Tag: Shehbaz Sharif

  • Didn’t call him, but wrote a letter: Biden tells Shehbaz they need to work together

    Didn’t call him, but wrote a letter: Biden tells Shehbaz they need to work together

    United States President Joe Biden, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday in which he emphasised that Washington will “continue to stand with Pakistan” in confronting “most pressing global and regional challenges”.

    While Biden did not call the PM, this letter is the first official diplomatic correspondence between the two states. This holds significance for Pakistan because relations between the two nations have been tense ever since former Prime Minister Imran Khan publicly accused the US of launching a conspiracy in a bid to remove him in 2022.

    “The enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people — and people around the world —and the United States will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges of our time,” the letter read.
    Biden also talked about the US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, the two countries would collaborate and strengthen their climate resilience and supporting Pakistan’s development from floods of 2022.

    “Together, we will continue to forge a strong partnership between our nations and close bond between our people,” the letter concluded.

  • PM includes Dar in CCI instead of Aurangzeb

    PM includes Dar in CCI instead of Aurangzeb

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reconstituted the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Friday, notably replacing Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

    The PM is heading the CCI which constitutes the chief ministers of all four provinces. Interestingly, this is the first time in the history of the council that a Foreign Minister of Pakistan has been included in the CCI.

    Business Recorder article reported that it would be normal if a Finance Minister isn’t included in the CCI because historically it has happened. However, energy and planning ministers were mostly included because they deal with provincial matters.

    The presence of the Finance Minister and the Law Minister in the CCI is very important as these two portfolios are required to respond to numerous queries raised by the provinces during the meeting.

    A similar pattern could be observed as PM Shehbaz gave Ishaq Dar the control of Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) as well instead of including Aurangzeb earlier this month.

  • Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will meet with IMF on April 14–15

    Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will meet with IMF on April 14–15

    Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Friday that a government delegation will meet with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC on April 14 and 15.

    Talking to the media during his visit to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the Minister said that the features of a new programme will be discussed in a Washington DC meeting. However, detailed talks will be held in Pakistan.

    He also said that the government plans to join a longer programme with the IMF, adding that the country’s economy will stay stable with the fund.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also hinted on March 21 that the new IMF programme will last for three years.

    “New tranche of loan is likely to be received from the IMF in a few days, however, we would need another programme,” he had said while addressing a session of the Special Investment Facilitation Council’s (SIFC) apex committee attended by civil-military leadership.

    Aurangzeb responded to a question regarding the IMF, saying that the size of the new programme has not been discussed yet.

  • PM orders rapid action against tax evaders

    PM orders rapid action against tax evaders

    In a meeting held on Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has authorised that swift action be taken against tax evaders and defaulters. He tasked the committee to identify all obstacles and delays in the implementation of Trace and Track System (TTS) in tobacco, sugar, cement and fertilizer industries.

    The PM also said that action should be taken within seven days against tax evaders. PM Shehbaz emphasized that all legal obstacles in the implementation of trace and track system should be removed and that this system should be enforced at all production lines of cement factories. Those factories who refuse to follow the rules, should be immediately sealed, the Premier ordered.

    He was of the opinion that besides an increase in revenue, the trace and track system could also be used for identification of counterfeit products.
    The premier also called for an end to fake and unregistered cigarettes. The meeting was apprised that TTS was fully operational in 14 tobacco factories whereas 12 other factories had been sealed for non-compliance.

    The system faced problems in sugar and cement industries due to technical issues while it was working in fertilizer industry. The PM also stressed action against smuggling that was causing serious loss to the national exchequer.

  • Is Aurangzeb being pushed in background to give Dar more control?

    Is Aurangzeb being pushed in background to give Dar more control?

    In a surprising move, the Finance Minister of Pakistan finds himself cut from two major financial decision-making committees, while paving the way for a much bigger role in financial matters for Ishaq Dar, Express Tribune has reported.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reshuffled four cabinet committees. As a result, Finance Minister Aurangzeb now heads only one committee instead of three.
    PM Shehbaz kept the chairmanship of the very important Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet instead of giving the Finance Minister the portfolio.

    Meanwhile, the PM has given Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar the chairmanship of Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCOP) – a post normally headed by the Finance Minister of the country.

    Tribune reported that there was some apprehension within the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) regarding the appointment of Aurangzeb as the Finance Minister and it was decided within the party leadership that Dar would stay in charge of economic affairs but in a different capacity.

    Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb now chairs only the Cabinet Committee on State-owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs).

  • Government likely to extend new IMF programme for three years, says Shehbaz Sharif

    Government likely to extend new IMF programme for three years, says Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has indicated that the government is likely to extend the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme for three years.

    “The new tranche of loan is likely to be received from the IMF in a few days, however, we would need another programme,” he said while addressing a session of the Special Investment Facilitation Council’s (SIFC) apex committee attended by civil-military leadership on Thursday.

    Shehbaz Sharif also stated that the presence of civil-military leadership, including elected lawmakers, in the session is a clear message of unity, development, and prosperity for the country.

    The PM also said that the former coalition government, comprised of 13 political parties, prioritised the country over politics.

    “There are major challenges to national economy. The SIFC is an important platform which was primarily establishment to remove hurdles in foreign investments, and it held several meetings during the last eight months.” Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir played vital role in SIFC’s formation, he added.

  • PPP did not join federal cabinet as government will not last long, says Imran Khan

    PPP did not join federal cabinet as government will not last long, says Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) did not join the federal government because it will not last long.

    The former prime minister spoke to journalists in Adiala jail on Wednesday, stating that the “establishment, caretaker government, and the Election Commission are all one, and everything is based on lies.”

    Terming Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja a “liar,” Khan said the CEC is still occupying the office despite five reports issued by election watchdogs on election irregularities.

    The founder of PTI also claimed that the new government will not last more than five to six months. However, inflation will increase in the country after signing a new deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Imran Khan, who is currently in Adiala jail, stated that he is mentally ready to stay incarcerated.

    Regarding strain ties with the establishment, he responded to a question, saying: “Attempts are under way to create differences between us and the army.”

  • Teacher arguing with Maryam Nawaz not fired, Geo Fact-Check reveals

    Teacher arguing with Maryam Nawaz not fired, Geo Fact-Check reveals

    Following Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s visit to an all-girls’ high school in Lahore, social media had a large number of posts claiming that one of the school teachers was dismissed after posing questions regarding Nawaz’s male security members.

    Geo FactCheck, however, deemed the claims as false.

    Samina Shahid, the public school teacher who went viral, was contacted by Geo Fact Check and she confirmed that she has not been sacked.

    Her claims were also verified through other government personnel.

    “The [social media posts] are false. There is no truth to them,” Geo Fact Check quotes Shahid who spoke to the team over the phone on March 15, “I am speaking to you right now sitting in my office.”

    Additionally, the chief executive officer of Lahore’s district education authority, Pervaiz Akhtar, also confirmed that no teacher was fired following the visit.

    Azma Zahid Bokhari, the information minister in Punjab, stated likewise.

    “No action against any teaching or non-teaching staff has been taken by school administration after the visit of the chief minister Punjab to the government pilot girls high school Lahore,” Bokhari told Geo Fact Check via messages.

  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Islamabad United on winning PSL

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Islamabad United on winning PSL

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Islamabad United for winning the ninth season of Pakistan Super League (PSL) yesterday.

    “The game of cricket unites the entire nation, the PCB, security forces, organizers, cricket fans are a tribute to the successful conduct of PSL,” the Premier said.

    “The entire league witnessed great competition and great sportsmanship, I am especially grateful to the international players who participated in the PSL.”

    Shehbaz Sharif thanked PSL, emphasizing that the league has helped in recovering international cricket. “The government is determined to take all possible steps to promote cricket and other sports in the country.”

    Islamabad United defeated Multan Sultans in an exciting match and won the title.

    United achieved Multan’s target of 160 runs on the last ball at the loss of 8 wickets and became PSL champions for the third time.

  • Asif Zardari declares Shehbaz, Gandapur meeting a ‘good beginning’

    Asif Zardari declares Shehbaz, Gandapur meeting a ‘good beginning’

    Newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari has said on Thursday that the meeting between the prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Ali Amin Gandapur, is a “good beginning.” 

    Shehbaz Sharif’s government came into power this month after making an alliance with multiple parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

    However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is in power in KP, and it also allegedly accused PML-N of stealing PTI’s mandate in general elections. 

    President Zardari has welcomed the interaction between the prime minister and the chief minister.

    “It is high time we start thinking of working towards healing the divisions Pakistan has been going through,” he added.

    “This outreach is a good beginning,” he stated.