactly happened on that day.”

    “I just want to tell you what happened that day. Before the voting [of the no-trust vote], the information minister at that time (Fawad Chaudhry) stood up and read a statement saying that a conspiracy was devised against the government […] its links were with a foreign power and the Opposition has brought about this motion.”

    “On this, Suri sahab refused to allow the voting process to take place without even taking the Opposition into confidence,” PM Shehbaz went on to say, adding that the “hues and cries of the Opposition were ignored.”

    Within no time, Imran came on television and announced the dissolution of National Assembly (NA). “Twenty minutes later, the president approved the summary.”

    This was the basis of the conspiracy that Imran has been playing along with for the past five months and wasting the nation’s time, PM Shehbaz said. “Due to this game, Pakistan’s relations with the biggest powers of the world have been compromised,” he insisted.

    He recalled that “baseless allegations” were levelled at several government leaders during this time. “You can say whatever you want, but calling someone a traitor […] there is no bigger conspiracy than it.

    “On the floor of the NA, I said that if God forbid this conspiracy was proved against me or the coalition, then the nation has the right to hang me.”

    Taking a jibe at President Dr Arif Alvi, the premier said that the president who takes days and weeks to approve summaries, including the one regarding the appointment of governor Punjab, passed the summary regarding the dissolution of assemblies within 20 minutes.

    ‘Cipher can’t be decoded’

    The premier said that the cipher — which Imran claims contains details of a foreign conspiracy to oust him from power — can’t be decoded by the government.

    “If it is, then all the cables from all embassies can be leaked or stolen,” he reasoned.

    “Imran himself doesn’t know where it is.But his audio leaks have proven that there were four people behind the so-called conspiracy. What other evidence do you need,” he demanded.

    The PM also revealed that the cabinet had decided to probe the audio leaks, adding that an investigation into the matter had already begun. “We will tell the nation [the findings] with complete transparency.”

    Audio leaks have revealed Khan’s truth

    Referring to the recent audio leaks, the premier said, “He can be heard saying that this is a game […] they can be heard saying that minutes of the meeting should be made up according to their wish.

    “The country’s honour was sabotaged in such a manner that no such example is found in history […] this is nothing less than treason,” Shehbaz said, claiming that Imran played a “serious game with the country”.

    “Tell me, is there any doubt after this that who was behind the conspiracy,” he asked.

    Shehbaz said that two days after the PMO audio leaks, an ambassador from a friendly country came to meet him at the Prime Minister’s Office. “I had a discussion with him after which he highlighted that now no one would feel safe talking at the PMO.”

    This, he continued, was not just a huge loss for the government but a loss that the nation would have to bear for decades to come.

    Khan tried to divide the armed forces of Pakistan

    PM Shehbaz also alleged that Khan tried to divide the armed forces of Pakistan.

    “The army has rendered great and unparalleled sacrifices,” he said.

    Indirectly referring to a business deal worth £190 million, the premier termed it the “biggest robbery in the history of the country”.

    “A million pounds means around Rs5 billion have been robbed,” he added.

    ‘Army chief’s appointment as per Constitution’

    The prime minister asserted that the appointment of the next army chief in November,will be done as per the Constitution.

    “It [the appointment] has a process in the law and Constitution and the decision will be taken according to that.”

    Country will be destroyed if Khan comes to power again

    PM Shehbaz warned that if Khan once again comes into power, the “country will be destroyed”. The premier further added that the PTI chief has time and again defamed Pakistan.

    “Is telling lies, committing frauds, and hatching conspiracies his [Khan’s] patriotism and leadership?” he asked, adding that a person who says he is perfect dies his own death.

    “I am a sinner but I will never lie to the nation,” he said, adding that if he lies, the nation can hold him accountable.

    ‘Mian he will bring prosperity along with him’

    Shedding light on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return, he said: “When Mian will come, he will bring prosperity along with him.”

  • Committee formed to investigate stolen cipher from PM House

    The federal cabinet announced the formation of a committee to probe the diplomatic cipher that it was said has been ‘stolen’ from the records of the Prime Minister’s House, a statement issued by the premier’s office said.

    “The meeting was told that although there is a record of the receipt of the cipher sent to the former premier at the Prime Minister’s House, its copy is not available in the record,” said the statement. As per the law, the cable is property of the Prime Minister’s House, it added.

    The statement said that the meeting termed the ‘theft’ of the letter a serious matter and, following a detailed consultation, the cabinet formed a special committee to launch an investigation.

    The committee will recommend what legal action the government should take against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the then principal secretary to prime minister Azam Khan, and former ministers.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Khan was ousted from power in a vote of no-confidence, however, the former Prime Minister has alleged that his government had received a threatening letter and that a foreign conspiracy was behind this.

  • Imran asks ‘neutrals’ who is responsible for PMO audio leaks?

    Imran asks ‘neutrals’ who is responsible for PMO audio leaks?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Friday asked the “neutrals” — the term he uses for the military establishment — who was responsible for the security breach at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

    “I ask them [neutrals] that the audio leaks of the Prime Minister Office […] if the security of the Prime Minister Office has been breached […] this means that our enemies have our sensitive information,” Imran said in a speech at Edwardes College in Peshawar today. “Who is responsible for this,” he asked.

    “I ask the protectors today […] if robbers are looting a house, can the guards say that they are neutral? What will the residents say? That the house is being looted but the guards say they are neutral,” Imran said, claiming that Pakistan, too, was being “looted” today.

    Responding to Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz said, ““The massive security breach you have done sitting in the PMO with your secretary and followers, even the biggest enemies of Pakistan couldn’t compete with it,” she tweeted.

    “A foreign-funded evil mind has been playing with the destiny of the country for the past four years and has the nerve to do that same today,” Maryam added.

    Khan’s comments come in relevance to his audio leaks related to the cipher and the foreign conspiracy.