What's new

What are your expectations of Shehbaz Sharif as Prime-Minister?

What are your expectations of Shehbaz Sharif as Prime-Minister?

  • Total voters
    15
PM Shehbaz decides to abolish taxes on raw materials for export industries

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed authorities to abolish all taxes on raw materials used in the export industry and form task forces to attract investment in multiple sectors.

The Shehbaz government has been trying to set up a long-term plan to revive the ailing economy, with the premier yesterday repeating his call to boost exports to ease the burgeoning cash crunch.

According to state-run APP, the premier met a delegation from the American Business Council comprising representatives from pharmaceuticals, food processing, IT, e-commerce, retail, textile, sports, and logistics sectors. It was also attended by federal ministers Syed Naveed Qamar, Makhdoom Murtaza Mahmood, and Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The prime minister ordered task forces formed to attract investments in multiple sectors. Task forces will be formed in the fields of tourism, pharmaceuticals, information technology, e-commerce, large-scale manufacturing, and agriculture.

He told the delegation that the government was making efforts to ensure the production of export quality agricultural products.

For the first time, he said, the government was calling for consistency of policies as the "subjects of the national economy and public welfare are above politics".

The prime minister further directed the secretary of commerce as well as the secretary of the Board of Investment to ensure immediate resolution of the issues faced by the investors and sought a compliance report within a week.

On the other hand, state media reported that business representatives said that government policies helped them revive investors’ trust and called the pre-budget consultation with stakeholders a "welcome step".

Ahead of the budget announcement on June 10, PM Shehbaz had invited all stakeholders to put their heads together to cement a long-term plan to revive the ailing economy on Tuesday. The day-long pre-budget huddle was attended by top industrialists, agriculturists, and economists, who gave suggestions to steer the country out of an unprecedented economic crisis.

During the conference, the premier promised them that their suggestions floated would be considered and separate plans would be made for agricultural, industrial, and financial growth.

PM Shehbaz also highlighted that without economic stability, political stability could not be achieved and said that it was about time the elite class had to make sacrifices and non-productive assets like real estate would have to be taxed.

He urged industrialists to go for renewable energy and capitalise on the country’s huge reserves of coal for power generation.

The prime minister also stressed the need for curtailing imports and increasing exports, assuring participants of the government’s all-out support in expanding the local industry and removing all hindrances and red tape.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1693771/p...-taxes-on-raw-materials-for-export-industries
 
Punjab cabinet expansion: 20 ministers likely to take oath on Sunday

LAHORE (Dunya News) - 20 ministers are likely to take oath on Sunday in the second phase of Punjab cabinet’s expansion.

As per sources, Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Mian Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman and Khwaja Imran Nazir will likely to be included in the Punjab cabinet. While Colonel (R) Ayyub, Yawar Zamman, Malik Tanvir Aslam, Bilal Yasin, Zakkia Shahnawaz, Manshaullah Butt, and Jahangir Khanzada will also be taking the oath.

Other names like Colonel (R) Tariq, Azma Bukhari, Kazim Ali Peerzada, Malik Nadeem Kamrana, Tahir Khalil Sindhu and Chaudhry Iqbal Gujjar are also likely to be included in the cabinet.

Ministers from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will also be included in the cabinet. Three Minister and two Advisors of PPP can be included in the Punjab cabinet.

dunyanews
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended only three – 17.65% – out of 17 sittings of the federal budget in the National Assembly on June 10, 21 and 28, whereas Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Raja Riaz Ahmad was present in seven – 41.18% – sittings.

On average, 122 or 35.67% of MNAs marked their attendance during the 43rd session.

According to a report released by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat), the 43rd or the budget session of the 15th National Assembly began June 6 and was prorogued after 24 days on June 29, 2022. The session spanned 24 days and met for 17 sittings.

The NA met for 52 hours and 49 minutes out of which the actual budget sittings spread over 45 hours and 7 minutes compared to 102 hours and 27 minutes in last year’s budget session and to the average of 48 hours for the budget sessions during the past 21 years.

The average sitting time was 3 hours and 6 minutes while the average delay in starting a sitting was recorded at 44 minutes per sitting.

The report revealed that the 43rd session disposed of almost 96% agenda. On average, only 4.33% of agenda items were left over in 17 sittings. In 15 out of 17 sittings, 100% of agenda items were disposed of while the maximum agenda items left over were 67.35% on June 8 sitting.

Meanwhile, the quorum was pointed out only in one out of seventeen sittings which resulted in adjournment of the sitting. On average, 122 (35.67%) MNAs marked attendance during the session.

The report observed that Jamat-e-Islami’s Moulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali was the most vocal lawmaker during the 43rd session with a recorded talk time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

It further noted that the Finance Bill, 2022 was the only government bill introduced during the session on June 10 and was passed on June 29. Out of 342 members house, only 87 or 25.43% of MNAs took part in the federal budget discussion in which 61 (18%) were male and 26 (8%) were female and spoke only for 29 hours and 46 minutes.

Likewise, 255 (75%) MNAs did not participate in the budget discussion, for which the main reason was the resignations of PTI MNAs.

“17 bills were passed by the National Assembly during the 43rd session including the Finance Bill, 2022. No Government bill was introduced while 6 Private Members bills were introduced.

No Ordinance was laid while 1 Ordinance, the General Statistics (Re-Organization) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022, was extended for further 120 days during the session on Tuesday, June 21,” the report says.

Required changes

In its report, the Pildat strongly advocated that changes were required to strengthen the effective use of the most crucial powers of the parliament for the federal budget process, suggesting an amendment in Article 84 of the Constitution which currently allows the government to authorize supplementary grants without seeking prior assembly’s approval.

“Pildat also advocated to amend the Public Finance Management Act 2019 to obligate the Federal Government to share Budget Strategy Paper with Standing Committees of the National Assembly and Senate on Finance before its final approval by the Federal Cabinet and also recommended to increase the time to debate/scrutinize budget in the Standing Committees and the National Assembly,” the report concluded.

Express Tribune
 
My expectations were pretty low from Shehbaz and looks like he is performing to my expectations.

Never leadership material - you cannot take out the savage out of him

Look at the style of his tweets - this is the PM of Pakistan lol

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Every speech Imran Niazi delivers shows how unfit he is to hold public office. Under his direct supervision, the PTI has run a sordid campaign to defame national institutions & thus undermine Pakistan. He is rewriting Machiavellian principles of politics in his lust for power.</p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1548625618685890568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
[VIDEO] Someone says "Sir, camera on hai" and Shehbaz Sharif swings into action.....

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday took an aerial view of flood-hit areas of Balochistan to review rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures after heavy rains and floods have unleashed devastation in the province.

While taking an aerial view along with concerned officials, the prime minister was caught on camera giving directions to an official after being told that he was being filmed.

In a video, circulating on social media, PM Shehbaz Sharif can be seen sitting in a normal mode in a plane.

As soon the videographer told PM that his aerial view is being filmed on camera, Shehbaz quickly started issuing directions to officials.

Shehbaz’s act soon caught the attention of netizens, who were quick to troll him.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
All an act. Does not give a damn.

Vile. subhuman lying, corrupt person
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This is what Showbaz does best. Can't fool masses anymore though
 
Shehbaz visits flood-hit Balochistan as dozens die across country

QUETTA/PESHAWAR/SUKKUR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the flood-ravaged people of Balochistan of all possible help and cooperation in their rescue and rehabilitation, and that his government will not leave them alone in this challenging time.

Meanwhile, the death toll in flood and rain-related accidents in Balochistan was reported to be 11, including three Levies officials, on Saturday; at least 10 people were killed and several others injured, dozens of houses and other infrastructure destroyed in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and in Sindh, five bodies were found stuck in different gates of Sukkur Barrage, taking the official death toll over the last three days to 14.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority in KP issued an alert, warning of high flood in the Kabul River and its tributaries and streams during the next 48 hours. It said the heavy rains also destroyed houses and infrastructure in Khyber, Buner, Swat and other areas of the province.

“The federal government will extend all help to the areas that suffered losses due to torrential rains and flash floods, including Balochistan,” Prime Minister Sharif said on Saturday while talking to the media after visiting the Jhal Magsi area of Nasirabad division.

Three Levies officials among 11 drown in Balochistan; many houses, infrastructure destroyed in KP; five bodies found stuck in Sukkur Barrage gates

Earlier, when the PM arrived in Jacobabad along with his team, he was briefed by Balochistan Chief Secretary Abdul Aziz Aquili and NDMA chairman Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz on the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in the province.

The PM also took an aerial view of the affected areas to assess the extent of losses. He stopped at the Shambani village and met some of the victims. He ordered the establishment of a medical camp and provision of medicines to the affected village. He also ordered the posting of a veterinary doctor for the livestock.

Talking to the media at the village, the PM claimed that 300 people, including 124 in Balochistan, had lost their lives in floods, adding federal and Balochistan governments would both provide Rs1 million to families of each victim. He said the government would also compensate for damaged houses.

Meanwhile, five people, including three Levies personnel, were reportedly killed in rain and flood-related accidents in Mastung and Zhob. Torrential rains and flash floods wreaked havoc in Khuzdar, Kalat and Mastung districts while flooding continued in the already adversely affected areas of Lasbela and Jhal Magsi districts.

Moreover, the death toll in Chagai and Naushki districts due to floods and heavy rains was reported to be six on Saturday, including three minor girls of a family, an assistant lineman of the Quetta Electric Supply Company, a boy who had been washed away along with his car and a man, who went missing on Thursday, was found dead from Khaisar Nala in Noshki on Saturday.

Traffic on RCD highway was partially suspended after flash floods damaged the road at several locations, while the freight train service between Pakistan and Iran also remained suspended for the third consecutive day owing to damages to the track. Electricity supply to a few towns in Chagai and many areas of Dalbandin was suspended.

Also on Saturday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took an aerial view of the flooded areas of Dadu and Jamshoro districts. He announced a relief package for the rehabilitation of roads and bridges in Dadu as well as compensation of Rs1m for families of each victim of rain-related incidents. He also distributed ration bags among 1,000 affected families.

DAWN
 
MenInG said:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday took an aerial view of flood-hit areas of Balochistan to review rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures after heavy rains and floods have unleashed devastation in the province.

While taking an aerial view along with concerned officials, the prime minister was caught on camera giving directions to an official after being told that he was being filmed.

In a video, circulating on social media, PM Shehbaz Sharif can be seen sitting in a normal mode in a plane.

