Tag: Prime Minister of Pakistan

  • Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema removed by federal government

    Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema removed by federal government

    Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema has been de-notified on Tuesday after President Arif Alvi’s rejection to approve Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s summary to remove Cheema from his post.

    President Alvi had conveyed to the prime minister that the Punjab governor cannot be removed without his approval.

    However, in contrast to the president’s rejection of the PM’s advice, the federal cabinet division issued a notification regarding the removal of Omar Cheema as governor of Punjab.

    “In terms of Article 101 and proviso to Article 48 (1) of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, read with serial No. 2D of schedule V-B to the Rules of Business, 1973 and the Prime Minister’s advice (s) rendered on 17-04-2022 and 01-05-2022 for removal of Governor of Punjab, Mr Omer Sarfraz Cheema ceases to hold the office of the Governor Punjab, with immediate effect,” the notification read.

    The Punjab Assembly speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi shall perform the functions of the governor till the appointment of an incumbent, in accordance with Article 104 of the Constitution.

    Cheema was appointed Punjab Governor by Imran Khan during his last days in power. 

  • Boris Johnson greets PM Shehbaz, hopes to meet him soon

    Boris Johnson greets PM Shehbaz, hopes to meet him soon

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Prime Minister of Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reports.

    According to a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Britain’s Prime Minister wrote PM Shehbaz a letter on April 26 in which he stated that the UK and Pakistan have enjoying deep relations, bolstered by strong people-to-people contacts. In his letter, Boris Johnson noted that the United Kingdom and Pakistan have been locked in bonds supported by strong people-to-people links.

    “He also recalled their meeting in 2016 during his visit to Pakistan and the discussions held on a number of shared interests including girls’ education, health, economics and trade relations,” the statement issued by the ministry read.

    “PM Johnson looked forward to working together including in addressing global challenges,” the statement read.

  • Boris Johnson ‘looking forward to working with’ Shehbaz-led govt

    Boris Johnson ‘looking forward to working with’ Shehbaz-led govt

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday felicitated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming the prime minister of Pakistan.

    “Congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on his election as Prime Minister of Pakistan,” the British PM tweeted.

    It is noteworthy that Russia, China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and several other countries have extended felicitation to Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the new prime minister of Pakistan.

    Beijing in a statement said that it was looking forward to working with him to continue the traditional friendship, deepen all-round cooperation and advance a high-quality building of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in new era.

  • Shehbaz Sharif – the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan

    Shehbaz Sharif – the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan

    The Joint Opposition’s candidate Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan, after the former Prime Minister Imran Khan was voted out of office through a no-confidence motion on Saturday, April 9.

    Shehbaz bagged a total of 174 votes as opposed to PTI’s candidate Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Qureshi received no votes after his party decided to boycott the polling process.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Ayaz Sadiq presided over the session after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri said his conscience did not allow him to conduct the session.

    Born in Lahore in 1950, Shehbaz is the younger brother of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif. Shehbaz has served three times as Punjab’s chief minister.

    Taking the floor, the newly-elected prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said that it was for the first time in the history of Pakistan that a prime minister was ousted through the no-confidence motion.

    April 11 historic day

    Terming April 11 a “historic day”, he mentioned that the happiness of the people can be seen through the economic indicators. Shehbaz mentioned that the rupee regained its value — which was trading at Rs190 per dollar and closed at Rs182 per dollar today.

    ‘Will probe threat letter’

    The newly-elected prime minister said the Opposition was discussing the no-confidence motion days before Imran Khan’s “concocted threat letter controversy”.

    “They say that this letter came to them on March 7, but our decisions were made way before that, so, if [what the previous government claimed] is a lie, then the matter should be disclosed transparently before the public,” he said.

    PM Shehbaz Sharif announced that the parliament’s security committee would be given a briefing on the “threat letter” to the members of the committee in presence of the armed forces personnel and bureaucrats — the director-general Inter-Services Intelligence, foreign secretary, and the ambassador who wrote it, who has now been transferred to Brussels.

    “If there’s an iota of evidence that we were backed by foreign conspirators […] then with you Mr speaker and God as my witness, I will not think for another second and resign from the office of the prime minister,” PM Shehbaz Sharif said, vowing to hold an in-camera session of the security committee at the earliest.

    Economy

     Shehbaz Sharif said that hard work was required for Pakistan’s progress as if only statements could move the country forward, then during PTI’s tenure, we would have been among the leading nations.

