Tag: resignation

  • Misbah, Waqar resign from coaching positions ahead of T20 World Cup

    Misbah, Waqar resign from coaching positions ahead of T20 World Cup

    Pakistan men’s national cricket team head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis have stepped down from their respective roles, announced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday.

    According to a press release issued by the PCB, the two coaches communicated their decisions to the PCB late Monday morning.

    With the New Zealand side due to arrive on September 11 for three ODI and five T20I series and the Pakistan side to assemble in Islamabad on September 8, the PCB has appointed Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the series, with the team management for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 to be appointed in due course.

    As per PCB’s press release, former captain Misbah said: “The quarantine in Jamaica post the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 24 months as well as the schedule for international cricket ahead. Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role.”

    “I understand that the timing may not be ideal but I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for the upcoming challenges and it makes sense for someone fresh to step-in and take the side forward,” said Misbah.

    “The past 24 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and I want to thank my team and the management for their support. I wish the Pakistan cricket team best of luck in the upcoming events and will continue to support them every time they will take the field to represent Pakistan.”

    While Waqar said: “After Misbah shared with me his decision and future plans, it was a straightforward one for me to resign as we had walked into the roles together, had worked collectively as a pair and now also step down together.”

    “Working with the Pakistan bowlers, including the youngsters, has been most satisfying as they have now started to show progress. Bio-secure environments in the past 16 months have had their impact, something we had never experienced during our playing days,” he added.

    “The next eight months will be busy and exciting for the Pakistan team and, like in the past, I will continue to back and cheer them. I want to thank each and every member of the Pakistan cricket team set-up as we stayed united in good and bad days, and hope there will be more brighter days ahead,” said Waqar.

    PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “The PCB understands and respects Misbah’s decision. Cricket in this unprecedented bio-secure world has not been easy for anyone and Misbah has clearly taken into account the intense six months of non-stop cricket ahead. In the past 24 months, Misbah has given his very best to the team and we wish him well in his future endeavours”.

    “It has been an honourable decision by Waqar and we thank him sincerely for his immense work and commitment over the past two years and wish him the very best in the future,” said Khan.

    “Both Misbah and Waqar have given so much to Pakistan cricket over a long period of time and for that they deserve a huge amount of respect.”

    He further said: “Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq have been appointed as interim coaches for the New Zealand series. Saqlain is the Head of International Player Development at the National High Performance Centre, while Abdul Razzaq’s domestic side won three titles in the 2020-21 season.”

    “Both Saqlain and Razzaq are ready to step-up and are very much looking forward to making important contributions in their coaching roles against New Zealand,” he added.

    Misbah and Waqar were appointed in September 2019 and still had a year each left in their contracts.

  • Miftah Ismail steps down as PML-N Sindh General Secretary, blames ‘badmash tola’

    Miftah Ismail steps down as PML-N Sindh General Secretary, blames ‘badmash tola’

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh General Secretary Miftah Ismail has resigned from his party post arguing that politics became difficult in the presence of ‘badmash tola’ (mafia) in Karachi. According to details, Miftah resigned after no action was taken over vandalism by party workers at PML-N House in Karsaz.

    Dunya News reported that a few weeks ago, enraged workers of the PML-N in Karachi stormed into their own provincial party office and vandalised the facility, smashed windows, and tore posters of the party’s provincial leadership, in protest over “unjustified” distribution of party tickets for the upcoming local government elections in cantonment boards in the metropolis. 

    Reportedly, Miftah Ismail has tendered his resignation to the top leadership of the party due to the presence of “a gang of goons” who were making politics difficult for the former finance minister. He also contested the by-election in NA-249 in Karachi recently and lost a close contest to Qadir Mandokhel of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

  • Imran’s close friend Awn Chaudhry resigns after refusing to leave Tareen group

    Imran’s close friend Awn Chaudhry resigns after refusing to leave Tareen group

    Awn Chaudhry has resigned as Special Coordinator to Chief Minister (CM) Punjab on Political Affairs. In his resignation, Awn wrote that he was summoned to the CM House where he was asked to disassociate from Tareen group or resign. “My conscience does not allow me to abandon my association with the most loyal member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who served selflessly,” says Awn.

    As per Geo News, Awn Chaudhry was accused of lobbying for the Tareen group and recruiting new members of the Assembly into the Tareen group.

