Nawaz losing his grip on PML-N

PML-N supremo and former premier Nawaz Sharif's grip on his party has begun to weaken. The leaders of his own party have started criticising Nawaz’s continuous stay in London for three years and giving instructions from abroad on the country’s economic policies. Nawaz and his daughter, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, have taken a temporary break from politics, leaving the party to fend for itself. However, in a tweet on Thursday, the PML-N supremo reiterated his support to his younger brother in handling the crises in the country. “The negative comments attributed to me about PM Shahbaz Sharif are misleading and incorrect. I remain hopeful that the sincere and tireless efforts by SS under the most challenging circumstances will bear fruit and he will steer the country out of the mess created by Imran Khan.” The negative comments attributed to me about PM Shahbaz Sharif are misleading and incorrect. I remain hopeful that the sincere and tireless efforts by SS under the most challenging circumstances will bear fruit and he will steer the country out of the mess created by Imran Khan. — Nawaz Sharif (@NawazSharifMNS) August 25, 2022 In the current situation, the decision of Nawaz’s immediate return to the country has also been postponed. According to insiders, Nawaz had disagreed with not only his own party but also the leaders of the multi-party alliance – the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) – and its allies over various issues including not holding immediate general elections and the spiralling inflation. However, instead of expressing it, he prioritised the collective wisdom of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his own opinion and discussed matters according to the situation – the new slogan of “save the state not politics”. However, time has proven that if Nawaz’s opinion and suggestions were implemented, a stronger government of the PDM and its allies would have been established in the country today as a result of the general elections. The only party standing against them, the PTI, would have died a political death. The incumbent government, despite having an experienced team, has adopted policies that are anti-people. It has already pushed the people further into poverty, inflation and unemployment. The current government is expected to bombard the people with more inflationary measures. It has played a role in bringing its rival party, the PTI, to the pinnacle of its popularity. Also read: Divisions in PML-N's camp after fuel price hike Nawaz is extremely upset, and he used to express his disappointment in party meetings from time to time. However, an incident happened 10 days ago which was probably unbelievable and unacceptable for Nawaz, former finance minister Ishaq Dar and Maryam. According to insiders, an important meeting was held on August 15 under the chairmanship of Nawaz Sharif through video link in which PM Shehbaz, former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Maryam, Dar, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and other senior leaders of the PML-N participated. In this meeting, a decision was to be taken to change the prices of petroleum products and the government had been pressuring the media for several days that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had prepared a summary of reducing the price of petrol by Rs25 per litre and diesel by Rs15. It should be noted that this was the same meeting about which Maryam had tweeted that her father left the meeting when the decision was taken to increase the prices of petroleum products. According to party sources, during this meeting, Nawaz had asked Miftah to give a briefing on the economic situation. The finance minister strongly suggested increasing the prices of petroleum products. On this, Nawaz gave the microphone to Dar. Dar criticised Miftah's economic policies and his methods. Abbasi intervened and allegedly scolded Dar. He told him that governing in the current situation and making tough financial decisions was not an easy task. “If you think that we and our government are not doing a good job, then why you ‘gentlemen’, who have been sitting in London for so long, return to Pakistan and take charge of the country and the economy,” he added. On this, Nawaz allegedly hit the table in anger and left the meeting, after which the government issued a notification to increase the prices of petroleum products. After midnight, Maryam wrote on Twitter that her father had strongly opposed this decision and even said that he could not put a single penny more burden on the public. میاں صاحب نے اس فیصلے کی سخت مخالفت کی اور یہاں تک کہ دیا کہ میں مزید ایک پیسے کا بوجھ عوام پر نہیں ڈال سکتا اور اگر حکومت کی کوئی مجبوری ہے تو میں اس فیصلے میں شامل نہیں ہوں اور میٹنگ چھوڑ کر چلے گئے۔ https://t.co/McG019GW6Z — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 15, 2022 She further quoted Nawaz as saying that if there was any compulsion from the government, he was not involved in this decision. According to party sources, Nawaz had left the meeting not because of the government’s desire to increase the prices of petroleum products, but because of Abbasi’s “angry” tone. Since this meeting, Nawaz and Maryam have left the government to its current situation. By-elections are to be held in different districts of the country including Punjab on September 11 and 25. The responsibility of the campaign for the by-polls of a National Assembly and three constituencies of the provincial assembly to be held on September 11 in Punjab was given to Maryam, but it has not been started yet. It seems that Maryam is angry with the government. Her decision to set up a separate office in the party secretariat in Model Town has also been delayed. In the past days, work on the renovation of Maryam’s office was under way at a rapid pace, but now this has almost stopped. According to party sources, Nawaz has been silent since the party meeting held 10 days ago and postponed his immediate return home, which was possible in the last week of September or early October. Now Nawaz has decided that if Dar acquired relief from the Supreme Court, then the former finance minister would first return to the country. After a complete review of the situation in Pakistan, he would inform Nawaz about it. Only then would the PML-N supremo decide about his return to the country. According to party sources, Nawaz, through his most trusted party officials, has called for the performance reports of all the members of parliament and party officials, based on which he could make important decisions in the near future. They include giving the most important and powerful post in the PML-N to Maryam. This is to ensure that she could keep the PML-N decisions and policies in her hands by strengthening her grip on the party.