    “We will need to wash out the effects of the previous government by working together, otherwise, we will fail […] our economy is in a bad situation right now,” the prime minister said.

    “We will need to wash out the effects of the previous government by working together, otherwise, we will fail […] our economy is in a bad situation right now,” said PM Shehbaz.

    “The minimum wage will be jacked up to Rs25,000 (from April 1). 10 per cent increase in pensions of retired civil, and military officials (from April 1). Cheap wheat to be introduced at utility stores.”

    “Laptop and technical education for youth. Reintroduction of Benazir Card. Appeal to industrialists to increase salaries of employees who earn up to Rs100,000 by 10 per cent.”

    Shehbaz’s take on foreign policy

    Shehbaz said China has been Pakistan’s partner through thick and thin. “No one can snatch Pakistan and China’s friendship from us,” he said, calling it a “long-lasting relation.”

    “But this friendship is for forever and … I assure that we will make progress on the CPEC,” he added, thanking Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    Speaking about India, the newly-elected prime minister lamented that despite them wanting peaceful ties with India, they know that until the Kashmir issue is resolved, relations between the two cannot be strengthened.

    Urging Indian premier Narendra Modi to understand the issues of the people living on both sides, he questioned there is poverty, unemployment, medical issues, etc. then “why are we harming ourselves and the generations to come?”

    “Why do we want our coming generations to suffer. Come, let’s resolve the Kashmir issue in line with United Nation resolutions and Kashmiris’ expectations, so that we are able to end poverty on both sides of the border.”

    Underlining the significance of having good ties with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, European Union nations, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, and Iran, he said that ties needed to be strengthened with the US on the basis of equality and “we need to raise our voice for Afghanistan” where the situation was dire.

    “We want peace in Afghanistan.”

    The session was subsequently adjourned till 4pm on April 16.

    Sanjrani administers the oath to Shehbaz in President Alvi’s absence

    Prior to the ceremony, President Dr Arif Alvi had complained of discomfort and was advised to rest for a few days, according to an update posted on his Twitter account.

    In the president’s absence, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administered the oath to PM Shehbaz.

    Modi, Turkey’s Erdogan congratulate Shehbaz on becoming PM

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on becoming the 23rd premier of Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, in a telephonic conversation with Shehbaz, Turkish President Erdogan told the newly-elected prime minister that he was “extremely happy” about him being elected as the premier.

    Guard of honour

    Earlier this morning, the premier was given a Guard of Honour at Prime Minister’s House.

  • ‘Letter I have is proof’: Khan says details of ‘foreign conspiracy’ will be brought forward ‘at the right time’

    ‘Letter I have is proof’: Khan says details of ‘foreign conspiracy’ will be brought forward ‘at the right time’

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has claimed that the Opposition’s no-trust move is part of an alleged “foreign-funded conspiracy” hatched against his government.

    In what was a marathon speech lasting almost two hours on Sunday night, Khan discussed his struggling time as a politician, the achievements of PTI, his political ideology, and criticism on the Opposition.

    PM Khan further added that attempts were being made to topple his government and said, “some of our own people” are being used in this regard. The premier’s remarks came during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) power show titled Amr Bil Maroof (enjoin the good) at Parade Ground in Islamabad.

    We have been threatened in writing but we will not compromise on national interest

    “Attempts are being made through foreign money to change the government in Pakistan. Our people are being used. Mostly inadvertently, but some people are using money against us. We know from what places attempts are being to pressure us. We have been threatened in writing but we will not compromise on national interest,” said PM Khan.

    “This is the era of social media. Nothing can be hidden. We will not accept anyone’s dictation. We will have friendships with everyone but we will not submit ourselves to anyone,” said PM Khan, adding, “Attempts are being made to influence our foreign policy from abroad. We have been aware of this conspiracy for months. We also know about those who have assembled these people (the opposition parties) but the time has changed. This is not the era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.”

    The PM told the crowd that when former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto tried giving Pakistan an “independent foreign policy to the country”, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Nawaz Sharif launched a movement against him.

    “And situations like today’s were created due to those conditions Bhutto was hanged,” said PM Imran. He added that today’s Bhutto’s son in law, Asif Ali Zardari, and grandson, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, are sitting with his murderers in thirst of a chair.

    “They do not have any shame they do politics on their grandfather and for the sake of their seat they are with the people who got him hanged,” said PM Imran.

