Will Nawaz Sharif ever return to Pakistan?

[Bewal Express]

More drama baazi lol Besharam family

More like a terrible play at a school with special needs kids.

 

[Bewal Express]

Apparently the assassination attempt was on Thursday but they waited 24 hours to let people know and they only rang the non emergency number. These guys are supposed to be people that ran a Nuclear armed start.

 

[Bewal Express]

So a court order against the Fraudster Nasir Butt has been turned into an assassination attempt by the ISI on NS by Nani. Apparently Nani and her band of crooks also lied about the day it happened. Can anyone understand the Stupidity of these idiots. What news were they trying to hide with this drama? There has to be some reason or is just Maryam showing her very Low IQ

 

[MenInG]

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has claimed that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif remained tight-lipped over Israeli aggression on Palestinians “because he has billions of rupees assets abroad”.

“Nawaz Sharif expresses his views on every issue and never missed any opportunity to criticise the [PTI] government,” the federal minister said in a tweet on Sunday.

Fawad said even Nawaz’s daughter Maryam Nawaz and his son-in-law Capt (retd) Mohammad Safdar did not condemn the Israeli atrocities in Gaza, where 248 people were killed during the 11 days of fighting.

“The reason for his silence is offshore assets worth billions of rupees,” he added.

Responding to Fawad’s claim, PML-N Vice President Maryam posted a video on his official Twitter handle showing her and his father Nawaz’s statements condemning Israeli atrocities.

In a tweet on May 11, former premier Nawaz had termed the Israeli attacks on civilians and worshippers at Al Aqsa mosque as terrorism.

“The world has been criminally negligent to the plight of Palestinians for too long. Israel targeting children & unarmed civilians is terrorism at its worst. I strongly condemn this brutality in Al Aqsa Mosque & Gaza. My heart goes out to the victims. The world must act & act NOW,” he wrote on in a tweet.

Likewise, Maryam had also slammed the attacks on civilians in Gaza in a tweet saying “heart cries bloody tears atrocities over Palestinian brothers and sisters and children and the hypocrisy, double standards and cruelty of the "civilised world".

Tensions that started in occupied East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramazan spread to Gaza as a result of Israeli assaults on worshippers in the flashpoint Al Aqsa mosque compound and the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

The escalation resulted in airstrikes by Israel on Gaza, which has left at least 248 Palestinians dead and more than 1,700 others wounded since May 10, according to Palestinian authorities.

A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian resistance group Hamas started early Friday.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed the entire city in 1980 – a move that has never been recognised by the international community.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday asked former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his other family members, residing in the United Kingdom, to return home and face trials, saying judiciary in the country was fully independent.

“Judiciary in the country is fully independent as Imran Khan did not attack courts or contact judges for seeking favourable judgements. I ask them a question – why are they sitting outside the country if they are honest and truthful, why they fear facing courts?” the prime minister said while addressing a public gathering held in connection with the upcoming general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir scheduled for July 25.

The prime minister said even Ishaq Dar, former finance minister, his son, Nawaz’s sons, and son-in-law of Shahbaz Sharif had been absconding in London to avoid accountability.

He said due to independent judiciary and accountability process, even PTI’s ministers were not spared. The courts and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) were free and not under any control, he added.

“If these leaders are honest, then why they fear from the justice system,” the prime minister said.

‘PTI is striving for the rule of law’

PM Imran said that it was his dream to put the country on the right path and “this is the only way through which we can develop it”.

Imran Khan said that his party and the nation are striving to make Pakistan a great country as the world always respects a self-reliant nation. He said past rulers mercilessly plundered country’s wealth and took refuge abroad.

Imran Khan said the people should think before casting their votes in the upcoming elections that whether they are voting for an honest or corrupt leader. “Or is he the one who lied to the nation, acted well enough to rival Bollywood standards … and fled the country,” he remarked.

He said poverty cannot be eliminated from a society without curbing corruption.

Seeing a large number of people without observing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) against Covid-19 pandemic, Imran Khan appealed to supporters to continue wearing mask and adhering to SOPs to prevent the spread of the virus.

He said the pandemic was not yet over and “we will have to continue observing SOPs to protect ourselves and others form coronavirus”.

 

[cric_man]

Nawaz Sharif meets Afghan NSA

The same guy who was hurling abuses at Pakistan till yesterday calling it a brothel meets Nawaz Sharif. And that ghaddar has the audacity to sit down with the enemy.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NSA <a href="https://twitter.com/hmohib?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hmohib</a> and State Minister for Peace Sayed Sadat Naderi called on Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in London to discuss matters of mutual interest. <a href="https://t.co/bOs1PmwdmJ">pic.twitter.com/bOs1PmwdmJ</a></p>— NSC Afghanistan (@NSCAfghan) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSCAfghan/status/1418648084515598336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Several ministers from the ruling PTI on Saturday strongly criticised PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for meeting Afghan National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib, saying it "proved his connections with Pakistan's enemies".

The previous night, Afghanistan's National Security Council's Twitter account shared a picture of Mohib and Afghan State Minister for Peace Sayed Sadat Naderi meeting Nawaz in London, where the former prime minister has been staying since 2019, to "discuss matters of mutual interest".

A screenshot of the tweet blew up on the social media platform with #NawazSharif and #AfghanNSA trending in the top 10.

While commenting on the meeting, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said "this is why sending Nawaz Sharif abroad was dangerous because such people become a part of international plots."

Nawaz's meeting with "RAW's (Indian intelligence agency — Research and Analysis Wing) biggest ally in Afghanistan is an example of this".

"Modi, Mohib or Amrullah Saleh (Afghan vice president) — every enemy of Pakistan is a close friend of Nawaz Sharif," he tweeted.

Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari questioned what the "matters of mutual interest" were.

"After Mohib referred to Pak — not PTI govt but [our] country — as a 'brothel', common RAW interest can only be to attack Pak," she said, adding "such shameless self-interest of Sharif to preserve looted wealth & country be damned."

"Nawaz Sharif's meeting with Afghan NSA proves his connections with Pakistan's enemies," claimed state minister Shehryar Afridi. The meeting had proved that the former prime minister was a "tool to be used against Pakistani interests", he said.

Afridi said that Nawaz's statements had already been "used" by India at international forums.

Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz termed the meeting as "nothing new", saying Nawaz had "always kept company with enemies of Pakistan, be it (steel tycoon Sajjan) Jindal or Modi".

Echoing Mazari's words, Faraz said Mohib had called Pakistan a "brothel" in the past, adding that it was a "shame" that the former prime minister was so "insensitive" to the country's self-respect.

Referring to the polls in Azad Jammu and Kashmir that will be held tomorrow, the minister said the region's people would "vote in kind" and reject the PML-N.

Calling the meeting between "fugitive" Nawaz and Mohib "appalling", Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi said Nawaz had "violated our stated policy of having no official contact with this despicable fool".

Responding to the criticism, Maryam Nawaz said the foundation of Nawaz's ideology was the peaceful coexistence of Pakistan with its neighbours and he had "worked tirelessly" for it.

