Tag: Shehbaz Sharif

  • ‘Kaptaan bhaag gaya’: Opposition criticises govt for postponing joint Parliament session

    ‘Kaptaan bhaag gaya’: Opposition criticises govt for postponing joint Parliament session

    Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari termed the government’s decision of postponing the joint Parliament session as their victory.

    “Imran Niazi should resign after it was clearly exposed that he had lost the trust of his members and allies,” said Shehbaz.

    “The hasty convening of the joint meeting and then the hasty adjournment shows the seriousness of the government that had made sensitive and serious issues like legislation a child’s play,” he said.

    “Those claiming to compete on the field have fled the field,” he said. Shehbaz Sharif said that the postponement of the joint session of the Parliament proves that the government has confirmed its defeat on the legislation of “black laws.”

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Wednesday that the government postponed the Parliament’s joint session as it had “foreseen its defeat”.

    Taking to Twitter, Bilawal said “Kaptaan bhag gaya” (the captain ran away), sharing President Arif Alvi’s notification for the postponement of the session.

    “Yet another victory for the United Opposition in the Parliament today. Government ran away from joint sessions when they saw they would be defeated yet again. Kaptaan Bagh[sic] gaya,” tweeted Bilawal.

    Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and announced that the joint parliamentary session, which was earlier called by President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday (November 11) has been postponed.

  • Joint parliamentary session postponed: Fawad Chaudhry

    Joint parliamentary session postponed: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and announced that the joint parliamentary session, which was earlier called by President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday (November 11) has been postponed.

    Chaudhry said that electoral reforms are extremely important for the future of Pakistan. He said that the government wants a consensus on this issue, which is why Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has been asked to contact the Opposition again and build a consensus on electoral reforms bill. Chaudhry added that this is why the joint session has been postponed.

    “We hope that the Opposition will seriously consider these important reforms and we will be able to come up with a common strategy for the future of Pakistan, ” he added.

    On the other hand, the “united” Opposition said they were certain that their members would be present at the joint session and had agreed to defeat the government bills on electoral reforms, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance and other bills.

  • Govt faces defeat twice in NA over two bills, Opposition demands PM Khan’s resignation

    Govt faces defeat twice in NA over two bills, Opposition demands PM Khan’s resignation

    The government faced defeat twice at the hands of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday during voting on motions seeking introduction of two bills, reports Dawn.

    Under the session chaired by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Qasim Suri, the Opposition first defeated the government with a 117-104 vote on a motion moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) MNA Javed Hasnain. The bill was to seek permission to introduce a private member’s bill aimed at preventing politicians from changing their parties. After the first defeat, most of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members had left the house.

    A motion moved by PTI’s lawmaker Asma Qadeer for a bill seeking to enhance punishment for those who passed offensive remarks against women didn’t pass. Because the deputy speaker announced that he could not allow Qadeer to introduce the bill as the Opposition members had rejected it with a majority and did not give the vote count as the Opposition had visibly outnumbered the treasury members.

    It is reported that there had been a significant increase in the number of members on the Opposition benches due to the arrival of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in NA.

    A day earlier, the government got seven bills passed in the absence of Opposition members from the lower house of parliament.

    After the defeat, PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq said, “Morally, Imran Khan should resign before convening of a joint sitting of the parliament.” He was referring to the government’s plan to call a joint session of parliament this week.

    PPP’s Syed Khursheed Shah, who had been in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for more than two years, was welcomed by a loud desk-thumping by the Opposition members.

  • Opposition unites to form anti-govt strategy over inflation

    Opposition unites to form anti-govt strategy over inflation

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif Friday made a telephone call to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to discuss the rising inflation in the country.

    Both leaders discussed a joint strategy of the Opposition against price hike and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amended Ordinance in the parliament.

    Shehbaz’s son, Hamza Shehbaz, also proposed that the time has come that all Opposition parties sit together and work out a ‘constitutional solution’ to get rid of this anti-people government, as Shehbaz is optimistic that the PPP may join the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) at some stage for a joint movement against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, reports Dawn.

    The Opposition slammed Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s government for increasing petroleum prices once again and setting a new record in the country’s history.

    “Yet another petrol bomb exploded on the masses in the dead of night. This is IK’s way of providing ‘relief’ after giving a long sermon yesterday. Unfortunately, every day dawns with horrible news for the people. This incompetent/corrupt PTI govt & Pakistan can’t go together,” Shehbaz tweeted.

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took to Twitter and wrote, “Govt increase petrol in the dead of night by Rs8. Increase of almost 20rs in less than a month.”

  • ‘Govt is only giving takleef’, Opposition slams price hike

    The Opposition slammed Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s government for increasing petroleum prices once again and setting a new record in the country’s history.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif said, “Government officers are being changed because of incompetence but Imran Khan is still sitting on his seat after the biggest incompetence and corruption,” adding that it had been proved that the incumbent government could “only give takleef (trouble) to people instead of relief”.

    “[PM] Imran Niazi has become a killer of people’s joy,” tweeted Shehbaz.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took to Twitter and wrote, “Govt increase petrol in the dead of night by Rs8. Increase of almost 20rs in less than a month.”