As soon the videographer told PM that his aerial view is being filmed on camera, Shehbaz quickly started issuing directions to officials.

Shehbaz’s act soon caught the attention of netizens, who were quick to troll him.
Click to expand...

Minister for Information and Broadcast Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday accused former first lady Bushra Bibi of editing a video of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's aerial view during his Balochistan visit to review the flood situation.

"A fresh piece of editing by Bushra Bibi who [earlier] linked political rivals with treason," the federal minister said in a tweet carrying the premier's video during his visit to the flood-hit province.

The video purportedly showed PM Shehbaz being told by one of his staff accompanying him that the "camera is on", followed by his directives to them regarding the flood situation.

The "edited" part of the footage apparently posted on a popular video platform carried the ID of a supposed Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) user.

According to Marriyum, she made the video and released it to the media herself and a private news channel also had the original video, shaming them for "projecting lies".

The minister added that she had sent the video to FIA's cybercrime wing, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader also accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan of having a hand in the "editing" and lying to the people in various instances.

Concluding, the information minister said Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were busy editing and fabricating videos, while they could play their part in helping the flood-affected masses.

Express Tribune
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Typical chor and traitor, just like res of his laanti family.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DOLLAR FLIGHT: Credible insiders say within days after Shahbaz Sharif took office as PM, a plane with 245 Suitcases full of $$ took off from Karachi to Dubai. A Customs Intel officer who reported the matter was immediatly sacked.We know who flies $$ 2 UAE. WILL NEUTRALS PROBE IT?</p>— SHAHEEN SEHBAI (@SSEHBAI1) <a href="https://twitter.com/SSEHBAI1/status/1552864793337421825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
PTI’s Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday once again criticised the incumbent government’s policies and termed PM Shehbaz Sharif’s proposal for a charter of economy a “foolish idea”.

The former information and broadcasting minister took a jibe at PM Shehbaz and said that “the refusal of the head of the imported government to hold elections is a reflection of his desire to cling to power at all costs”.

“This charter of economy is a silly idea. Political parties only join heads to develop a political framework. Having a unanimous economic framework is only found in communist systems,” he wrote on Twitter. He added that “no sane person” could support the “disastrous economic policies of the crime minister’s government”.

Referencing to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s jalsa in Lahore on the eve of August 14, Fawad wrote: “Last night, millions of people who participated in [PTI’s] Lahore Jalsa declared that the realisation of the dream of freedom was incomplete until real freedom was achieved.”

“The nationwide movement has already started. InshaAllah, this government is a guest for a few more weeks,” he said. A day ago, PM Shehbaz Sharif, in a televised address to the nation, had said that there was no concept of a country’s independence without economic self-reliance. The prime minister reiterated his call for the formation of a “charter of the economy”, saying that the time has come for Pakistan to head in the right direction.

“We should keep national interest above personal interest [...] as real political leadership does not look towards the next elections, but at the future of the next generation,” he said. “Most importantly, we will need to revive the passion that led to the creation of Pakistan,” he said, noting that this passion will lead to the establishment of a great nation.

TheNews
 
PM Shehbaz decides against retaining foreign gifts, orders display at PM House

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided against retaining any foreign gifts and ordered all the presents he received during his foreign visits to be permanently displayed at the PM House, it emerged on Wednesday.

“The premier does not wish to retain any of the gift items presented to him during his visits to Saudi Arabia and UAE dated April 28 to April 30, 2022,” according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division.

“The prime minister desires that as a policy, all precious gifts should be taken on charge by Toshakhana and consequently be permanently displayed at the PM House. The gifts would be displayed in secure display cabinets, equipped with alarm systems, under the responsibility of the Toshakhana.”

Read: Toshakhana saga

The notification stated that in the first phase, five such cabinets dedicated to each country, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and China be prepared to showcase the gifts received from respective countries.

These would also include the presents PM Shehbaz received during his official visit to UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The gifts included a pair of wristwatches (A. LANGE & SOHNE Datograph Fly back — No 242655 and Rolex — model No 326259TBR Sr No 85C423E3), pair of cufflinks (Chopard), one pen (Chopard), a ring (Chopard) and a rosary (Chopard).

Furthermore, the PM has directed the authorities concerned to make arrangements to display the gifts to acquaint the masses with fraternal ties with the friendly countries.

Toshkhana rules
Established in 1974, the Tosha*khana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officials by heads of other governments, states and foreign dignitaries as a goodwill gesture.

Valuables in Toshakhana range from bulletproof cars, gold-plated souvenirs and expensive paintings to watches, ornaments, rugs and swords.

Toshakhana (Maintenance and Admi*nistration) Rules, 1974 (revised up to 2012), are applied to the president, prime minister, Senate chairman and deputy chairman, National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker, federal ministers, ministers of state, members of *parliament, government servants and also employees of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, whether on duty or leave, serving in any capacity in connection with the affairs of the government or while on deputation with any other body, agency, institution or authority.

Under the rules, it is mandatory that gifts of a certain value are deposited in Toshakhana. However, an official is also allowed to keep these gifts provided they pay a certain percentage of the price assessed by the Toshakhana evaluation committee.

According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division, indicating the nature and estimated value of the gifts. There should not be any undue delay in reporting the receipt of such gifts and those receiving should deposit them with the government.

DAWN
 
Shehbaz unimpressive as prime minister?
Shehbaz Sharif, who is known for his governance and administrative skills in the past, is unimpressive as the prime minister

ISLAMABAD: Shehbaz Sharif, who is known for his governance and administrative skills in the past, is unimpressive as the prime minister.

While Imran Khan has been vocal in criticising Shehbaz Sharif and his performance, there are many even within the ruling coalition and in the concerned quarters who are surprised why Shehbaz is not performing.

Service delivery of the government departments, falling within the jurisdiction of the federal capital territory, is disappointing like the past whereas there seems to be no government check on the phenomenal rise of dollar rate owing to illegal flight of American currency to Afghanistan and satta (speculative buying) -- which is badly hurting the economy and market sentiment.

During his tenure as Punjab chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif used to have a firm grip over the bureaucracy but in the Centre, things appear to have not been in his control.

According to one of Shehbaz’s close aides, the prime minister’s main focus so far has been the economy, which interestingly is also not being managed, and to the surprise of many, even after the IMF deal instead of getting better it is worsening.

A key economic wizard of the Shehbaz government, when approached over the reasons for unexpected rise in the dollar rate despite the IMF deal, was found totally clueless as to why it was happening and how to stop it.

According to a source, Shehbaz has recently assigned former PM and senior PMLN leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to prepare a strategy for improving governance and service delivery in the government departments. Abbasi, it is said, will present his reform strategy, when ready, to the prime minister for implementation.

Following his Punjab experience, the prime minister, after coming to power, had announced implementation of a one-dish policy for weddings in Islamabad but here too there are frequent violations in an area that is smaller than many divisions of the Punjab province. There is also no improvement in public dealing in the federal government departments like the CDA.

Referring to another example, a source said that a federal authority created by the Imran Khan government for character building of the society has become redundant during the Shehbaz government despite the legislation done by Parliament. It is said that the government has no time to make appointments in the authority whose former chairman and members could not continue because of the new legislation. It also took the government several weeks to even appoint all important State Bank of Pakistan governor.

It is said that Shehbaz Sharif became the prime minister during tough conditions -- particularly economic ones. He also depends on the ruling coalition comprising over a dozen political partners. However, there is no explanation available as to what prevents the prime minister from improving the performance of bureaucracy and ensuring the writ of the government, particularly in matters that are sensitive for the country’s economy.

The News PK
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday bemoaned that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) "arm-twisted" the government to pay for the sins committed by the previous government of PTI.

He said the former ruling party had reneged on the pact it had made with the IMF but the global money lender "rubbed our nose in the dirt for it".
Advertisement


The prime minister maintained that the previous PTI regime had committed serious violations of the IMF agreement for which the current government was putting up with the consequences.

“The IMF is making us suffer for the wrongdoings of the PTI government,” he added while addressing a lawyers’ convention in Islamabad.

Read: Guterres to take up ‘debt swaps’ with IMF, WB

Referring to the IMF agreement, the prime minister said that despite being a nuclear power, the country was still walking around with a beggar’s bowl.
PM Shehbaz said if you call up a friendly country, they believed that Islamabad probably wanted a loan.

“Those who were behind us in the region have now gone far ahead,” he added.
Conceding the rising inflation in the country, the prime minister said the economic situation was dire.

“We are trying their best to control inflation. The coalition government worked hard to save Pakistan from bankruptcy,” he claimed.

PM Shehbaz informed the lawyers about the flood situation.

He added that floods had caused havoc in the entire country. “Hardly anyone has seen such a disaster because of climate change. Millions of people are still forced to live under the open sky,” he told the participants.

Also read: Pakistan to receive $1.17bn tranche in three to six weeks: IMF

The prime minister reiterated his call to the nation, particularly the influential and affluent classes. to play their due role to change the nation’s fate through firm resolve and solid actions.

He said the flood water was still causing destruction in Balochistan, leading to the collapse of houses and washing away of crops.

The premier added that even the availability of clean drinking water was a challenge for the flood-affected people.

He said the country was rich with immense resources like Sendak and Reko Diq with capable human resources including farmers, engineers and doctors.

“If we make a resolve, Pakistan will emerge as a great country. It will not come through speeches, rather through will and action,” the prime minister remarked.
The premier said the government was devising a strategy to cope with the swelling needs of gas, considering the upcoming winter season.

He said the previous government failed to sign a gas purchase agreement when it was available at 3 cents per MMBTU compared with the current 40 cents per MMBTU.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz distributed allotment letters among senior lawyers for residential plots in a housing project and carried out balloting of plots among the federal government employees.

He added that the first phase of the housing scheme had been completed and the long-standing demand of the lawyers had been met.

He further said the housing project for the lawyers’ community had been facing a delay.

However, the premier vowed that the incumbent government would ensure its early completion.

The prime minister said those who had acquired the allotment letters for their residential plots should never forget the flood-stricken people who had lost their dear ones as well as livelihoods.

Express Tribune
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday highlighted the devastation Pakistan has witnessed due to the recent catastrophic floods and called for “building a wall” against the menace of climate change.

“I have never before seen this kind of devastation,” the prime minister said, as he addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) meeting in Samarkand.

In his speech, he also highlighted that abandoning Afghanistan this time around would be a “big mistake”.

