Tag: Shehbaz Sharif

  • Khan agrees that PM Shehbaz can appoint constitutionally but has reservations morally

    Khan agrees that PM Shehbaz can appoint constitutionally but has reservations morally

    Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has acknowledged that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has the constitutional right to appoint the army chief but questioned if he can “morally” appoint the right person.

    Alleging that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was working on an agenda against the PTI, the former Prime Minister said, “Not only is it close to the Pakistan Muslim Leauge-Nawaz (PML-N) but also the handlers. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja passed decisions against us eight times and all of them were rejected by the judiciary.”

    Addressing his party’s Long March via video link, Imran Khan said about the CEC, “How could he pass judgments on us when he has been repeatedly giving decisions against us.”

    Khan, once again, called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan, saying that the nation was looking to him for justice in “three landmark cases”: Arshad Sharif’s murder, Azam Swati’s custodial torture, and the Wazirabad FIR issue.

    “CJP, we are looking towards you because we don’t have
    hope from anywhere else,” he said, adding that it was high time the courts became assertive and stood with the people of Pakistan.

  • Nawaz Sharif returning soon?

    Nawaz Sharif returning soon?

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif—who is currently in London— reportedly wants to come back to Pakistan soon as his return date is being discussed within trusted circles, reports Samaa News.

    According to the media outlet, Nawaz said that the public in Pakistan is facing financial problems, not political ones. About the general elections, he was of the view that they will be held at the designated time.

    Moreover, he claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s long march has failed. Sharif said that his party [PML-N] is against the politics of revenge and hatred.

    Last week, Nawaz was visited by his brother Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in Britain and conducted several meetings with him. It was widely reported that the two brothers were holding consultations on who should be the next head of the armed forces.

    The PML-N supremo was granted an eight-week bail on medical grounds in October 2019, and, he was allowed to travel to London for treatment for four weeks. However, Nawaz has not returned since then.

  • PM Shehbaz tests positive for Covid-19 for the third time

    PM Shehbaz tests positive for Covid-19 for the third time

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has tested positive for the coronavirus for the third time, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed on Tuesday.

    In a tweet, the minister said that the Premier was feeling unwell for the past two days and took a Covid-19 test today as per the doctor’s advice.

    She appealed to the nation and to PML-N workers to pray for Shehbaz Sharif’s speedy recovery.

    This is the third time the prime minister has tested positive for the virus. He had previously contracted Covid-19 earlier this year in January and once before in June 2020.

    Shehbaz Sharif landed back in Pakistan on Monday after a brief but busy trip to London. However, he had reportedly not been feeling well. It was also reported that while the Prime Minister was in London, he felt unwell and delayed his departure to Pakistan by a day.

  • All eyes on the COAS appointment as Gen Bajwa and President Alvi arrive in Lahore

    All eyes on the COAS appointment as Gen Bajwa and President Alvi arrive in Lahore

    President Dr Arif Alvi and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa were in Lahore on Friday night as speculations ran rife on who will be appointed the new army chief. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman is also in Lahore, recuperating from surgeries at his home in Zaman Park.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will soon return from London after consulting his elder brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif on the political quagmire in the country and the appointment of a new army chief.

    According to news reports, President Alvi has emerged as the leading figure in the army’s ongoing “backchannel talks” with PTI. He has already facilitated at least one direct meeting between Gen Bajwa and Khan at the Presidency.

    In an interview on Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath”, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira — whose party also holds an important position in the ruling alliance — said merit would determine who becomes the next army chief.

    “The [government] will appoint the next army chief from among the top-five senior generals,” Kaira said and mentioned that PM Shehbaz would return to Pakistan and deliberate over the matter with members of the government and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    Lashing out at Khan, Kaira said the person against whom Khan had reservations was the same man with whom he spent four years in power.

    Earlier this week, PM Shehbaz and Nawaz Sharif agreed not to succumb to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) pressure, especially on Khan’s key demand for early elections.