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Interior minister booked on terrorism charges

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Thursday at the Industrial Area Police Station, Gujrat for allegedly intimidating and threatening the judiciary and the government officials. The FIR, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, was registered on the complaint of a citizen, Aslam, under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (punishment for acts of terrorism), and sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 189 (threat of injury to public servant) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The complaint said that Sanaullah, during his speeches on April 16, 2021 and January 29, 2022 had threatened to stop judiciary from performing its constitutional duties and kill children of government officials. The FIR also reproduced the interior minister’s remarks, which according to it were aired on a private TV channel programme on August 21, 2022. Read more: ATC approves Imran's bail till September 1 in terrorism case “The purpose of Sanaullah’s statements was to terrorise the judiciary, chief secretary, commissioner, government officials and people of the country,” the FIR said. “His aim was to stop the officials from working and prevent them from fulfilling their lawful responsibilities.” The report said that Sanaullah’s remarks had created fear in the judiciary, administration, bureaucracy, police and the nation. It was pleaded in the FIR that the interior minister should be investigated for his remarks and be taken to task “to create an example for other citizens speaking against government officials”. The development was also shared by Punjab Home Minister Hashim Dogar on Twitter. “Today, the police registered an FIR against Rana Sanaullah at Industrial Police Station in Gujrat for threatening the honourable judiciary and government officials. The allegations are [of a] serious [nature] and action will be taken according to Constitution and law.” PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi also took to his official Twitter handle with the news saying that Sanaullah made a “false case” against PTI Chairman Imran Khan. “Now the people have made a true case against you,” he said, adding that the interior minister would soon be arrested. Moonis was referring to a terror case filed against Imran for “threatening” a female judge and senior police officers in a Islamabad rally on Saturday that had drawn strong criticism from the government, with the interior minister declaring that the PTI chairman would not be allowed to challenge the writ of the state by inciting rebellion. Meanwhile, a contempt of court petition has been filed against the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders Maryam Nawaz, Rana Sanaullah and Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The petition was filed by a lawyer named Ali Ijaz Buttar in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). PML-N leaders Attaullah Tarar and Marriyum Aurangzeb have also been made parties to the said petition. The petitioner contended that social media revealed that Maryam and others do not respect institutions, including the judiciary. However, he added, they are running governmental affairs. He said that the parties repeatedly used derogatory language about the judges of the high court. He added that through these statements, questioning the credibility of the justice system, an attempt was made to undermine the public confidence in the judiciary. The petitioner also submitted the transcript of Maryam’s July 25 news conference with his petition. He also requested that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman be directed to submit the transcript of the pressers against the judiciary. The petition requested the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against Maryam and others.