On the floods, he said stagnant water is causing a rise in waterborne diseases, such as malaria, he highlighted as he thanked SCO members for extending their support during this time of need.

The prime minister said Pakistan would eventually overcome this crisis as he estimated the damage to be in the “billions of dollars”.

“But […] these devastating floods in Pakistan are most definitely climate change-induced […] Cloud outbursts, unprecedented rains combined with hill torrents, all of this put together made Pakistan look like a sea of water.”

We are going to stand on our own feet but will this be the last time a country is going to fall victim to this devastation, he asked as he appealed to the SCO to “build a wall” against the menace of climate change.

But that can only be achieved through a well-thought-out and sustainable plan, he said. “Our carbon emission is less than one per cent. Yet nature had this in store for us.”

“Let’s make a plan to save our future generations,” he said.

‘Big mistake to ignore Afghanistan this time around’

PM Shehbaz said that it would be a “big mistake to ignore Afghanistan this time around”, highlighting that peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan was interlinked.

Shehbaz had arrived in the historic city of Samarkand on a two-day visit on Thursday. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif are among the officials part of the Pakistani delegation.

On the second day of his visit, the prime minister attended the close-format CHS meeting at the Congress Centre where participants were welcomed by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were also in attendance.

At the outset of his address, the premier deviated from the text of his speech as he talked about Afghanistan. “As you know Pakistan is a neighbouring country of Afghanistan, and peace in Afghanistan will ensure peace in Pakistan,” he said.

“In other words, what is good for Afghanistan, is good for Pakistan and vice versa.”

He went on to say that the world would have to work together to support all “good initiatives” in Afghanistan. “Therefore, it will be a big mistake if we ignore Afghanistan this time around.”

It is Pakistan’s opinion that strengthening Afghanistan in the security and counterterrorism domain should run parallel to the SCO’s socio-economic support to the Afghan people, he said.

PM Shehbaz said the international community must support efforts to build a sustainable Afghan economy. “Unfreezing Afghanistan’s financial assets remains a crucial need in this regard.”

For their part, Afghan authorities would do well to build a future based on inclusiveness and respect for human rights for all citizens, especially women and minorities, including effective steps against terrorism, he said.

Highlighting Pakistan’s fight against terrorism, he urged the SCO states to join hands and “fight this menace of extremism, separatism and terrorism and wipe it from the face of this earth”.

He concluded his speech by reaffirming Pakistan’s “strong and unwavering commitment” in advancing the objectives of the SCO.

‘Successful talks’ with Xi, Putin
Meanwhile, the Chinese foreign ministry issued a statement, elucidating the conversation between PM Shehbaz and President Xi Jinping as they met on the sidelines of the SCO.

During the meeting, Xi pointed out that China and Pakistan were close neighbors “linked by mountains and rivers and with a shared future”.

The two countries have all along stood with each other through thick and thin. No matter how the international situation evolves, China and Pakistan are always each other’s trustworthy strategic partners, he added.

The statement said China will work with Pakistan to advance its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and accelerate the building of a closer community with a shared future between the two countries in the new era.

President Xi stressed that the two sides must continue to firmly support each other, foster stronger synergy between their development strategies, and harness the role of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to ensure smooth construction and operation of major projects.

“It is important to expand cooperation in such areas as industry, agriculture, science, technology and social welfare to create new impetus for the CPEC’s development.”

It added that China hopes Pakistan will provide “solid protection for the security of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan as well as the lawful rights and interests of Chinese businesses”.

The statement said the two sides needed to enhance communication and collaboration within the United Nations, the SCO and other multilateral platforms “to voice the developing countries’ rightful opposition to bloc confrontation and commitment to multilateralism”.

PM Shehbaz, according to the statement, expressed appreciation to the Chinese side for its timely and valuable support as Pakistan has been affected by the flooding.

He noted that President Xi was a leader of “strategic foresight”, saying China had secured “great achievements in its development and made important contributions to peace and development in the region and the wider world”.

Pakistan is firmly committed to the one-China policy, and firmly supports China’s position on issues concerning its core interests including Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, the statement added.

The PM assured the Chinese president that Pakistan will make its best efforts to protect the security of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan, continue its active participation in the Belt and Road cooperation and make CPEC a model of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Later, the relevant departments of the two countries also signed documents on cooperation in railway, e-commerce and other areas of mutual interest.

Separately, the Prime Minister’s Office also tweeted about the bilateral meeting, saying the Chinese president described PM Shehbaz as “a person of pragmatism and efficiency” and a leader with “a longstanding commitment to China-Pakistan friendship”.

In a tweet later in the day, the defence minister said that PM Shehbaz had “very successful” talks with Putin and Xi.

“Both of them have officially invited Shehbaz Sharif to visit their countries. The prime minister has accepted both invitations. There will be a visit to China in November 2022,” the defence minister confirmed.

Pakistan, Azerbaijan express resolve to enhance bilateral cooperation
Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz met Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and discussed issues of bilateral interest. The meeting, held on the sidelines of SCO, focused on ways to strengthen the relationship between the two countries in diverse fields.

During the meeting, the premier underlined the importance of unlocking the existing potential in the relationship between the two countries by boosting bilateral engagement in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, information technology, and tourism, according to a Radio Pakistan report.

“Shehbaz expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for its support and solidarity with Pakistan as well as the provision of generous financial assistance for the flood-affected people and highlighted that the massive natural disaster caused by climate change called for urgent action by the international community to address this global threat.”

He went on to say that Pakistan and Azerbaijan had exemplary relations, deeply embedded in common history, faith, and culture.

Furthermore, Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled support to Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh and congratulated his counterpart on the historic success in the liberation of its occupied territories, the report stated.

“He also expressed condolences on the recent martyrdom of 71 Azeri servicemen in an unprovoked attack by Armenia and reiterated support for Azerbaijan’s right to self-defence in accordance with international law and in the protection of its territorial integrity,” it added.

Trip ends
Afterwards, the premier visited the mausoleum of Imam Bukhari. The PML-N’s Twitter account tweeted several photographs of PM Shehbaz — who changed into a sky blue shalwar kameez — visiting the tomb and offering Fateha.

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz was seen off at the Samarkand airport his Uzbek counterpart, Abdullah Aripov on the conclusion of this two-day visit to Uzbekistan.

He concluded his trip by saying he was leaving Samarkand on a “satisfactory note”.

“There is now a renewed awareness about the potent threat of climate change,” he tweeted.

“SCO countries understand it is capable of reversing all our material development & pushing us backward by decades. All the more reason for a united front.”

‘Long but productive day in Samarkand’
On Thursday, the premier met several leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Turkiye’s Tayyip Erdogan and Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi. In a tweet on the conclusion of the first day, he said that the meetings were focused on enhancing trade and investment.

“I explained the flood ravages due to climate change. Food and energy shortages present a real challenge to our shared development agenda,” he added.

The prime minister was scheduled to hold meetings with SCO leaders on the sidelines of the event.

However, Foreign Office Spokesman Asim Iftikhar earlier told Dawn that PM Shehbaz had no plans to meet his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

An official, when contacted, said though a brief courtesy meeting between the two was possible, they would not be holding talks as none of the two sides had sought a meeting.

DAWN
 
Shehbaz accepts invite for Moscow, Beijing visits
Transcript released by Putin’s office after meeting Shehbaz suggests Russian eagerness to deepen ties with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Beijing in November while he has also accepted an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to a visit to Moscow in a telling move that contradicts claims that Pakistan may distance itself from the US adversaries following the ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The development comes at a time when efforts are underway to reset the troubled relationship between Pakistan and the US.

A senior adviser of the US secretary of state recently visited Islamabad, while the US President Joe Biden Administration approved $450 million sale of the F-16 equipment in a sign that Washington wants to maintain a working relationship with Islamabad.

In the middle of all this, Shehbaz’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday are significant and show that Pakistan is trying to maintain a delicate balance in its ties with big powers.

The transcript released by Putin’s office after meeting Shehbaz suggested Russian eagerness to deepen ties with Pakistan. At the same time President Xi in his maiden meeting with Shehbaz termed the Pakistani prime minister “a person of pragmatism and efficiency.”

Shehbaz also heaped praise on Putin, calling Russia a “superpower” and its president a “man of words”. On his part, the Russian president began his meeting with Shehbaz by recalling his working relationship with his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, when he was the prime minister.

Observers believe that Shehbaz’s flurry of meetings with Russian and Chinese presidents indicated that Pakistan’s policy, seeking diversification in the country’s foreign policy options, remains intact.

While Pakistan has a long-standing relationship with China, the process of rapprochement with Russia began way before Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan became the prime minister.

It was a consensus decision by the country’s parliament and other stakeholders in 2011 to reach out to Russia after Islamabad’s relationship hit the lowest ebb because of a series of debacles.

Since then successive governments, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had pursued the policy of normalising ties with Russia.

In 2015, the two sides signed an agreement under which Russia would lay a gas pipeline from Karachi to Punjab for supply of the liquefied natural gas (LNG). The project could not take off because of possible US sanctions but both sides did not give it up and are still making efforts to turn the project into a reality.

In their Thursday’s meeting in the Silk Road city of Samarkand, Putin and Shehbaz brought up the Pakistan Steam Gas Pipeline project in their discussions. “There are very interesting and large-scale projects, namely the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline project, which involves building the infrastructure needed for the delivery of LNG,” Putin told Shehbaz.

The Russian president also offered Pakistan to supply gas through a pipeline. “This is possible as well, in view of the fact that some infrastructure is already in place in Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,” he said.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who attended the Putin-Shehbaz meeting, said in a tweet that the prime minister’s meetings with President Putin and President Xi were extremely successful.

He said both leaders invited Shehbaz on a visit to their respective countries. He confirmed that the prime minister would embark on his maiden visit to China in November, while he did not confirm the date of his visit to Moscow.

Express Tribune
 
What can one expect from this man?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ladies and gentleman our crime minister is giving Mr bean a run for his money
 
Not only that it was an army officer who helped place the ear phone looks like the army officer is also an incompetent buffoon

This what happens when you let people in high positions based on high caste and wealth .

Out military top brass are also complete buffoons can't even operate a headpiece yet likes of taliban cavemen can figure out how to operate helicopters and night vision goggles and other gadgets and those people never even went to school.
 
So @bewal_express a good friend of mine and definitely no fan of IK sent me this when they toppled Khan. The view of the lahore liberal elite. Read it and then watch the above vid again.

Combined opposition toppling the government may actually strengthen our federation in many ways. Here are at least ten key benefits which are already achieved.

