Tag: Shehbaz Sharif

  • Twitter reacts to only five women in Shehbaz’s cabinet

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet members took oath on Tuesday. In the new setup, the cabinet has 31 federal ministers, three ministers of state and three advisers in the first phase, as has been said by the coalition government.

    As usual, the federal cabinet includes less ratio of females. The list includes:

    Marriyum Aurangzeb – Minister for Information

    Shazia Atta Marri- Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme

    Hina Rabbani Khar- Minister for Foreign Affairs,

    Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha- Adviser to PM on Finance

    Sherry Rehman- Minister of state for Climate change

    Following the oath-taking, social media users criticise the induction of only five females in the new federal cabinet.

    https://twitter.com/meinhiburihun/status/1516276827769212931?s=20&t=RsZ9tvKjcuEwfqKS0mnnYA

    https://twitter.com/jawismm/status/1516345385631035398?s=20&t=RsZ9tvKjcuEwfqKS0mnnYA

  • ‘Our relationship with Pakistan has been a vital one’: US

    ‘Our relationship with Pakistan has been a vital one’: US

    United States Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said that his country wants to work closely with the newly-formed government of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on regional and international issues and termed the US-Pakistan relationship as a “vital one”.

    In a press briefing, he said: “For almost 75 years our relationship with Pakistan has been a vital one.” “We look forward to continuing that work with the new government in Pakistan across regional and international issues. This is work that has the potential to promote peace and prosperity in Pakistan and throughout the region.”

    Price added that the US viewed Pakistan as an “important stakeholder and partner” with whom the country is engaging to bring about a stable and secure Afghanistan.

    The statement is of great significance for bilateral relations as it has come after a series of allegations by Shehbaz’s predecessor Imran Khan. He had repeatedly blamed the US for backing the joint Opposition to oust him from power through a no-trust motion. Khan also came forward with a threatening letter that he claims is from the US.

    It is pertinent to mention that since Biden came into power and the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, US-Pakistan relations have been standing on the edge of a precipice.

    Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming the new Prime Minister of Pakistan and vowed to continue cooperation with the new government.

  • Long-awaited 34 members federal cabinet takes oath

    Long-awaited 34 members federal cabinet takes oath

    The long-awaited 34-member cabinet of newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif finally took oath today (Tuesday) after the cabinet division issued a list of the first phase of ministers on Tuesday.

    According to ARY News, the list includes names of 30 federal ministers, four ministers of state and three advisers to the Prime Minister.

    Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administered the oath to the new federal cabinet of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after President Arif Alvi excused from administering oath to the lawmakers.

    The swearing-in ceremony of the federal cabinet was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad where members belonging to PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, MQM-P and other allied parties took oath as ministers in the federal cabinet.

    The PPP members who took oath as ministers in first phase are: Naveed Qamar, Shazia Marri, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Syed Khursheed Shah, Qadir Patel and Hina Rabbani Khar.

    The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also got two ministries in the new set-up.

    A list of the federal cabinet members:

    Khawaja Muhammad Asif, MNA

    Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, MNA

    Rana Sana Ullah Khan, MNA

    Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA

    Rana Tanveer Hussain. MNA

    Khurrum Dastagir Khan, MNA

    Marriyum Aurangzeb, MNA

    Khawaja Saad Rafique, MNA

    Mian Javed Latif, MNA

    Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada. MNA

    Murtaza Javed Abbasi, MNA

    Azam Nazeer Tarar, Senator

    Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, MNA

    Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA

    Sherry Rehman, Senator

    Abdul Qadir Patel, MNA

    Shazia Marri, MNA

    Syed Murtaza Mahmud, MNA

    Sajid Hussain Turi, MNA

    Ehsan ur Rehman Mazari, MNA

    Abid Hussain Bhayo, MNA

    Asad Mahmood, MNA

    Abdul Wasay, MNA

    Mufti Abdul Shakoor, MNA

    Muhammad Talha Mahmood, Senator

    Syed Amin-ul-Haque, MNA

    Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari, Senator

    Muhammad Israr Tareen, MNA

    Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, MNA

    Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema, MNA

    Ministers of state

    Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha, MNA

    Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju, MNA

    Hina Rabbani Khar, MNA

    Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Senator

    ADVISERS TO THE PM

    Miftah Ismail

    Amir Muqam

    Qamar Zaman Kaira

  • ‘We still want immediate elections,’ Maulana Fazl tells the new govt

    ‘We still want immediate elections,’ Maulana Fazl tells the new govt

     Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has demanded immediate elections.

