Tag: Prime Minister

  • Civilian governments and completing their term

    Civilian governments and completing their term

    In the wake of the no-confidence move against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan by the Opposition, a debate has started about several issues ranging from the government completing its term to defections from the ruling party. In Pakistan’s history, no civilian prime minister has ever completed his/her five-year term. Even when the last two civilian governments completed their tenures from 2008-2018, despite many hiccups and conspiracies against the governments. Of course, we do not know what the result of the latest vote of no-confidence will be, but if we are to believe speculations about what is happening in politics, this government may not survive and even PM Khan may not be able to complete his full term. Ideally, a civilian government, no matter how it has come to power, should be able to complete its full term. In a democracy like Pakistan, there are many factors involved in politics, which is why it is important for democratic governments to complete their tenures. 

    On the other hand, a vote of no-confidence is also a constitutional right that can be exercised in parliament to remove the Prime Minister from office if he/she loses the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly. The number required to dislodge the premier is 172. The Opposition has followed a democratic procedure by moving a resolution for a vote of no-confidence, which requires signatures of at least 20 percent of the total membership of the lower house.

    Under the 1973 Constitution, we have seen two votes of no-confidence in the past against prime ministers. First against Benazir Bhutto in November 1989 and then against Shaukat Aziz in August 2006. Both Bhutto and Aziz survived the votes. After successfully defeating the vote of no-confidence, Benazir Bhutto gave a magnanimous speech and said she bore no ill-will against the opposition. Contrast her words with what is happening today — a prime minister addressing the nation with a short message to join his March 27 rally, bitter words by the ruling party on national television, threats of what is in store for those members who have gone to the opposition’s side, threats of a showdown, etc. This is not how politics should be but unfortunately, we have seen how the discourse over the last few years has led to politicians stooping to the lowest level just to settle scores. Add to it labels like a traitor, apart from other choice words. These add to the toxicity of political discourse, which is telecast live on our television screens.

    Parliament’s fights should be fought on the floor of the house through the vote of no-confidence, not on the streets.

  • Can a jalsa turnout be determined through number of mobile phones?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s jalsa’ was held on March 27 at the Parade Ground in Islamabad as the opposition geared up to remove the PM from his office via a no-confidence motion. The very first thing that the media speculates is that how many people were present at the location of the rally.

    Several Pakistani digital news platforms have stated that “more than 0.6 million unique mobile devices were detected in Islamabad on Sunday, as per the data traffic analysis shared by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)”, which means that they are suggesting that more than six lakh people were present at the PTI rally.

    It is pertinent to mention that PTA or any authentic personnel have not officially released any statement regarding this. In fact, a number of netizens have commented that the ones who are claiming the presence of 0.6 million people at the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s march do not have the authentic source of information.

    The crowd was reportedly estimated by Islamabad police to be between 60,000 – 70,000 people, while the Intelligence Bureau (IB) said it was only 26,000 people.

    Independent sources claim that not more than 35,000 people attended the rally, and some suggest that the crowd was not even close to 100,000 people.

    But the question remains: Can you determine a jalsa turnout through the number of mobile phones in the area?

    Whenever a cell phone is used, it emits an electromagnetic radio wave, called a radio frequency, which is received by the nearest cell tower’s antenna. Once the cell tower receives this signal, it will transmit the signals to a switching center.

    Also, the cellular towers have limitations to accommodate a certain number of phones, this might allow the network provider to determine the devices connected to it.

  • ‘Tons of chicken meat is burnt for witchcraft in Bani Gala’: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘Tons of chicken meat is burnt for witchcraft in Bani Gala’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif alleged that tons of chicken meat is burnt for ‘witchcraft’ in Bani Gala.

    Speaking on Aaj News programme, “Faisla Aap ka”, Shehbaz said, “I am saying this with complete responsibility. This is the situation, but the PM is speaking about ‘Riyaasat-e-Madina’ and ‘Amar Bil Maroof [enjoining good]’,” he added.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader further said that people are deprived of food and children are yearning for milk, but tons of chicken is being burnt in Bani Gala for witchcraft.

    Shehbaz ruled out the possibility of a dialogue with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. Shehbaz said Imran Khan talks about ‘Riyaasat-e-Madina’ and on the other hand, promotes cartels.

    “There is no question that I will talk to someone who is so egoist, he lies, what did he do with the cartels?”

