Tag: PTI

  • ‘Absolute rubbish’ – Govt reacts to ex-FIA chief’s accusations

    ‘Absolute rubbish’ – Govt reacts to ex-FIA chief’s accusations

    Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar have denied serious allegations levelled by ex-FIA director general (DG) Bashir Memon.

    Reacting to Memon’s statement, wherein he had accused PM Imran among others of framing Justice Qazi Faez Isa and major political player, the premier’s adviser on accountability Akbar vehemently rejected the same.

    He said Memon had committed “slander” and said he had directed his lawyers to initiate legal action against the former head of the FIA.

    “Just seen absolute rubbish uttered by Bashir Memon on Shahzeb show. He was never called for any meeting with PM or myself on QFI (Qazi Faez Isa) issue, and there was no meeting with law minister and him as he claims,” he said in a tweet, “similarly he was never told to start any case against any specific individual. Only case referred to FIA was of sedition by the fed cabinet. I have instructed lawyers in personal capacity to initiate legal action for his slander.”

    Law minister Naseem said all allegations levelled by Memon were false and baseless, adding that he never spoke a word to the former DG FIA about Justice Isa. He also pinpointed that Azam Khan, Shahzad Akbar and Bashir Memon had never showed up at his office, contrary to Memon’s allegations.

    “PM Imran Khan, Azam Khan, or Shahzad Akbar never told me that they had a word about Justice Isa with Bashir Memon,” he added.

  • ‘Satisfied with cool winds blowing from Islamabad’: Tareen

    ‘Satisfied with cool winds blowing from Islamabad’: Tareen

    Jahangir Khan Tareen said on Thursday that he has been given an assurance that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will meet his group soon.

    “Now that a cool wind is blowing from Islamabad, we are satisfied,” said Tareen.

    Tareen also claimed he has the support of 40 lawmakers.

    Talking to the media outside a sessions court in Lahore, Tareen said that when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was in power, the government investigated his business and sent him notices but even the PML-N did not do to him what is being done now. “Even the PML-N did not turn a civil case to a criminal case, which has been done now.”

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told anchorperson Adil Shahzeb that he does not know about any upcoming meeting between Tareen and PM Imran. “Frankly I have not talked to either of the two about this.” Chaudhry added that Tareen played an important role in the formation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. “Everyone acknowledged and appreciates Tareen sahab’s role.”

  • Confusion over Saad Rizvi’s release

    After the successful negotiations between the government and the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Tuesday morning after sehri, rumours of TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi’s release from Kot Lakhpat Jail started doing the rounds on the media as well as social media. Public relations officer of the Punjab prisons department, Attiq Ahmed, confirmed Rizvi’s release to Dawn. Some other media outlets reported the same.

    Punjab’s provincial Minister for Prisons Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan, however, denied these reports. In a statement released to the media, Chohan said that this is not true. He said that Rizvi’s release can only be done after proper procedures are followed.

    Banned TLP sources also denied Rizvi’s release. They say that documentation is being processed in this regard.

    Saad Rizvi was arrested on April 12 after he planned protests following the April 20 deadline. His arrest was a pre-emptive measure in order to maintain law and order. Protests erupted across the country after Rizvi’s arrest. TLP has demanded that Rizvi be released.

  • PPP to boycott, PDM to attend NA session today

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that the government will present a resolution in the National Assembly (NA) for the expulsion of the French envoy. This comes in the wake of the successful negotiations between the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and the government earlier today.

    The next NA session was scheduled for Thursday (April 22) but it was changed. NA session was called today at 3pm to facilitate the resolution.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari tweeted that the agreement with the banned TLP was not brought to the NA. Government took action against it on the streets and then banned TLP. Bilawal said that the prime minister did not take the NA into confidence at any stage so if the government did not take parliament into confidence, it is the prime minister’s mess. “Clean up or go home,” tweeted Bilawal.

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and its member parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz are attending the NA session. Sources say they will also support the resolution.

    Three demands in the resolution ask for a debate on the expulsion of the French ambassador. It also asks that the European Union (EU), especially France, should be told about the sensitivity of this issue. Discussions should be held with all Muslim countries so as to raise it on international forums. The resolution also says that foreign relations will only be decided by the state and not an individual, group or party through any illegal pressure tactics.

    The resolution presented before the NA today has been approved for debate. PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi asks for one hour to go over the motion with his party.

    This is a developing story

  • NA to debate sending French Ambassador back

    NA to debate sending French Ambassador back

    Initial reports coming in after Sehri on Tuesday suggest that negotiations between the government and the banned TLP have been successful.

    Reports indicate that all cases against TLP workers will be withdrawn. The decision to ban TLP will reviewed and may be taken back. A resolution seeking the expulsion of the French ambassador will be tabled in parliament. Some reports say it will be through a private member and not the government.