     “I am placing the case of Pakistan’s independence before you. The letter I have is proof and I want to dare anyone who is doubting this letter. I will invite them off the record. We have to decide for how long we will have to live like this. We are getting threats. There are many things about the foreign conspiracy which will be shared very soon.”

    “We know who is behind it,” the premier said, adding that “there are a lot of things that will be revealed before the nation but at the right time.”

    “The nation wants to know who the man sitting in London is meeting with and whose directions the characters based in Pakistan are following? I am revealing the proofs we have. I cannot talk more in detail because I have to protect the interest of my country. I cannot talk about anything that harms my country. I could have told you about it. I do not fear anyone but I care about Pakistan’s interest.

    I want to speak my heart out and I want you to listen’

    At the beginning of his address, the premier thanked the attendees of the jalsa for responding to his call and gathered in Islamabad from every part of the country.  The premier also lauded his team for arranging the jalsa.

    “I pay tribute to my team and the nation [for making this jalsa possible]. Thank you for making me happy,” he said. “Today, I will have a heart-to-heart conversation with the nation.”

    Prime Minister Imran Khan while responding to the criticism about him using religious references during his political speeches, said that when he joined politics 25 years ago, it was for the sake of the ideology of Pakistan.

    “Nations are built on ideologies, and the ideology on the basis of which Pakistan came into being was Islam,” he said. The premier then added that he learned through his experience of living in the West that the true teachings of Islam were followed over there instead of Pakistan.

    “We are providing loans to families for housing, technical education, and small businesses. As soon as our tax was enhanced, I announced a subsidy and reduced rates of petrol and ‘Fazlur Rehman’,” he said. “I also offered a subsidy in power tariff. I promise I will spend more money on my people as our government collects more capital in taxes.”

    He said that Muslims ruled the world for a long time as they followed in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

    “Based on those ideals, I envisioned a welfare state in Pakistan and Alhamdulillah, we have already started a journey on that path. I am proud of the fact that we have introduced a health system in the country based on the principles of welfare.”

    ‘I will not forgive them even if my government goes or even if I lose my life

    “Poor countries are backward because the law there fails to catch the rich who are involved in white-collar crimes. They transfer stolen and looted money to offshore accounts. Small thieves do not destroy a country like the way big thieves do.”

    “These ‘three stooges’ are looting the country for years and all this drama is being done to have Imran Khan surrender like former President General Pervez Musharraf. They are trying to blackmail the government. General Musharraf tried to save his government and gave these thieves NRO and it resulted in the destruction of Pakistan.” The PM uses the term “stooges” in reference to Asif Ali Zardari, Shehbaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    “Come what may, I will not forgive them even if my government goes or even if I lose my life,” he added.

    PTI government’s achievements 

    The premier recapped the achievements of his government, including how the country steered itself out of the coronavirus pandemic and how its economy remained stable while the whole world was struggling.

    “Today, I assure you that as I will continue to collect money through taxes, I will utilise that money for the betterment of the country.”

    “InshaAllah, once we complete our five-year term, history will show that no other government worked as much as the PTI government did [for the development of the country].

    The premier said, “Our exports reached a historic high. We collected unprecedented tax. We gave incentives to overseas Pakistanis and received record remittances. We formed an ease-of-business model for the construction sector that led to the growth of 30 other allied industries.”

    “Covid erupted that led to closure of the world but I did not shut my country and faced criticism. I can proudly say that Pakistan’s steps were acknowledged by the world as they helped save the economy,” he said.

    “We saw record crops. It happened because we facilitated our farmers. We protected them. Now Pakistan’s industries are growing rapidly. Textile industries are struggling to find labour because all industries are working at their full capacity. This is the first time government is supporting its industries.”

    He urged TV anchors to invite economic experts on their shows and conduct a comparison of his government’s performance with the previous ones.

    The premier had said that he would “surprise” the Opposition a day before the no-confidence motion session, adding that he is yet to lay his cards on the table. 

    It is pertiennt to mention here that on March 8, the Opposition submitted a no-trust motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in National Assembly (NA), which is likely to be tabled on Monday in a crucial NA session.

  • ‘Got a message from Pakistan PM to include Navjot Sidhu in Punjab cabinet’: Capt Amarinder Singh

    ‘Got a message from Pakistan PM to include Navjot Sidhu in Punjab cabinet’: Capt Amarinder Singh

    India’s former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh during a press conference said that during his tenure as CM, he received a message from Pakistan asking him to reinstate Navjot Singh Sidhu in the Punjab cabinet.

