Tag: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

  • Balochistan floods: 136 people dead, 13,000 homes damaged

    Balochistan floods: 136 people dead, 13,000 homes damaged

    At least 136 people have been killed in flash floods in Balochistan triggered by heavy monsoon rains.

    According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), flash floods have also damaged about 13,000 homes.

    The federal government has announced Rs1 million worth of assistance for every household of the deceased in Balochistan flash floods. Flood relief efforts are also being carried out in Balochistan and other areas of the country, with assistance from military rescuers.

    Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has said that the federal and provincial governments are committed to completely rehabilitating flood-affected people in the province.

    In a statement on Sunday, he also lauded the role of the Pakistan Army in relief and rescue activities.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit the flood-affected areas of Balochistan today. He visited Jhal Magsi on Saturday.

  • PM Shehbaz approves financial assistance of Rs1 million for victims of rains and floods

    PM Shehbaz approves financial assistance of Rs1 million for victims of rains and floods

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a financial relief package for rain and flood-affected families.

    The PM, on an urgent basis, has approved financial assistance of Rs one million for the victims of rains and floods.

    “In case of death, 50 per cent of the relief amount will be paid by the federal government while the rest of the amount will be provided by the provincial government,” read a statement.

    It further said that PM Shehbaz has directed the authorities concerned to ensure complete assistance to the families of the victims.

  • President Alvi writes to PM Shehbaz on violence against journalists

    President Alvi writes to PM Shehbaz on violence against journalists

    President Arif Alvi has written a letter to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and expressed his concern at the pressure being put on journalists for voicing their opinion.

    “Recent events of violence against journalists reflect a mindset of intolerance, that has negative repercussions both on the future of democracy as well as freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 in our constitution. Besides creating fear in Pakistan, such actions also come under international focus and tarnish the image of our country,” writes Alvi.

    “Among those killed were Mr. Aziz Memon and Mr. Nazim Jokhio. Mr. Matiullah Jan was abducted in broad daylight from a busy area of Islamabad. Mr. Asad Ali Toor and Mr. Absar were assaulted and injured by unidentified men. Mr. Ayaz Amir was attacked, humiliated, and bruised by unknown persons on the road during rush hours in the presence of many eyewitnesses in Lahore. Multiple FIRs have been registered against Mr. Sami Ibrahim, Mr. Arshad Sharif, Mr. Sabir Shakir, Mr. Imran Riaz Khan
    and Mr. Moeed Pirzada at various Police Stations in a number of cities across the country.”

    President Alvi stated that the law enforcement agencies may be directed to ensure the protection of journalists and media persons.

  • ‘Miftah is facing immense criticism from within PML-N’: Khawaja Asif

    ‘Miftah is facing immense criticism from within PML-N’: Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday tweeted in support of Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail. He further revealed that Ismail was facing immense criticism from within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) because of the continuous increase in petrol prices.

    “FM Miftah is among the hardest working members of PM’s team, accessible to all stakeholders,” tweeted Khawaja Asif.

    “He is performing v. well under difficult circumstances, with immense criticism from vested interests – including, and unfortunately, from within PMLN. Time to show solidarity with Miftah.”

    Miftah Ismail had recently said that he was “not supposed” to appear on national television to announce an increase in the cost of petroleum products, but that he did so in response to a directive from Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    It is pertinent to mention here that PML-N’s supremo Nawaz Sharif’s close aide and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed his return to Pakistan in July. He said that he is coming back on the directions of Nawaz and the decision was taken after the consent of PM Shehbaz.

    There was news circulating of Dar taking the charge of the finance ministry, to which he said he cannot decide this matter. “My party will decide.”

    Ismail is under pressure since the government announced multiple hikes in petroleum products and the delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme.

  • Next army chief appointment after consultation with leaders of coalition parties, says Khurram Dastgir

    Next army chief appointment after consultation with leaders of coalition parties, says Khurram Dastgir

    Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan has revealed that the appointment of the next chief of army staff (COAS) will be made by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif after consulting leaders of the coalition parties. The consultation process will begin in September.

    “The new army chief will be appointed in November. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after consulting with other coalition leaders, will decide on the army chief. This consultation will start in September,” said Dastgir.

    “This appointment is not only important for the safety and defence of Pakistan but also necessary for the transparency of the upcoming general elections in 2023,” added Dastgir.

    The new COAS appointment is to take place in November this year.

  • Pakistan decides to ease visa regulation policy for Afghans

    Pakistan decides to ease visa regulation policy for Afghans

    In a federal cabinet meeting held on June 28, the government decided to ease the visa regulation policy for Afghans to encourage bilateral trade with Afghanistan in the hopes that this would benefit both the country’s economies.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif was presiding over the federal cabinet meeting.

