Tag: Shehbaz Sharif

  • VIDEO: Promo of re-recorded national anthem of Pakistan

    VIDEO: Promo of re-recorded national anthem of Pakistan

    To mark the 75th anniversary of the Independence of Pakistan, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will unveil the re-recorded national anthem on August 14 at the national flag hoisting ceremony.

    A promo of the re-recorded national anthem has been released.

    “Official release of the re-recorded National Anthem on 14th August 2022 by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. First time the National Anthem has been re-recorded since the original release in 1954,” tweeted the official account of Government of Pakistan.

    Formed in June 2021, and further mandated by the present Government in April 2022, the Steering Committee has endeavoured to create a re-recording of the original national anthem that reflects updated inclusivity in voices and expression while ensuring the sanctity of the original words and the musical composition.

    Happy that project started under my special instructions is now complete: Fawad Chaudhry

    Former Information Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted on August 6 that he is very happy that this project, which was initiated by the Ministry of Information under his special instructions, has been completed.

    National anthem of Pakistan

    The stirring, powerful musical score by Ahmed Ghulam Ali Chagla was formally approved in 1949 by then-Prime Minister Quaid-e-Millat, Liaquat Ali Khan. However, the beautiful, inspiring words, as written later by Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari were formally approved and then recorded with the music in 1954. That first recording featured a limited number of voices and used the modest technical facilities available at that time. In the succeeding 68 years, there have been major developments in music technology as also the emergence of diverse musical talent across the country.

    In planning to produce new vocal and instrumental versions of the unchanged original words and composition, the Steering Committee applied an all-inclusive, gender-balanced approach and enlisted vocalists from diverse regional, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, from all religious faiths and musical genres. 48 musicians from the army, air force and navy bands skilfully played the musical instruments.

    Re-recording of national anthem

    The re-recording in 2022 becomes an occasion to celebrate the rich diversity of the nation and reflect the unique national identity and solidarity of the people of Pakistan.

    A choir comprising of 30 vocalists rehearsed at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Karachi for several weeks, and in June 2022, 125 vocalists representing all provinces, regions and faiths were invited to participate in rehearsals and recordings in Islamabad. These artists were selected after the publication of public notices in leading newspapers inviting expressions of interest resulting in an online registration process. Prior to the recording, all the selected 155 vocalists, including well-known artists, were mentored and rehearsed, and an artist kit was shared with them. This contained lyrics, translations and pronunciation guides. It was imperative that the Re-recording of the National Anthem of Pakistan was rendered correctly while maintaining its historic sanctity and rich legacy. State-of-the-art digital technology was used to record multiple tracks and to complete the mixing and fusion to create clear, distinct, powerful vocal and instrumental versions. A colourful, kaleidoscopic video featuring the new version has also been produced by Num Films.

    Steering Committee of the Re-Recording of the National Anthem of Pakistan

    The Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Re-Recording of the National Anthem of Pakistan is Senator (r) Javed Jabbar. The 16 members comprise of 10 persons who served on a voluntary basis and 5 senior civil officials and one senior military official. The Secretary of Information Ministry is also a member. The audio sub-committee includes Arshad Mahmud, Brigadier Imran Naqvi (ISPR), Rohail Hyatt, Talha Ali Khushwaha, Ustad Nafees Ahmed, Layaqzada Layaq and Dr. Zulfiqar Qureishi. The video sub-committee’s convenor is Satish Anand.