1. Shahbaz Sharif is probably the best politician in Pakistan who trained himself in delivering policy and is untiring. His quality of meetings and his decision making is lighting fast and he remembers government’s procurement rules by heart. He is bringing Dr Tauqeer Shah as his principle Secretary who is an ultimate fixer. I tell you federal secretaries from tomorrow will be on their toes.

2. When Akhtar Mengal and Mohsin Dawar are at the forefront of successfully toppling the government, Pakistan is suddenly is strengthened in places like Khuzdar and Waziristan.

3. With JUI in the fold, Pakistani foreign office will have a better way of influencing Taliban who recently only had a token entry at the OIC. Fazal Rehman have access to closest of the Taliban’s circles. Plus liberals in Pakistan love Fazal Rehman and you will see Friday Times will be much less critical of Pakistan’s Kabul policy.

4. Nawaz has been establishment’s favorite since 1982. His and establishments feuds are like feuds among brothers and can go bitter very quickly. He has been very reactionary and could have further increased his pressure which no one could have afforded in Pindi.

5. Lahore’s liberals (Najam and Jugnu), LLF crowd, Ahmed Rasheed Sb, Hina Jillani, Imtiaz Alam and the rest should better be on the Government side otherwise they are a little army single handedly influencing EU, US and UK ambassadors to shape their position on Pakistan’s state of democracy, human rights, GSP plus etc. Pakistan cannot keep west happy without keeping this tribe happy. Foreign office will be less lonely from now onward.

6. PPP and MQM mature political accord on local government is the best outcome. PPP is less insecure now on Karachi because MQM is demilitarized and after ruling Sindh for 15 straight years now PPP is willing to make a match with MQM on empowered local government in Karachi. It’s a big win for Pakistan.

7. Strangely Imran is much more effective as opposition leader than as PM and his pressure will get things done more than what he ever could have achieved as PM.

8. With Bajwa Sb taking U turn on everything, pressures on NGOs, human rights and media will be reduced considerably. Civil society is weakened since Nisar as interior minister and this government was practically against NGOs which probably have cost Pakistan almost four lakh jobs.

9. Everyone wanted a widely owned appointment in October and no one wanted Pakistan army to be seen as partisan. That bit probably played a decisive role in deciding the fate of this Government.

10. I do not believe in full blown conspiracy but something helped in making 20 MNA defecting suddenly. Probably few people winked them too and Lu’s statements are incredibly close to these movements. That means Biden will call new PM, IMF will release the tranche. FATF grey zone will be lifted and GSP Plus status will continue. So Imran is not totally unjustified crying foul but then this will make him wiser.

And for all these gains, if young insaafians hearts are broken does not matter. They should grow up. Its realpolitik not loving and leaving Parveen who is married before you passed your BA.
 
At reception held by King C

p4YBrZC.png
 
MenInG said:
What can one expect from this man?
Click to expand...

Following on from this...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here goes the CrimeMinister again as if he is doing a body search! Always embarrassing Pakistan. <a href="https://t.co/7LjJYifTtl">pic.twitter.com/7LjJYifTtl</a></p>— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShireenMazari1/status/1571540468160401410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Last edited by a moderator:
PM Shehbaz's achievements driving 'foreign agent' Imran mad: Maryam
‘Fitna’ Khan's nonsense about the prime minister is showing his anguish, says PML-N stalwart

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz has said that diplomatic achievements and respect that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan have received from the outside world is driving the "foreign-funded agent" mad, in an apparent reference to former premier Imran Khan.

"Fitna Khan's nonsense about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is showing his anguish," she wrote on his official Twitter handle on Monday.

The PML-N stalwart also said that Imran Khan has to make his "dollars halal". However, she added, the deposed prime minister's destiny is only to be burned in envy.

In another tweet, Maryam wrote that seeing three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif once again setting up the political landscape of Pakistan is a punishment for the opponents, adding that they had crossed all limits of oppression against the PML-N supreme leader.

She further said that the opponent left no stone unturned in order to eliminate Nawaz Sharif from the politics of Pakistan.

On Thursday, Maryam accused Imran of using religion in his ‘dirty politics’. Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court, the PML-N leader added that the PTI chairman changed the definition of religion according to his liking.

“Religion is a personal matter, but it does not when you say voting for the PML-N and not voting for the PTI is a sin,” she said.

The ousted prime minister, the PML-N said, had declared that his party members, who decided to switch sides, were committing shirk.

“Shirk’s definition is associating partners with God. Are you [Imran] changing the entire dictionary and the meaning of religion for your disgusting politics?” she inquired.

“If this is shirk, according to you, then you are the biggest sinner because you admitted in TV interviews that you used the establishment to bring people into your government for voting,” she added.

She urged Imran not to use religion for politics as it “hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims”.

She further said PM Shehbaz had saved the country from default. The PML-N leader added that the country's economy was gradually recovering.

She further said the government must not come under pressure to hold early elections.

Express Tribune
 
Lahore chamber slams Shehbaz’s performance

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) on Monday termed Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s performance unsatisfactory and urged him to deliver fast to put the country’s economy in the right direction.

“This is a fact that he couldn’t come up to our expectations and perhaps he couldn’t deliver due to the much deteriorated economic situation,” LCCI President Mian Nauman Kabir told journalists at a press conference held on the eve of its “Evolution of Social, Political, and Economic Order, Past, Present, and Future of Pakistan” event.

The LCCI office bearers said they were not holding the (bureaucracy), government responsible alone for all the mess, as all, including the civil establishment (bureaucracy), have contributed to creating the mess in the country.

“The situation started worsening in 2016 due to political instability and inconsistent economic policies. The budget deficit also surged in 2017-18, a time for the transition of power from PML-N to PTI, and now has reached a record high level and it continues rising fast,” explained Mian Rehman Aziz Chan, the LCCI vice chairman. “I think it is the civil establishment, not the military establishment, that didn’t devise long-term policies to stabilise the economy,” he added.

Says bureaucracy also ‘created mess in the country’

The LCCI office bearers said at present, the economic situation in the country is the worst ever in the history of Pakistan, as everything, especially the issues related to business community—such as Letters of Credits-LCs opening, non-clearance of around 3,500 containers at ports, non-import of raw materials, spare parts etc.

They also deplored the imposition and receipt of fuel price adjustments with effect from June. “Let us know where we go. You (the government) can receive FPA with effect from the current month but not from June—the time when we have manufactured and sold our goods already,” he said, adding that the FPA issue is leading towards the closure of steel mills in Lahore.

Earlier, talking about the event, the LCCI office bearers said the purpose of this initiative is to prepare an economic plan to the government for improvement in economic affairs in the days to come.

“Pakistan is a resourceful country and has all the essentials for economic development, but the need is to determine the right directions. The purpose of holding this conference is to bring all stakeholders on one page and give doable solutions to the government to resolve the economic problems,” said Mr Kabir.

Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Nestle Pakistan Chairman Syed Yawar Ali, former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Punjab Bank CEO Zafar Masud, former federal minister for agriculture Syed Fakhar Imam, former FBR chairman Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi, and others are expected to attend the event.

DAWN
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday issued a rebuke and expressed visible frustration after finding inadequacies in a dashboard built to monitor flood relief assistance, pointing out that it lacked real-time updates and was not of international standards.

The prime minister left federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Aminul Haque, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Tariq Bashir Cheema red-faced as he refused to inaugurate the event and remained seated as he outlined his primary objection with the dashboard — designed by the IT ministry — saying that it was not being updated in real-time.

“If real-time information doesn’t arrive in this then it’s of no use. Then we are wasting each other’s time. I’m not going to inaugurate this today,” he said when informed that data from the meteorological department was not yet integrated with the dashboard.

“This should be trashed,” he said, calling it a “joke”. “I’m not negating your effort but this is not the dashboard we all imagined. This is a stationary thing in which you fill in figures.”

The prime minister mentioned a different dashboard that monitors dengue hotspots and said it provided “active information” and was based on a “proper structure”.

At one point, Iqbal tried to placate the premier by reasoning that the information on the portal could not be displayed in real-time because it was dependent on information from the provincial disaster management authorities.

However, Shehbaz cut the minister midway, “but sir […] you will find out who is providing the information and who is not […] at best, this can be called a static dashboard.”

“But still, dashboards are a work in progress […],” Iqbal, once again, tried to pacify the prime minister. “They have developed a tool in a short time but as we go on more data will be uploaded.”

But Shehbaz was adamant that the dashboard couldn’t meet international standards and failed to show the colossal damage suffered during the floods.

“This (flood dashboard) is not something the nation or I want. It lacks in many ways [and] it is deficient to our requirement,” the prime minister said as he reprimanded the officials concerned.

He also complained that the dashboard was not fast enough, adding that a lagging portal would not reflect the loss suffered due to the floods as well as the government’s efforts to mitigate their fallout.

The prime minister said that with upcoming international conventions and moots on the horizon, he wanted the dashboard to be of a certain standard and in line with modern expectations.

Here, Haque assured the PM that all his instructions had been noted. “We will try to modify this [the dashboard] and make it better. I request you to inaugurate it today and we will make it better,” he said.

The IT minister also went up to the stage to talk to the official briefing the ceremony.

Subsequently, Shehbaz suggested that the project could be “provisionally” launched today but officially launched next Monday after incorporating his suggestions and criticisms.

The prime minister was assured by the officials that they would resolve the issues he had outlined and convert the dashboard into a real-time platform in a week’s span.

Shehbaz told the two federal ministers to take all the help they needed but develop a “world class” dashboard, adding that it would aid the government for decades to come and any “makeshift” work would be of no benefit.

The prime minister also took updates and briefings on various flood-related topics from officials at the event.

DAWN
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has termed his predecessor and PTI chief Imran Khan the "biggest liar on the face of the earth", The Guardian reported on Tuesday.

In an interview with the British newspaper, the prime minister addressed Imran's recent alleged cipher audio leaks and said they were "an irrefutable endorsement that he (Imran) is the biggest liar on the face of the earth".

"I’m not saying this with a sense of glee but a sense of embarrassment and concern. My country’s image has been damaged hugely by these lies told out of mean personal interest," he added.

Shehbaz said that Imran would have to be "held accountable for all these conscious criminal acts”, referring to the alleged discussion between Imran and his principal secretary and ministers in the leak of how to use the cypher for political gains.

The prime minister said Imran was "injecting poison into society to dangerously polarise the electorate'" since his ouster through a successful no-confidence vote in April.