"It is the very essence of diplomacy to talk to everyone, listen to their point of view and convey one's own message across: something this government doesn't comprehend and hence is a complete failure on the international front," she said.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry responded to Maryam's tweet, questioning why all haters of Pakistan, from Ajit Doval to Mohib, ended up "in your palatial London palace?"

Afghan NSA remarks against Pakistan
Last month, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had hit out at Mohib for his comments against Pakistan and called on him to "reflect and correct" his behaviour.

"The national security adviser of Afghanistan carefully listen to me ... as the foreign minister of Pakistan I say that no Pakistani will shake your hand or talk with you if you don't desist from the kind of language you are using or the accusations you're making against Pakistan," Qureshi had said.

The foreign minister was responding to comments made by the Afghan national security adviser during a visit to Nangarhar province in May, during which he called Pakistan a "brothel house", according to a Voice of America report.

"You should be ashamed and you should be guilty at your words and my blood is boiling ever since your speech in Nangarhar," Qureshi had said.

"Correct your behaviour and reflect on it. I say this to the international community that if this behaviour continues, then this person, who calls himself the national security adviser of Afghanistan, will actually be playing the role of a spoiler [for peace]."

Dawn

 

[Bewal Express]

How many more enemies of PK are left for NS to meet.

 

[MenInG]

Altaf Hussainesque proportions this video message (without the shouting)

[utube]wsN5_YJRi7Y[/utube]

 

[offstump]

Nawaz has always been a stooge and someone who could be bought off with a credit card. This is absolutely shameless but not surprising considering his entire khandaan are a bunch of besharam thieves.

 

[Bewal Express]

 

[PakLFC]

Perhaps after the PTI has been ousted. IK has failed in bringing him back as much as his supporters here would try to convince us otherwise. Prior to becoming PM I also remember how IK would cry over the great injustice done to Aafia Siddiqui. Now he doesn't even mention her in any of his speeches let alone fighting for her release.

 

[Giannis]

He should adopt a diet high in trans fats, sodium and processed sugar, I would like to see what happens.

 

[MenInG]

The meeting between former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghanistan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib was facilitated by an Arab country, sources told The News.

“Nawaz Sharif and Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib's meeting was facilitated by a Middle Eastern Muslim country,” sources said, adding that the planning of the meeting was done before the Afghan delegation arrived in London.

Sources, with the knowledge of the visit, said that a diplomat from the Arab country advised Nawaz to hold the meeting. They added that the Arab country that facilitated the meeting has "long-standing relations with Pakistan."

Meanwhile, sources within the Sharif family also confirmed that the former prime minister agreed to hold the meeting at the Arab country’s request.

The sources said that Nawaz informed the Kabul government that the Pakistani people want peaceful ties with Afghanistan. They added that Nawaz told the Afghan officials Pakistan desires a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif, top Afghan officials discuss 'matters of mutual interest' in London

London-based PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif had a meeting with Afghan National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib and State Minister for Peace Sayed Sadat Naderi.

The National Security Council of Afghanistan (NSCA) gave an update about the meeting on Twitter Saturday, saying that the Afghan state minister for peace and NSA discussed "matters of mutual interest" with the former Pakistan prime minister.

The officials on both sides agreed that they would both benefit from the "policy of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs," the NSCA was quoted as saying by Indian news agency ANI.

They also noted that "strengthening democracy" will put both neighbours on the path towards stability and prosperity.

Soon after news broke of the meeting, government representatives took to Twitter to condemn the move.

The meeting was condemned by Federal Ministers Shireen Mazari, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry and SAPM Shahbaz Gill.

While PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, responding to the criticism, said that she doesn't think the PTI government can "comprehend" the "essence of diplomacy".

"Pakistan’s peaceful existence with its neighbours is the very foundation of Nawaz Sharif’s ideology for which he has worked tirelessly," Maryam wrote on Twitter.

GEO

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2314053/british-govt-rejects-nawaz-sharifs-visa-extension-plea?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=pmd_42103ca547bbb486b820b73063d02bd2724ec64a-1628191102-0-gqNtZGzNAw2jcnBszQh6

In a major blow to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the British government rejected a visa extension request of the party's supreme leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The UK Home Office has informed Nawaz Sharif of its decision. However, the former premier has the right to appeal against the decision.

In a video statement, Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that Pakistan had already requested the UK authorities not to give refuge to people involved in corruption in the country.

He advised the former premier to reach out to Pakistan's embassy, get a temporary passport since his passport has expired and return to Pakistan to face the courts.

On his right to appeal, the federal minister predicted that it will be denied because he is not sick. "If he [Nawaz Sharif] lies in the UK courts, he might have to serve jail time," he added.

Fawad further said that the way Nawaz was moving around in restaurants in Britain showed that he was not sick. "If he tells another lie to extend his visa application, he could be sentenced by British courts."

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and the PTI has no grudge against the former premier but bringing back looted wealth is a necessary step.

"Nawaz Sharif can get back to Pakistan, return looted wealth and can stay at his residence here... otherwise he would have to return the wealth anyway and would go to jail as well," the information minister added.

In a statement, Marriyum said the UK's Home Department had refused to extend Nawaz Sharif's stay in the country, adding that the PML-N leader can challenge the decision in the immigration tribunal.

She said that the former prime minister's lawyer's had filed an appeal for visa extension with the immigration tribunal, adding that the UK Home Department's decision would remain ineffective till the immigration tribunal reaches a verdict.

Answering a question, Marriyum said that “this does not in any way amount to a political asylum and is only a request for an extension in stay on medical grounds”.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC), however, had declared him a proclaimed offender on December 2 as the former premier failed to appear before the bench – originally formed to hear his appeals against his convictions – despite various notices.

According to a report published in London-based Financial Times newspaper in October last year, Pakistan also asked the British government to repatriate Nawaz Sharif through a letter that Adviser to the PM on Accountability Mirza Shehzad Akbar wrote to British Home Secretary Priti Patel.

In March, the Ministry of Interior recommended the Foreign Office to not renew the passport of Nawaz, saying that the former prime minister had failed to satisfy the government on why his passport should be renewed and therefore he cannot be given ‘further relief’ until he appears in court.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent a request to the Pakistan High Commission in the UK to renew the passport of the three-time premier which was later sent to the interior ministry for further processing.

The interior ministry, while rejecting the request, said that both the IHC and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have declared Nawaz Sharif a proclaimed offender and therefore he cannot be given further relief until he appears in court.

"Nawaz Sharif could not satisfy why his passport should be renewed further. If he wants to return, he can apply for an emergency travel document (ETD). The Pakistan High Commission should respond to Nawaz's request in writing that his passport cannot be renewed," the letter further stated.

 

[Bewal Express]

The British govt has 3 PK assets- NS,AZ and Altaf. They will never give up any those. This is a Topi drama which will be done to avoid a proper decision.

 

[silentkiller187]

One of my friends who is a British born pakistani bumped into Nawaz in one of the UKS finest department stores beginning over the weekend. He didn't recognize or know who nawaz was apparently, and pulled his phone out to take a picture of his wife with their food at the restaurant.