    PPP leader Sherry Rehman also slammed the government and tweeted, “Days after announcing a ‘relief package’, PTI govt drops another petrol bomb by hiking petrol prices by a whopping Rs8.14/L. Petrol prices now stand at a record Rs145.8/L. First time in Pakistan’s history that prices of all petroleum products are above Rs110/L.”

    PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb demanded the resignation of PM Khan. “Increasing the price of petrol and sugar under the relief package is only increasing the hardships of the people and making life easier for the mafia and filling their pockets.”

    Earlier today, the Opposition protested against the ‘petrol bomb’ by walking out during Senate proceedings.

    Meanwhile, PPP Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi chose to protest the increase in petrol prices by cycling to Parliament House from Parliament Lodges.

  • Politicians extend Diwali wishes to Hindu community celebrating their festival of light

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan took to Twitter and extended his wishes to Pakistani Hindus on the eve of Diwali, the festival of lights.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter and wrote, “May the festival of lights be the source of peace, love, and joy around the world!”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto wished the Hindu community and tweeted, “Happy #Diwali to everyone celebrating.”

    Maryam Nawaz tweeted, “Wishing you all the happiness and prosperity. Diya jalaaye rakhna.” [Keep the lights burning].

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) minister Fawad Chaudhry wished the community and tweeted, “Very Happy Diwali to those celebrating… #Diwali.”

    PTI leader Asad Umar tweeted, “Wishing all Hindus a very happy Diwali.”

    PPP Senator Sherry Rehman too wished those celebrating Diwali.

  • Authority to remove NAB chairman taken back from SJC, given to president

    Authority to remove NAB chairman taken back from SJC, given to president

    The power to remove the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman from office has been withdrawn from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and given to the president, as per the National Accountability (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2021, which has been approved by President Arif Alvi, reports Geo News.

    The NAB chairman’s tenure, as per the new ordinance, will be of four years. The criteria for the removal of a NAB chairman will be the same as the one for the removal of a Supreme Court judge, according to the new Ordinance.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif criticised the new Ordinance and said that the government had spared no efforts to push the Opposition to the wall. He claimed that the government had introduced a new NAB ordinance to give itself National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

  • PDM to launch nationwide anti-government protests today

    PDM to launch nationwide anti-government protests today

    The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will launch its countrywide anti-government protests from today (Wednesday).

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level party meeting on Tuesday to finalise the schedule for protests and rallies against the PTI-led government. 

    The first jalsa will be held in Rawalpindi today, and Shehbaz Sharif is urging workers and leaders of the party at the district and provincial level tp take part in the protests. 

    PDM leaders in Islamabad will be meeting at 2pm, to decide the dates and venues for the Islamabad protests. 

    READ MORE: 57% Pakistanis losing confidence in PM Khan overcoming economic crisis: Survey

    PDM, which had lost steam in previous months, is now once again, at the receiving end of the opposition’s criticism. Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that the Prime Minister is lucky he has such a “worthless” Opposition to deal with and that the government does not feel threatened by the Opposition at all because “it is spineless”.

    The call for protests come at a time when inflation is at its height and buying essentials in the country has become difficult.

    RELATED: Shahzeb Khanzada warns of December crisis, Hammad Azhar ignores question in heated debate

    Rasheed had also reacted to the Opposition’s criticism of the PTI-led government due to the rising inflation in the country and said that the situation arose due to the policies of the previous governments as well as the coronavirus situation in the country.

  • Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz meet US Charge d’ Affaires Angela Aggeler in Lahore

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz met with United States (US) Charge d’ Affaires Angela Aggeler at her residence in Jati Umrah, Raiwind, Lahore.

    The official Twitter account of PML-N shared a video of the meeting between senior leaders of PML-N and Aggeler.

    On the arrival of US Charge d’ Affaires Angela Aggeler, she was received by Maryam Nawaz.

    Aggeler met PML-N president and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif. They discussed issues of mutual interest, the regional situation, and peace in the region, especially Afghanistan.

  • ‘PM Khan is the authority in appointing the DG ISI’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘PM Khan is the authority in appointing the DG ISI’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday confirmed the meeting between Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa held last night and said, “The PM and COAS had a meeting last night, the army and government share an ideal relationship.”

    “Gen Bajwa and the prime minister have close and good relations … they are ideal relations between the civilian and military leadership,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister’s Office would “never take a step that will disrespect the army and vice versa”.

    Commenting on the appointment of the Director-General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, Chaudhry said, “PM Khan is the authority in appointing the DG ISI,” further adding that “all legal methods will be adopted in the appointment of the new director-general”.

    It has been a week since Lieutenant (Lt) General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum was appointed as DG ISI, the post previously held by Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.

    On October 9, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, calling out the government for failing to resolve public issues, said, “PM Khan is improper for the handling of sensitive matters,” adding that “history is a witness to sacrifices rendered by the institution responsible for Pakistan’s defence. Even Modi could not harm it the way Imran did,” reported Dawn.

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said reports were circulating on media for the last couple of days about the army, which he said was an important institution for Pakistan. He hailed the “unity of command” and the public support the army enjoyed but went on to say that the premier had “harmed that institution”.