"Never before was I concerned about our country’s future,” he was quoted as saying by the report, adding, "Imran Khan has injected [an] infinite amount of poison in this society and made it hugely polarised as never before … he is distorting facts and creating hate."

Economy in 'ruins'
In his first interview with the outlet since he became the premier, Shehbaz termed the PTI chief as a "liar and a cheat", alleging that his policies had left the economy in "ruins".

He also alleged that the PTI chairman managed the country's affairs in a way that benefitted his "own personal agenda" and "in a manner which can be only described as the most inexperienced, self-centred, egotistical [and] immature politician in the history of this country”.

Shehbaz admitted in the interview that he faced "significant challenges" in ruling the country while the PTI chief continued his mass mobilisation campaign for an eventual long march to Islamabad.

Foreign affairs
The prime minister particularly spoke about Imran's supposed impact on Pakistan's foreign relations, claiming that he was "shocked" at the UN General Assembly session earlier this month when he said many world leaders had complained about the PTI chief's attitude.

"Some leaders told me in person about his personality,” Shehbaz alleged, adding, "they told me he was rude, he told lies and he is a ‘narcissist’, quote unquote.”

Referring to the former prime minister's claim of a US-backed foreign conspiracy that toppled his government through the no-confidence vote, Shehbaz said Imran had hurt Pakistan's relations with the United States "for no rhyme or reason".

The report stated that Shehbaz's administration was "actively working" to repair the country's relations with the US. Yet he also made it clear he would be reaffirming Pakistan’s close relationship with China, the report added.

PM Shehbaz described China as “one of the most trusted friends of Pakistan” in the interview, adding that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project was beneficial for the country's wellbeing, as well as the whole region.

On any role of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in the government, the prime minister told the outlet that he consulted his older brother but was given "completely free rein to make decisions”.

Questioned about criticism of the PML-N for dynastic politics, PM Shehbaz "vehemently rebuffed" it and said it was not a matter of dynasty. "It’s about competence, it’s about public support [and] it’s about people’s trust,” he was quoted as saying by the report.

DAWN
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that by building a deceitful narrative of conspiracy against his government, former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan committed "treason against Pakistan" and its people and inflicted irreparable damage to the country’s reputation.

PM Shehbaz, while referring to an audio leak revealing a conversation between then prime minister Imran Khan and ex-principal secretary Azam Khan about using the classified diplomatic cable for political purposes, said the episode had badly damaged Pakistan’s relations with the friendly countries.

“The audio tells all. Is there any doubt yet as to who hatched the conspiracy? Who are the real conspirators? It was Imran Khan and his cronies,” the prime minister told a press conference on Thursday.

He said sans the audio leak, the ambiguity could prevail for years but Allah blessed the nation by exposing Imran Khan’s “fraud, deceit and worst conspiracy” against Pakistan.

He said the coalition government is trying to revive bit-by-bit the ties with other countries damaged by the ex-premier.

“It was the worst dishonesty and played a game with the nation’s confidence and hurt the national integrity. This is unprecedented in the country’s history,” he remarked rubbishing Imran Khan’s allegation of his role behind the audio leak as earlier, his own audio leak had surfaced.

Recalling the process of the vote of no-confidence against Imran Khan and the rejection of the motion by then deputy speaker, the prime minister said that Imran Khan and his party had wasted the nation’s time.

“That wicked conspiracy stands exposed without any more ambiguity. For the last four-five years, I have been saying that he [Imran Khan] is the biggest liar doing all just to serve his own interests,” he added.

He told the media that the National Security Committee, in its two leaks, categorically made it clear that the cypher had nothing to do with the conspiracy.

Express Tribune
 
UN COP27 GIVES VICE PRESIDENCY TO PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP27, has announced to handover the vice-chairmanship of the conference to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, ARY News reported on Monday.

Among the 195 countries of the United Nations, Pakistan has received the honour as result of the voice raised by PM Shehbaz Sharif at global and regional forums, regarding the need for urgent climate action plan.

Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi has invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to co-chair the COP-27 meeting.

PM Sharif will jointly chair the roundtable conference along with president of Egypt and the prime minister of Norway, being held in Egypt’s Sharm-el-Sheikh from November 6-8.

The COP27 will be attended by world leaders, think-tanks and the heads of governments and international financial institutions.

This will be the 27th meeting organized by the United Nations regarding the problems of climate change and the need for their sustainable solutions.

Following the recent floods, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif voiced for immediate action on climate change, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State and Government, Samarkand and the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York.

A day earlier, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution in support of Pakistan to combat climate catastrophe. This was stated by FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a tweet.

The foreign minister thanked the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for passing the resolution in support of Pakistan to combat the climate hazards following the recent floods.

ARY News
 
Pakistan, Azerbaijan to fast-track energy ties

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Azerbaijan agreed on Wednesday to hold fast-track discussions on energy collaboration, renewed their commitment to deepen bilateral engagement in several areas of cooperation and reviewed the progress of various ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting connectivity, trade and investment.

During the meeting, held in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underlined the need for fostering close cooperation on energy, a high-priority area for his government.

He nominated Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik, who visited the Azeri capital Baku last month, as the focal person for bilateral energy cooperation.

Shehbaz nominates Musadik as focal person for bilateral energy cooperation

Mr Sharif met Azeri President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the sixth Summit of Conference for Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), an intergovernm*ental forum comprising 27 countries from across Asia.

The two-day summit began on Wednesday in Astana, where the premier arrived earlier in the day, along with Defence Minis*ter Khawaja Asif, Infor*mation Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Mr Malik and other government officials.

Before his departure, Mr Sharif tweeted that he believed the summit “is capable of shaping a new configuration of economic cooperation and security in Asia through greater connectivity”.

“As the world faces the prospect of a recession fuelled by an increase in energy and food prices, there is a greater need to promote engagement and understanding to form win-win partnerships. Climate-induced disasters call for synergised efforts for mutually beneficial outcomes,” he said.

According to PM Office, the two heads of state reviewed bilateral ties with a view to improving cooperation in trade, investment, education, in**f*o*rmation technology, security, agriculture, connectivity and energy. They also discussed regional and global issues of common interest.

The PM also briefed Mr Aliyev on his government’s efforts to rehabilitate the millions of flood-affected people in Pakistan and restore their livelihoods damaged by the unprecedented natural disaster induced by climate change.

DAWN
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said he was willing to talk with political rival PTI for the “sake of national interest”.

Addressing the launch ceremony of “Youth Development Initiatives” in Islamabad, the prime minister said: “You didn’t shake [my] hand for four years and now you’re saying to ‘come to talk with us’? Till when will this two-facedness continue? But, we will be ready for it for the sake of national interest.”

Declining to give any details, the prime minister said he was ready to give “any sacrifice” for keeping the national interest as the primary concern.

Since his ouster, former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan has at various points expressed willingness to hold a dialogue with the incumbent government if it was ready to hold fresh elections.


Recently, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry told Dawn that negotiations were being held with the government over the issue of elections. “President Sahib is holding the talks,” he said while replying to a question that at what level talks were being held between the two sides.

It has already been reported in the media that President Arif Alvi was making backchannel efforts to defuse the current political tension.

Chaudhry added that the PTI was ready to hold a formal dialogue with the government if it agreed to hold snap elections. “If they (government) are willing to hold early elections, we can sit with them,” he had said.

However, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Sunday said the government would not accept any pre-condition for going into talks with the PTI. He had said the government would not budge from any pressure and would hold talks only without any pre-conditions, though the next general election may be on the agenda of the talks.

As part of the “Youth Development Initiatives”, the prime minister said the government would provide 20,000 internships to young engineers and 75 scholarships to students for top universities.

He said the Ministry of Planning and Development would carry out the youth initiatives, including spending Rs40 billion in 20 of the most underdeveloped districts and building 250 mini sports complexes.

PM Shehbaz said the programme would be expanded further and more youth initiatives would be launched.

The prime minister said it was “unfortunate” that billions of dollars were wasted by delaying the construction of projects such as the Neelum Jhelum hydro project and the Reko Diq mining project.

He stressed that resources should be spent on equipping the youth with high-quality education, instead of “creating divisions and sowing seeds of hate among youth”.

He assured that more funds would be allocated for the education sector and for equipping students with the latest skills.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1716014/r...for-sake-of-national-interest-says-pm-shehbaz
 
Beauqat chor crime minister used to hide in car trunks to meet army and request NRO 2.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">گاڑی کی ڈگی میں چھپے آرمی ہاوس جاکر NRO/حکومت کی بھیک مانگنے والے کرپٹ بھکاری کو عمران خان جیسے مجاہد پر ترجیح دینا، قومی نہیں ذاتی مفادات اور بیمار ذہنیت کی عکاسی ہے۔ <a href="https://t.co/3RMOwQxDIR">pic.twitter.com/3RMOwQxDIR</a></p>— Adil Raja (@soldierspeaks) <a href="https://twitter.com/soldierspeaks/status/1583804297841549314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Someone should have locked the diggy and thrown away the key. This cretin has no policies, no morals and is totally out of his depth. He isn't even taken seriously in his family
 
Browncaps said:
Beauqat chor crime minister used to hide in car trunks to meet army and request NRO 2.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">گاڑی کی ڈگی میں چھپے آرمی ہاوس جاکر NRO/حکومت کی بھیک مانگنے والے کرپٹ بھکاری کو عمران خان جیسے مجاہد پر ترجیح دینا، قومی نہیں ذاتی مفادات اور بیمار ذہنیت کی عکاسی ہے۔ <a href="https://t.co/3RMOwQxDIR">pic.twitter.com/3RMOwQxDIR</a></p>— Adil Raja (@soldierspeaks) <a href="https://twitter.com/soldierspeaks/status/1583804297841549314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Click to expand...

Bajwa the criminal tells he isnt involved in politics and today he rules PK
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced Rs1,800 billion relief package for farmers for the revival of the agriculture sector and to restore the livelihoods of farmers in the flood-affected areas.

The package included the provision of free seeds, measures to reduce di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) prices and the availability of urea in the country.

It also included initiatives to run tube wells on solar energy and facility for depositing electricity bills in installments.

Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, he said that the announced package was Rs400 billion more than the previous year, saying that it was drafted keeping in mind the needs of the flood-affected areas as well as for the welfare of the farmers.

The prime minister said that the price of DAP has been reduced by Rs2,500 per bag, adding that 1.2 million bags of seeds will be distributed in the flood-hit areas.

