Pakistan News World

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has called for collective work and reconciliation at national level to cope with the challenge of growing population. Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad today, he said the government has launched a network of Champions of Reforms under which it wants to enroll such individuals who have a background of working in those social sectors, which need our focus in the changing scenario. The Minister expressed the hope that under this way we can transform the ownership of this development agenda to the real movers in the society. Ahsan Iqbal also emphasized the continuity of policies terming it vital for development and prosperity of the country. He said today we need such leadership which can unite the nation and any voice that divides us should not be the part of solution. The Minister said we would also like to establish a strong partnership of government, academia, researchers and civil society to work as a team to check population gr...

Khadija Shah was produced by the police in the Anti-Terrorism Court. Khadija Shah, who is the daughter of former Finance Minister Salman Shah and the granddaughter of former Army Chief General Asif Nawaz Janjua, was arrested yesterday. According to the details, the worker of Tehreek-e-Insaf was presented in Lahore court in the case of arson and vandalism in Jinnah House Lahore. Khadija Shah, who is the daughter of former Finance Minister Salman Shah and the granddaughter of former Army Chief General Asif Nawaz Janjua, was arrested yesterday. via Original Source

Government is considering banning former prime minister Imran Khan’s political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, he said the parliament will also be taken into confidence if the government arrives at a final decision. The Defence Minister said those parting ways with the PTI themselves are disclosing that May 9 violent acts were pre planned. He said there is no precedence of the acts that took place on the 9th May as these amounted to challenging the state. Khawaja Asif said the armed forces have legitimate reservations on the violent attacks on military installations and the memorials. He said every step will be taken to ensure that the armed forces are not targeted by anybody for political purposes in future. When asked about whether there is any pressure on the government to send Imran Khan in exile, the Defence Minister said it is our internal issue and there is no pressure from an...

The Supreme Court will hear the Election Commission's review petition related to the Punjab elections again today. A three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice will conduct the hearing. Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Muneeb Akhtar are included in the bench. The Election Commission has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the court decision regarding holding elections in Punjab on May 14. via Original Source

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to take all possible steps to provide relief to the common man in the next fiscal year's budget. He was chairing a high-level meeting about the preparation of the budget for financial year 2023-24 in Islamabad today. During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed by his economic team about preparations of the next year’s budget. He was also briefed about the revised estimates of revenue and expenditures and target estimates for the next year. The meeting was informed that Budget for fiscal year 2023-24 would be presented on 9th of next month in the National Assembly after getting approval by the Federal Cabinet. Speaking on this occasion, the Prime Minister said all available resources should be used to reduce the financial difficulties and provide relief to the middle class. He expressed satisfaction that prices of Urea are continuously decreasing as a result of the timely and prudent strategy...

The Supreme Court started is hearing the country’s top electoral authority’s petition, seeking a review of the top court’s decision to have snap polls in Punjab. A three-member bench comprising CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar is presiding over the case. On Tuesday, the counsel for the PTI sunmitted the reply from the party, opposing the ECP’s argument for a change in the date, which has already passed. The PTI said ECP was advancing fresh argument at the review stage – something that is not allowed in the law. The ECP, which had already submitted it reply, said it had not received the replies submitted by the government and the PTI and it should be allowed more time to go through the submissions. The federal government and the caretaker government of Punjab have submitted separate responses to the Supreme Court, while the same position has been adopted in the separate responses to review the decision. In the separate responses of the federal ...

Six people, four frontier constabulary and two private security company personnel, were martyred on Tuesday after terrorists stormed an energy plant in the Hangu district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) near the Afghan border. According to Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Irfan Khan, the attack took place early in the morning, adding that the martyred personnel fought bravely with the terrorists for more than two hours. “The attack by up to 50 terrorists took place at a plant run by the MOL Pakistan Oil and Gas Company,” said Irfan. The DSP added that a heavy contingent of police and Frontier Corps (FC) reached the area and initiated a search operation.   via Original Source

Jamshed Cheema and Musrat Jamshed Cheema announced to quit PTI after their release. Jamshed Cheema's son confirmed that Musrat Jamshed and Jamshed Cheema will going to leave PTI. Jamshed Cheema's lawyer Malik Mohammad Riaz while talking to the journalists in Islamabad High Court said that Jamshed Cheema and Musrat Jamshed are going to leave PTI. Jamshed Cheema's son confirmed that Musrat Jamshed and Jamshed Cheema will going to leave PTI. via Original Source

Army chief Gen Asim Munir has said that the attacks on military installations, martyrs’ memorials and their dignity and respect are extremely regrettable and intolerable. The army chief was speaking at an award distribution ceremony in honor of martyrs and veterans at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Speaking at the event, he announced to observe May 25 as ‘Youm-e-Takreem-Shuhda Pakistan’. Gen Asim Munir has said that the sacrifices of martyrs and services of the ghazis are a valuable asset and pride for the country. Every soldier and officer only keeps his duties and responsibilities as his priority, the army chief said. Gen Munir said a strong army guarantees the security and unity of the country. “Undoubtedly, we are living in a free atmosphere due to a sense of duty and great sacrifices of the martyrs,” he stressed. The army chief said every soldier of the Pakistan Army puts his duties above all political biases. The army as an institution always remembers every pe...