He was then approached by 4 stocky private security guards who insisted on taking his phone so they could delete the pics. Ofcourse my friend argued back and said he didnt even recognise nawaz sharif nor was he taking pictures of him, a struggle ensued and then the stores actual security had to step in and ask the 4 men to step aside. Still acting like bullys overseas, his time is up i am afraid.

 

[Bewal Express]

One of my friends who is a British born pakistani bumped into Nawaz in one of the UKS finest department stores beginning over the weekend. He didn't recognize or know who nawaz was apparently, and pulled his phone out to take a picture of his wife with their food at the restaurant.

He was then approached by 4 stocky private security guards who insisted on taking his phone so they could delete the pics. Ofcourse my friend argued back and said he didnt even recognise nawaz sharif nor was he taking pictures of him, a struggle ensued and then the stores actual security had to step in and ask the 4 men to step aside. Still acting like bullys overseas, his time is up i am afraid.

He is "ill" and can't been seen to be shopping

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

One of my friends who is a British born pakistani bumped into Nawaz in one of the UKS finest department stores beginning over the weekend. He didn't recognize or know who nawaz was apparently, and pulled his phone out to take a picture of his wife with their food at the restaurant.

He was then approached by 4 stocky private security guards who insisted on taking his phone so they could delete the pics. Ofcourse my friend argued back and said he didnt even recognise nawaz sharif nor was he taking pictures of him, a struggle ensued and then the stores actual security had to step in and ask the 4 men to step aside. Still acting like bullys overseas, his time is up i am afraid.

Was it Harrods? Read an article a few years back how his guards did something similar over there.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was reportedly flustered when he was approached by a Pakistani woman while shopping at the upmarket Harrods department store in London this week.

Sharif’s security detail reportedly took away the woman’s phone after she tried to take a photo of the premier and she was even “summoned” by the Pakistan high commission in the British capital.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/worl...s-in-london/story-GcQQvflUHaOY10qHboIRJO.html

 

[silentkiller187]

Was it Harrods? Read an article a few years back how his guards did something similar over there.



https://www.hindustantimes.com/worl...s-in-london/story-GcQQvflUHaOY10qHboIRJO.html

Yee spot on, it was harrods. My friend has since lodged a complaint with the store and it seems he does have form for this kind of behaviour in the past. I remember an incident previously in the same store when he was meant to be on his death bed with heart failure, maybe the same story you linked, but he needs to realise you can’t behave like bullies outside of Pakistan.

 

[Bewal Express]

NS and the crooks are waiting for the crooked Isa to become CJP and get off. Isa got let off by other crooked Judges and he has favours to repay. This plan isn't rocket science

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: The Punjab government has suspended the Medical Superintendent (MS) and a senior doctor of Lahore’s Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital in a case relating to the fake vaccination entry of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The suspended officers have been directed to report to the health department immediately.

Moreover, cases have been registered against three employees of the hospital involved in the fake entry of the coronavirus vaccination. Two of those nominated in the FIR have been arrested.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the police have registered separate cases in this regard.

According to the FIA cybercrime wing, watchman Abul Hassan and ward boy Adil used the ID of third employee Naveed to enter former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's fake entry into the system.

Police have registered cases against the three suspects and arrested Abul Hassan and Adil.

In addition, the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) has summoned the Punjab health secretary to Islamabad.

Report submitted to CM Buzdar

The provincial health authorities have prepared a report concerning the controversy and shared it with Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, highlighting lapses in the hospital's monitoring and supervision systems.

“Four employees of the hospital admitted to making the fake entry of Nawaz Sharif's data,” stated the report, adding that no senior staff was deployed at the health facility where the management had authorised lower-level staff to update the record.

A fake coronavirus vaccine entry was made using former PM Nawaz Sharif's name in the National Immunization Management System (NIMS) at the Government Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital on September 22.

As per the fake entry, Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in London, got his first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine Sinovac at 4:03 pm Wednesday at the hospital.

Punjab's Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department took notice of the incident and wrote a letter to the FIA and asked it to investigate the matter and take necessary action against the culprits

GEO

 

[MenInG]

Former chief justice Saqib Nisar on Monday said that the accusations levelled against him by the former chief justice of Gilgit Appellate Court Rana M Shamim were "contrary to the facts".

Speaking to the media, Nisar, who ordered the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) in the Panama Papers case that led to the disqualification of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said he didn't want to respond to the "plain lies" of the ex-GB chief justice.

Nisar said that Shamim had asked him for an extension but he didn't accept his request, adding that the ex-GB CJ had also complained to him about the same.

The former CJP was responding to a story published in a local newspaper, which stated that Nawaz and Maryam were kept in jail till the general elections in 2018 on the orders of Saqib Nisar.

A copy of the affidavit signed by chief judge of the Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Muhammad Shameem available with The Express Tribune.

A copy of the affidavit signed by chief judge of the Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Muhammad Shameem available with The Express Tribune.

In response to this story, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif said, "Allah has His own way of revealing the truth."

Meanwhile, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took exception to this report and said it was an "absurd" story by the journalist.

Taking a dig at the report, the minister said as per the news item, a Gilgit judge claimed that the former CJP told a High Court judge not to grant bail to Nawaz Sharif and Maryam before the elections.


Reportedly, these remarks were made when Nisar was having tea with the G-B top judge, Fawad said, questioning that why would Saqib Nisar discuss such a thing on the phone in front of someone and that too while he was having tea.

Fawad said that "jokes in the name of news" were being circulated in the country to prove that Nawaz Sharif is a victim.

"Instead of fabricating conspiracy theories, the Sharifs should provide money trail for the Avenfield Apartments," he said, adding that Maryam had claimed that "she did not own any property but it has emerged that she's the owner of property worth billions".

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2335741/news-of-nawazs-return-giving-ministers-sleepless-nights-sanaullah

Responding to Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s tirade against Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah has said that the reports of former premier’s return to the country were giving the PTI-led government “sleepless nights”.

Rashid while taking a dig at Nawaz, who has been living in London since 2019, had offered to pay for his air ticket and issue him a visa within 24 hours if the former prime minister was willing to return to the country.

“If Nawaz Sharif is returning, I offer him a ticket out of my own pocket,” the interior minister remarked earlier in the day.

Referring to the interior minister statement that Prime Minister Imran Khan will complete his tenure, Sanaullah said, “No matter whatever they say, they [PTI government] will have to go”, Express News reported.

Sanaulllah said that statements and press conferences of all ruling party leaders including PM Imran are only focused on PML-N leaders — Nawaz, Shehbaz and Maryam.

“I have only one message for ‘Imran Niazi’ and Sheikh Rashid that don’t panic [Aap ne ghabrana nahin hai],” he added.

The PML-N leader said Rashid’s statement reflected that the ruling party was not only nervous but also confused.

He said that the entire nation was looking forward to welcome their leader Nawaz Sharif. “Once Nawaz Sharif arrives [in Pakistan], PTI leaders will have no place to hide,” he added.