Shehbaz said that Rs5 billion in subsidised loans will be given to landless farmers in flood-affected areas whereas Rs10 billion have been allocated for small and medium enterprises in the package.

He said that the loans of small farmers in the flood-affected areas are being waived, while the import of tractors that are less than five years old is being allowed.

The premier said that the decision was taken as the government was unable to reduce the price of tractors. He also said that 0.5 million tonnes of urea will be imported in total out of which 0.2 million has already been imported.

Shehbaz said that loans worth Rs50 billion have been allocated for the unemployed youth in the flood-affected areas, adding that the government of Pakistan will provide subsidy in terms of interest on the loans which will be worth Rs6.4 billion.

PM Shehbaz said the previous government first exported sugar and then imported it and they did the same with wheat which caused revenue losses for the country.

He said that the government will in incentivised new investors and if they import completely knocked down (CKD) tractors, the government will reduce import duty.

"I will invite Chinese investors to invest in Pakistan during my visit."

Shehbaz said that 1.6 million tonnes of more wheat will be imported which will ensure that no shortage of wheat is in the country. "There will be no shortage of it. We have to save every dollar that is why we're stopping private sector from importing," he added.

Shehbaz said that there are 0.3 million tube wells in Pakistan that run on electricity. "We want to move towards solar panels for tube wells. We will provide interest-free loans to the owners and we will also assist them in getting these loans. We will give subsidy on these loans and will pay the interest cost," he added.

He warned that if Pakistan does not increase its agricultural produce, its previous resources will be spent on importing commodities such as wheat and cotton.

"We are fixing electricity cost at Rs13 per unit for farmers. We will give as much relief to farmers as possible despite all difficulties," he added.

He said that government expects the package would yield results in few month, adding that the package will also help increase the country's exports.

Express Tribune
 
PM urges world to deliver on climate pledges
Shehbaz leaves for Egypt; warns turning a blind eye to ‘globalisation of climate change’ will be criminal


ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left Islamabad on Sunday for the Egyptian tourist resort of Sharm El-Sheikh to participate in the “Climate Implementation Summit” being held on Monday and Tuesday.

The Sharm El-Sheikh summit is part of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP-27). Shehbaz will lead a high-level Pakistan delegation at the two-day conference.

At the invitation of the Egyptian Presidency of COP-27, Shehbaz will co-chair, along with his Norwegian counterpart, a roundtable on “Climate Change and the Sustainability of Vulnerable Communities” on Tuesday (tomorrow).

According to the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, Shehbaz will also participate in other high-level events, including the UN secretary general’s roundtable to launch the ‘Early Warning Systems for Executive Action Plan’.

On Monday (today), he will also attend the ‘Middle East Green Initiative Summit’, being hosted by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“Off to Egypt to attend #COP27,” Prime Minister Shehbaz wrote in one of a series of tweets. “COP27 being held in Egypt can be a watershed in humanity's fight against climate change & global warming,” he added.

Shehbaz pointed out that extreme climatic events in Pakistan and the Horn of Africa this year had showcased a globalisation of the climate change, warning that turning a blind eye to its lethal effects would be criminal.

Stressing that “we are asking for climate justice”, the prime minister urged the world to treat Pakistan as a case study. He added that lack of funds and price-hike could impede Pakistan’s flood recovery efforts.

“Our post-disaster needs assessment has shown that Pakistan's journey to recovery & rehabilitation can be held back by public debt, rising international energy & food prices and lack of access to adaption funds,” he said.

“I urge the world to deliver on its commitment on climate finance and loss and damage fund. Without financial support, the developing countries will continue to remain exposed to the multifarious threats of climate change,” he added.

The COP27 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, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a related press release.

The COP is the supreme decision-making body under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which meets on annual basis to review and advance collective efforts to address climate change.

As a main stakeholder, Pakistan would continue to, proactively, make positive contributions to the global climate change debate, negotiations and collective action, the Foreign Office said.

Express Tribune
 
Apparently Pakistani's don't understand the concept of conflict of interest.
 
‘Unwell’ PM to meet allies soon

ISLAMABAD: After a brief but busy trip to London, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed back home on Monday, but took the day ‘slow’ apparently owing to an illness.

The prime minister will soon convene a meeting of his allies in the government to take them into confidence on the series of meetings he held in London with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on key issues such as the appoi*nt*ment of a new army chief and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) long march on Islamabad.

PM Sharif had reached London on Wednesday last week after attending the COP27 summit in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. During his five-day stay in the British capital, the premier held a slew of meetings with his self-exiled former prime minister brother, Nawaz Sharif, wherein according to media reports, they discussed the next army chief’s appointment among other critical issues.

According to Information Minister Marriyum Aurang*zeb, the prime minister reached home on Monday morning and did not chair any official meeting.

A source close to the PM said he was not well, as a result of which he spent a ‘slow’ Monday. The premier had fallen ill in London, which was why he had extended his private visit by two days, he added.

Regarding the PM’s meeting with his coalition partners, the source said he wo*uld talk to his allies “soon” on key issues discussed during his London stay.

As per media reports, Nawaz and Shehbaz had decided that the issue of appointment of the army chief was a constitutional matter and would be dealt with constitutionally and on merit.

This was PM Sharif’s third visit to London since he assumed the top office in April.

It comes in the wake of incumbent army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extended tenure ending on Nov 29 and amid speculation whether the general would be given another extension to his service or a new chief appointed. The military spokesman and the army chief himself have on multiple occasions stated Gen Bajwa would retire at the end of this month.

On the other hand, PTI Chairman Imran Khan had derided the PM for discussing the all-important appointment with his elder brother in an alleged violation of the Official Secrets Act and a breach of a premier’s oath.

Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal had earlier said the PM would soon after his return take his coalition partners into confidence on the decisions taken in London.

When contacted, Faisal Karim Kundi, spokesperson for the PPP — the main ally in the PML-N-led government, told Dawn his party and two other coalition partners, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party, had so far not been invited to any meeting with the prime minister.

“We know that the PM has returned to the country, but he has not invited us for a meeting as yet,” he said, adding PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has also reached Karachi from his foreign visit and was available for a meeting of the top leadership of the allied parties.

DAWN
 
PM Shehbaz diagnosed with Covid-19 for third time
Prime Minister Shehbaz had been unwell for two days, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirms news

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday tested positive for the coronavirus for the third time.

Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, through her official Twitter handle, stated that the premier had been unwell for two days and took the Covid-19 test today on a doctor's recommendation.

She requested the nation and PML-N workers to pray for the early recovery of the premier.

Express Tribune
 
Last edited:
Why does that platelets, absconder always wear his mask over the chin only?
 
PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF TO LEAVE FOR 2-DAY TURKEY VISIT ON NOV 24

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Turkey on a two-day official visit on November 24, ARY News reported on Tuesday quoting sources.

The PM Shehbaz Sharif will have a one-on-one meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan which would be followed by delegation-level talks, sources said.

Besides covering the entire gamut of Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations, the two leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues, say sources.

The premier would also attend a ceremony in Turkey, they say.

PM Shehbaz Sharif will be accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and other senior ministers during his two-day Turkey visit. This would be his second visit to Turkey since assuming office in April.

Shehbaz’s first visit to Istanbul as prime minister came on May 31, where he met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, followed by delegation-level talks.

ARY
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday made a pitch to Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in a 10,000-megawatt solar power project for Pakistan, saying “my investor is my master”.

The premier sought the investment while addressing a meeting of the Pakistan-Turkiye business council in Istanbul, where he reached later for a two-day visit.

He told the investors that his government was resolved to cut down “very expensive” imports of oil and petroleum products, on which $27 billion was spent last year. “We simply can’t afford this.”

So, he explained, his government had invited foreign investment at a conference in Islamabad around a month and a half ago for a 10,000MW solar power project.

“It’s not just a paper, or a talk, or a feasibility,” he said about the project. “I, along with my colleagues, […] am committed to this philosophy that we shall implement this scheme with in letter and spirit with our own resources, with investment from Turkiye, from China, from Saudia Arabia, from Qatar, from the UAE (United Arab Emirates), from the United States of America, from wherever.”

He assured the investors that the Pakistan government would create a conducive, enabling and friendly environment for them to invest in the project.

“Please try to understand that past is past, and we are walking into the future with a sense of great understanding, learn our lesson from the past.

We will move forward with this commitment that my investor is my master. And that’s what I believe — not from today but from ages — and that’s what we are going to implement in times to come,“ he convinced his audience.

“Please be ready with your coffers open,” he urged them, announcing that his government would be organising a special conference for “my Turkish brothers and sisters” where a presentation would be given on the plan for the project.

He also assured the investors that speedy payments to them would be ensured.

“It will be a complete departure from the past. Within 60 days, Turkish, and of course all international investors, will be paid without recourse to any third party,” he said, adding that the payments would be speedy and transparent.

The premier said he believed it would be a “gateway for a new order in Pakistan” and allow the country to save billions of dollars by cutting down on fuel imports.

“Please trust me, trust my words. Come to Pakistan and, I will show you that, God willing, we will be great partners in this great investment portfolio, which will be a win-win situation,” he urged the investors.

Milgem Corvette

Earlier termed the launch of a Milgem Corvette ship as one of the “finest moments” in ties between Turkiye and Pakistan which will strengthen and enhance the two countries’ defence production and joint cooperation.

PM Shehbaz, who left for Turkey on a two-day visit yesterday, witnessed the inauguration of the third of four Milgem Corvette ships for the Pakistan Navy at the Istanbul Shipyard on Friday.

The Milgem project — based on a joint collaboration between Turkiye and Pakistan — was signed with ASFAT inc, a Turkish state-owned Defence contractor firm in 2018, according to which the Pakistan navy would acquire four Milgem-class ships from Turkey.

Speaking about the project today, PM Shehbaz said Milgem Corvette was a “great step forward” in terms of defence cooperation between the two countries.

The premier also offered condolences over the loss of life in a “barbaric action” by terrorists against the innocent people of Turkiye.

“Our hearts go out to their families,” he said, adding that Turkiye, like Pakistan, had been a victim of terrorist attacks.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1723225/m...-turkish-investment-for-10000mw-solar-project
 
British publication apologises to PM Shehbaz

British conservative newspaper Mail on Sunday, on Thursday, issued an apology to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over a 2019 article, in which it had alleged that he had siphoned off British aid money meant for earthquake victims.

