Tag: Press Conference

  • Social media mocks Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s version of events

    Social media mocks Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s version of events

    The internet does not believe controversial writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s version of what happened that night. 

    Controversial drama writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s kidnapping provided plenty of fodder for internet speculation. To address the rumors and the theories online, Qamar joined the Police in a press conference in which he told his version of what happened to him. At one point he said that he went to meet the woman at 4:40 am because his doctor had advised him to avoid sunlight for five years. The statement led to plenty of mirth online.

    According to investigative journalist Umar Cheema, Qamar was held for random between July 15 and July 16.

    Late at night, Qamar gets a call from a female fan who tells him that she has come from London and wants to meet him now – to which Qamar agreed. The journalist concurred that he arrived on the given location at 4:40 am. Going there, he finds out that the woman has trapped him and other members of her gang were also there. The gang kidnapped, robbed, and assaulted the writer. Qamar allegedly claimed that they also set fire to the ground near his leg to scare him.

     He also added that he had no idea that the woman would be alone at home.

    Social media has been mocking the claim of five years of abstaining from sunlight.

    Here are some tweets:

  • IMF spokesperson urges fair taxation and protection for vulnerable in Pakistan

    IMF spokesperson urges fair taxation and protection for vulnerable in Pakistan

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has emphasised that its $3 billion Standby Arrangement (SBA) programme with Pakistan serves as a critical policy framework. This framework addresses both domestic and international economic imbalances while also facilitating financial support from various donors, including the refinancing of outstanding debts.

    According to Geo, during a recent press conference held at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, Julie Kozack, the spokesperson for the global lender, fielded questions regarding the IMF’s engagement with Pakistan. These inquiries encompassed Pakistan’s request for relief and permissions within the existing agreement, specifically in relation to rising energy costs, notably electricity bills.

    In response to concerns about potential human rights implications, particularly for minority populations and the vast number of people living below the poverty line (an estimated 92 to 95 million), the IMF spokesperson emphasised that the programme received approval on July 12. It is a nine-month standby arrangement amounting to $3 billion, designed to support the economic stabilisation programme of the Pakistani government.

    The core objectives of this programme revolve around providing a policy framework to address both domestic and external economic imbalances, along with establishing a structure to secure financial support from various donors, both multilateral and bilateral. This includes securing fresh financing and addressing upcoming debt obligations.

    The IMF outlined that policy efforts are focused on implementing the fiscal year 2024 budget, formulating appropriate monetary policies to combat inflation, and continuing reforms to enhance the sustainability of the energy sector.

    These reforms are ultimately geared towards fostering higher, more inclusive, and more resilient economic growth. They also aim to bolster social development and climate resilience by strengthening public financial management, improving tax administration, and enhancing the prioritisation of public investments.

    Furthermore, these efforts are conducted in collaboration with partner institutions, not only the IMF but also the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, underscoring a collective commitment to Pakistan’s economic stability and development.

    Kozack also highlighted IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva’s strong stance on poverty and inequality. She emphasised the importance of wealthier segments of society bearing a fair tax burden, particularly in a context where Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio is notably low.

    The IMF’s commitment extends to safeguarding the interests of the poor and vulnerable members of society within the programme’s framework, aligning with the goal of achieving a more equitable and inclusive society.

  • Budget 2023-24 prioritises promoting economic growth, says Ishaq Dar

    Budget 2023-24 prioritises promoting economic growth, says Ishaq Dar

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Ishaq Dar, delivered a comprehensive assessment of the FY2023-24 budget during a post-budget press conference in Islamabad. He highlighted the distinctive nature of this budget compared to previous traditional budgets, emphasising its focus on fostering economic growth.

    Dar shared that the coalition government is committed to addressing the concerns of traders before finalising the federal budget in parliament. In order to accomplish this, he announced the formation of two committees to address business-related issues and technical matters.

    These committees, customary within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), will be established by the FBR chairman by Monday. Their purpose is to ensure comprehensive consideration of any overlooked aspects and provide a platform for individuals to voice genuine reservations.

    The finance minister refuted claims of introducing new taxes this year and emphasised the government’s efforts to provide substantial relief. He defended the allocation of Rs950 billion and Rs200 billion from the Public and Private Partnership mode, considering it a notable achievement. Dar reiterated the budget’s departure from traditional approaches, with a strong emphasis on fostering progress and economic growth.

    Dar expressed the government’s determination to rectify past economic losses by promoting employment opportunities, curbing inflation, and generating more jobs. Consequently, he anticipated a decrease in the policy interest rate.

    Read more: Govt allocates only Rs97 billion for education in budget 2023-24

    The minister projected inflation to be around 21 per cent in the upcoming fiscal year (2023-24), while estimating government expenditure at Rs14,040 billion.