 

[Bewal Express]

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2335741/news-of-nawazs-return-giving-ministers-sleepless-nights-sanaullah

Nooras are desperate for him to avoid the humiliation of being deported. All this crap on Geo and Mafia Journalists is to make as if the coward came back voluntarily. Once he comes back, he should back to jail and serve his full sentence. Any judge that gives him bail must be arrested and also jailed. Enough is enough

 

[FollowThru]

Nooras are desperate for him to avoid the humiliation of being deported. All this crap on Geo and Mafia Journalists is to make as if the coward came back voluntarily. Once he comes back, he should back to jail and serve his full sentence. Any judge that gives him bail must be arrested and also jailed. Enough is enough

Shehbaz Sharif coming back in early days of Pandemic was also propagated as a heroic entry to steal the show. Zilch.

ye saray mil kar hamain pagal bana rahay hain.

 

[Bewal Express]

Shehbaz Sharif coming back in early days of Pandemic was also propagated as a heroic entry to steal the show. Zilch.

ye saray mil kar hamain pagal bana rahay hain.

And the irony is that he came back to save PK from Covid but later his party said Covid was fake. Idiots

 

[Waseem]

And the irony is that he came back to save PK from Covid but later his party said Covid was fake. Idiots

The most dangerous thing is like Covid, most people (even educated ones) still think $harifs are our saviours and capable of taking us out of Economic mess. Not one analyst is brave enough to come on media and explain that the whole mess is actually created by this mafia. Fake economic success purely on heavy imports and artificial control of Dollar that resulted in massive inflation issues in short period of time and of course Covid made it lot worse. Their short cuts and Jugaars are the reason we are in such a mess and we want them back again

 

[Giannis]

The British govt has 3 PK assets- NS,AZ and Altaf. They will never give up any those. This is a Topi drama which will be done to avoid a proper decision.

They also have some of the self-exiled Baloch tribal chiefs.

 

[MenInG]

The issue of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan that hogged the media limelight since a senior party leader announced his homecoming “soon”, is now being viewed by the party as an attempt by the PTI government to deflect attention from the real issues of the country.

Talking to The Express Tribune, PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal stated that Sharif was in London for treatment and would not return until his doctors allowed him to travel.

“This talk of his (Nawaz Sharif’s) return has no substance in it. They (PTI) have no information of his coming back,” Iqbal said.

The PML-N leader stressed that Sharif would return once healthy, adding that nothing regarding his arrival was in their knowledge.

Censuring the PTI, Iqbal said the ruling party needed issues to deflect people’s attention from the challenges faced by the country.

When referred to PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq’s statement implying Sharif’s return, which triggered a round of speculation, Iqbal said that he had only responded to a journalist’s questions. “There is no denial to the fact that Nawaz Sharif will return, but when, cannot be said at this stage.”

Another senior party leader, considered close to the Sharif family, rubbished reports of PML-N supremo’s homecoming soon.

“A party meeting will be called where a decision on Sharif’s return will be discussed at length. The party will have to figure out the post-arrest strategy as well.”

Noting that Sharif’s return would mean his “immediate imprisonment”, the party leader observed that all merits and demerits of his coming back would be deliberated upon.

“If Nawaz Sharif himself decides to return to Pakistan the party will start making arrangements for warm welcome weeks in advance,” he said.

The PML-N leader confirmed that there was no news of Sharif coming back to the country as of now.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2336148/talk-of-sharifs-return-an-attempt-to-gloss-over-real-issues

 

[MenInG]

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Tuesday said that the government will bring PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif back after the finalisation of an agreement with the UK government, as he ruled out the possibility of Nawaz's voluntary return to the country, The News reported Wednesday.

"We will bring back the PML-N leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif because he himself will never return,” Fawad said during a media briefing on the federal cabinet meeting held Tuesday which was presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier in the day.

The minister told the media that matters regarding Nawaz's return had been settled with Britain to "a great extent".

“We have been addressing the legal lacunas relating to the matter for the last two years. Rest assured, he will not return, but we will bring him back,” Fawad said emphatically.

About PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq's claim about Nawaz Sharif's return, he said that his statement caused a setback to Jati Umra [the residence of the Sharif family], wondering what he was talking about.

Fawad said the cabinet meeting approved formation of a joint investigation committee (JIT) to probe the murder of Nazim Jokhio.

He said the cabinet approved the National Security Policy (NSP) and the policy documents would be made public in 10 days. He pointed out that the economic strategy had also been included in the national security policy and that security could not be guaranteed if your economy was not strong.

The minister said that an important point of the policy was that if the common man was not protected, or he was not satisfied with his economic, social and legal status, then no policy would be successful; therefore it is economy-centric. He contended that the policy was started in 2014 and it was approved in 2021. In the past, the policy was not approved because there was no consensus.

He said that for the first time a government was in place which was capable of soliciting the views of all, and Imran Khan is a prime minister who is trusted by all.

The minister said that the policy also included the policies of internal security, food security and other ministries.

Fawad censures Fazl to give dates to topple PTI govt

He came down hard on the opposition and said Maulana Fazlur Rehman had been giving dates for three years against the government and recalled when the PTI came to power, the Maulana came to Islamabad in the first year of government with ‘leftovers’.

The minister said he thought he would overthrow the government, but had been giving a new date every three months; the media should bring out his statements of three years. He emphasised that the opposition was not capable of toppling the government, as it required leadership which they did not have.

“They are only issuing statements to appease their workers. Everybody knows that Imran Khan gave them [the] toughest time while in [the] Opposition,” he noted.

GEO

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan hinted on Thursday that former pri*me minister and supremo of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif will not return to the country without first striking a “secret deal” on the issue.

“He [Nawaz Sharif] had also returned to the country from Saudi Arabia [in 2007] under a deal,” the prime minister said while talking to some journalists in the corridors of the Parliament House.

When he was asked about reports that Mr Sharif could return to the country soon, Mr Khan said: “When he [Nawaz] had gone to Saudi Arabia, we used to hear that he was [either] coming today or tomorrow.”

In response to a question regarding speeches by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister said: “[A] speech of Shehbaz Sharif is like his job application.”

DAWN

 

[transparent opacity]

Pakistan, UK agree to ink pact on repatriation of convicted criminals

ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to finalise and sign at the earliest agreements for repatriation of convicted citizens and criminals.

The understanding was reached at a meeting between Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and UK High Commissioner Christian Turner in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The two sides were also of the view that bilateral agreements would further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Rashid said Pakistan and the United Kingdom have long-standing ties and “we attach immense importance to our relations”. He said the Pakistanis residing in the United Kingdom were also helpful in promotion of bilateral ties.

The British high commissioner also lauded “friendly and multi-faceted relationship” between the two countries. He also appreciated Pakistan’s assistance in evacuation of foreigners and Afghan citizens from Kabul.

The decision on the extradition treaty between Pakistan and the UK came a day after the special ministerial committee constituted by the federal cabinet held its meeting in Islamabad.

During the meeting, the committee decided that the agreement will be signed in the best interest of the public. It also decided that the British authorities will be further consulted before presenting the agreement to the federal cabinet for final approval.

The deal will allow Pakistan and the UK to repatriate their convicted criminals. However, it will only allow the repatriation of citizens sentenced by relevant courts.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari and Interior and Accountability Advisor Shahzad Akbar attended the meeting chaired by Interior Minister Rashid.

The first round of negotiations on a criminal extradition treaty between the two countries took place in October 2019.