The development is being billed as a symbolic victory for both the ruling PML-N and PM Shehbaz, and comes on the heels of a defamation case initiated by Mr Sharif against the paper in the United Kingdom in 2020. The decision is the culmination of months of hearings and a constant back and forth between the lawyers of the paper and Mr Sharif.

A brief statement published on the home page of the publication’s website on Thursday afternoon read, “In an article concerning Mr Shahbaz Sharif entitled ‘Did the family of Pakistani politician who has become the poster boy for British overseas aid STEAL funds meant for earthquake victims’ published on 14 July 2019 we reported on an investigation by Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau into Mr Sharif and suggested that the money under investigation included a not insubstantial sum of British public money that had been paid to the Punjab province in DFID grant aid.”

The statement continued, “We accept Mr Sharif has never been accused by the National Accountability Bureau of any wrongdoing in relation to British public money or DFID grant aid. We are pleased to make this clear and apologise to Mr Sharif for this error.”

The article, which was publicly available on the publication’s website earlier, has now been removed as a search for the link now directs readers back to the home page.

The publication took these actions soon after informing the court that it had decided against going to trial and would settle the case initiated by Mr Sharif. In preliminary hearings, Justice Nicklin had said the paper would have to prove each of their allegations to win the case.

The article, written by journalist David Rose, made explosive allegations that Mr Sharif during his time as Punjab Chief Minister misappropriated UK taxpayers’ money when he allegedly siphoned off British government aid intended for the victims of the devastating 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. Both Mr Sharif and DfiD denied the charge. In January 2020, Mr Sharif hired Carter-Ruck, one of the UK’s best known law firms in the field of reputation management, to represent him.

Mr Sharif sought the withdrawal of the allegations and an unreserved and unambiguous apology from the Mail’s publisher. Although it is not clear what damages will be paid by the paper to Mr Sharif, his lawyers had said in 2020 that he will donate the sum to charity.

The 2019 story was used to politically damage Mr Sharif, who was opposition leader at the time, as senior PTI officials said it confirmed their beliefs about his alleged corruption. “British newspapers do not publish anything until they have triple checked. Unlike in other places they fear being sued. The Sharifs won’t sue daily mail because they know they will lose and the penalties would be in millions of pounds,” Shafqat Mahmood had tweeted when it was first published.

At the time, the PTI had used the story to reinforce its narrative of the opposition’s corruption, and accountability tsar Shahzad Akbar had told Dawn “everything can be substantiated as the standard of proof in this case is higher than a civil case and lower than criminal”.

Mr Akbar had also claimed there is “ample evidence” in the reference filed against mr Sharif.

Speaking to Dawn, PM Shehbaz said, “The Imran and Shahzad Akbar tag-team through this story decimated Pakistan’s reputation throughout the world. In the international community, they hurt the country’s reputation saying that it eats British taxpayer money to scare donors.

This apology does not just vindicate me, but is a vindication for Pakistan,” he said.

DAWN
 
PM SHEHBAZ SUMMONS URGENT MEETING OF ECONOMIC TEAM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday summoned an urgent meeting of economic experts to discuss the current financial challenges facing the country, ARY News reported quoting sources.

Sources privy to the matter told ARY News that the economic team will brief the prime minister on the negotiations with International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the ninth review and export industry issues.

The prime minister will issue important instructions to the economic team aimed at improving the economy. The meeting is likely to be attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmed, and officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), they say.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also chair a meeting on energy in Lahore where he would be briefed on the gas load management plan. The energy team will brief the premier regarding gas supply to domestic consumers and industry.

Furthermore, the petroleum ministry will brief the meeting about the import of oil from Russia at discounted rates.

Earlier in the day, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik said that Pakistan will import 20,000 tons of additional gas from Azerbaijan during the next 2 months to meet its demand in the country.

In a statement, the minister said that the Russian Petroleum Minister will visit Pakistan next month for negotiations on an agreement for import of crude oil from Russia.

The state minister was confident that Russia would export crude oil to Pakistan at discounted rate.

He said the government is working on TAPI gas pipeline project to import 1300 billion MF Gas yearly from Azerbaijan to meet the gas shortage in the country.

ARY
 
daytrader said:
British publication apologises to PM Shehbaz

British conservative newspaper Mail on Sunday, on Thursday, issued an apology to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over a 2019 article, in which it had alleged that he had siphoned off British aid money meant for earthquake victims.

The development is being billed as a symbolic victory for both the ruling PML-N and PM Shehbaz, and comes on the heels of a defamation case initiated by Mr Sharif against the paper in the United Kingdom in 2020. The decision is the culmination of months of hearings and a constant back and forth between the lawyers of the paper and Mr Sharif.

A brief statement published on the home page of the publication’s website on Thursday afternoon read, “In an article concerning Mr Shahbaz Sharif entitled ‘Did the family of Pakistani politician who has become the poster boy for British overseas aid STEAL funds meant for earthquake victims’ published on 14 July 2019 we reported on an investigation by Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau into Mr Sharif and suggested that the money under investigation included a not insubstantial sum of British public money that had been paid to the Punjab province in DFID grant aid.”

The statement continued, “We accept Mr Sharif has never been accused by the National Accountability Bureau of any wrongdoing in relation to British public money or DFID grant aid. We are pleased to make this clear and apologise to Mr Sharif for this error.”

The article, which was publicly available on the publication’s website earlier, has now been removed as a search for the link now directs readers back to the home page.

The publication took these actions soon after informing the court that it had decided against going to trial and would settle the case initiated by Mr Sharif. In preliminary hearings, Justice Nicklin had said the paper would have to prove each of their allegations to win the case.

The article, written by journalist David Rose, made explosive allegations that Mr Sharif during his time as Punjab Chief Minister misappropriated UK taxpayers’ money when he allegedly siphoned off British government aid intended for the victims of the devastating 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. Both Mr Sharif and DfiD denied the charge. In January 2020, Mr Sharif hired Carter-Ruck, one of the UK’s best known law firms in the field of reputation management, to represent him.

Mr Sharif sought the withdrawal of the allegations and an unreserved and unambiguous apology from the Mail’s publisher. Although it is not clear what damages will be paid by the paper to Mr Sharif, his lawyers had said in 2020 that he will donate the sum to charity.

The 2019 story was used to politically damage Mr Sharif, who was opposition leader at the time, as senior PTI officials said it confirmed their beliefs about his alleged corruption. “British newspapers do not publish anything until they have triple checked. Unlike in other places they fear being sued. The Sharifs won’t sue daily mail because they know they will lose and the penalties would be in millions of pounds,” Shafqat Mahmood had tweeted when it was first published.

At the time, the PTI had used the story to reinforce its narrative of the opposition’s corruption, and accountability tsar Shahzad Akbar had told Dawn “everything can be substantiated as the standard of proof in this case is higher than a civil case and lower than criminal”.

Mr Akbar had also claimed there is “ample evidence” in the reference filed against mr Sharif.

Speaking to Dawn, PM Shehbaz said, “The Imran and Shahzad Akbar tag-team through this story decimated Pakistan’s reputation throughout the world. In the international community, they hurt the country’s reputation saying that it eats British taxpayer money to scare donors.

This apology does not just vindicate me, but is a vindication for Pakistan,” he said.

DAWN
Click to expand...

Apologies offered now that the puppet master is in place
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed the resolve that despite myriad economic challenges, including the post-flood situation, the coalition government was determined to steer the country out of the current economic crisis.

Express Tribune
 
Geneva moot to focus on flood damage today

• PM to unveil comprehensive post-disaster framework, says millions looking for ‘compassion’ to rebuild lives
• Shehbaz, UN chief to co-host conference

ISLAMABAD: As ******tan still reels from the impact of disastrous floods which submerged more than one-third of the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Geneva to co-host the ‘International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan’ alongside UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday (today).

The purpose of the moot — to be attended by heads of state and government and other stakeholders — is to marshal international support to rehabilitate the population affected by super floods and reconstruct damaged infrastructure in a climate-resilient manner.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1730694/geneva-moot-to-focus-on-flood-damage-today
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When those who worship money & are devoid of any ideology or belief system, are put at helm of affairs then this is the shameful result. Not only is he clueless why our founding fathers struggled and sacrificed to achieve the dream of Pakistan; but just to get the backing of the <a href="https://t.co/NQr9lHVbWP">pic.twitter.com/NQr9lHVbWP</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1616030547553157120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">lndian lobby he is also ready to bury the Kashmiri freedom struggle in which over 100k Kashmiris have given their lives.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1616030551835639808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
PM ready to sacrifice ‘political capital’ at IMF altar

• Says Fund informed of govt’s willingness to conclude loan programme
• Beseeches parties to shun politics, steer Pakistan out of crisis
• Inaugurates youth loan scheme for business, agriculture

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday indicated that the government was finally ready to swallow the bitter pill of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) “stringent” conditions to revive the loan programme.

The ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance was ready to sacrifice its political career for the sake of the country, he said, addressing the launch of ‘PM Youth Loan Scheme for Busi*ness and Agriculture’. Mr Sharif said the government has clearly conveyed its intentions to complete the ninth review to the IMF.

“We are ready and want to sit down regarding your [IMF’s] conditions so that [the review] can be concluded and Pakistan moves forward,” he said.

“I spoke to the IMF managing director two weeks ago and we have proactively approached them… so that the programme moves forward, in addition to other multilateral and bilateral programmes,” he added.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1733489/pm-ready-to-sacrifice-political-capital-at-imf-altar
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Under the current Loan Scheme, the youth can apply for a loan up to Rs. 75 lac on easy terms & conditions (there is no interest on loan up to Rs. 5 lac). I strongly encourage our women, transgenders & differently abled people to apply & contribute to national development. <a href="https://t.co/xNllsmrAvo">https://t.co/xNllsmrAvo</a></p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1618107904640577537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
PM Shehbaz inaugurates K-3 nuclear power plant in Karachi
Projects aims to augment power production by 2,200 megawatts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated K-3, the third unit of Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUP), which will produce 1,100 megawatts of electricity.

The project has been completed with assistance from China.

Addressing the occasion, the prime minister said K-3 was a step forward in cooperation with Pakistan’s trusted friend China.

He congratulated the scientists and workers of Pakistan and China which led to the completion of the project.

The premier said the staff of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission who contributed to the project would be invited to the Prime Minister’s Office for public recognition.

Shehbaz said in view of the $27 billion energy import bill, Pakistan required alternative and cheaper sources of energy including solar, wind, hydel and nuclear.