    Addressing the power sector, Dar allocated over Rs1900 billion exclusively for its development. He stressed the importance of implementing necessary reforms to improve this sector. He also clarified that no new subsidies would be introduced in the renewable energy sector, despite its prominence in the budget.

    Furthermore, the minister addressed rumors regarding the withdrawal of edible oil, refuting such claims and affirming that no such action had been taken.

  • Visuals of an elderly man in anguish left us all shaken, wondering: are any of us safe?

    Visuals of an elderly man in anguish left us all shaken, wondering: are any of us safe?

    PTI Senator Azam Swati made some shocking revelations on Saturday when he broke down in front of the media while narrating how his wife was sent a private video of the couple by an unknown number. Swati said that his wife was not even able to tell him what had happened, and his daughter had to finally let him know what his wife could not. He said that after this incident, his wife, his daughter-in-law and his three granddaughters left the country.

    Swati alleged that the video was recorded when he and his wife had visited Quetta where he stayed at the Supreme Court Judicial Lodges. According to Swati, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani had arranged his stay. However, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a clarification on Sunday stating that Senator Azam Swati “never used/stayed in Supreme Court Judges Rest House at Quetta”, adding that according to the Balochistan Special Branch, Swati stayed at the Balochistan Judicial Academy (Judicial Complex Quetta), which is not under the SC’s control. Chairman Sanjrani had also issued a statement where he condemned the video and also said that he provided Swati and his wife with the best and safest accommodation as guests in Quetta.

    The visuals of an elderly Swati in tears left everyone shaken. After Swati’s press conference, there was widespread condemnation. PTI Chairman Imran Khan tweeted that he wants to apologise on behalf of Pakistan to Mrs Swati “for the pain, anguish and sense of humiliation she is having to suffer”. He requested Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to take suo motu notice of this harrowing incident. It was also encouraging to see that despite being in other political parties, PPP’s Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar condemned this violation of privacy in the strongest possible words, as did PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan, PML-N’s Miftah Ismail and Musadik Malik.

    However, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has termed the video circulating on the internet as “fake” and added that the agency has analysed the video forensically as per international forensic analysis standards and found it to be fake. In a press release, FIA stated: “Initial forensic analysis revealed that the video has been edited and different video clips have been joined with defaced faces. Further analysis revealed that faces have been swapped in the images using photoshop.” Some journalists have also alleged that Swati’s wife received a fake and edited video. Whether the video is fake or not needs to be investigated properly.

    Chairman Sanjrani formed a 14-member special to probe the alleged video. If the video is not fake, it is deeply disturbing that private videos of parliamentarians are being recorded to blackmail them.

    To violate someone’s privacy like this is disgusting and shameful to say the least. It is not as if there’s no history of recording private audios and videos in Pakistan. We are aware of how politicians, members of the judiciary, journalists, activists and many others have been blackmailed over the years due to ‘files’, ‘videos’, ‘audios’, etc. But recording a man and his wife is the lowest of the low that one can possibly imagine. But if the video turns out to be fake, it is equally worrying that at a time when emotions are high after the assassination attempt on Khan, someone sends a fake video to Swati’s wife, knowing fully well how distressing it will be for their family and lead to further political chaos. A high-level investigation must take place in order to ascertain the facts. It is important that the perpetrators must face the penalty for their horrendous act.

  • ‘Let’s appoint army chief together’: Shehbaz says Khan wanted to make a secret deal with him

    ‘Let’s appoint army chief together’: Shehbaz says Khan wanted to make a secret deal with him

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has made a claim that Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) offered to conduct talks with the government through a mutual businessman friend, reports Geo News.

    During a meet-up with vloggers in Lahore, the premier said that the PTI chief approached him a month ago and wanted to settle two issues through dialogue.

    PM Shehbaz said, “The first matter was the army chief’s appointment and the second was holding elections. However, I refused,” he stated.

    Shehbaz Sharif said that he instead offered Imran Khan a discussion on the Charter of Democracy and the Charter of Economy.

    The prime minister shared that Khan offered to send him three names for the Chief’s slot and sought three from him to appoint the next army chief. The Premier said that Khan told him through the intermediary, “Let’s appoint the army chief together.”

    “I sent a message to him [Khan] that is a constitutional duty that the prime minister has to perform,” said PM Shehbaz.

    About the press conference by Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief Nadeem Anjum, the premier said: “General Nadeem Anjum held the press conference with my permission.”

    Earlier this month, Khan himself said that COAS appointment should be on merit. “COAS should neither be my man nor someone else’s”, said Khan.

    This revelation has come at a time when the retirement date of current COAS, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, looms closer.

    General Bajwa will be completing his extended term in November this year. He was appointed to this position in 2016.