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Sindh govt calls for help for distressed, displaced flood-affected people

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in his emergent televised message aired live by all news channels has urged philanthropists to come forward and help rain and flood-affected people of the province. "I have visited almost all the districts of the province and found every nook and corner inundated with rain water," he said and added that the people who have been temporarily settled at relief camps are in a state of shock after losing their near and dear ones, their cattle and other belongings. Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah appeals: “Our road network compared to 2010 and 2011 [floods] is better, therefore philanthropists should come over to help affected people. He warned hoarders against hoarding, urged everyone not create law & order situation but help..#Pakistan #PPP pic.twitter.com/m7QSOvJN4N — Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) August 24, 2022 The CM said that he along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has also visited relief camps where women and children are living with tears in their eyes. "This painful situation has poured out of our hearts," he said and added that President Asif Ali Zardari was also in touch with them to take note of the situation. He said Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is keen on visiting flood-affected areas to meet people there but the weather condition is an obstacle to his visit. "We all are trying to arrange tents, mosquito nets, beds, edibles, medicines and other things of daily use for the affected people," he said and hoped that everything would be made available within a few days. SEHWAN: Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali along with his LG Minister Nasir Shah consoles rain-affected people living at flood relief camp, Bajara. pic.twitter.com/gY6jUijcfT — Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) August 24, 2022 Shah said that the riverine floods of 2010 had submerged all the cities, towns and villages on the right bank of River Indus while the flash flood of 2011 had flooded the entire left bank and in those days our road network was not so good and despite this, philanthropists had helped the homeless and displaced people. The chief minister said: "Compared to 2010 and 2011 our road network, including link roads and farms to market roads provide easy access, therefore the philanthropists, welfare organisations and donor agencies should visit to take stock of the situation and help and support the distressed people. Shah told the people, living in the camps along main roads and on the riverine belt that they were not alone. "Your government is reaching out to each and every one of you," he assured them. SEHWAN: Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah inspects flow of water released from Manchhar Lake into River Indus through Aral drain. pic.twitter.com/tZrKZFClVu — Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) August 24, 2022 He urged the people of the province to look after the poor, rain-affected and helpless people living around them till the government reaches out to them. "You have to bridge the gap between them and the government," he urged the affluents and remarked that everyone is living for themselves and their family but, now the time has come they have to live for those who are in dire need. Shah said that this year the province has received around 600 per cent more rainfall than usual. "These rains have not only flooded the residential areas but have caused a high flood in River Indus." The chief minister urged the people to support each other at this time of the test. "You have to face the situation with patience, courage and empathy," he urged and warned the hoarders not to indulge in hoarding, profiteering and artificial price hike. He hoped that nobody should dare to create a law and order situation in the province and understand the gravity of the situation.

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Pakistan rejects Indian missile probe, reiterates joint investigation

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected findings of the Indian inquiry into the firing of a supersonic missile into its territory, terming it “totally unsatisfactory, deficient and inadequate”. India on Tuesday said it sacked three air force officers for deviating from standard operating procedures that had led to the accidental firing of missile into Pakistan on March 9. Although there was no loss reported on the ground but the incident could have potentially triggered an accidental war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan was praised for its mature response that had prevented any escalation. Nevertheless Pakistan took strong note of the incident and raised the issue at all internal fora as well as demanded a joint probe. India while admitting the mistake went ahead with the unilateral probe and now found three air force officers guilty of the incident. "We have seen India’s announcement of the findings of an internal Court of Inquiry regarding the incident of firing of a rogue supersonic missile into Pakistani territory on 9 March, 2022 and the decision to terminate the services of three Indian Air Force (IAF) officers reportedly found responsible for the reckless incident," said a foreign office statement issued here a day after the Indian announcement. Also read: India fires three officers over missile fiasco It said Pakistan categorically rejected India’s purported closure of the highly irresponsible incident and reiterates its demand for a joint probe. "As expected, the measures taken by India in the aftermath of the incident and the subsequent findings and punishments handed by the so-called internal Court of Inquiry are totally unsatisfactory, deficient and inadequate," the statement added. The foreign  office said India had not only failed to respond to Pakistan's demand for a joint inquiry but had also evaded the questions raised by Pakistan regarding the command and control system in place in the country, the safety and security protocols and the reason for Delhi’s delayed admission of the missile launch. "Systemic loopholes and technical lapses of serious nature in handling of strategic weapons cannot be covered up beneath the veneer of individual human error. If indeed India has nothing to hide then it must accept Pakistan’s demand for a joint probe in the spirit of transparency." The imprudent Indian action of March 9, 2022 had jeopardised the peace and security environment of the entire region. "Pakistan’s demonstration of exemplary restraint is a testament of our systemic maturity and abiding commitment to peace as a responsible nuclear state," the statement noted. Islamabad reiterated its demand that the Indian government must immediately provide specific responses to its queries with regards to the incident and accedes to its call for a joint probe.