    The Premier had a meeting that lasted for over three hours with his elder brother. Reportedly, Nawaz told Shehbaz to “continue doing his best to take Pakistan out of the economic crisis” and “not succumb to any kind of pressure”.

    Meanwhile, Khan has also reiterated his stance on appointing the army chief on “merit” and criticised PM Shehbaz for consulting Nawaz on this all-important appointment.

    During an address to participants of his party’s long march in Gujrat via video link, Khan said: “Whoever fits the merit, should be appointed the army chief.”

    “Nawaz Sharif always brings up the man who is beneficial for him,” Khan said referring to the appointment’s decision. The statement was in stark contrast to Khan’s stance of just a day earlier, as reported by Dawn, when he told journalists that, “They [government] can appoint whoever they want.”

  • ‘Waqar and Khurram killed Arshad Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    ‘Waqar and Khurram killed Arshad Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Khurram and his brother Waqar, who were hosting slain journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, conspired with local police to kill the newsman.

    “This is a joint conspiracy of Waqar, Khurram and five Kenyan police officers,” said the federal minister on Geo News programme “Geo Pakistan” adding that the murder was a “target killing”.

    The interior minister said that Sharif went to Kenya from Dubai on Waqar’s sponsorship and he was staying in his flat. He also said that Waqar helped Sharif in getting an online visa.

    It is pertinent to mention that when Sharif was shot, Khurram was with him, driving the car, however, he was not injured by police gunfire and remained unharmed.

    “We have the record of everything including why Sharif went to Waqar’s house and stayed as a guest,” claimed the minister. He also revealed that Waqar is not being named in the case because the commission has yet to go and look into these matters.

    During the interview, Sanaullah said that Sharif didn’t want to leave the country.

    The interior minister said that he would request Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to talk to the Kenyan president again because the Kenyan police are “not cooperating”.

    Earlier in the week, “On the Front” host Kamran Shahid unearthed details of the murder on his show, stating, “At eight o clock on the night of October 23, Arshad Sharif was shot while sitting in the car with Khurram, who drove him [Arshad Sharif] via a long route instead of the usual one on the day the anchorperson was martyred.”

  • Sharif brothers agree on resisting PTI pressure: reports

    Sharif brothers agree on resisting PTI pressure: reports

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif agreed not to succumb under Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) pressure, especially on their Chairman Imran Khan’s key demand of early elections, reports Geo News.

    The Premier, who is currently in London, had a meeting that lasted for over three hours with only Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz, Suleman Sharif, Hasan and Hussain Nawaz and a few other family members present. No one from the party was asked to join the meeting.

    Nawaz told Shehbaz to “continue doing his best to take Pakistan out of the economic crisis” and “not succumb to any kind of pressure”.

    According to the news report, when Shehbaz Sharif was asked if he will be discussing the appointment of the next army chief with his sibling, the PM said: “I have come today to meet my elder brother and my family. I am meeting them and their children after a long time.”

    After the end of the meeting, he was again pressed as to when the next chief of army staff will be appointed but the PM dodged the question, stating instead that the meeting was a family get together with and said: “ my brother, my nieces, my nephews and rest of the family too. We had lunch, gup shup and congratulations to all of you on Pakistan’s (cricket) win.”

    This visit to London is the third such trip since Shehbaz became prime minister in April. Sharif’s visit to London comes two weeks before the end of General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure. The army chief is set to retire on November 29.

    It has been reported that Shehbaz will consult Nawaz on the appointment of the Pakistan army chief.

  • Shehbaz meets with world leaders during climate change conference

    Shehbaz meets with world leaders during climate change conference

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday attended the inaugural ceremony of the United Nations (UN) Climate Implementation Summit at the coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.

    The “Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit” is part of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27).

    The premier separately met with the Presidents of Iraq, Tajikistan and Indonesia Abdul Latif Rashid, Emomali Rahmon, and Joko Widodo, respectively. He also conducted a meeting with Lebanese PM Najib Makati.