Later in April 2021, Interior Minister Rashid met British High Commissioner Turner and discussed the repatriation of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been living in London since his release from prison on medical grounds in 2019.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/233929...k-pact-on-repatriation-of-convicted-criminals

 

[MenInG]

Citing British solicitor Charles Guthrie’s statement that former Gilgit-Baltistan chief justice Rana Shamim signed the affidavit at the residence of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif in London, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has urged the Sharif family to clarify their position on the matter.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Chaudhry described it as an important allegation, adding that, “he thinks the Sharif family should come forward and explain their position.”

Terming the story as fake because the affidavit was signed at the residence of Sharif, he said “when Nawaz Sharif and company was in power, only his ‘films’ were playing and no one paid attention to the original cinema films.”

Chaudhry added that Sharif’s move to flee to London was a big flop. Responding to a question, the information minister said overseas Pakistanis were an asset for the nation and particularly those living in the United Arab Emirates.

Around 1.5 million Pakistanis residing in the UAE were the biggest contributor to remittances, and most of them were using the Roshan Digital Pakistan account, he added.

The minister highlighted that overseas Pakistanis supported Prime Minister Imran Khan and the premier also stood with them firmly. “This combination would take Pakistan forward.”

Towards the end of his address, the information minister said 11 Pakistani films were being screened at the Dubai Film Festival and he had arrived in UAE to support and enjoy the Pakistani stuff.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2339891/fawad-urges-sharifs-to-clarify-british-solicitors-claim

 

[MenInG]

A key member of the federal cabinet and one of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) top-tier leaders spilled the beans about the government’s decision to allow former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to proceed abroad on medical grounds, saying the decision was “100 per cent taken solely by Prime Minister Imran Khan”.

Appearing on the Geo News programme Naya Pakistan, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that he was one of six to eight senior PTI leaders in the room when the decision to send the former PM abroad was made.

He also revealed that there was a difference of opinion over whether the former PM should be allowed to leave.

However, he said the prime minister now believed that the medical reports on the basis of which the decision to allow Mr Sharif to leave the country for treatment was taken, were falsified.

During his line of questioning, programme host Shahzad Iqbal pointed out that the PM blamed the judiciary for letting the former prime minister get away and asked Mr Umar, who also heads the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC), whose decision was it to allow the elder Sharif to proceed abroad for treatment.

Clarifying his position, Mr Umar told Dawn that he made the remark in the context of the question that was being asked, i.e. whether permission to leave the country was given to Mr Sharif by the government or someone else.

“In response to that question, I said the government was fully independent to take its own decisions and the decision about Nawaz’s departure was solely taken by the prime minister,” he said.

Nawaz Sharif, who was convicted in a corruption case, was allowed to travel abroad for treatment in November 2019. In the past, the prime minister and his aides had tried to justify their decision several times, saying that the government had allowed Mr Sharif to depart on the basis of ‘genuine medical reports’.

Before his departure, while Nawaz Sharif was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Lahore, the prime minister had also claimed that he had secretly sent medical experts to inquire about his health.

Mr Asad also told Dawn that he was one of the people who had supported the decision to allow Mr Sharif to leave the country.

He said Dr Faisal Sultan and other medical experts had also gone through Nawaz Sharif’s medical reports and suggested that he should be allowed to proceed abroad.

“Medical experts were of the view that ‘most probably’ nothing will happen to Nawaz, but medical reports suggested that his condition could be life threatening,” he said.

Mr Umar claimed that in view of Nawaz’s medical history, in addition to his new ailment, the government was not ready to accept any blame for keeping Mr Sharif from getting treatment because of a political vendetta.

PTI leader’s membership cancelled
Separately, the ruling PTI cancelled the party membership of its former information secretary Ahmed Jawad for ‘violating’ party discipline.

According to the PTI announcement, Mr Jawad had levelled serious allegations on the party leadership and had been served with two show-cause notices this month.

However, the party said instead of replying to the notice, Mr Jawad instead hurled more accusations on the party leadership.

Dawn tried to reach Mr Jawad to obtain his point of view, but he could not be reached for comment.

In a tweet on Saturday, PM Khan once again called upon the international community to provide immediate humanitarian relief to the millions of Afghans who were facing the imminent threat of starvation.

The PM also recalled that providing immediate relief to an impoverished Afghanistan was also obligatory under the unanimously-adopted UN Principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P).

In his tweet, the prime minister also linked to a news story, published in the UK daily Guardian, carrying excerpts from a letter written by former British premier Gordon Brown to UK foreign secretary, Liz Truss, calling on her to help convene a donor conference to raise $4.5bn (£3.3bn) for Afghanistan.

In his article, Mr Brown had warned that more than 23 million people were at risk of starvation if aid did not materialise.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1670994/decision-to-send-nawaz-sharif-abroad-was-pm-imrans-asad-umar

 

[MenInG]

A special cabinet committee on Monday finalised the recommendations for the Return and Readmission Agreement between Pakistan and UK and decided to send the draft to London for consultation before submitting it to the federal cabinet for approval.

The committee met here with Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in the chair. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari. Prime Minister’s Adviser for Interior Shehzad Akbar did not attend the meeting.

During the meeting, the ministers pointed to certain anomalies in the provisions in the agreement. Later, the agreement draft was finalised. The committee decided to share the draft agreement with the British government for consultation.

As per the final draft, agreement will allow repatriation of the citizens, who have been sentenced by the courts and all the opportunities for filing these appeals will have been met. The agreement will apply to those convicted, residing illegally in Pakistan or in the UK.

After consultation with the UK, the Return and Readmission Agreement will be submitted to the Cabinet for final approval. However, this agreement is separate from the extradition agreement being considered by the two governments.

The committee decided to conclude the Pakistan-UK Extradition Agreement, which will make the extradition of convicted persons between Pakistan and the United Kingdom possible. The draft of the Extradition Agreement was sent to Pakistan from the UK government in 2019.

Under the extradition treaty if a person flees to the UK after being convicted by the courts can be handed over. Pakistan had written for the return of former finance minister Ishaq Dar in 2019 but he had not been sent back yet by the British government.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2340338/draft-of-readmission-treaty-with-britain-finalised

 

[MenInG]

The medical board formed by the Punjab government has rejected the report on former premier Nawaz Sharif’s health condition submitted in the Lahore High Court (LHC) earlier this month that restrained him from travelling to Pakistan without undergoing “definitive medical treatment”.

“If he [Sharif] returns to solitary confinement, he may develop what we call the takotsubo syndrome due to stressful environment” and it could have “devastating consequences”, Dr Fayaz Shawl had warned in the report.

The nine-member medical board on Friday termed the report “incomplete”, saying that the three-page report authored by Dr Shawal did not contain any laboratory tests or medical report of any health institution, Express News reported on Friday.

Earlier this month, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan had written a letter to the Punjab Home Department, seeking a medical board’s opinion on Sharif’s health condition.

The provincial government was requested to place the Jan 28 document, issued by Dr Fayaz Shawl from Maryland, US, before the medical board with a request to examine it and evaluate the “known and reported facts and public activities” of the former premier to form an opinion.