    Earlier this week, Punjab MPA Nazir Chohan, a Tareen loyalist, quit Tareen’s PTI faction, saying, “Jahangir Tareen used me.”

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Nawaz would have been PM in 2018 if PML-N had a different strategy: Shehbaz Sharif
    
			
    Nawaz would have been PM in 2018 if PML-N had a different strategy: Shehbaz Sharif
    
			
    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif says Nawaz Sharif would have been elected prime minister for a fourth time if the PML-N leaders had made a strategy based on consensus in the pre-2018 election period. 
    

    Shehbaz was responding to a question by Saleem Safi on Geo News programme, ‘Jirga’, about whether or not he was offered prime ministership before the 2018 elections on the condition that he would abandon his brother Nawaz Sharif and niece Maryam Nawaz. 
    

    When asked why was he failing to convince Nawaz Sharif and Maryam of the need for reconciliation, Shehbaz Sharif said he believed in “natural reconciliation”. Shehbaz said he wanted everyone to set aside their personal egos and join hands to eradicate poverty from the country. He further added that every matter in the party is decided with consultation, and his viewpoint is known to everyone. 
    

    The former Punjab chief minister said he was offered the prime ministership twice over the last couple of decades, adding that one of these offers was made by former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan and later, by General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. 
    

    He said no single individual or a single institution was responsible for a weak democracy in the country, and “everyone is a culprit” [Is hamam me sab nangay hain].
    

    Shehbaz Sharif said that Imran Khan had failed to deliver despite being provided all-out support by the establishment. 
    

    Shehbaz Sharif rejected the notion that he was about to resign from the party’s presidency, describing it as “fake news”. 
    

    A report in Daily Jang published last week stated that Shehbaz was angry after his strategy for the Azad Kashmir elections was ignored, resulting in the party’s loss. Thus, he threatened to quit party leadership. “When I was finally allowed to speak during the budget session, after four days of chaos [in parliament], I said the budget is a fake one since the people’s pockets are empty. Similarly, just like the budget, this news report is also fake.”
    

    Shehbaz said that PML-N is his home and that Nawaz Sharif, every party leader, worker, and women [leaders] over the past 40 years have played their role in building the party. He also rejected the accusation that he helped his brother flee the country, saying that it was propaganda.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘This shouldn’t have happened’: Waqar Younis on Younis Khan’s resignation
    
			
    ‘This shouldn’t have happened’: Waqar Younis on Younis Khan’s resignation
    
			
    Pakistan men’s cricket team bowling coach Waqar Younis regretted on Monday that former captain Younis Khan had stepped down as the batting coach of the team just days before the England tour.
    

    Read More – Younis Khan’s shocking revelations
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Addressing a virtual presser from the United Kingdom (UK), where Pakistan will be playing three One-day Internationals (ODI) and as many Twenty20 International (T20I) against England, Waqar said, “It’s unfortunate [Younis Khan stepping down as the batting coach] at the stroke of [a] big tour. It has happened, but this shouldn’t have happened.”
    

    Last month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had issued a statement announcing that the board and Younis had mutually agreed to part ways.
    Commenting on the development, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan had said it was sad to lose an expert of Younis’ stature and experience.
    

    “Following a series of discussions, we both have reluctantly but mutually and amicably agreed that it was time to move in different directions.
    

    “I want to thank Younis for his contributions during his short stint as the men’s national cricket team’s batting coach and hope he will remain available to assist the PCB by sharing his vast knowledge with the emerging cricketers,” he had said.
    

    Commenting on the matter, Waqar said the PCB and Younis had both given explanations about their differences.
    

    The bowling coach added: “Younis was a great help… [and] his work ethic has always been good.”
    

    Waqar was also asked to share his views on reports of PCB chief executive Wasim Khan visiting fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who retired from international cricket last year.
    He said he was not aware of the development until the media reported it, adding that it was the PCB head’s prerogative whether to visit Amir or not.
    

    “But if Amir doesn’t want to play or take back his retirement … or impress the selectors, then it’s hard. You have to do the right things to play for your country,” remarked Waqar.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Vawda resigns from National Assembly after casting his Senate vote
    
			
    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved its judgement in the case seeking Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda’s disqualification. Prior to this development, Vawda cast his vote for the Upper House and resigned from his National Assembly seat, The Express Tribune has reported.
    