    Choir and vocalists

    Abdullah Qureshi, Abid Brohi, Abid Wilson, Adil Baloch, Ahmad Gul, Ahmed Jahanzeb, Ahsan Ali, Aizaz Sohail, Akbar Ali, Akbar Ali Khan, Akhtar Chanaal, Ali Hamdani, Ali Hamza, Alycia Dias, Amanullah Nasar, Anamta Saleem Sabri (Sabri Sisters), Aqdas Asif, Arif Khan, Arif Lohar, Arqam Khan, Asfar Hussain, Asim Baloch, Bakhtiar Khattak, Bilal Ali, Bilal Asvad, Bilal Saeed, Bisma Abdullah, Dr. Essa Kakar, Essa Khajjak, Fakhir Mehmood, Fariha Pervez, Fozia Yasmeen (Manwa Sisters), Goher Mumtaz, Haider Ali, Hamayoon Khan, Hamza Tanveer, Haroon Shahid, Humaira Javed, Hussain Baksh, Iman Shahid, Irfan Ali Taj, Irfan Khan, Islam Habib, Jabar Abbas, Jana Nazareth, Jasim Haider, Jia Nauman, Junaid Javed, Karan Khan, Kashif Din, Kashif Zafar, Kehkashan Khan, Khalid Jahangir, Khurram Iqbal, Laila Khan, Lucky Khan, Maham Waqar, Maria Unera, Mehak Ali, Moez Mohamand, Naseer Afridi, Nasir Butt, Natasha Humera Ejaz, Nauman Lasharie, Niaz Balti, Nida Irtiza, Nimra Gilani, Nimra Rafiq, Nirmal Roy, Nirmala Maghani, Noman Asmet, Quaid Ahmed, Rabia Nazar, Rachel Johnson, Rafia Ali, Rahim Khan, Raisa Raisani, Rameez Mukhtar, Razia Abrar, Rizwan Anwar, Saba Noreen (Manwa Sisters), Sadiq Hussain, Sahir Ali Bagga, Sajjad Gohar, Salman Paras, Saman Areej (Sabri Sisters), Sana Tajik, Sanwal Esakhelvi, Sardar Amar, Sehar Gul Khan, Shahab Hussain, Shahmir Quidwai, Shaina Johnson, Shamu Bai, Shaukat Faqeer, Sherry Raza, Shuja Haider, Sibtain Khalid, Sidra Kanwal, Sitara Younas, Sumraan Shafique, Sunny Sam, Tahir Feroz, Taj Mastani, Tehmina Tariq (Gospel Singer), Tina Sani, Umair Jaswal, Urooj Fatima, Usman Withd, Vishnu, Wajahat Aalmi, Wajiha Naqvi, Wali Ullah Farooqi, Yamsa Noor, Yashwa Ayub, Yasir Khan Milzai, Zara Madani, Zarish Kaleem, Zeb Bangash, Zeek Afridi, Zeeshan Ali, Zille Huma (Manwa Sisters), Zoha Zuberi, Zohaib Zaman, and Zubin Ernest (Gospel Singer).

    Artists from the National Academy of Performing Arts

    Ahsan Sheikh, Aleeza Fatima, Angeli Sarfraz, Christina Nayamat, Cynthia Rose, Elisha William, Fahad Maqsood, Hassan Mirza, Hiba Asim, Julian Qaiser, Khadeeja Imtiaz, Komal Soomro, Mahnoor Sahar, Muhammad Khizar Rizvi, Muhammad Minaam, Myron Jasper, Nasfa Nizar, Natasha Sharif, Neha Fahim Khan, Nigel, Obaid Ahmed Siddique, Rimsha Masud Qureshi, Sajar Nafees, Sameer Hamza, Simal Nafees, Syed Rizwan Mehdi, Tabita J Nasim, Usama Anwer, Yashwa John, and Zeeshan Zafar.

    Official National Anthem Re-Recording Project links:

  • PM Shehbaz likely to meet Narendra Modi at SCO summit

    PM Shehbaz likely to meet Narendra Modi at SCO summit

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is expected to have a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, reports The News.

    The summit is scheduled to be held on September 15 and 16 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

    PM Shehbaz is likely to meet the country heads of China, Russia and Iran as well.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari attended  a meeting of the SCO FMs on July 28.

  • Punjab govt announces construction of stadium in Arshad Nadeem’s village

    Punjab govt announces construction of stadium in Arshad Nadeem’s village

    Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimur Khan has announced the immediate start of the construction of a stadium in the village of national hero Arshad Nadeem.

    The minister also said that he would welcome Arshad Nadeem himself. He added that a grand ceremony will be organised in honour of all the athletes who won medals at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022, including Nadeem.

    He said they have facilitated Arshad Nadeem and will continue doing the same in the future. Further, the minister said that the provincial sports board will continue to take vigorous measures for the promotion of sports.