    In his meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Shehbaz Sharif thanked him for the assistance sent as aid for flood victims.

    In his meeting with the European Union Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, PM Shehbaz appreciated the spirit of EU nations for their support extended to the flood-hit population of Pakistan. The premier also met with UN chief Antonio Guterres.

    The PM arrived in Egypt on Sunday to participate in the conference that has drawn delegates from 197 countries.

    Before his departure, PM Shehbaz took to Twitter to say that he would raise the matter of the devasting effects of climate change in Pakistan.

    Last month, it was announced that PM Shehbaz would be the vice-chairperson for COP27.

    The conference is taking place at a time when millions of people in Pakistan, and millions more in other parts of the world, are facing severe adverse impacts of climate change.

    For the first time in the history of COP27, the members would discuss whether rich countries should compensate poor nations most exposed to the adverse effects of climate change.

  • PM Shehbaz urges CJP Bandial to form full court, says will quit politics if there is proof of Khan’s allegations

    PM Shehbaz urges CJP Bandial to form full court, says will quit politics if there is proof of Khan’s allegations

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday condemned the assassination attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan which took place in Wazirabad earlier this week.

    “The attack is condemnable, however, when the nation is being pushed towards devastation by false narratives it is my responsibility that I play a positive role to protect the people,” he said, addressing a press conference in Lahore. The Premier extended his wishes to Khan and other people injured in the attack, hoping for their speedy recovery and prayed for the victim who was shot dead in the attack.

    PM Shehbaz urges CJP Bandial to form full court commission to probe Imran’s allegations

    PM Shehbaz then demanded that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Umar Ata Bandial, constitute a “full court commission” to probe allegations levelled by Khan wherein he accused the premier, the federal interior minister, and a senior military official General Faisal Naseer, of planning the assassination attempt on him.

    “I think this is the need, that there should be an immediate decision based on justice this time. I request the chief justice to form a full court commission with all honorable and respectable judges for the greater interest of this country and to end this discord and chaos,” the prime minister told the press members.

    “I will immediately request this via a letter in writing, and I hope this request will be supported. And if you do not accept this request, these questions will remain forever. This fitna and sazish will be buried only when facts come to light,” said the perturbed prime minister.

    Khan is attacking the Pakistan army in a way an enemy would do: PM Shehbaz

    “Imran Khan’s tales are full of contradictions. I cannot, for even a moment, waste my time thinking that this man — who Allah granted a new life — is lying day and night. Today, he is attacking the Pakistan army in a way an enemy would do,” said Shehbaz Sharif, slamming the former prime minister.

    He then slammed the PTI chief for his comments against state institutions, particularly Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his family, and lamented that enemy nations were celebrating the critical situation in Pakistan.

    “What else would an enemy country like India want? They are celebrating today. India’s TV channels are excited to see Khan speak ill about the ISI and military institutions as [the PTI chief] is levelling severe allegations against them that one couldn’t even think about,” PM Shehbaz said, deeming Khan an “idol of lies — from tip to toe”.

    “Unfortunately, he is trying to derail the nation. But this country of 22 million people will be protected by Allah,” he promised.

    ‘Punjab govt should be held accountable’

    Not sparing the PTI-led Punjab government, Shehbaz Sharif stressed that it was their responsibility and that, “they should be held accountable for the incident.”

    He added that the Inspector-General of Police and Chief Secretary belongs to them and asked why they haven’t conducted a forensic of the four bullets which the Punjab government has claimed hit Khan.

    “On October 28, the federal agency wrote a letter to the Punjab government about threats of terrorist attacks on Khan’s long march,” the Premier said, adding that it was the provincial administration’s responsibility to ensure safety after the letter was shared with them.

    The Premier further added that the Punjab government should be questioned about the incident and about the delay in registering the first information report.

    Will quit politics if Khan shows evidence: PM Shehbaz

    PM Shahbaz also challenged the PTI chief to present evidence proving his, Rana Sanaullah’s, or General Faisal’s involvement.