    COAS Bajwa has reiterated his promise to leave office after completing his second three-year term in November.

  • ‘Institutional desire to transition must be encouraged’: Bilawal on DG ISI’s conference

    ‘Institutional desire to transition must be encouraged’: Bilawal on DG ISI’s conference

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari commented on the explosive first-ever press conference of Director General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant (Lt) Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum.

    On his official Twitter handle, the foreign minister said that the press conference is “unprecedented and historic”, saying that his party has struggled for this for three generations.

    “Transition of establishment from controversial to the constitutional role is vital for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity. PPP has struggled for this for three generations. Press conference by DGISI and ISPR is unprecedented and historic. Institutional desire to transition must be encouraged,” Bilawal said.

    Similarly, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also commented on the rare appearance of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum, saying that this clearly conveyed to the nation that the institution intended to work within its constitutional limits.

    “The nation is witness to the institution’s decision to keep in its jurisdiction,” the interior minister added.

    Earlier in the day, a joint press conference by Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum and DG of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar was held in Islamabad to talk about journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing and former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s confrontational narrative against the military.

    The ISI chief said, “The military has been under a lot of pressure since March but they decided to limit themselves to its constitutional role.”

    Lt Gen Anjum also made the revelation that in March, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was given a “lucrative offer” for an extension in his tenure by Imran Khan. “The offer was made in front of me. He rejected it because he wanted the institution to move forward from a controversial role to a constitutional role.”

    He said that he would have addressed the media earlier if it was for personal reasons. “Those sacrificing their lives should not have to face these lies. Hence, remaining silent was morally unacceptable to me,” he firmly stated.

  • Faisal removed: PTI kicks out Faisal Vawda from WhatsApp group

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda held a press conference on Wednesday in which he made huge claims regarding the death of senior journalist Arshad Sharif and said the party’s upcoming long march to Islamabad would be a “bloody” one with “bodies falling” and deaths of innocent people.

    “Imran Khan’s peaceful march is our right but I am clearly telling you I am seeing blood, deaths and funerals in this march,” said Vawda.

    Shortly after his hard-hitting presser, a show-cause notice was sent to him on the instructions of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his party membership was suspended.

    The notification, shared by PTI’s Sindh chapter President Ali Zaidi, says, “You have grossly violated discipline by giving statements against party policies and guidelines.”

    “You are not allowed to hold any party office or represent the party in the media,” it added.

    After Vawda’s press conference, Zaidi tweeted: “Interestingly all channels and PTV covered the presser so it’s clear that Imported Government launched him. But he made no sense.”

    PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry said, “Frankly, I am surprised and confused at Faisal Vawda’s press conference.” He revealed that the party members didn’t know about the press conference.

    In a tweet, PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar said Vawda’s statement does not represent party policy and views.

    According to ARY journalist Abdul Qadir, PTI also kicked out Vawda from the party’s core committee WhatsApp group.

    Vawda repeatedly said that PTI is his party and he would always remain in PTI.

    Talking about Arshad Sharif’s tragic killing, the PTI leader dismissed the version of the Kenyan police about Arshad being killed in a case of “mistaken identity”.

    “The establishment has no role in this killing,” Vawda said, adding that the establishment had been in contact with Arshad Sharif.

    “Now you will all ask me how do I know all this and why. When Arshad Sharif went from this country, from that day to his last days, I was in contact with him and my phone is available for forensic analysis,” he added.

    He repeatedly said that Sharif’s murder was plotted in Pakistan and claimed to know about the details. Vawda stated that he is ready to share evidence with the Military Intelligence (MI) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

  • Kashmir freedom fighter Yasin Malik sentenced to life imprisonment

    Kashmir freedom fighter Yasin Malik sentenced to life imprisonment

    Mohammed Yasin Malik, 54, founder of the organization Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front who was accused and charged with participating in alleged ‘acts of terrorism, illegally raising funds, being a member of a “terrorist organization”, terrorism financing, criminal conspiracy and sedition’, has now been sentenced to life in imprisonment.

    On 19 March, Judge Praveen Singh set May 25 as the date for hearing arguments from both sides and sentencing. She also directed Malik to provide an affidavit regarding his financial assets. JKLF reports that while in court, Malik said, “Terrorism-related charges leveled against me are concocted, fabricated and politically motivated.”

    The case is based on events from the 1990s when Malik and his associates were charged with the kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed in 1989 and the killing of four Indian Air Force officers in 1990.

    Malik’s wife Mushaal Malik also appeared in a press conference in Islamabad, alongside PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb. She spoke of the severely unjust treatment that the Indian government is subjecting on her husband, absolutely restricting the family from communicating with him and taking away his right to a free and fair trial. She demanded that her husband’s case be tried in the International Court of Justice and requested the United Nations to take action and establish an inquiry into this case.