    Arshad Nadeem made the nation proud by claiming the gold medal in the ongoing CWS in England after a record-breaking effort.

    In the fifth attempt, the Khanewal-born star set a new CWG record of a 90.18m throw and became the first Pakistani to hold the record.

    Following the victory, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and others congratulated him.

    Director General Pakistan Sports Board Asif Zaman also announced a reward of Rs50 lakh for Arshad Nadeem.

    Sindh Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said: “Before the next Olympics, I am ready to send Nadeem, who won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, to Germany for training at my own expense for two years.”

  • ‘Nation is proud of you’: PM Shehbaz, President Alvi and others congratulate Arshad Nadeem

    ‘Nation is proud of you’: PM Shehbaz, President Alvi and others congratulate Arshad Nadeem

    Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal in the javelin throw competition at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday (August 7).

    The 25-year-old won with a massive throw of 90.18m to beat defending world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who took Silver with 88.64m throw.

    The Pakistani athlete hailing from Mian Channu participated in the event despite elbow and knee injuries.

    “My preparation is really good despite elbow and knee injury, for which treatment is ongoing,” said Arshad Nadeem while talking to Samaa News before the final.

    Arshad Nadeem earned Pakistan its first track and field gold medal after 60 years.

    It was Pakistan’s second gold in the ongoing Commonwealth Games. Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt bagged the first gold for Pakistan.

    Prominent personalities, including President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, congratulated Arshad Nadeem for bringing a gold medal home.

    Read more – Hey Pak govt, aren’t we sporty enough for you?

    “What amazing news to wake up to early this morning! Arshad Nadeem has done Pakistan proud by winning the first gold medal in Commonwealth Games,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a tweet.

    President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi also congratulated Arshad Nadeem for “making history”.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also congratulated Nadeem.

    Have a look at other congratulatory messages:

  • ‘Largest prison in the world’: Politicians condemn atrocities in occupied Kashmir

    ‘Largest prison in the world’: Politicians condemn atrocities in occupied Kashmir

    Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir is being observed today in Pakistan to mark the day when Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi revoked the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK). In violation of the United Nations (UN) resolutions and international law, India scrapped Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution that granted special autonomous status to IIOJK and imposed a military siege on the territory on August 5, 2019.

    Pakistani politicians expressed solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that India’s actions are “aimed at altering the demographic structure of the occupied territory”.

    “The Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been a battle of hope against overwhelming odds, of courage against fear and of sacrifice against tyranny.”

    The premier also paid tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their sacrifices and courage.

    “Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just struggle. We call upon international community to take practical steps to hold India accountable for its gross and widespread human rights violations in IIOJK and to facilitate a peaceful resolution of this long-standing dispute,” tweeted President Dr Arif Alvi.

    The president further added, “The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people is the only way to ensure durable peace and stability in the region.”

    “More than 1.5 billion people in the region deserve to see the dawn of peace and prosperity, which has been held hostage by India in IIOJK.”

    Similarly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that the Indian authorities assumed that their moves would crush the spirit of Kashmiri resistance “but the Kashmiris’ spirit of resistance became stronger and it continues to strengthen”.

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari released a video message on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir.

    He said that the presence of the Indian troops has turned occupied Kashmir into the most militarised region in the world.

    “Over the past seven decades, three generations of Kashmiris have awaited for the world community and UN to honour their solemn commitment.”

    Former FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi called India a rogue state.

    “India continues to act as a rogue state with unrelenting violence in #IIOJK. Yet indigenous resistance movement for Kashmiri’s inalienable right to self-determination stands strong. Pakistan will always stand by ppl of Kashmir.”

    “Modi government has made IIJOK the largest prison in the world,” tweeted federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman.

  • Six Pakistani nationals convicted of violating sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabawi

    Six Pakistani nationals convicted of violating sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabawi

    At least six Pakistani nationals have been convicted of violating the sanctity of the Masjid-e-Nabawi (PBUH) in Madinah during Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, reports Geo News.

