Tag: Prime Minister Imran Khan

  • ‘We will continue to remain part of PTI,’ says Tareen

    ‘We will continue to remain part of PTI,’ says Tareen

    Disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen on Wednesday denied reports that he was forming a forward bloc in the party.

    “We were part of the PTI, and we will continue to remain part of the PTI,” Tareen announced outside the banking court where he had appeared for a hearing. He said that the like-minded group was established three months ago.

    Tareen said that his supporters had decided to form a separate group after the Punjab government initiated “revenge actions” against them.

    Tareen said his ‘supporters’ were standing with him as far as, what he referred to as the “fake” FIR lodged against Tareen. The pro-Tareen group had met the prime minister recently.

    On Tuesday night, Jahangir Khan Tareen hosted a dinner at his residence and announced a ‘group of like-minded people’. The newly formed group has appointed PTI’s Raja Riaz as Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly while PML-N’s Saeed Akbar Nawani will lead in the Punjab Assembly.

  • ‘I am PM of Pakistan and we stand with Palestine’ – PM Khan on Twitter

    ‘I am PM of Pakistan and we stand with Palestine’ – PM Khan on Twitter

    Bloodshed between Israel and Hamas escalated overnight, with at least 35 Palestine Muslims killed in Gaza and five people killed in Israel in the most intensive aerial exchanges for years.

    https://twitter.com/aqadir97/status/1392337789480431619

    Israel carried out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday, and Gazans fired multiple rocket barrages at Tel Aviv and Beersheba in response.

    One multi-story residential building in Gaza collapsed and another was heavily damaged after they were repeatedly hit by Israeli air strikes.

    Prime Minister Khan tweeted in solidarity with Palestine, saying “I am PM Khan and we stand with Palestine”.

    As tensions rise between Palestinians and Israelis, the international media, social media noticed that the coverage of the international press was incredibly one-sided.

    Financial times wrote: “Hamas rocket attacks provoke Israeli retaliation in Gaza.”

    The Economist’s headline for the brutality of Israel on the Palestinians was : “Israel exchanges fire with Hamas as tensions in Jerusalem boil over.”

    BBC reported saying, “Pleas for calm as Israel-Gaza violence erupts”.

    The New York Times read: “After raid on Aqsa Mosque, Rockets From Gaza and Israeli Airstrikes”.

    As tensions rose between Palestinians and Israelis, people voiced their concerns and sympathies on social media.

    U.N. Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland tweeted: “Stop the fire immediately. We’re escalating towards a full scale war. Leaders on all sides have to take the responsibility of de-escalation.

    “The cost of war in Gaza is devastating & is being paid by ordinary people. UN is working w/ all sides to restore calm. Stop the violence now,” he said.

    The world reminded the people of Palestine that they are not alone is such devastating times.

    Human Rights Minister in PM Khan cabinet, Shireen Mazari said, “Palestinians prevented from praying in Al Quds mosque & killing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza incl children – & all UN can do is express ‘concern’.”

    ” OIC also needs to move beyond rhetoric on Palestine & Kashmir,” she added.

    However, this has been the heaviest offensive between Israel and Hamas since a 2014 war in Gaza, and prompted international concern that the situation could spiral out of control.

  • Deal with Amazon will transform Pakistani businesses, says PM Khan

    Deal with Amazon will transform Pakistani businesses, says PM Khan

    Amazon has added Pakistan to its list of seller countries with Pakistanis now able to create accounts using Pakistani credentials and details. PM Khan said that the deal with Amazon will open new prospects for entrepreneurs and businesses in Pakistan. This new avenue will transform Pakistan’s economy as more sellers from the country will be able to sell on the International platform.

    No Talks with India

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has categorically said that Pakistan is not returning to the negotiating table with India till New Delhi reverses its August 5 decision of scrapping Article 370.

    He said this while responding to a question regarding human rights abuses in India and a muted response from the international community during a live Q&A session with the public.

    PM Imran Khan under the programme “Aapka Wazir- e-Azam Aap Kai Sath” took calls from the public over an array of issues that included corruption, inflation, relations with India, problems with the tourism sector, the government’s housing societies, work efficiency of his team and Pakistani embassies abroad.