    Addressing his party workers in Islamabad, Maulana said that the maximum time this new government would be in power for is a year.

    “In this new setup, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam has its own identity and we are telling them [new government] that we still want immediate elections.”

    READ MORE: Zardari, Nawaz, Maulana have all been ruined by one man: Saleem Safi

    Maulana said that continuing to stay in power unnecessarily is not his party’s stance. The new government, he added, can take some time for electoral reforms but Maulana said that Imran Khan was ousted so that the people of Pakistan could be given their mandate back.

    “Now it is our responsibility to give back the nation what we promised.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also been demanding early elections. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that elections cannot be held before October as it needs four months to complete the process of delimitation of constituencies.

  • PTI rejects PM Shehbaz letter of regional peace, security to Modi

    PTI rejects PM Shehbaz letter of regional peace, security to Modi

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter in response to Indian PM Narendra Modi’s letter. In his letter, Modi had expressed his desire for developing constructive relations with Pakistan.

    “Reciprocating your sentiments, I wish to convey that Pakistan remains committed to the maintenance of regional peace and security. Our sacrifices and contributions in fighting and eliminating terrorism are well known and globally acknowledged,” wrote PM Shehbaz.

    PM Shehbaz added that peaceful and cooperative ties between Pakistan and India are “imperative for the progress and socio-economic uplift of the people of the two countries as well as for the region”.

    “This can be best achieved through meaningful engagement and peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the core issue of Jammu & Kashmir,” wrote PM Shehbaz. “Let’s secure peace and work for the progress and prosperity of our people.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised Shehbaz Sharif’s letter to Modi.

    “We reject this letter. We will not let imported government to bargain away Kashmir. Until and unless Modi restores Kashmir’s status, any offer to talk will tantamount to betraying the people of Kashmir.”

  • PM Shehbaz kicks off New Islamabad International Airport Metro Bus Service

    PM Shehbaz kicks off New Islamabad International Airport Metro Bus Service

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated Metro Bus Service from Peshawar Morr to New Islamabad International Airport today [Monday]. Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Mustafa Yurdakul, Chinese Chargé d’affaires Pang Chunxue, and a number of Parliamentarians attended the inauguration ceremony.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the metro bus project as a gift from PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif for the residents of the federal capital, adding that the project was started in 2017 and was made functional in a record time one year in 2018.

    “But after the government changed, like other projects, this project was also delayed,” said the prime minister while addressing the ceremony. The thing that was not present was the government’s will to work and serve the masses,” he added.

    After assuming the office of Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif had directed for resumption of work on the project and its completion on a war footing.

    The bus service will provide international standard travel facilities to thousands of passengers on a daily basis. Later, the Metro Bus Service route will be extended to Rawat.

  • PPP to get 11 ministries, PML-N 14 in federal cabinet: Rana Sanaullah

    PPP to get 11 ministries, PML-N 14 in federal cabinet: Rana Sanaullah

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will get 14 ministries, while Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will get 11 ministries. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is all set to become the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Hina Rabbani Khar will most likely be the Minister of State in the Foreign Ministry.

    PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah told Geo News‘ anchorperson Shahzad Iqbal on “Naya Pakistan” that the Finance Ministry, Interior Ministry, Defence Ministry, Planning Ministry, Ministry of Energy and Information Ministry will remain with PML-N. Commerce Ministry and Communications Ministry will go to PPP and PML-N while MQM and PPP will get Maritime Ministry and Overseas Ministry. Marriyum Aurangzeb will most likely get Information Ministry as per media reports. Rana Sana said that these decisions have been taken after a joint committee of all allied parties finalised the formation of the new cabinet.

    According to The News, Asif Zardari advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to give cabinet posts to all coalition partners in the first phase and the PPP would join the cabinet in the second phase. It is expected that the first phase of the cabinet will take oath today (Monday) or tomorrow (Tuesday). In the first phase, 10 to 12 ministers will take the oath.