    According to media reports, a court in Madinah gave three Pakistani nationals — Anas, Irshad, and Muhammad Saleem — 10 years of jail term, while the other three — Khawaja Luqman, Muhammad Afzal, and Ghulam Muhammad — have been given eight-year sentences.

    A fine of Saudi Riyal 20,000 each has been imposed on the convicts and their mobile phones have also been confiscated.

    In April, during PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, a group of protesters chanted slogans of “chor, chor (thieves)” when they saw the premiere and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

    Responding to the incident in Saudi Arabia, Aurangzeb said that there was a specific group that chanted those slogans. She also said that she prayed for those people at Masjid-e-Nabawi.

    In videos that were widely shared on social media, the Pakistani delegation, including Marriyum Aurangzeb, was seen surrounded by people yelling “chor chor”.

  • ‘I am 60 years old, not one PM visited us’: KP flood victim breaks down meeting PM Shehbaz

    ‘I am 60 years old, not one PM visited us’: KP flood victim breaks down meeting PM Shehbaz

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif visited the flood-affected areas of district Tank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) today (August 4).

    The prime minister took a round of the shelter camps housing the flood-affected people where he interacted with the flood affectees.

    A 60-year-old man told PM Shehbaz how thankful and grateful he was to see him in their hours of distress.

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who accompanied the PM during his visit, translated what the man said.

    “I am 60 years old. In my entire life, I haven’t seen any prime minister visiting us. You are the first Prime Minister who has come to share our grief. We are very grateful to you.”

    Read more: PM Shehbaz visits flood-hit Balochistan, orders immediate compensation

    Earlier this week, PM Shehbaz Sharif reached Quetta on a day-long visit on Monday, August 1, to oversee the relief operations in the flood-affected areas of Balochistan and ordered immediate compensation to the flood affectees.

  • ‘Certified liar’: Govt attacks Imran Khan, PTI defends

    ‘Certified liar’: Govt attacks Imran Khan, PTI defends

    The ruling coalition attacked Pakistan Thereek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in its verdict on Tuesday unanimously ruled that the PTI did indeed receive prohibited funding and issued a show-cause notice to the party.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that the commission’s verdict on PTI’s prohibited funding case “charge sheets Imran for violating the Constitution”. 

    “Proven yet again that he is a certified liar. Nation should ponder over the implications of his politics funded by foreigners,” tweeted the prime minister.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz chided Khan for being a “liar and money launderer”.

    “The one who keeps giving lectures about liberating the nation from slavery turned out to be a slave of external powers,” tweeted Maryam.

    “Khan is the only politician of Pakistan who has been proven, in a single judgement with irrefutable evidence, to be a liar, corrupt, a money launderer, and acting on the influence of external forces,” she said.

    In a press conference in Islamabad, senior PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the judgement has proved the ex-prime minister is the “biggest thief”.

    Defending the ECP decision, PTI leaders insisted that the ECP failed to prove foreign funding against the party.

    In a press conference, Fawad Chaudhry said that overseas Pakistanis raised funds for the PTI and the ECP had acknowledged their narrative that it does not come under “foreign funding”.

    In the next phase, the PTI will prove that the 16 accounts are legal, adding that these accounts are “subsidiary accounts”, said Fawad Chaudhry.

    “No party has the right to hide its funding from the people,” said the PTI leader.

    “Today’s decision is not correct,” Fawad added.

    PTI leader Asad Umar said that the ECP has fulfilled its wish by announcing the verdict in the party’s funding case.

    “The nation wants an answer as to why funding reports of the PPP and PML-N are not being released?” asked the PTI leader.

  • Six army personnel martyred in Balochistan helicopter crash

    Six army personnel martyred in Balochistan helicopter crash

    The wreckage of a Pakistan Army aviation helicopter that went missing in Balochistan yesterday has been found and all six Pakistan Army personnel on board have embraced martyrdom, confirmed the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) today. A Pakistan Army aviation helicopter on a flood relief operation in Lasbela, Balochistan, went missing on Monday at 5:30pm when it lost contact with the air traffic control (ATC).

    “Accident occurred due to bad weather as per initial investigations,” said the ISPR statement.

    ‘Will remain eternally indebted to these sons of soil‘: PM Shehbaz Sharif

    Following the news, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of six army personnel.