    Rule of Law

    In response to a question as to why there was no rule of law in Pakistan, the prime minister said the powerful and the weak should both be equal before the law.

    He said it would take time for change to take shape in Pakistan, adding that expecting the country to be reformed overnight would only lead to disappointment. “I can’t turn on a switch and rivers of milk will flow,” he said.

    The prime minister said fighting the status quo and mafias was the only reason he had become a politician in the first place.

    Ill -treatment of Pakistani diplomats

    One caller complained about the ill-treatment meted out to him by a foreign embassy to which the prime minister spoke about his recent public criticism of Pakistani diplomats. Khan praised Pakistan’s embassies, saying that they had rendered great services for Pakistan, especially when it comes to highlighting the Kashmir issue in front of the entire world. Referring to his live conversation with envoys, PM Khan said the “programme should not have been broadcast live” and only excerpts from that session should have been shared.

    Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed his reservations over the live coverage of the virtual meeting and said, “In-house meetings have norms of their own and their respect is obligatory on all.”

    Sugar scandal

    Replying to another caller on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen’s case, PM said: “There won’t be any injustice with anyone, but I promise the masses that I won’t spare the sugar barons. I won’t grant them an NRO.”

    He cited the example of PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif, saying that he was accused of misappropriating Rs 7 billion. “This is just one case against him; there are many others registered against him [Shehbaz Sharif],” he said, adding that it was just the “tip of the iceberg”.

    Inflation

    The prime minister addressed the inflationary situation in the country and said increased prices of basic commodities bothered him the most. “We have appointed Shaukat Tarin finance minister to slash inflation and increase growth,” added Khan.

    Performance of ministers

    The premier said that several ministers are doing a remarkable job and added, “For those who aren’t, I can only say that we will then have to change the team.”

    Palestine massacre

    Responding to a caller, the prime minister condemned atrocities committed by Israel against unarmed Palestinians, regretting that violence had taken place on the holy night of Ramzan 27 and at Al-Aqsa mosque.

    Follow SOPs to avoid lockdown

    PM once again urged people to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to save themselves from the coronavirus and to avoid another countrywide lockdown.

  • PM’s surprise visit to PIMS Hospital’s Covid ward

    PM’s surprise visit to PIMS Hospital’s Covid ward

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday night paid a surprise visit to the coronavirus ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, to review the conditions there. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Khan met with the patients and inquired about their health.

    The premier particularly inquired about the facilities being provided to COVID-19 patients at the hospital, particularly the availability of oxygen and medicines.

    Addressing the staff at the hospital, the PM said that since healthcare workers are the country’s frontline fighters, they should also take care of themselves apart from taking care of the patients.

    The premier also inquired from doctors and the staff if all of them have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

    He said that the third wave of the coronavirus is more lethal than the previous two ones, adding that people should follow the SOPs to protect themselves from the virus

    The virus has so far claimed 19,106 lives in Pakistan, while the number of total cases in the country has reached 864,557.

  • Feroze Khan ‘sad’ for those judging PM Imran

    Feroze Khan has expressed disappointment over those judging Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Saudi Arabia. Feroze’s comments came after Chairman People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised the premier for asking for loans from other countires.

    “I feel sad for those judging [PM] Imran Khan’s visit to Mecca and Medina” said Feroze.

    PM Imran recently went on a three-day tour to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .Speaking about PM’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia, Bilawal said it was unfortunate how the same prime minister, who used to talk about not obtaining loans from other countries, was carrying the “begging bowl” with him everywhere in the world.

    Meanwhile, during, the official visit, the premier performed Umrah in Mecca, along with his wife Bushra Bibi.

    Pictures of PM Imran publicly expressing his affection for his wife went viral on social media and while some adored the pictures, some took it as an opportunity to raise baseless criticism over the public display of affection.

    PM Imran was warmly welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his three-day visit. The Saudi Crown Prince is now expected to visit Pakistan after Eid.

  • Five million people follow PM Khan on Instagram

    Five million people follow PM Khan on Instagram

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Instagram family grew to a staggering five million followers on Saturday.

    The premier maintains an active social media presence. Which allows his followers to stay up-to-date with his activities. He has become the first Pakistani politician to hit such a large following on Instagram.