    Responding to PM Khan’s statement in which he said he has a surprise for the Opposition, Shehbaz said, “Before he surprises us, we will surprise Imran Khan.”

    Anchorperson Asma Shirazi asked Shehbaz if he has more surprises up his sleeve, to which he said, “Absolutely, we will bring surprise after surprise. Don’t you worry, in the next few days we will bring surprises and you will be shell-shocked.”

  • President, PM share special messages on Pakistan Day

    President, PM share special messages on Pakistan Day

    On the occasion of Pakistan Day, President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan remarked in separate messages that the day will soon come when Pakistan will be economically powerful and successful, Radio Pakistan has reported.

    The President further said that the desire for a separate homeland for Muslims in the subcontinent has shown to be politically correct over time.

    Human rights violations in India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as well as persecution of minorities in India, he claims, are sufficient evidence that the Muslim leadership of the time foresaw what would happen to Muslims if they remained at the mercy of the Hindu majority in undivided India.

    In his message, the Prime Minister emphasised the need of adhering to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s ideals of Unity, Faith, and Discipline, as well as rededicating ourselves to the establishment of Pakistan as a truly democratic welfare state based on the Riyasat-e-Madina model.

    He claimed that the current administration had implemented long-term reforms and actions to reduce poverty and promote justice.

    The Prime Minister stated that the government’s focus will continue to be on marginalised groups in society in order to give them equal chances.

  • ‘Gen Bajwa wanted concessions from India,’ British High Commissioner to Pakistan tells New Delhi

    ‘Gen Bajwa wanted concessions from India,’ British High Commissioner to Pakistan tells New Delhi

    British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was looking for concessions—among them, the restoration of the Article 35A of India’s Constitution, which gave the state of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir the right to designate “permanent residents” entitled to purchase land, writes Praveen Swami for The Print. The British High Commissioner was speaking at a gathering in New Delhi.

    The news report further states that the Pakistan army chief believes he has helped New Delhi by controlling jihadists and thus ensuring violence in Kashmir remains at historically low levels.

    “The General, in his telling of events to British interlocutors, has resisted pressure from hawks to escalate in Kashmir—among them, Prime Minister Imran Khan,” writes the news outlet.

    In a report published in Dawn on April 25, 2021, it was revealed that India appro­ached Pakistan in December 2020 with an offer to reduce tension and offered backchannel talks on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan reciprocated favourably.

  • Yeh Dosti, hum chorein gay? PM Khan calls ex-friend Jahangir Tareen

    Yeh Dosti, hum chorein gay? PM Khan calls ex-friend Jahangir Tareen

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has contacted disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen after the politician left Pakistan for the United Kingdom, said Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi, reports Geo News.

    “The prime minister was informed that Jahangir Tareen was unwell,” Qureshi said.

    Qureshi said PM Khan had called the PTI leader to inquire about his health as he left for London for a medical check-up.

    It was earlier reported that Tareen spent a week in a private hospital in Lahore and would spend a week in London.

    PM Khan is scheduled to meet Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Chaudhry brothers during his daylong visit to Lahore today.

  • Shehbaz Sharif thanks those who want him to be PM

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif has said that he is thankful to those who have proposed his name for the slot of prime minister (PM).

     In an interaction with journalists on Friday, Shehbaz Sharif said, “I am thankful to those who have proposed my name for the slot of prime minister… but who says I am taking the office (as premier) for a year or so?”

    “The decision about the new prime minister in the wake of the success of a no-trust move will be finalised by (PML-N Quaid) Nawaz Sharif in consultation with Opposition parties.”

    Shehbaz Sharif, former President Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman met on Wednesday evening at the residence of the PML-N leader.

    After the meeting, it was reported that Shehbaz Sharif wanted someone from within the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as the prime minister while the PPP wanted Shehbaz Sharif to be the next prime minister, a proposal that he was reluctant to accept. They claimed that former president Asif Ali Zardari nominated Shehbaz Sharif as the prime minister while Shehbaz named PPP’s Khursheed Shah for the slot.

    The Opposition parties have also started signing the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan and the united Opposition claimed the support of 24 members of the ruling party.

  • National Assembly ‘not available’ for no-trust move against PM Khan

    The National Assembly (NA) Hall and its lobbies are currently being renovated for the March 23 meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

    The Opposition may not be able to move the no-trust motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan due to the ongoing renovation.