    On Monday, the Pakistani Senate passed an unanimous resolution condemning the case against Hurriyat leader and expressing solidarity with his family. The resolution was tabled by former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

    Cases against Yasin Malik

    Malik, who has been kept under arrest at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in April 2019, when he was already in jail for violating the Indian Public Safety Act, according to which one can be jailed for an entire year without any trial.

    Malik, along with seven others, is charged with killing four Indian Air Force officers in 1990. However, their counsel has argued that since the group announced a unilateral ceasefire in 1994, the charge is not true.

    Secondly, Malik is accused of abducting the then federal home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s daughter, Rubaiya Sayeed in 1989. Both of these cases have been presented in courts by the NIA under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act [TADA].

    Unfair trial

    Despite there being no cases or new charges against Malik and his group throughout the BJP government, the court is now rushing through to reach sentencing in the trial.

    In his open letter from prison, Malik wrote, “Though I have every legal right to be presented physically before the court, but the judge and the CBI at the behest of government are not allowing me to present myself before the trial court physically. I am being presented through video conference, where neither I am able to hear the arguments of the lawyers nor am I being allowed to speak.”

    Commenting on the speed with which the case is being tried, Malik’s lawyer Tufail Raja told Al Jazeera, “When you reopen a 30-year-old case and pursue it at a fast pace in a bid to hastily produce judgement, you can understand the intentions of this government.” He added “This is a political rather than a judicial move.” 

    The verdict

    Leading up to the announcement of the verdict, people had started coming out on the streets in Kashmir, on either side of the issue – in his support as well as those against him. The court also imposed various fines including a 5,000 INR and a 10,000 INR fine on Yasin Malik, along with two life imprisonment sentences, which will both run simultaneously.

    DG ISPR and wife Mushaal Malik have vehemently condemned this decision on Twitter and held up Kashmir’s right to self determination.

  • ‘If five thousand guests come to someone’s house without telling him what he can do’: Fawad on Murree

    ‘If five thousand guests come to someone’s house without telling him what he can do’: Fawad on Murree

    Federal Minister for information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry addressed the tragic Murree incident and said when tens of thousand vehicles enter an area simultaneously there would be chaos.

    According to him, all the vehicles entered Murree within 24 hours despite several warnings from the administration.

    In a press conference along with the Federal Minister of Education Shafqat Mahmood, Fawad said, “If five thousand guests come to someone’s house without telling him what he can do.”

    Referring to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s statement, “We are looking into the situation. We should learn from such incidents.”

    The federal minister also defended his previous statement that the common man traveling to Murree shows they’re getting rich by saying that the economy is getting “stronger”.

    He urged the media to advise people, not to go to northern areas as they are already full. Moreover, he updated that Express Highway is cleared and the evacuation process is underway.

    Talking about the Opposition’s criticism, he said they just did politics and pointed out Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

    As of now, 22 deaths have been reported in Murree. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said the authorities would evacuate 1,000 vehicles by today evening, while the roads would remain closed to Murree till tomorrow 9pm.

  • Kohli gets angry at a presser after a pricking question from a journalist

    Kohli gets angry at a presser after a pricking question from a journalist

    After a humiliating defeat by an innings and 76 runs in the third Test against England, Indian captain Virat Kohli was being asked sharp questions in the press conference and he got angry and ignored a pricking question by a reporter.

    In a viral video, a reporter questioned Kohli about playing on the backfoot. To this, Kohli replied: “I don’t know how to answer this question? How can you play every ball on the backfoot? Unless it is according to his length.”

    Even before Kohli could complete his point, the journalist started saying: “Due to playing less on the back foot, Team India missed the opportunity to score more runs.” There was a bit of anger on Kohli’s face here, but he answered while calmly handling himself: “Yes, thank you!” The video of this moment is going viral on Twitter.

    In the post-match presentation ceremony, Kohli said: “When you get out within 80 runs (in the first innings) then it is the pressure of the scoreboard and after that the opponent team makes such a big score.” The Indian team had scored 215 runs for two wickets on the third day, due to which it was in good condition. Kohli said, “But we played well yesterday to stay in the match, we tried as much as we could and also gave ourselves a chance.”

    Regarding the England bowlers, he said: “But today the England bowlers put a lot of pressure and in the end got the result they wanted.” Kohli said: “The first innings score was very bad, it can happen in this country, the whole innings collapses like a pack of cards.”

    On the fourth day’s play, he said: “We thought the pitch was good for batting. But the disciplined bowling forced them to commit mistakes and the pressure was too much. When you are not scoring runs, it is very difficult to get over the pressure. Due to this the batting collapsed.”

    After third Test, the series delicately poised at 1-1, the action now moves to The Oval in London for the fourth Test.