    PM Khan’s post on his Instagram account right before amassing 5 million followers was a quote by Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani as saying: “I looked into spiritual works and have not found anything better than giving food to people. Had the world been in my hands, I would not entertain anything except feed the hungry.”

    The post gathered nearly 400 comments and 36,000 likes in an hour of it being shared.

    PM Imran Khan also has 13.6 million followers on Twitter  and has 10.3 million followers on Facebook.

  • PM Imran, First Lady land barefoot in Madina

    PM Imran, First Lady land barefoot in Madina

    Prime Minister Imran Khan and First Lady Bushra Bibi landed in Madina wearing no shoes in order to pay their respects to the Holy City.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry appreciated PM Khan’s gesture of not wearing shoes, saying: “This is the level of respect, that [PM Imran] opts not to step on the holy soil of Madina with shoes on.”

    “Respect is the first source of love,” added Chaudhry.

    Meanwhile, this is not the first time that PM Khan was seen without his shoes. During his previous visits to the Holy City, the PM opted to walk barefoot.

    2018:PM Imran Khan arrives in Madina on official tour to Saudi Arabia

    PM Khan has carried all his activities barefoot, which happens to be a usual norm for the premier whenever he is in Madina.

    Imran Khan in Madina meeting with officials

    During this vist, PM Khan also visited Masjid al Nabawi as part of his tour activities and was photographed sitting within the premises of Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH).

    PM Imran is currently in Saudi Arabia for a three-day visit. The PM is visiting the Kingdom upon the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

  • Saudi Arabia rolls out the ‘Lavender carpet’ for PM Khan

    Saudi Arabia rolls out the ‘Lavender carpet’ for PM Khan

    Saudi Arabia has announced that it is renouncing red for its dignitary visits – and opting for purple carpets instead. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Culture, which connected the change in ceremonial procedure to the violet-coloured plants currently in bloom across the Asir region in Saudi Arabia.

    The Kingdom said the decision to choose lavender as the new colour for ceremonial carpets better reflects Saudi national identity and the hospitality of the kingdom. The Kingdom further said that lavender is associated with Saudi generosity and hospitality. The pleasant change for ceremonial welcome is one of the many initiatives announced as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

    Lavender covers large areas of the country’s desert landscape in spring and the purple hue of the flower has been associated with royalty.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan walked the lavender carpet when he arrived in Saudi Arabia and was received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

    At the Oscars this year, the Academy too, rolled out a pink carpet instead of red for its guests. It’s a shade that is said to flatter the A-listers. A secret colour, one whose precise specifications the show’s organisers won’t reveal for fear of copycats.

  • PM likely to take your phone calls again on May 11

    Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to restart his initiative of taking phone calls from the masses and giving them his response from May 11. The initiative is expected to restart when he returns from Saudi Arabia.

    Khan is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia from May 7 to May 9. The issue of the release of Pakistani prisoners who are suffering in Saudi Arabia’s jails is likely to be highlighted by the PM.

    This is the third telethon series to be done by PM Khan. He launched the event on March 28, which was a telethon for the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme and also took calls from the general public on April 4th.

    “It is the practical implementation of the promise made by the prime minister to the masses in his victory speech that he would be answerable before the people,” a PTI leader said.

  • PM Khan urges OIC to oppose Islamophobia at all forums

    PM Khan urges OIC to oppose Islamophobia at all forums

    Prime Minister Imran Khan met the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of countries belonging to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday, briefing them on Pakistan’s efforts at the international level to create awareness about Islamophobia. He also stressed the need to collectively address the occurrences which surface due to it.

    PM Khan stressed that Pakistan’s efforts were always aimed at building a mutual consensus and promoting inter-faith harmony. He noted that Islamophobic acts fan inter-religious hatred and disharmony. “Falsely equating Islam with radicalism and terrorism was leading to the marginalisation and stigmatisation of Muslims,” he added.

    PM emphasised that the vilification of Islamic principles and religious personalities, wrongly justified under the garb of the right to freedom of expression or opinion, hurts the sentiments of 1.5 billion Muslims around the world. He also underlined the need to establish legal safeguards aimed at protecting the sensitivities of all religious groups and said that the OIC has to make a collective effort to project the true image of Islam, and its message of peace and tolerance.

    This comes after TLP’s demand to expel the French Ambassador, resulting in a security situation in the country.

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