The AGP last month issued stern caution to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif that contempt proceedings will be filed against him in case he fails to provide medical reports of his elder brother and party supremo Nawaz Sharif within 10 days.

The AGP office, in a letter, said as per the undertaking given by Shehbaz to the LHC, he was bound to provide regular “duly notarised” medical reports of his brother to the court.

It was evident from the observations of the special medical board formed by the Punjab government to examine PML-N supreme leader’s medical reports, the letter pointed out, that Shehbaz has not fulfilled his obligation as per his solemn undertaking and order of the court.

In November 2019, Nawaz, who is convicted in a corruption case, left the country after he signed a court-approved undertaking, saying that he would return to the country within four weeks. Shehbaz too had signed an undertaking, that stated he would "ensure the return" of his brother "within four weeks or on certification by doctors that he has regained his health and is fit to return back to Pakistan".

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD:
The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) wrote a letter on Wednesday to Dr David Lawrence, the doctor who is treating former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in London, seeking examination of his current medical record by the doctors appointed by the Pakistani government.

In his letter, written in light of the high court judgment, the AGP office said the recent report submitted by the ex-PM to the Lahore High Court (LHC) must have been written by Dr Fayaz Shawl during or after his trip to London.

“All clinical tests, laboratory reports, interventional procedures, if any, physical examinations must have been conducted in the United Kingdom” since Dr Lawrence is his primary doctor, the letter added.

The AGP said that the doctors nominated by the government intended to meet him to confirm Nawaz's health condition.

“As observed by the SMB [special medical board], doctor(s) would need to examine all the relevant medical record including current evaluation, blood reports, imaging results, and any interventional procedures done so far, as, without examination of medical reports, the doctor(s) cannot form any medical opinion nor verify/confirm about the health status of Mian Nawaz Sharif and his ability to travel back to Pakistan.”

The letter asked Dr Lawrence to confirm to the AGP office or the Pakistan High Commission in London about his response to the letter.

“You are therefore requested to initiate and confirm to the High Commission of Pakistan at London or the office of the Attorney General of Pakistan, the date, time, and venue when the doctor(s) can meet you and examine the medical record” of the former premier.

“This meeting/examination of the medical record may be scheduled for a date of your convenience between 22 Feb and 13 March 2020. The intimation may be made four days before the desired date fixed by you,” it added.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1675751/letting-nawaz-go-abroad-was-a-big-mistake-pm-imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday admitted that the government made a mistake by allowing PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad for medical treatment.

He expressed these views while addressing a public meeting in Mandi Bahauddin that was packed with PTI supporters. During his fiery speech, the prime minister also launched a scathing attack against the opposition and vowed to not let them off the hook until they returned the country's looted wealth.

"First it was one disease, then another, then platelets," he said referring to Nawaz's supposed ailments, adding that the government was under the impression that he would not survive for long. "I accept we made a big mistake by allowing him [Nawaz] to travel abroad."

He noted that the PML-N supremo used to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the past and ask the PTI where the 'Naya KP' was. "In the 2018 election, the province — which never gives anyone a second chance — elected PTI on a two-third majority."

Referring to the opposition as a "gang of thieves", the premier also lashed out at Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He said that the JUI-F chief was gathering the opposition and after every three months called for toppling the PTI government.

"The biggest reason for this is that after 30 years the country's assembly is functioning without diesel. It is running on solar [power]," he said, referring to the fact that the Maulana was not part of the National Assembly.

He claimed that the opposition was afraid, adding that the JUI-F chief was urging the opposition to oust the PTI government as he sensed that it would come into power once again in 2023.

He also accused the opposition of scrambling to move a no-confidence motion against the government in an effort to save its looted wealth.

"Why is there haste in moving a no-trust move?" he asked, noting that PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif was currently facing a money laundering reference.

"Shehbaz, if you are innocent, then why do you ask the courts for more time? Ask them to conduct day-to-day hearings."

PM Imran went on to say that when the opposition had filed a case against him in the Supreme Court, he had stayed in the country and had proved that he was sadiq and ameen (honest and righteous).

"I provided the documents the court asked for. I did not run away [or] ask for more dates. I told them to listen to the case [day-to-day]. So Shehbaz, why are you running?" he said, adding that the courts were free.

Turning his guns on PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, the premier said that she was also "scared" due to the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case and was trying to "scare judges".

"They want a no-trust move so that the government can be ousted and they can get off scot-free like they did during Gen Musharraf's tenure," he said, referring to the country's former military ruler.

"I have a message for the Sharif family: we are prepared for whatever you decide to do. Whatever your plan is, kaptaan is prepared for that plan."

He predicted that the opposition would once again not only fail, but would end up in jail this time around.

PM Imran also categorically said the opposition would not receive a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) — a term used to imply amnesty — until it returned the money it had stolen from the people of the country.

"They are scared because Imran Khan has no price, he will not give you an NRO like General Musharraf."

He said that the cases against the opposition were old and they were asking him for an NRO, the same way they had asked Gen Musharraf.

"These thieves will not get any NRO until they return the country's [looted] money [...] as long as I am alive, I will not let them rest until they return the people's wealth," he vowed.

He said that the courts were free, adding that the government respected the judiciary. Giving examples of the opposition's alleged interference in the judiciary, he said that retired justice Sajjad Ali was pressured and chased away from the courts as he was hearing a corruption case against them, claiming that the SC's Quetta bench was "bought".

"Now Maryam sahiba says she has tapes. Have you ever heard of politicians keeping tapes and blackmailing judges?"

He said that there was first a tape of former accountability judge Arshad Malik, who passed away in 2020. "Then a fake tape was made of a former chief justice to save themselves in a case," he said, referring to the alleged audio clip of former CJP Mian Saqib Nisar.

"This is not what politicians do, this is what the mafia does," he declared, calling on supporters to help the government combat them. "I have vowed to fight them as long as I am alive."

Commenting on the increase in inflation, the prime minister said: "They [the opposition] say that it has increased. There is no doubt it has increased."

However, he went on to say that the government was always working on how to lessen the burden of this inflation on the people of the country.

PM Imran also called on journalists to inform the people about the reason behind the hike in prices. "Supply lines were affected due to the pandemic. There was a shortage of commodities and they became more expensive."

He said that petrol that was previously available for $40 per barrel was now being sold for $90. "What can we do about this? We have to import petrol."

The prime minister said that the government had reduced duties and taxes on oil so that it could lessen the burden on the common man. "Every month, the government suffers a loss of Rs70 billion due to this."

He highlighted that inflation had increased across the globe, noting that it was at an all-time high in the United States for the first time in 40 years. He also gave the examples of Germany, Britain and Turkey.

"If you Google this on your mobile phones, you will see that I am speaking the truth," he said, adding that the government was committed to lessening the burden on the people of the country.

At the same time, the premier also highlighted that the country's exports, remittances and tax collection were at an all-time high, adding that the country was now on the right track.