    Soon after dropping Sidhu from his cabinet, he had received a call from a mutual acquaintance from Pakistan, Amarinder told reporters.

    “I got a message that Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan has sent a request that if you can take Sidhu in your cabinet,” said Amarinder without taking names. “I will be grateful. He is an old friend of mine. If he does not work, you can remove him.”

    Navjot Singh Sidhu arrived in Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of PM Imran Khan in August 2018.

    Sidhu at the time said that he had come to Pakistan as a goodwill messenger and “with a message of love” to become a part of Khan’s happiness.

     Navjot Singh Sidhu again returned to Pakistan to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor in Nankana Sahib, in November 2018.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Amarinder was also present during the inauguration of the Karatpur Corridor.

  • Overseas Pakistanis used like ATM in PTI, says former information secretary

    Overseas Pakistanis used like ATM in PTI, says former information secretary

    Former central information secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Ahmad Jawad on Sunday announced that he will file a lawsuit against the party for terminating his membership.

    The ruling PTI had expelled Jawad from the party for “violating the party’s constitution” on social media and “slandering” senior leadership.

    Talking to Geo News, Jawad said that his termination from the party’s membership is “illegal”, adding that, “PTI voters and workers have seen the true colours of Imran Khan now.”

    The ex-PTI member said that in the last 74 years, “No one ha deceived the nation like PTI did, while overseas Pakistanis were used like Automated Teller Machines (ATM).”

    Taking to his Twitter, Ahmad said, “Imran Niazi Sahib your assumption will be proved wrong. The nation will not be fooled again, your container role will never be successful again in this country.”

    According to a statement issued by the PTI’s Standing Committee on Accountability and Discipline (SCAD) on January 12, a show-cause notice was served to Ahmad Jawad, asking him to explain his position within seven days of the receipt of the notice but the disgruntled leader did not respond to the notice.

    ” A House of garbage which started as an ideology of Change A deception which wasted two decades of this nation You can walk on toughest path with open eyes, but you will fall on a flat path with closed eyes,” tweeted Ahmad to the accusations written in the show-cause notice.

  • ‘They [PML-N] are mafias, always influence courts’: PM Khan

    ‘They [PML-N] are mafias, always influence courts’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday, lashing out at the Opposition, said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are known for “using unfair tactics” to influence courts.

    While referring to the affidavit case of the former chief judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim, the prime minister said the PML-N generated the controversy of the affidavit to pressurise the court which was hearing the case of its leaders Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz.

    “They [PML-N leaders] are mafias and they always influence courts when they feel that they are about to decide their cases,” said the premier.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed informed the media that PM Khan had said that the Sharif family had again been exposed for trying to pressure the judiciary, reports The Express Tribune.

    “The PML-N has pressured courts in the past as well for making decisions in its favour. Everyone knows that the PML-N has a history of pressuring the judiciary” the senator quoted the prime minister as saying.

    “The Sharif family is fighting for its survival while we [PTI] are fighting the nation’s war,” said Javed.

    Talking to a group of spokespersons, the premier urged his spokespersons to vehemently counter “controversies” being created by Opposition leaders, especially in the media, reports Dawn.

  • Committee summons ex-CJP Saqib Nisar to ask how Khan won the election

    Committee summons ex-CJP Saqib Nisar to ask how Khan won the election

    
    

    
    A requisition has been submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat for the meeting of the Standing Committee on Information of the National Assembly (NA).

    Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar has been issued a notice to appear before the committee once again while the committee has also summoned ex-chief judge of Gilgit Baltistan Rana Shamim for the next meeting.

    Committee chairman Javed Latif also summoned former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), President Javed Hashmi, to the meeting and directed him to provide details of revelations regarding the removal of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.
    

    The committee has sought details from Javed Hashmi about Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s statement paving the way for the PM post. Javed Hashmi has also been asked to provide details about Saqib Nisar’s role in this regard.
    

    Journalist Ansar Abbasi, analyst Hassan Nisar, and Chairman Pemra have also been summoned for the next meeting. The committee has also taken notice of Hassan Nisar’s statement to shoot the person who took the name of democracy.

    It may be recalled that earlier, the Information Committee of the National Assembly had summoned Saqib Nisar and Rana Shamim on December 29, 2021.

  • 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.”