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Imran hits out at Shehbaz's 'begging mission' to Qatar

Former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with 40 other "thieves", had gone to Qatar for "begging". "No one will give them money as everyone knows that they [incumbent rulers] are thieves. We have to free Pakistan from these thieves," he said while addressing a rally in Haripur, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Imran said that Pakistan was defamed for registering a case with terrorism charges against him. "The imported government has planned to arrest me as if I were a major terrorist." Read more: Qatar Investment Authority aims to invest $3 billion in Pakistan He said that the Indian government never makes a decision where it sacrifices the lives of its citizens for someone else. "We lost lives of 80,000 Pakistanis for participating in the American war... We will not sacrifice our people for any country for the sake of our foreign policy." The PTI chief said that when his government tried to buy cheap oil from Russia, they were removed from power via a conspiracy and an "imported government" was imposed upon the nation. "The nation will never accept them and I will stand for the rights of my nation," he added. The ousted premier said that PTI leader Shahbaz Gill left his job in the US and came to Pakistan but he was sent to jail. "What did I say that cases were registered against me," he questioned. He said that the PTI was not against institutions. "We have only one demand and that is to conduct free and transparent elections in the country." He further said that he is preparing people from all over the country to protest, urging everyone to wait for his call. https://ift.tt/Xqv1t0M  

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Fazl accuses institutions of delaying action against Imran