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Imran Khan admitted on Friday that allowing former premier Nawaz Sharif to go abroad for medical treatment was the biggest mistake of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

Addressing a public gathering in Mandi Bahauddin, the prime minister while referring to Nawaz’s health condition before he was allowed to leave Pakistan said that the government felt that he might not survive for another day. “I admit today that we made the biggest mistake by allowing him [Nawaz] to go abroad,” PM Imran admitted in his speech

Recalling that the PML-N supremo used to ask people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa where was the 'Naya Pakistan,' the premier said that the people of the province replied him by re-electing PTI with two-third majority in 2018 despite the fact that it had never given a second chance to any party.

Refusing to call JUI-F chief a Maulana and calling him “diesel”, PM Imran said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman was trying to topple his government since its inception because it was the first time the National Assembly was being run without “diesel” – a reference to the fact that Fazl is not part of the incumbent assembly.

“It’s being run on solar [power],” he quipped, sayying “diesel” was playing the role of a 12th man – a cricket team’s first substitute fielding player. Giving another reason, PM Imran said, reduction in poverty in the province was the fastest during 2013 and 2018.

Calling the opposition leaders a gang of thieves and a bouquet of dacoits, the premier revealed that it wasn’t him calling them thieves and dacoits but they themselves have been calling each other thieves and looters for the last three decades. “They are all afraid,” he said, adding that Fazl was pushing opposition parties to topple the government because he is sensing that PTI would come in power again in 2023.

Shifting his focus to Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif by calling him a “faint-hearted man”, PM Imran said that the latter has lately come to know that the secret of keeping billion of rupees in a peon’s account was not a secret anymore.

Educating the audience on the peon reference, PM Imran said Maqsood Chaprasi was an employee of Ramzan Sugar Mill on a monthly salary of Rs15,000 but FIA unearthed that roughly Rs4 billion were transferred in his bank account. Soon after the discovery by FIA, the PM alleged that Shehbaz helped his son, Salman Shehbaz, to escape to London and Maqsooq Chaprasi to abroad.

Also read: Imran won't be able to save himself despite using state’s power: Maryam

PM Imran moved on to other people, including ex-finance minister Ishaq Dar; whom he alleged that ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi helped him escape abroad on people’s tax money in his plane. “If you haven’t committed any wrongdoing then what are you afraid of,” he asked before answering that “yes, they are afraid of Imran Khan” amid public cheering.

Expressing that Imran Khan couldn’t be bought, the PM said that he would not give NRO – a deal – to the opposition like former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervaiz Musharraf did. “There will be no NRO until you return country’s looted money,” Imran announced, “I won’t leave them until they return the nation’s money.

Emphasising that the courts in the country were independent, Premier Imran while recalling how the courts were influenced and attacked in the past said that the government respects the courts. He added that Nawaz Sharif’s daughter and PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz still claims that she had some “tapes” – audio or video tapes that can be used for manipulation or showing the dark side of key people.

Asking the audience if they have ever heard that politicians keep tapes in their possession and blackmail judges, Imran said that such tactics were deployed by mafias and not by politicians. Urging people to fight along with him against such mafia, he reiterated that he would continue fighting against them till his last breath.

No-confidence motion

On opposition parties’ announcement of bringing a no-confidence motion against him, Imran Khan said that Shehbaz was in a hurry because he knows he won’t be able to prove his innocence in Maqsood Chaprasi’s matter. “If you are innocent then why you seek time from courts,” Imran asked, “why don’t you ask for day-to-day hearing”.

Referring to his case, Imran said that he did not run abroad but proved himself a “Sadiq and Ameen” before the Supreme Court instead of seeking adjournments. “Why are you running away from courts,” Imran asked Shehbaz in his speech. He claimed that Maryam was also afraid of the case and that is why threatening judges with the tapes.

“They want to topple the government through no-confidence motion soon so that they may save themselves just like they did during Musharraf’s tenure,” Imran said. “It’s my message to Sharif family today,” he said, whatever you do, we are ready for that; Kaptan [captain, a reference to himself] is ready for all your plans”. “You will not just be defeated but go to jails,” Imran claimed.

Inflation

While admitting that sending Nawaz Sharif abroad was the biggest mistake, Imran also admitted that inflation exists in the country, saying he keeps thinking about reducing burden from the poor people. Asking journalists to not only tell people about inflation but also tell the nation the reason behind it, Imran blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for the rising inflation, saying what the government could do about rising oil prices in the international markets.

Emphasising that the government has reduced taxes and duties on petrol, PM Imran revealed that the government suffers a loss of Rs70 billion every month just to provide relief to masses.

Imran said that inflation was at peak during PML-N and PPP tenures and added that inflation was at the highest level in US and UK in the last 40 years and 30 years, respectively. He added more countries where inflation was at the highest level and asked people to verify the same through a simple search on their mobile phones. He promised to reduce inflation and assured people that they would soon see what the government was doing to provide relief. “Pakistan is on the right track,” he said while referring to record exports, tax collection and remittances.

The highest number of people from Mandi Bahauddin has gone abroad for work, he said, adding the overseas Pakistanis were the biggest asset and that is why they have been given a right to vote. He said that agriculture sector was flourishing and the government is standing with them.

Foreign policy

“For the first time an independent foreign policy is made in Pakistan,” Imran claimed, saying “it means that Pakistan doesn’t take dictation from any foreign country”. Allied countries would attack Pakistan in the past but the then rulers would keep a mum, he said, adding that they never spoke against it because their money and assets were abroad.

“They were their slaves and still are,” Imran said, adding that he wouldn’t have said “absolutely no” on providing bases to a super power if he has assets and businesses abroad.

Health card

Imran Khan said that the government was providing Rs1 million health insurance to masses. He said that the previous rulers would go abroad even after catching cold. He said everyone will have health card by March and it would enable every family to get the best healthcare facilities at both government and private hospitals.

Big thieves vs small thieves

Lambasting journalists who had asked for giving permission to convicted premier Nawaz Sharif to make a speech, Imran asked why shouldn’t the same right be given to thieves locked up for petty crimes. When people shower rose petals on thieves, he said, it sends a message to all hardworking people why were they working from dusk to dawn to earn a livelihood while the thieves were never touched for doing wrong.

Expressing that he has no personal enmity with the opposition leaders, Imran Khan said that he just wanted to see the Pakistan progress and become a great country and that is why he added he was fighting against them.

 

[daytrader]

‘N’ bigwigs in London to seek Nawaz’s counsel

• Cabinet decides against increasing price of flour, sugar
• PM wants incentivised agriculture policy to curtail wheat import

ISLAMABAD: As tensions run high on the political front, the prime minister and senior leadership of the main government party, PML-N, have decamped to London where they are due to meet with party supremo Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday (today).

Announcing the visit by her party’s high command, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that this was a private visit by PML-N leaders to meet their party leader, adding that PM Sharif would also be going with them.

About criticism on the visit, Ms Aurangzeb said the government’s opponents were blowing it out of proportion.

In what seemed to be an attempt to downplay the significance of the trip to London, coming as it does while the country is in the throes of constitutional and economic crises, Ms Aurangzeb said the delegation would be holding consultations with the elder Sharif, which was an ongoing process and not unusual among political parties.

However, the trip was roundly criticised by their chief rival, Imran Khan, who said in a public meeting on Tuesday that the entire cabinet was going to meet a ‘corrupt and convicted’ person, that too on taxpayers’ money.