    He maintained that if Khan successfully shows evidence to the people that he was behind the attack, then “I don’t have a right to continue to hold the Prime Minister’s Office.”

    Berating Khan for his “false conspiracies”, the Prime Minister called Khan out for criticising the institution which gave several sacrifices. “Nobody can say such poor things against this institution,” he added.

    In response to a question regarding Senator Azam Swati’s video — which has surfaced on social media — PM Shahbaz said that the matter has been brought to his knowledge and he has directed the Ministry of Interior to take notice. He vowed to bring the findings in front of the people.

  • ‘Phir call doonga, dobara sarkon pe nikloonga’: Imran Khan breaks silence after his attempted assassination

    ‘Phir call doonga, dobara sarkon pe nikloonga’: Imran Khan breaks silence after his attempted assassination

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan addressed the nation for the first time since his attempted assassination in Wazirabad. Khan is currently hospitalised in Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore from where he spoke to the nation.

    In the beginning, Dr Faisal Sultan, the former assistant to Khan on health, gave some details on Khan’s injuries. He showed X-rays of Imran’s right leg, he said that the tibia was damaged and was in fact fractured.

    ‘They had planned to kill me either in Wazirabad or in Gujrat’: Imran Khan

    After Dr Faisal’s briefing, Khan claimed that he was aware of the danger and of the plot to kill him. He said that he already had information about the attack and he knew that they had planned to kill him either in Wazirabad or Gujrat.

    ‘Our MPAs were threatened and told that we have your dirty videos’: Imran Khan

    While talking about a handler in Islamabad, Khan said that his party’s Member of Provisional Assemblies (MPAs) were threatened.

    According to Khan, the handler said that “they need to stop supporting Imran Khan and the party, as they have dirty videos of them.”

    ‘Aik handler ajata hai Islamabad mein Major General Faisal, he says he will handle it all’: Imran Khan

    During his address, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan took a jibe at Major General Faisal.

    He said that ever since General Faisal was posted in Islamabad, attack on PTI leaders started. “Media officials covering or speaking for PTI were stopped from doing so,” Khan said.

    ‘I have a video with four names who made decisions behind closed doors against me’: Imran Khan

    Moreover, Khan claimed that four people plotted to kill him. He stated that the “handlers” were taking the decisions at the back but the people were turning out to his rallies in record numbers.

    “I have friendships within the institutions, I know people. I know what they did in these six months. I recorded a video with four names of people planning behind the doors against me,” said the former prime minister in his first address after being shot.

    ‘There were two shooters’: Imran Khan

    PTI chief Imran Khan described the attack on his life in Wazirabad. He said he was on the container when a “burst of bullets” was directed at him, causing him to get shot in the leg and fall down.

    “There was a burst of gunfire. I fell after being hit in the leg. Then there was another round of gunfire. If the two shooters had synchronised, I wouldn’t have survived,” revealed Imran Khan.

    ‘Had planned to murder me like Salman Taseer’: Imran Khan

    The former premier alleged that the “government and its handlers” had planned to get him murdered in the same way former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was killed.

    “Firstly, they accused me of blasphemy, they made tapes and released them and PMLN projected it, I knew who was doing it.”

    “It is very easy to find out because this is a digital world. So first it was projected that I disrespected religion and then their plan was what they did in Wazirabad, that a religious extremist killed Imran Khan,” the PTI chief claimed.

    ‘Mai aaj General Bajwa se sawaal poochta hoon’: Imran Khan

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan urged Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to hold the “black sheep” in his institution accountable.

    Questioning Gen Bajwa, Khan asked whether the honour of the army would go up if this violence continues. He said there are black sheep dishonouring the army, which will not benefit the people of Pakistan.

    “Mr Y in Multan is the one who is calling my MPs and telling them to leave Imran Khan. Bajwa sahab, I am asking you to wake up. These people are after us all. I want to ask: Who is a traitor in Pakistan?,” said the PTI chief.