    “Nation is deeply grieved on the martyrdom of Lt. General Sarfraz Ali & 5 other officers of Pakistan Army. They were doing a sacred duty of providing relief to flood affectees. Will remain eternally indebted to these sons of soil.”

    About Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali who lost his life, PM Shehbaz said that “he was an excellent professional, dutiful and capable officer, very honest and a good human being”.

    PM Shehbaz extended his condolences to the bereaved families of the six martyrs.

    Martyrs who lost their lives while serving Pakistan

    Commander XII Corps Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali

    Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali was supervising the flood relief operations in Balochistan when the helicopter crashed yesterday. In 2020, Gen Sarfraz Ali, who was serving as a Major-General, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General. Following his promotion, he was posted as the Corps Commander of XII Corps, which is also known as the Southern Command, in 2021.

    General Sarfraz was one of the contenders interviewed by former prime minister Imran Khan for the post of director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in October last year.

    Before his posting to the Quetta Corps, he served as the inspector general of the Frontier Corps in South Balochistan He had also served as defence attache at the Pakistani embassy in the United States (US).

    Brigadier Amjad Hanif

    Pakistan Coast Guard Director General Brigadier Amjad Hanif Satti was also on board.

    Brigadier Muhummad Khalid

    Brig Muhummad Khalid was also accompanying the army officers.

    Major Saeed Ahmed

    Major Syed was the pilot of the helicopter.

    Major M. Talha Manan

    Major Talha Manan was the co-pilot of the helicopter.

    Naik Mudassir Fayyaz

    Naik Mudassir embraced martyrdom along with others.

    PM Shehbaz telephonic conversation with COAS Gen Bajwa

    Earlier in the day, it was reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the then-missing Pakistan Army aviation helicopter during his telephonic conversation with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. 

  • Journalist Simon Clark says he has evidence to back his claims on PTI foreign funding

    After his investigative report was published in Financial Times about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) foreign funding by Wootton Cricket Ltd, British journalist Simon Clark has come forward with some more revelations.

    On Geo News‘ show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Simon Clark claimed that he has all the evidence to prove what he has written in the FT report when asked if PTI takes him to court, would he be able to prove everything. He said he has sources including “bank statements, SWIFT statements, internal Abraaj e-mails, spreadsheets, and documents”.

    “I gave everyone’s names in the article multiple opportunities to respond and explain. Imran Khan and the PTI responded to my queries but Arif Naqvi, Tariq Shafi, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan didn’t.”

    About the Wootton Cricket Club through which millions of dollars were collected, Simon Clark revealed that he spoke to the guests who had attended the match. According to him, the guests “did not know where the money was going”.

    He also says Naqvi’s affidavit in which he says he received funds for the PTI only from Pakistani residents living temporarily or permanently abroad is contradicted by the evidence he has gathered.

    “I was always curious about the purpose of Wootton Cricket because of its strange name but the first I got to know of its purpose was in January when the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) published its initial report on the PTI foreign funding case. The ECP had said the PTI received $2.12 million from Wootton Cricket. However, the ECP report did not say where Wootton was getting its money from and that’s what my story is about.”

    Simon Clark said that he himself collected enormous amounts of evidence of financial wrongdoing at Abraaj as the money that was supposed to go to a hospital was spent on bonuses and salaries by the company’s executives. He said that the financial issues were created by the owners but they failed to take responsibility for it. He also added that he has seen no evidence of a conspiracy against Arif Naqvi.

    About the alleged case of bribing the Sharif brothers, Simon said, “Abraaj emails that show that Naqvi and colleagues were talking about the $20 million payment [as a bribe] to the Sharifs [for approval of the K-Electric deal], I have seen no evidence that the money was actually paid. And the Sharifs say they didn’t even know the money was being discussed.”

    PTI foreign funding case: New revelations in Financial Times spark another controversy

    The report titled, “The strange case of the cricket match that helped fund Imran Khan’s political rise” is written by Simon Clark, a journalist and writer. His published book “The Key Man: The True Story of How the Global Elite Was Duped by a Capitalist Fairy Tale“, is based on Pakistani tycoon Arif Naqvi who is a founder of Abraaj, a Dubai-based private-equity firm.