Sources told Dawn PM Shehbaz Sharif departed for London via a British Airways flight shortly after midnight. It is expected that he will remain in London for two to three days.

The 10-member delegation will consist of PM Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Power Minister Khurram Dastagir, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq, among others.

The timing of the PM and his top leadership’s visit to London is being questioned, with observers asking why such a trip is necessary when the country is in dire straits.

According to insiders, PML-N leaders are giving ‘lame excuses’, such as needing to meet face-to-face with Nawaz for political consultations.

Sources say that several key decision may be taken in the meeting, including settling the question of early elections, developing a strategy to counter PTI and prevent the oncoming price hike.

Cabinet decisions

Meanwhile, the government on Tuesday also decided not to increase prices of flour and sugar and import three million tonnes of wheat to meet the local demand.

These decisions were taken in the federal cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday.

Briefing media about the decisions taken by the federal cabinet Marriyum Aurangzeb said the PM directed to introduce an incentivised agricultural policy that would enable the country to curtail wheat import.

She said the cabinet also approved revocation of multiple foreign passports under Passport Act, 1974. She said the cabinet decided that such passports should not only be revoked but also a strategy should be adopted to prevent it in future.

The last date for the cancellation of dual foreign passports is December 31, 2022, she said, adding that all procedural and administrative arrangements will be finalized to take legal action against dual passport holders.

The cabinet also decided to continue the fixed rates of flour and sugar under the Ramadan package. Under the package, a 20 kg bag of flour was reduced from 950 rupees to 800 rupees, similarly sugar was reduced from 85 rupees per kg to 70 rupees per kg.

Ms Aurangzeb also revealed the cabinet was briefed on Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, while the cabinet approved the appointment of Fawad Asadullah Khan as director general of Intelligence Bureau, while accepting the resignation of Wapda chairman Muzammil Hussain.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1689101/n-bigwigs-in-london-to-seek-nawazs-counsel

 

[MenInG]

Federal Minister Javed Latif has lamented that the incumbent government has so far failed in attempts to bring any legislation to do away with conviction and cases instituted to “victimise” party's supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, pointing out that the latter’s return faced legal impediments which needed an NRO-style legal remedy.

The PML-N leader told The Express Tribune on Saturday that Nawaz Sharif wanted to head back to the country at the earliest but regretted that despite having his own government in place, he was still “neck-deep sunk” in cases and potentially faced incarceration on return.

He stressed that the coalition government should take up the matter collectively as it was not a problem specific to PML-N only and suggested a legislative remedy was needed to bin all the “forged cases” against Nawaz similar to the one carried out in 2007.

He further emphasised said that the powers that be “who have used such cases for arm-twisting”, should now step in and right the wrong.

When asked if such NRO-style legislation – amnesty granted by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf – will be brought into the assembly to give a blanket relief to Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N leader revealed that he has raised the concern in the house, adding it should be tabled and brought into being.

Asked what was stopping the government from bringing such legislation to the National Assembly despite the fact the government had virtually no opposition to confront, Latif emphasised that there was a need for collective decision-making on the matter.

Meanwhile, former advocate general of Punjab, Ahmad Awais, alleged that the PML-N has already made attempts to grant NRO to Nawaz Sharif and other political leaders via NAB law amendments, which were challenged before the Supreme Court.

He said any legislation brought with “nefarious designs” can be challenged in court.

The National Reconciliation Ordinance was brought in 2007 to provide blanket immunity on cases instituted against bigwigs of the country including Nawaz Sharif.

It is pertinent to mention here that convict Nawaz Sharif, who was in London for treatment since 2019, is yet to complete his ten years of prison terms on his return and other than that he was reportedly declared absconder in other cases.

Express Tribune

 

[Bewal Express]

Federal Minister Javed Latif has lamented that the incumbent government has so far failed in attempts to bring any legislation to do away with conviction and cases instituted to “victimise” party's supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, pointing out that the latter’s return faced legal impediments which needed an NRO-style legal remedy.

The PML-N leader told The Express Tribune on Saturday that Nawaz Sharif wanted to head back to the country at the earliest but regretted that despite having his own government in place, he was still “neck-deep sunk” in cases and potentially faced incarceration on return.

He stressed that the coalition government should take up the matter collectively as it was not a problem specific to PML-N only and suggested a legislative remedy was needed to bin all the “forged cases” against Nawaz similar to the one carried out in 2007.

He further emphasised said that the powers that be “who have used such cases for arm-twisting”, should now step in and right the wrong.

When asked if such NRO-style legislation – amnesty granted by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf – will be brought into the assembly to give a blanket relief to Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N leader revealed that he has raised the concern in the house, adding it should be tabled and brought into being.

Asked what was stopping the government from bringing such legislation to the National Assembly despite the fact the government had virtually no opposition to confront, Latif emphasised that there was a need for collective decision-making on the matter.

Meanwhile, former advocate general of Punjab, Ahmad Awais, alleged that the PML-N has already made attempts to grant NRO to Nawaz Sharif and other political leaders via NAB law amendments, which were challenged before the Supreme Court.

He said any legislation brought with “nefarious designs” can be challenged in court.

The National Reconciliation Ordinance was brought in 2007 to provide blanket immunity on cases instituted against bigwigs of the country including Nawaz Sharif.

It is pertinent to mention here that convict Nawaz Sharif, who was in London for treatment since 2019, is yet to complete his ten years of prison terms on his return and other than that he was reportedly declared absconder in other cases.

Express Tribune

So they want an NRO for this thief that has stolen billions and allowed billions to also be stolen. Off course it will happen but the spectre of SL looms.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABADakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday signed a landmark agreement that would enable London to repatriate Pakistani nationals involved in crimes and violating the immigration laws.

“I'm proud to have signed a new landmark agreement with our Pakistani friends to return foreign criminals and immigration offenders from the UK to Pakistan,” British Home Secretary Priti Patel announced in a tweet while signing the agreement.

“This deal shows our #NewPlanForImmigration in action, as we deliver for the British people,” she further wrote on her official Twitter handle.

The deal, however, is not an extradition treaty and it would not have any direct bearing on three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently living in London under the pretext of medical treatment.

The agreement was originally finalised by the PTI government in late last year and the UK finally went ahead with the deal.

A Pakistani official, while requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the agreement would mean that the UK could now send back Pakistanis involved in “petty crimes and visa violations”. The official explained that following this treaty, Pakistanis seeking asylum on ‘flimsy grounds” would be repatriated.

In the absence of a bilateral treaty, the UK was unable to deport those individuals, the official added.

Under the new agreement, those whose visas had expired, who had overstayed illegally and who were charged as sex offenders to mention some, would be repatriated to Pakistan and their details shared, Shahzad Akbar, the then minister of state for interior had explained in November 2021.

In December 2020, Pakistan refused permission to a chartered flight carrying Pakistani immigrants from the UK. Many Pakistani travel to the UK, some on student visas and others as tourists but often they never return and seek asylum there.

With the new agreement in place, those illegal immigrants will not be able to stay in the UK without a valid reason.

Express Tribune