    ‘Mein Zardari aur Nawaz ko challenge karta hoon, dono ko haraaoonga’: Imran Khan

    Imran Khan challenged former President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif “to try and contest the next general election against him”.

    “I will make sure that they will lose their constituencies”, he said.

    ‘My house helpers were paid to conspire against me, our donors were scared, my phone lines were tapped’: Imran Khan

    Imran Khan said that several means were used against him like he was some enemy.

    “I asked FIA, police, election commissioner, and they all said someone else is calling the shots. My house help was tipped off, my phone calls being a prime minister were tapped and our donors were scared, ” he said.

    ‘Pakistanis should keep protesting till these three people resign’: Imran Khan

    The former premier said that three others, separate from the ones who he had named in a tape stashed abroad, had plotted to kill him.

    “How did I find out? Insiders told me. The day before Wazirabad, they planned to kill me as they saw the number of people increasing using the script of religious extremism.”

    Khan named “Rana Sanaullah, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Major General Faisal” behind his attempted assassination however Khan provided no evidence in this regard. He also demanded their resignations.

    “I have decided when I get well, I will be on the road and will give a call for Islamabad. These three people will have to resign. And I want all Pakistanis to protest till these three [Sanaullah, Shehbaz and General Faisal] hand in their resignations because otherwise, no investigation of my attack will take place as they call the shots, ” Khan concluded his address.

    On November 3, Imran Khan survived an assassination attempt on Day seven of PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Long March’ as his container moved through Punjab’s Wazirabad.

    Following the incident, the suspect/shooter, caught by police on the scene, said that he wanted to kill Khan because “he was misleading the public”.

    Condemnations started pouring in for Khan from his opponents as well as from the international community.

  • ‘Siyasat mein violence ki koyi jagah nahin,’ Condemnations pour in after assassination attempt on Imran Khan

    ‘Siyasat mein violence ki koyi jagah nahin,’ Condemnations pour in after assassination attempt on Imran Khan

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Thursday while leading his party’s long march in Wazirabad. The Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was shot in the leg and is currently receiving medical treatment at Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore. According to media reports, one person was killed while seven people sustained injuries.

    Other than Khan, PTI leaders Faisal Javed and Ahmad Chattha were also injured. Following the tragic incident, leaders from across the political spectrum condemned the attack on Khan.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the firing incident and said that an immediate report of the incident has been sought from Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.

    In a tweet, he said, “I strongly condemn the firing at Imran Khan’s rally. An immediate report of the incident has been sought from the Interior Minister. We pray for the speedy recovery of Imran and other injured. The federal government will provide all possible support to the Punjab government in the security/investigation of the incident. Violence should have no place in country’s politics.”

    President Dr Arif Alvi took to Twitter to express his concern, saying that “This attack was sad, alarming, deceitful and cowardly”.

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that the firing incident during PTI’s long march near Gujranwala is “highly condemnable”.

    “Sincere prayers for precious life lost and speedy recovery and well-being of Imran Khan and all those injured in this unfortunate incident,” the military’s media wing said.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif also condemned the attack and prayed for Khan’s and other party leaders’ recovery.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto said, “Strongly condemn the attack on Imran Khan. Praying for his swift recovery.”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s Twitter account tweeted that Former President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the firing incident. He said, “I pray to God that Imran Khan recovers soon”.

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also condemned the unfortunate incident.

    Sanaullah’s office’s official account said that on the instructions of PM Shehbaz, a report of the incident was sought from the Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police (IG) Police Punjab.

    From PML-N leaders, Ahsan Iqbal also came forward to condemn the attack.

    He tweeted, “Thank God Imran Niazi is safe. There is no room for violence in politics. I strongly condemn the incident of firing on Imran Niazi’s container in Wazirabad. The Punjab government should review the security arrangements.”

    Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai wished the PTI chief a full recovery.

    “Attacks on leaders of any political belief or party are always wrong. And violence is never an acceptable protest”, she said in a tweet