He said Pakistan was gifted with enormous resources with the potential of producing 60,000 megawatts through hydel power, however, regretted that the power generation stood merely at 10,000 megawatts.

Shehbaz also mentioned that the electricity projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor were greatly contributing to the country’s energy demands through the production of thousands of megawatts.

...
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2398976/pm-shehbaz-inaugurates-k-3-nuclear-power-plant-in-karachi
 
PM to announce austerity measures soon
PM to appeal to CJP and judiciary to contribute to national austerity drive by reducing spending on judiciary, say sources

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon announce austerity measures that include cuts in the budget of all government entities; the withdrawal of certain perks and privileges of cabinet members, parliamentarians and government servants, including luxury vehicles and security/ protocol.

Informed sources said that the premier will appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and judiciary to contribute to the national austerity drive by reducing spending on the judiciary-- judges (both serving and retired), judicial officials and employees. He expects the judiciary to limit the maximum pension of retired judges to Rs500,000 per month besides reviewing the perks and privileges of judges (both serving and retired).

Regarding the cut in the non-combat defence budget, the Finance and the Defence ministries are presently finalising their recommendations, which are also expected to be announced by the prime minister. Judges and bureaucrats will be entitled to only one plot each while the prime minister’s package which was allowed during Musharraf's tenure to add to the perks of judges and top bureaucrats, including the provision of a second plot in Islamabad, will be withdrawn.

It is learnt that although the prime minister will not cut the size of his 85-member cabinet to 30 as was recommended by the National Austerity Committee, he would announce that half of the cabinet members will not draw any salary or facility from the public exchequer. There will be a 15 percent cut in the salaries of the remaining cabinet members.

...
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1043030-pm-to-announce-austerity-measures-soon
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced a slew of austerity measures, which he claimed would save the country Rs200 billion annually.

The announcement comes as Pakistan is eyeing a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week which will pave the way for much-awaited credit flows from other bilateral and multilateral lenders.

Pakistan is in dire need of funds as it battles a worsening economic crisis with the country’s foreign exchange reserves dropping to around $3 billion, barely enough to cover three weeks of controlled imports.

On Monday, the National Assembly passed the IMF-dictated Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023, seeking to impose an additional Rs170bn in taxes.
 
MenInG said:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced a slew of austerity measures, which he claimed would save the country Rs200 billion annually.

The announcement comes as Pakistan is eyeing a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week which will pave the way for much-awaited credit flows from other bilateral and multilateral lenders.

Pakistan is in dire need of funds as it battles a worsening economic crisis with the country’s foreign exchange reserves dropping to around $3 billion, barely enough to cover three weeks of controlled imports.

On Monday, the National Assembly passed the IMF-dictated Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023, seeking to impose an additional Rs170bn in taxes.
Click to expand...

This pathetic little man and his gimmicks.
 
I expected this dramaybaaz to be bad but my God he has been worse than I ever imagined.


Millions of Pakistanis still support this filthy PDM so no sympathy for them. They are getting what they deserve. Even the ones who are supporting IK now used to slit wrists when petrol prices were raised by 2-3 ruppees during IK's government now they rise by 30 ruppees in one go. You reap what you sow.

Pakistan is only for corrupt individuals and their offspring. If you don't fall in that category then Pakistan se zinda bhaag. A part of me feels like my grandparents supreme sacrifice of moving from Delhi was all in vain. They had flourishing businesses and huge bungalow. They gave up all of that to start from scratch and took the rest of lives just to get somewhat close to the standard of living they had in Delhi pre-partition.

For 70 years Pakistan has been ruled by the Army or their proxy dynastic families. Meanwhile India is the third largest economy in the world. I have worked for three American tech companies in my career and all had huge operations in India. Sure they have their share of challenges but atleast they have stable democracy and an expanding economy. We seem to be going in reverse.
 
He has exceeded all expectations of incompetence.

From Economy to foreign policy to lawlessness.
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan of attempting to obstruct the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, which was initiated during the latter’s own government.

The statement, issued by the PM’s media wing, highlighted that Imran Khan’s agenda is centered around creating chaos and anarchy in the country. Shehbaz also accused Imran Khan of being guilty, as he avoided being searched by the courts.

The prime minister further stated that Imran Khan is not interested in the welfare of the poor people of the country and is unwilling to address the issue of price inflation and economic pressure.

Shehbaz also claimed that Imran Khan’s evasion of the courts is the height of cowardice. “This timid person [Imran] did not allow the courts to search him as he is guilty,” he added.

First, the PTI government left the IMF programme and now they are resisting the courts, he said, adding that Imran had also deviated from his promises and ideals.
 
Interesting how all supporters on the forum have mysteriously vanished from these threads...
 
Feel sad for this man - thinks he can compete with Imran on social media!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PTI's disgusting smear campaign against Chief of the Army Staff General Asim Munir at the behest of Imran Niazi is deserving of the strongest condemnation. 1/2</p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1637733199387172867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This man Niazi is stooping to unprecedented lows in his desperation for power & going to the extent of damaging the country & undermining our armed forces & their leadership. /2 <a href="https://t.co/Tt1SfhylXv">https://t.co/Tt1SfhylXv</a></p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1637733353632702464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Imran Khan made an excellent point that Abid Boxer stated on live tv that showbaz sharif ordered him to kill 900 people in fake encounters.

I'm trying to recall if there is any other country where a criminal, murderer and money launderer is allowed to burn evidence, kill witnesses and still be enforced into power as the prime minister by corrupt generals.
 
FAHD HUSAIN RESIGNS AS SAPM


ISLAMABAD: Fahd Husain, special assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tendered his resignation on Tuesday, ARY News reported, quoting sources.

Fahd Husain was appointed by PM Shehbaz Sharif as his special assistant on public policy and media communication, last year in the month of May.

The premier has accepted Fahd Husain’s resignation and has extended best wishes for the former SAPM.

Husain has previously worked at key positions with private channels and has also written for several publications in his career.

He has also hosted several current affairs programme.

ARY
 
Last edited:
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here at the PM House, local media reported quoting sources.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the security situation by the army chief and DG ISI, the sources added.

PM Shehbaz was apprised about the measures against terrorism, including the border situation. In the meeting, Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the professional affairs of Pakistan Army.

Despite the media reports, the Prime Minister’s Office and the army’s media wing remained tight-lipped about the meeting.
 
People do nto consider him asPM. thats enough to know what will people expect from the crook.
 
Another achievement

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leaving for the UK today to represent Pakistan at the the coronation ceremony of His Majesty King Charles III. The UK-Pakistan relations are rooted in shared history & multifaceted bonds that have grown stronger over the decades. The British monarch & the royal family have been…</p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1653641384337760256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Major said:
People are represented by 180 mnas, so yes people do consider him as the PM.
Click to expand...

He does not represent the people but the MNAs who until last year were supporting IK
 
MenInG said:
He does not represent the people but the MNAs who until last year were supporting IK
Click to expand...

He does represent the people under the constitution system we have in place. Same thing happened in UK when they had their VONC.

Those MNAs were voted in by us Pakistanis
 
Major said:
He does represent the people under the constitution system we have in place. Same thing happened in UK when they had their VONC.

Those MNAs were voted in by us Pakistanis
Click to expand...

The constitution doesn't exist anymore in Pakistan so stop using disingenuous statements and stop patronising us. We are not like your uneducated cult worshippers.

The same thing did not happen in the uk. If what happened in Pakistan happened in the uk there would be jail terms and a scandal so deep the whole state would have been shaken..but in Pakistan your godfather openly buys mps and calls it politics..lol..pathetic..just like your pathetic leader and his traitorous mother.
 
daytrader said:
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here at the PM House, local media reported quoting sources.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the security situation by the army chief and DG ISI, the sources added.

PM Shehbaz was apprised about the measures against terrorism, including the border situation. In the meeting, Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the professional affairs of Pakistan Army.

Despite the media reports, the Prime Minister’s Office and the army’s media wing remained tight-lipped about the meeting.
Click to expand...

I’m sorry but one can only laugh that the PM is being briefed about anything from Army and ISI, he can only be instructed.

It clearly says he was “called on”.
 
Why does Pakistan even have these sham politicians, just let the establishment rule and have technocrats make decisions for economy.

Chinese model makes more sense for Pakistan than these jokers.
 
the Great Khan said:
The constitution doesn't exist anymore in Pakistan so stop using disingenuous statements and stop patronising us. We are not like your uneducated cult worshippers.

The same thing did not happen in the uk. If what happened in Pakistan happened in the uk there would be jail terms and a scandal so deep the whole state would have been shaken..but in Pakistan your godfather openly buys mps and calls it politics..lol..pathetic..just like your pathetic leader and his traitorous mother.
Click to expand...

the only one who is a traitor is Imran Khan who should be hanged by law for violating the constitution
 
Major said:
the only one who is a traitor is Imran Khan who should be hanged by law for violating the constitution
Click to expand...

Actually, and I'm sorry to have to say this, but the real traitor to Pakistan is you and I think you know this to be true.
 
IMMY69 said:
Actually, and I'm sorry to have to say this, but the real traitor to Pakistan is you and I think you know this to be true.
Click to expand...

yes the guy who stayed back and has a vote is the traitor, while the guy ran away and cannot vote is not
 
Major said:
yes the guy who stayed back and has a vote is the traitor, while the guy ran away and cannot vote is not
Click to expand...

The usual line about those living outside of the country...
Just a useless distraction.

Answer the question that have been put to you on multiple occasions in multiple threads.... failing which, people like myself, will see you as a traitor to the people of Pakistan.
 
Major said:
yes the guy who stayed back and has a vote is the traitor, while the guy ran away and cannot vote is not
Click to expand...

It's not us that voted for criminals, its not us that support criminals and its not us that have violated the constitution and destroyed any semblance of law. You have blood on your hands
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Cricket Warrior
Foreign governments reaction on Indian aggression against Pakistan 2025
Replies
15
Views
789
mazkhan
M
Hitman
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif signals intent for peace talks with India: ‘We want to resolve all disputes’
2
Replies
83
Views
2K
straighttalk
S
FearlessRoar
[PICTURES] Pakistan needs stronger ties with the UAE for economic sustainability
Replies
10
Views
599
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
FearlessRoar
Attaullah Tarar: The face of PML (N), famous for his bizarre political remarks
Replies
12
Views
550
Bewal Express
B
Devadwal
Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passes away at 92
Replies
31
Views
810
JaDed
JaDed
Back
Top