    Read more – Aamir Liaquat trolls Vawda over award of Senate ticket
    

    A single bench of the IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq was hearing the petition moved against the federal minister by Barrister Jahangir Jadoon. During the hearing, Vawda’s counsel argued that the case against him in the court stands ineffective following his resignation.
    

    However, Jadoon objected to the argument, stating that several members of the assembly resigned from their seats and joined the parliament again in the past. He added that a person remains a member of the assembly unless the Speaker of the National Assembly accepts the resignation.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Faisal Vawda was a dual national at the time of filing nomination papers for 2018’s General Election and concealed his American citizenship by falsely declaring on the oath he submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). 
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Former ISI DG says he never asked Nawaz Sharif to resign
    
			
    Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general (DG) Lt General (r) Zaheerul Islam has said that he never sought the resignation of prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
    

    Speaking to a private media outlet on Wednesday, Islam also categorically denied that he had in 2014 sent any message through any person to the then PM Nawaz. “I never sent anyone to convey any such message to the premier,” he said, adding it was absolutely wrong.
    

    Instead, Islam insisted that at every stage during the 2014 sit-in by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), he had advised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government to politically engage with the protesting parties to end the protest.
    

    He was, however, reluctant to talk further on the subject.
    

    Stepping back into the political limelight last month, Nawaz, who is seeking medical treatment abroad, had in a fiery speech said the entire country knows what the former ISI chief had done. He claimed that Islam had at midnight sent him a message seeking his resignation.
    

    “He threatened to impose martial law if I didn’t step down but I refused to resign at all costs,” Nawaz had added.
    

    Reacting to his statements, PM Imran Khan had said he would take on anyone who dares to tell him to step down as a democratically-elected PM.
    

    “He [Nawaz] claims he was told by the army… Gen Zaheerul Islam… to resign. You are the PM… how can he dare to demand so from you?” the premier had said while speaking to senior journalist Nadeem Malik.
    

    When asked what would Imran Khan do if he is asked to resign, the premier had said he, being the PM, would immediately ask for that person’s resignation. “I am the country’s PM,” he had said maintained.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Imran’s aides succumb to criticism
    
			
    Imran’s aides succumb to criticism
    
			
    — While Tania Aidrus has resigned amid criticism for holding dual nationality, Dr Zafar Mirza has stepped down over ‘negative discussion about the role of SAPMs’
    

    

    Dr Zafar Mirza and Tania Aidrus, special assistants to the prime minister (SAPM) on health and e-governance, respectively, stepped down from their posts on Wednesday.
    

    The resignations come days after the Cabinet Division made public the details of the assets and dual nationalities of 20 advisers and special assistants, rocking the country’s political landscape.
    

    In a tweet, Aidrus, the head of the much-touted Digital Pakistan Vision initiative, cited recent criticism levelled against her and the government due to her dual nationality as the reason behind her decision to resign.
    

    “[The] criticism levied towards the state as a consequence of my citizenship status is clouding the purpose of Digital Pakistan,” she said, adding that she was resigning “in the greater public interest”.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    In the resignation letter, Aidrus stated that she had returned to Pakistan with the “singular intent to contribute and develop the vision of a Digital Pakistan”.
    

    “I always was and shall be a Pakistani,” she wrote, adding that “it is unfortunate that a Pakistani’s desire to serve Pakistan is clouded by such [dual nationality] issues”.
    

    While the letter points to criticism on Aidrus’ foreign nationality being the chief reason for her resignation, reports say that the former Google executive was in fact forced to resign.
    

    READ: What we know about Tana Aidrus’s resignation
    

    Meanwhile, Mirza also took to Twitter to announce stepping down.
    

    He said that he had come to Pakistan on the personal invitation of the premier after leaving the World Health Organization (WHO).
    

    

    


    

    

    

    “I worked hard and honestly. It was a privilege to serve Pakistan. I am satisfied that I leave at a time when COVID-19 has declined in Pakistan as a result of a grand national effort,” Mirza said.
    

    He added that he had made the decision over the “negative discussion about the role of SAPMs and criticism of the government”.
    

    “Pakistani people deserve better healthcare. I have worked sincerely to contribute to this cause. Pakistan will Inshallah emerge out of COVID-19 with a stronger healthcare system.”
    