    It is being said that the renovation will take another month to complete.

    Senior journalist Nasim Zehra tweeted about the renovation and added, “So no NA session. Some plan.”

    NA Speaker Asad Qaiser said that the National Assembly Hall is being prepared for the upcoming meeting of the OIC, which is going to be held on March 23, reports The News. 

    When asked what would happen if the Opposition parties move the no-trust motion in the next coming days, he said that he would ask his secretariat to consider where the session could be held in case of the non-availability of the National Assembly hall and its lobbies, reported the news outlet.

  • ‘Opposition scared because Imran Khan has no price’: Prime Minister

    ‘Opposition scared because Imran Khan has no price’: Prime Minister

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Friday said that the Opposition would not receive a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

    “They are scared because Imran Khan has no price, he will not give you an NRO like General Musharraf,” said Khan, referring to the country’s former military ruler.

    Addressing a rally in Mandi Bahauddin, PM Khan said, “Thieves will not get any NRO until they return the country’s [looted] money […] as long as I am alive, I will not let them rest until they return the people’s wealth.”

    If Shehbaz Sharif is innocent, then why is he running away from the courts?

    Criticising Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, the premier said that he had a “weak heart and knew he would not be able to escape if his case (of being a guarantor in Nawaz Sharif’s case) is heard”.

    “If Shehbaz Sharif is innocent, then why is he running away from the courts?”

    PM Imran went on to say that when the Opposition had filed a case against him in the Supreme Court, he did not leave the country and had proved that he was sadiq and ameen (honest and righteous).

    “I provided the documents the court asked for. I did not run away [or] ask for more dates. I told them to listen to the case [day-to-day],” said PM Khan.

    Have you ever heard a politician blackmail others via tapes?

    Berating PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, he said Nawaz’s daughter claims she has “tapes” on government officials.

    “Have you ever heard a politician blackmail (others) via tapes?”

    Whatever your plan is, Kaptaan is prepared

    “I have a message for the Sharif family: Kaptaan is ready for all your plans. You will not only face defeat, but all of you will go to jail,” the prime minister vowed.

    “This is not what politicians do, this is what mafias do,” he declared, calling on supporters to help the government combat them.

    “I have vowed to fight them as long as I am alive.”

    There is no doubt inflation has increased

    The prime minister said: “They [the Opposition] say that inflation has increased. There is no doubt it has increased.”

     He went on to say that the government was always working on how to lessen the burden of this inflation on the people of the country.

    “I promise to reduce the burden on the people.”

    “Supply lines were affected due to the pandemic. There was a shortage of commodities and they became more expensive,” said PM Khan.

    “Every month, the government suffers a loss of Rs70 billion due to this,” said PM Khan.

    The premeir said that petrol that was previously available for $40 per barrel was now being sold for $90. “What can we do about this? We have to import petrol.”

  • Khan admits failure, awards only 10 favourite ministers: Bilawal

    Khan admits failure, awards only 10 favourite ministers: Bilawal

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Thursday said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had himself admitted failure of his entire cabinet by awarding ‘best performance’ certificates to only 10 ‘blue-eyed’ federal ministers.

    Taking a jibe at Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Bilawal said that Imran Khan had committed a ‘great injustice’ to Multan for not conferring a certificate on Qureshi while distributing performance certificates.

    He said PM Imran had given a certificate to the minister who halted the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and also conferred a certificate on another who had promised to create a Seraiki province in 90 days. He gave another certificate to a minister who was removed from one ministry but now held the planning portfolio for “planning the sugar, gas, petrol, medicine and fertiliser crises in the country”.

    PM Khan on Thursday awarded appreciation certificates to the “top 10 best performing federal ministries” under his government, with the communications ministry, planning ministry, and poverty alleviation division getting top honours of first, second and third respectively.

    “When I came [into power], I had very revolutionary ideas to bring sudden changes but I realised our system doesn’t have the capability to absorb sudden shocks [and only by] incentivising will we bring positive changes in our bureaucracy and ministries,” said PM Khan.

    The premier further said that the government and ministries had not given the desired results. “The biggest problem is that there has been no connection between the government and the interest of the country,” he added.

    “Are our ministries performing how to stabilise the country through increasing exports and how the condition of the people can be improved, how poverty can be eliminated?” he asked.