    Last week, PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari had hinted that the PPP may not join the federal cabinet.

    “I don’t think we are taking any ministries. We want to first accommodate our friends,” said Zardari, talking about government’s other coalition partners.

    On Friday, PPP’s Raja Pervez Ashraf was elected Speaker of the National Assembly unopposed.

  • Fact check: Shehbaz Sharif did not meet singer Farhan NTF at PM House

    Fact check: Shehbaz Sharif did not meet singer Farhan NTF at PM House

    Claim: PM Shehbaz Sharif invited singer Farhan NTF to the PM House

    Fact: Shehbaz Sharif met Farhan NTF at his private residence in November 2021, almost 5 months before becoming Prime Minister.

    A video of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif meeting singer, composer and writer Farhan NTF went viral on Friday in which the singer can be seen sitting with Sharif and singing “Mian De Naray“, which is a political song.

    Political analyst Raheeq Abbasi tweeted the video and wrote: “These days, PM House looks like a circus. If in doubt, watch this video.” His tweet was retweeted more than 12,000 times and had almost three thousand quote-tweets.

    Former federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry quoted Raheeq Abbasi and tweeted: “Pakistan’s dummy prime minister in an important meeting discussing people’s issues in PM House.”

    Anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan also quote-tweeted the same video and wrote that the King can be seeing enjoying himself.

    However, the video is not recent. Farhan tweeted about meeting Shehbaz Sharif on November 3, 2021. At that time, Imran Khan was the prime minister of Pakistan and the video was not shot inside the Prime Minister House.

    In a YouTube video, Farhan explains how hurt he was that his old video went viral and is being misused by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He clarifies that he met PM Shehbaz last year in November at Sharif’s private residence. He said that it seems that the video is being used as if PM Shehbaz is listening to a political song that was written for him instead of working.

    “I am a singer. I don’t have any political affiliations. I have sung songs for PTI also but my song ‘Mian De Naray’ became very popular. Did Khan not meet Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and Shaan Shahid when he was prime minister? Why can Shehbaz Sharif not meet any artist? I hope that people do not misuse our videos for their political interests.”

    VERDICT: FALSE

  • Imran Khan or Shehbaz Sharif: Social media divided over who to thank for unchanged fuel prices

    Imran Khan or Shehbaz Sharif: Social media divided over who to thank for unchanged fuel prices

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected the proposal of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to increase the prices of petroleum products.

    The announcement was made on Twitter by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Economy account.

    OGRA had proposed an increase in the price of diesel by Rs51.32 per liter (35.7%), petrol Rs21.30 per liter (14.2%), kerosene oil Rs36.03 per liter (28.7%) and light diesel oil (LDO) Rs38.89 per liter (39.9%).

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz shared the news report of PM rejecting the summary and wrote: “Well Done Shehbaz Shairf.

    PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, while talking to media said that petroleum prices will remain unchanged. He added that the previous PTI-led government made a mistake by subsidising petroleum goods, which he claimed will harm the country’s economy.

    On the other hand. social media users — including journalists and PTI leaders — are saying this is due to the policies of the pervious government, and are thanking Imran Khan.

    In addition, some are concerned about the decision of not increasing the fuel prices.

  • PM Shehbaz rejects OGRA’s proposal, petrol price to remain unchanged till April 30

    PM Shehbaz rejects OGRA’s proposal, petrol price to remain unchanged till April 30

    Pakistan’s new Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Friday dismissed the proposal from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to raise the price of petroleum products for the fortnight. The recent decision is aimed at providing relief to the public affected by inflation.

    It is worth noting that the present government’s choice to maintain the same prices will oblige it to provide another substantial subsidy till the end of April 2022.

    Earlier, OGRA suggested to the Finance Division that the price of petrol be increased by Rs21.50 and that of diesel be hiked by Rs51.30 in view of the current petroleum levy and general sales tax (GST).

    Read more: Massive hike of Rs83.5 for petrol, Rs119 for diesel proposed by OGRA

    The authority also proposed a hike of Rs83.50 per liter of petrol and Rs119.88 per liter of diesel considering the federal government’s recommended petroleum levy of Rs30 and 17 per cent GST, as per the official statement.