    While PM Imran has not yet accepted the resignations, rumour has it that another aide of his will shortly be resigning.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    PM Imran refuses to accept Aamir Liaquat Hussain’s resignation
    
			
    PM Imran refuses to accept Aamir Liaquat Hussain’s resignation
    
			
    Televangelist and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker in the National Assembly, Aamir Liaquat Hussain, has claimed that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has rejected his resignation letter.
    

    “After a long meeting with PM Imran Khan, my four-page resignation was rejected. I opened my heart told the PM everything. The PM hailed my efforts for raising my voice for Karachi’s issues and said thinking about the public was the role of an elected leader,” he tweeted on Monday.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Earlier in the day, Hussain had posted on social media that he was on his way to the PM House to submit his resignation.
    

    Last week, he had announced resigning as an MNA from Karachi over prolonged unannounced power outages in the port city.
    

    “I confess that I am a helpless MNA of Karachi. I am unable to provide electricity to the people of my city. I cannot see the people of my city suffer. I will ask the prime minister for time and submit my resignation,” he had said.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    A spike in power outages is spelling misery for a major chunk of the metropolis’ residents with some areas having interrupted electric supply for weeks now.
    

    This, however, is not the first time that the PTI MNA has been in the news for being upset at his party.
    

    In 2018, a month after the general election, reports had emerged of differences between Hussain and the PTI after he had expressed anger with the party over failure to invite him to a dinner hosted at the Governor’s House.
    

    According to reports, Liaquat left a WhatsApp group comprising PTI Sindh’s leaders over the issue.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Bilawal seeks Imran’s voluntary resignation over ‘coronavirus failures’
    
			
    Bilawal seeks Imran’s voluntary resignation over ‘coronavirus failures’
    
			
    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan should voluntarily resign and appoint someone else in his stead, as tensions between the Centre and Sindh government continue to rise as COVID-19 cases continue to spike across the country.
    

    Talking to Sindhi language news channels, Bilawal slammed the premier for a lack of consensus in the country on how to tackle the persisting coronavirus situation.
    

    “We [PPP] have been demanding the prime minister to step down since day one,” said the PPP chief. “Keeping in mind the coronavirus situation, I am not asking for his resignation. But Imran Khan should start working as a prime minister. He should play his role in uniting provinces in this crisis.”
    

    Bilawal urged PM Imran to voluntarily resign under these difficult circumstances and appoint someone else in his stead. The PPP chairman said that a national consensus was necessary to win the fight against the coronavirus. “The whole state should be on the same page against the coronavirus,” he said, adding that the prime minister was responsible for the absence of it. “The federal government is responsible for ensuring a consensus is reached.”
    

    Bilawal praised the Sindh government for providing relief to the masses as cases in the province continue to surge. “Sindh government is taking brilliant steps to provide relief to people,” he said. “CM Sindh has also joined hands with welfare organisations. People are being provided relief today due to the initiatives taken by the PPP,” he added.
    

    He said that Sindh government was about to kick off “phase two” of its plan to ward off the coronavirus. “We are providing relief to the people despite facing a shortage of resources,” he said.
    

    Referring to criticism over his statement on Karachi and Sindh a few days ago, Bilawal said that some people were presenting his remarks in a negative light and taking them out of context. “I consider it an insult to answer these [accusations],” he said, adding that those who were criticising him were working on their agenda to break up Sindh.
    

    The remarks came a few days after the PPP chairman hit out at the federal government in a fiery presser, slamming it for neglecting doctors and medical officers throughout the country.
    

    “Can you imagine Pakistan declaring war and sending its army without guns, bullets, and a uniform?” he had said.
    

    The PPP chairman had lamented that the doctors were only demanding two things — protective gear and a reduced burden on hospitals so that they may carry out their jobs more effectively.
    

    “The prime minister has failed to deliver […] He mentioned daily wagers in all of his addresses, but sadly none of them has received a single dime yet,” he had regretted.
    

    It is our responsibility to provide for them like we would provide for our armed forces, he said, adding: “We are trying to provide for our doctors who are in contact with COVID-19 patients, I know that all provincial governments are playing their due role as well.”
    

    “But the Centre should also play its role in supporting the provinces in the war against coronavirus,” he had said.