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in a video message announced that a resolution on the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan will be presented in the National Assembly. He also added that the cases registered against TLP workers under the Fourth Schedule will also be withdrawn.

    Meanwhile, as per the official Twitter account of The National Assembly of Pakistan, the session of the National Assembly which was scheduled for Thursday (April 22), will take place today at 3 pm after the government’s negotiations with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.

    TLP has decided to call off the dharna as per media reports.

    This is a developing story.

  • Opposition parties criticise PTI govt over TLP protests

    Sunday’s clashes between the Punjab Police and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) workers led to reactions from various political parties as well as religious groups. Here is a recap:

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    Addressing the media on Sunday night,  Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that this situation should be resolved wisely. He said that if the TLP comes to Islamabad, the JUI-F will support them. He criticised the government for declaring TLP a terrorist party.

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the violence in Lahore and other parts of the country. He expressed grief over the loss of lives, including those of policemen and civilians, as the direct result of the PTI government’s inability to handle the situation peacefully.

    “The real fight is about fighting against the root of the festering problem, not in just responding to the symptoms. Why has the selected government not bothered to implement the National Action Plan, or even discuss arising challenges in parliament,” said Mr Bhutto. He pointed out that the tendency to foster and coddle pressure groups through instigating ethnic, religious and sectarian hatred had begun during Zia’s regime, to squeeze mainstream national political parties. He added that it was painfully clear that we have failed to understand that no one can consistently play with fire without getting burnt themselves.

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi strongly condemned the violence in Lahore. In a statement, Mr Abbasi said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) believes that “Namoos-e-Risalat (sanctity of prophethood) is the foundation of a Muslim’s ideology. No Muslim can compromise on it.” He criticised the government for its failure to establish peace in the country. “PDM stresses that peace and stability will only be established in Pakistan when it is run according to the Constitution and people’s wishes,” added Abbasi.

    Mufti Muneebur Rehman

    On Sunday night, former Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairperson Mufti Muneebur Rehman called for a countrywide strike the next day (Monday). Several otherst religious leaders have supported Mufti Muneeb’s strike call, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar:

    PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar called Maulana Fazl’s statement “irresponsible”. He said that it is not right to use what happened in Lahore for political point-scoring. Khokhar also said that Mufti Muneeb is also settling a score with the government after he was removed from his post as the chairperson of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. Khokhar asked why the government had signed an illegal and unconstitutional agreement with the TLP back in November.

    Agreement signed between PTI govt and TLP in Nov 2020

    Sindh High Court Bar Association 

    The Sindh High Court Bar Association condemned the utter failure of the PTI government to peacefully resolve this crisis. “The government’s reaction has swung from willful blindness to disproportionate and lethal force.” It also condemned the “unconstitutional gagging of electronic media in relation to the protests”.

    Meanwhile, Geo News reported that  a delegation of ulema led by Sahibzada Hamid Raza met the banned TLP chief Saad Rizvi in jail on Monday and urged him to end the protests taking place in the country by releasing a video message.

  • Round Three: Sheikh Rasheed to meet TLP workers tonight

    Round Three: Sheikh Rasheed to meet TLP workers tonight

    At 10 PM tonight, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid and Religious Affairs Minister Pir Noorul Haq Qadri will, yet again meet workers of the recently banned Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) for a third round of talks.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that the second round of talks had ended earlier today.

    The first round, led by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, had taken place yesterday after which 11 police hostages were released by the TLP. The first talks took place after a day of clashes between workers and the police.

    Although Prime Minister Khan, in his address to the nation, clearly said that the approach taken by the TLP to the French backing of blasphemous cartoons is wrong, the TLP has put forward four demands. They want the French ambassador to be sent back to France, the part chief Saad Rizvi to be released, the ban on the party to be removed and the arrested workers to be released. PM Khan has clearly stated that his approach, which includes uniting the Muslim world should be adopted by the country, and that the TLP is trying to show that they ‘feel more passionate’ about the Holy Prophet (PBUH) which is not true.

    It remains to be seen what happens in the meetings between the TLP and the government. However, PM Khan mentioned that the violent protests done by the banned party had led to the killing of four police officers, 800 officers injured, 40 police cars destroyed and millions of rupees lost in the destruction of private property.

  • Cabinet reshuffle, again

    Cabinet reshuffle, again

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has had another cabinet reshuffle this past week. The news of another reshuffle was doing the rounds for some weeks and finally it was announced on Friday, April 16. Except for one new but expected addition, all other portfolios have been given to already serving cabinet ministers. Only their portfolios have been changed.