    Naqvi also presided over the“Wootton T20 Cup” from 2010 to 2012.

    Th report has stated that Wootton Cricket Ltd transferred a huge amount of money through charities to PTI bank accounts in Pakistan in 2013 before the general elections in Pakistan.

    One time, Pakistani tycoon Arif Naqvi invited cricket superstar Imran Khan and other personalities to his walled country estate in the Oxfordshire village of Wootton for a cricket tournament. Through such events, millions of dollars were collected, which were later transferred to PTI.

    The first transfer was made on March 14, 2013, according to the newspaper, “Wootton Cricket’s bank statement shows it received $1.3 million from Abraaj Investment Management Ltd. Later the same day, the amount was transferred directly to a PTI bank account in Pakistan.”

    “In April 2013, transferred $2 million into the Wootton Cricket account. Six days later, Naqvi transferred $1.2mn to Pakistan in two installments”. Sheikh is a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family, government minister, and chair of Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah.

    The report mentions: “Pakistan forbids foreign nationals and companies from funding political parties,” however, “companies, foreign nationals, and citizens of Pakistan, sent millions of dollars to Wootton Cricket before money was transferred to PTI.”

    The report also states: “Abraaj expensed the cost to a holding company through which it controlled K-Electric, the power provider to Karachi”.

    K-Electric at the time was also owned by Naqvi.

    In 2018, Abraaj collapsed and an investigation started that the company is misappropriating funds.

    Naqvi was arrested in 2019 and faces up to 291 years in jail if found guilty of the US charges.

    His appeal against extradition to the US is expected to conclude later this year. But he had to pay £15 million for bail and has hefty ongoing legal expenses.

    Wootton Place was sold to a hedge fund manager in 2020 for £12.25 million.

    Affiliated with the Sharif brothers

    Naqvi has also been affiliated with the Sharif brothers. In 2016, when K-Electric ran into financial difficulties, Naqvi had to sell the company for which he needed political backing. The same year, Naqvi authorised a $20 million payment “for Pakistan politicians to gain their support”.

    The report states that “the payment was allegedly intended for Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shehbaz”.

    However, the Sharif brothers have denied any knowledge of the matter.

    In early 2017, Naqvi hosted a dinner for Nawaz Sharif at Davos, Switzerland.

    ECP investigation into PTI foreign funding case

    The ECP has been probing the party’s funding since 2014 when PTI founding member Akbar S Babar alleged major irregularities in the party’s finances, including funding from outside Pakistan.

    In a report, the Election Commission said Wootton Cricket had transferred $2.12mn to the PTI but didn’t reveal the original source of the money. Naqvi had acknowledged his ownership of Wootton Cricket but denied any wrongdoing.

    The ECP has concluded the case. However, the verdict is yet to be announced.

    What does Imran Khan say?

    At the time in his written response, Khan said that neither he nor his party was aware of Abraaj providing $1.3mn through Wootton Cricket. He also said he was “not aware” of the PTI receiving any funds that originated from Sheikh.

    Further, Khan wrote: “Arif Naqvi has given a statement that was filed before the Election Commission also, not denied by anyone, that the money came from donations during a cricket match and the money as collected by him was sent through his company Wootton Cricket.”

    PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry asked the local media not to portray “our people as villains”, as when a Pakistani Muslim’s influence crosses a certain benchmark, it is not welcomed by the “Israeli lobby”.

    He also defended his party and said that Naqvi had submitted an affidavit to the ECP, stating that “all funding is legal”.

    ‘People must know from where Imran has been getting money’: Shahid Khaqan

    After the release of the report, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the coalition government, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), met ECP officials and urged them to release e the verdict.

    Abbasi said Naqvi organised cricket matches in London and collected millions from people in the name of “philanthropic causes”.

    He claimed that a large sum of money related to the case was still abroad in personal accounts. “If a political party is doing politics after taking money from Jewish agents or anyone else — we don’t know who is behind these companies,” he commented.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly urged the ECP to announce its judgement in the long-delayed case.