    PM Shehbaz issued orders that six-month multiple-entry visas be given to the transporters from Afghanistan. The interior ministry has been given the power to extend this period to one year.

    A sub-category will also be introduced under the work visa category in the online visa system. The visa applications will be assessed on the basis of their existing passports and nationalities instead of their country of origin.

    The federal cabinet noted that this decision comes in an effort to promote bilateral trade with Afghanistan.

  • ‘Ultimate goal is self-reliance’: PM Shehbaz on Pakistan receiving $2bn from IMF

    ‘Ultimate goal is self-reliance’: PM Shehbaz on Pakistan receiving $2bn from IMF

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif was informed by Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail that Pakistan could receive Rs2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    “Miftah Ismail sent a message this morning saying that Pakistan will receive not $1 billion but $2 billion from the IMF. I told him in response, Alhamdulillah, but our ultimate goal is self-reliance,” said PM Shehbaz while addressing the “Turn Around Pakistan” conference.

    The premier’s address comes shortly after Ismail confirmed Pakistan has received the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) from the IMF for the seventh and eighth reviews.

    The draft MEFP is a prerequisite to paving the way toward striking a staff-level agreement.

    PM Shehbaz said that although the Opposition created much political drama in recent weeks, he will ask whether it is the “choosers” that are now going to receive $2 billion or “the other word”, referring to beggars from the phrase “beggars can’t be choosers”.

    “There is no shortage of anything in Pakistan and there are experts in every field,” said PM Shehbaz, before lamenting that “billions of dollars are buried in Reko Diq but we have not earned a single penny”.

    “It is a pity that the country’s development and prosperity have not been achieved,” he said.

    Addressing the conference before PM’s speech, Ismail said that when he messaged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the development, he replied: “Well done. But remember our ultimate goal is self-reliance. That will be our legacy,” Miftah said, quoting PM Shehbaz.

  • ‘Tough decisions’: PM Shehbaz announces 10 per cent super tax on large-scale industries

    ‘Tough decisions’: PM Shehbaz announces 10 per cent super tax on large-scale industries

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif announced that the coalition government plans to impose a 10 per cent super tax on large-scale industries, and that “tough decisions” have been taken to protect the economy in budget 2022-23.

    Addressing the nation, PM Shehbaz announced the imposition of a 10 per cent super tax on cement, steel, sugar, oil and gas, fertiliser, banking, textile, chemical, beverage, and automobile industries, adding that it it has been done to save the common man from taxes.

    PM said that people whose annual income exceeds Rs150 million will be subject to one per cent tax; for Rs200 million, two per cent; Rs250 million three per cent; and Rs300 million will be taxed four per cent of their income.

    PM Shehbaz said the steps taken in the budget were designed to ease the burden on the poor. “And the classes who are blessed, today, this nation is demanding of them to also work hard, to come forward and to make Pakistan prosperous, progressive and with its head held high,” he added.

    The premier called on the wealthy to distribute some of their wealth and “relive the memory of Ansar-i-Madina”. “This is your responsibility, and the nation demands it of you,” he said.

  • Coalition govt shows ‘full confidence’ in PM Shehbaz, as Zardari hosts dinner ahead of budget

    Coalition govt shows ‘full confidence’ in PM Shehbaz, as Zardari hosts dinner ahead of budget

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari hosted a dinner for leaders and members of the coalition government, on June 9 ahead of the fiscal budget 2022-23 announcement in Islamabad.

    The fiscal budget that is to be released on June 10, 2022, (today) was the centre of discussion at the dinner. The meeting also discussed the overall political state of the country and expressed full confidence in Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    Zardari was also lauded by the coalition leaders and members for his efforts to unite the parties together. PM Shehbaz also received advice from members and leaders present at the dinner.

    In attendance were Yousaf Raza Gillani, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Sherry Rehman, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Pervez Ashraf, and Rana Sanaullah among others.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilalwal Bhutto-Zardari was not in attendance at the dinner because he is currently in quarantine.

  • Arif Alvi returns NAB, election amendment bills to PM, says ‘was not informed’ about ‘legislative proposal’

    Arif Alvi returns NAB, election amendment bills to PM, says ‘was not informed’ about ‘legislative proposal’

    President Dr Arif Alvi refused to sign the bills seeking amendments in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and election laws.

    The bill has been returned back to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif as the president said he “was not informed” about the “legislative proposal” under Article 46 before they were tabled in parliament.

    Last week, the National Assembly (NA) passed bills to scrap election reforms giving overseas Pakistanis the right to vote through i-Voting and electronic voting machines (EVMs), as well as the NAB laws, done during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) tenure in power.

    A press release issued by the president’s office said that Article 46 was violated as he was not informed about the legislative proposals before they were brought before parliament. Article 46 states that “the prime minister shall keep the president informed on all legislative proposals the federal government intends to bring before Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)”.