    Hammad Azhar, who had just been appointed the finance minister less than three weeks ago after the ouster of Hafeez Shaikh, has now been removed and given the portfolio of energy. Shaukat Tarin, who served as the finance minister in the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) regime, has been appointed as minister for finance. He has been given the additional charge of revenue as well. Tarin is the fourth finance minister under the current regime and the second ex-PPP finance minister after Shaikh. Asad Umar was originally appointed the finance minister by PTI before being removed unceremoniously after a few months into his tenure whereas Hammad Azhar’s stint as finance minister was the shortest of all in this government. Tarin will be finance minister for at least six months and then the government will have to get him elected for him to remain in the ministerial position. Tarin has been extremely critical of PTI’s economic management. We will have to wait and see how he turns around the economy.

    Omar Ayub has been made the minister for economic affairs; he was previously energy minister. Khusro Bakhtiar, who held Ayub’s portfolio has now been given the portfolio of industries and production – a portfolio held earlier by Hammad Azhar, who now has Ayub’s portfolio. If this does not make your head hurt, do not fret for we now have Fawad Chaudhry back as the Information Minister while his ministry – Science & Technology – has been given to former information minister Shibli Faraz. Musical chairs, much?

    Fawad Chaudhry was an asset as the information minister when the PTI government came to power but he was replaced by Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan. Shibli Faraz later replaced Firdous. Chaudhry is the fourth – yet the original – information minister. When Chaudhry took on the science ministry, he brought his ministry to the limelight by starting many new projects. One of Chaudhry’s feats was his tussle on moonsighting for Ramzan and Eid with Mufti Muneeb. Chaudhry won in the end through his use of technology. Unfortunately, the new science minister Shibli Faraz thinks that moonsighting and the use of technology for this should not be the science ministry’s concern. We hope that Faraz will not rollback all the good work done by Chaudhry.

    We also hope that we will not need a new finance minister or a new information minister anytime soon.

  • Govt’s ‘Rehmatul-Lil Alameen Scholarship’ to also cover non-Muslims

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has launched the Rehmatul-Lil Alameen scholarship program for underprivileged students, Radio Pakistan has reported.

    As per details, a budget of 27.93 billion rupees has been approved for this national-level program which will be used over the next five years. The program will be implemented in 129 public sector universities across the country.

    Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Islamabad, PM Imran said the scholarship will be available to all Pakistanis including non-Muslims, adding that the federal government will annually provide Rs 5.5 billion for 70,000 scholarships. 

    PM Khan said that under the scholarship program a total of 350,000 scholarships will be provided in five years at a cost of Rs 28 billion.

    He further said that the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will also separately provide scholarship to the students.

    Read more – Pakistanis appreciate PM Imran for ‘Koi Bhooka Nahi Soye Ga’ programme

    The premier asserted that the government is especially focusing on the education sector with the aim that “our youth learn from the Sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Salam Khatim-un-Nabiyeen“.

    Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said the Rehmatul-Lil Alameen Scholarship is a nationwide program and will be implemented in 129 universities across the country.  He said fifty percent scholarships will be given to women whilst two percent to specially-abled persons.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry and Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari also announced the news on social media, encouraging those eligible to apply for it.

    The provinces are also separately pursuing the Rehmatul-Lil Alameen Scholarship program. In Punjab, one billion rupees has been approved for this scholarship program annually, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has allocated Rs 427 million for it.

  • Punjab govt rushes to Tareen’s support amid reports of rift with PTI

    Punjab govt rushes to Tareen’s support amid reports of rift with PTI

    The Punjab government has said that disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen is an important pillar of the party and had worked hard to form the government of Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.

    Speaking to Geo News, Special Assistant to Punjab CM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had come to power on the manifesto of the supremacy of law and a corruption-free Pakistan.

    Awan, while responding to a question on accountability, said all those PTI leaders and ministers who were accused of corruption had returned to their positions after getting themselves cleared from the charges.

    The spokesperson dismissed media reports claiming that the government is taking revengeful action against Tareen.

    Tareen is facing charges of corruption in the sugar scandal and multiple cases have been filed against him.

    Amid his ordeal, reports had claimed the sugar baron was defecting to rival Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

    While the claims have been rubbished, any truth to the same could serve a severe blow to the ruling PTI, especially in Punjab where Buzdar is in power owing to the support of a number of loyal-to-Tareen MPAs.

    The PTI leader, after appearing in court on Wednesday, had said that his loyalty to PM Imran was being tested, but that he is not parting ways with the PTI.

    While responding to a question, Awan said that Tareen would never take a step that would harm PTI and that he had played an important role in forming the Buzdar government and taking forward the policies of the PTI government.

    “Jahangir Tareen will never want to see PTI getting weak on the political front. In pursuance of PM Khan’s mission he was active as a soldier,” she added.

    Meanwhile, the Punjab government has reportedly prepared a list of the PTI members who were in contact with Jahangir Khan Tareen.

    CM Buzdar is set to hand over the list to the premier, which would be followed by a final decision on said lawmakers’ fate.

    Tareen loyalists maintain that he also played a major role in securing PM Imran the recent vote of confidence and without his support, the government is struggling owing to a thin majority in Punjab.