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday accused the state institutions of delaying action against former prime minister Imran Khan over his "unlimited corruption, prohibited funding and rebellious disobedience". In a video statement, he said that Imran Khan and his associates consider themselves beyond the Constitution and law, saying that the state institutions were under "tremendous international pressure". ملعون سلمان رشدی پر حملے کی مذمت کے بعد صیہونی لابی اور عالمی میڈیا کھلم کھلا عمران نیازی کی پشت پناہی کر رہی ہے، مغربی اشرافیہ کا پیغمبر اسلام صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے خلاف تعصب کا واضح ثبوت ہے ۔ 1/5 pic.twitter.com/6U3201LQvV — Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) August 24, 2022 "If the state institutions avoid taking legal action against the criminal who shook the foundations of the nation then JUI-F will not shy away from taking its own course for the protection of the country's ideological basis and the Constitution," he added. اس وقت ریاستی ادارے شدید عالمی دباؤ میں ہیں۔ ریاستی ادارے عمران خان کی لامحدود کرپشن ، ممنوعہ فنڈنگ اور باغیانہ سرکشی کے خلاف کسی قسم کی کاروائی میں تاخیر پر گامزن ہے 2/5 pic.twitter.com/uRvTbsxLLQ — Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) August 24, 2022 He asked the United Nation why it has sympathies with the former premier. "During Imran Khan's tenure, actions such as retaliatory measures against former prime ministers and putting their families in jail were taken but never once it was pointed out that such actions were undemocratic," he added. Read more: Attack on Salman Rushdie ‘unjustifiable’, says Imran Fazl said that since the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) clearly brought forward the theft of Imran Khan, the “Israeli-funded channels” and United Nations became restless. اقوام متحدہ سے پوچھتے ہیں کہ آپ کی ہمدردیاں کس بنیاد پر عمران نیازی کے ساتھ ہیں ؟ الیکشن کمیشن کی جانب سے واضح طور پر نیازی کے چوری کے اقدامات قوم کے سامنے لائے گئے تو اسرائیلی چینلز اور اقوام متحدہ اس پر تلملا رہے ہیں ۔ 3/5 pic.twitter.com/wjDPhq2ZVE — Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) August 24, 2022 "We ask on what basis you are supporting a person who is an abrogator of the Constitution and attacks the ideological foundations of Pakistan," he added. The JUI-F chief said that the UN had supported the atrocities committed against humanity at Guantanamo Bay, asking where the philosophy of protecting human rights had vanished then. "Aafia Siddiqui is still in American prison... for what crime? Her mother passed away waiting for her daughter. You did not remember human rights at that time," he added. گوانتاناموبے میں انسانیت پر ہونے والی درندگی کو اقوام متحدہ نے سپورٹ کیا تھا،ابو غریب جیل میں زندہ انسانوں پر کتوں کو چھوڑا گیا،اس وقت انسانی حقوق کے کیوں نظر نہیں آئے؟ آج بھی عافیہ صدیقی امریکی جیلوں میں ہے ؟ کس جرم کی پاداش میں ؟ 4/5 pic.twitter.com/4iX3Zn7Kzi — Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) August 24, 2022 Reasoning why the international media suddenly started supporting Imran, Fazl said that since Imran Khan condemned the attack on Salman Rushdie, an India-born blasphemous author, the global media started supporting the PTI chief openly. "From the day Imran Khan condemned the attack on Rushdie, the Zionist lobby has started putting pressure on the Pakistani government through the UN and international media," he added. ہم عالمی اداروں، اسرائیل اور صیہونی قوتوں پر واضح کردیا چاہتے ہیں کہ ان کی چال کامیاب ہونے نہیں دی جائے گی۔ عمران نیازی کو دوبارہ اقدار میں لانے کی ہر کوشش ناکام بنائی جائے گی، ہم آئین کے مجرم کو سیاست سے باہر پھینک دیں گے ، ان شاءاللہ 5/5 pic.twitter.com/Vow1YcnoF9 — Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) August 24, 2022 Fazl said that the real aim is to give a "democratic cover" to Imran Khan's rebellious behaviour and bring him back to power through the rigging. He further reiterated his claim that Imran Khan was being funded by both Israel and India..

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CPJ urges govt to 'immediately, unconditionally' release journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Pakistani authorities to 'immediately and unconditionally' release journalist Jameel Farooqui and 'cease harassing him' and journalist Ilyas Samoo for their work.  #Pakistan: Authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Jameel Farooqui, and cease harassing him and journalist Ilyas Samoo in retaliation for their work.https://t.co/9OMbT05GCF — CPJ Asia (@CPJAsia) August 23, 2022 “Pakistan authorities must end their campaign of harassment and intimidation of journalists in retaliation for their work,” said Carlos Martinez de la Serna, CPJ’s program director. “Authorities should swiftly and unconditionally release journalist Jameel Farooqui, cease harassing him and journalist Ilyas Samoo, and allow them to continue their work without interference.” Read: Journalist arrested in Karachi over 'false' allegations against Islamabad police On Monday, authorities arrested Farooqui from Karachi airport. He is an anchor associated with the privately owned broadcaster host of a YouTube channel with about 120,000 subscribers. On August 19, police in Thatta district arrested Samoo, a reporter for the privately owned daily newspaper and president of the local Bandar Press Club, according to statements by two local press freedom groups and Latafullah Samoo, the journalist’s brother, who spoke to CPJ by phone. His brother, Latafullah Samoo, said on Tuesday that a court had granted his brother's bail earlier in the day and had been released. The CJP statement said that according to a copy of the report, Samoo was arrested in an illegal weapon case. His brother claimed, while talking to the CJP, that "he believed authorities had targeted Samoo in retaliation for his reporting on flood-affected areas in the Thatta district and said that, shortly before his brother’s arrest, the journalist had received a threatening call and text message warning him to stop that reporting". Farooqui was arrested after posting a video on his YouTube channel on the Shahbaz Gill torture claims.  The body noted that the "Islamabad and Sindh police departments did not respond to CPJ’s emailed requests for comment".

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