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued an advisory alert to all the federal and provincial departments concerned to ensure disaster preparedness measures after the met office issued a rain-thunderstorm forecast from May 22 to 26. The NDMA advisory report said that the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast that a westerly wave was likely to enter the western and upper parts of the country on May 22, which was likely to persist throughout the week i.e. till May 26, resulting in precipitation with occasional gaps. Under the influence of this weather system, from May 22 (evening/night) to May 26, wind-dust/thunderstorm and rain with likely hailstorms (and isolated heavy falls) is expected in the regions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Punjab. In addition, from May 23 (evening/night) to May 26, the aforementioned weather to prevail in Sargodha, Mianwali, Layyah, Khushab, Bhakkar, Faisalabad...

Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench ordered the release of Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Shireen Mazari. The court, while ordering the release of Shireen Mazari, directed that Shireen Mazari give an affidavit to the Deputy Commissioner that she will not be involved in such activities in the future. In the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench, the petition filed against Shireen Mazari's detention was heard. The court, while ordering the release of Shireen Mazari, directed that Shireen Mazari give an affidavit to the Deputy Commissioner that she will not be involved in such activities in the future. via Original Source

The meeting of the National Assembly will be held today at 4 pm. The Rawit Hilal Amendment Bill 2022 will be presented for approval in the meeting. According to the details, the 20-point agenda of the meeting was issued. The Ruet-e-Hilal Amendment Bill 2022 will be presented for approval in the meeting. The Companies Profit Amendment Bill 2023 will be introduced in the House. Climate change, several reports of the standing committees of federal education are part of the attention notice agenda regarding water scarcity in Sindh included in the agenda. Attention notices on the sale of drugs in the country will also be discussed. via Original Source

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated that people who attacked military installations during the May 9 protest will be tried under laws in the Constitution. Chairing a meeting on law and order situation in Lahore on Sunday, he said everyone who is involved in the incident of 9th May will be dealt with iron hand. Shehbaz Sharif has said that 9th May will always be remembered as black day in the history of Pakistan. He said the enemies of Pakistan who attacked GHQ on 9th May. He said the miscreants also burned Jinnah house and public properties on the same day. He said Radio Pakistan Peshawar and FC school were also set on fire on 9th May. He said those who are involved in attacking the military installations will also be brought to book. The meeting also reviewed the progress on decisions of national security committee. via Original Source

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb says the government is promoting the art of film making as it is one of the most effective tools to disseminate information and spread awareness on key issues. Marriyum Aurangzeb was addressing inaugural ceremony of National Film Production Institute in Islamabad on Sunday. The Minister said this film training institute will promote film making which in turn will project our screen tourism at international level. She said film is a medium used successfully by countries across the world to impart their soft image. She hoped that the institute will train young talent in the field of film making, production, acting and other relevant profiles and will become a breeding ground for new talent. The Minister said in film making, the focus will be particularly on imparting awareness related to democratic values, tolerance, constitution and our national heritage. She said Radio Pakistan and PTV are our national heritage having ...

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday termed the May 9 vandalism of sensitive state installations as the “9/11-type” attacks on Pakistan’s national interests. The minister in an exclusive interview with State media said it was regrettable that a political party’s workers on May 9 stormed and destroyed many symbols of Pakistan’s pride that include Jinnah House, Yadgare Shuhada, fighter jets of the famous 1965 war and Chagai mountain model. He said this reaction to their leader’s arrest over corruption charges was unprecedentedly irrational, unacceptable and not less than the 9/11 attacks carried out in the US in 2001. “The May-9 incident for Pakistan’s Armed Forces was equivalent to the September-11 of America. The violent workers of a political party attacked Pakistan’s heritage and the pride of the security departments. The ‘Jinnah House’ was not only the residence of a Corps Commander rather a heritage of the ...

Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif on Sunday said that the attack on General Headquarters (GHQ) during the May 9 violent protests — motivated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's arrest — was included in India's anti-Pakistan objectives. "Pakistan's existence was attacked on May 9. A person [Imran Khan] made this attack just for the sake of his power," Asif said while addressing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) rally taken out to express solidarity with the armed forces, in Sialkot. He regretted how the families and heirs of the martyred would have felt when a group of vandals attacked the sacred monuments. "I never doubt anyone's loyalty but I doubt the intentions of those who led the attacks on May 9," Asif said. Earlier, the minister visited the Yadgar-e-Shuhada (martyrs monument) in Chawinda and laid a floral wreath on the graves of the martyrs before offering fatiha. He said that they had visited the martyrs mon...

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has said that the legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in the May 9 mayhem has commenced under Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act as per existing and established legal procedures derived from the Constitution. The army chief's statement came as he visited Jinnah House and an army installation in Lahore, which were blatantly attacked and vandalised by “politically motivated” rioters, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a handout. The COAS was also given a briefing on events of May 9 dubbed by the military as ‘Black Day’ — the day when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters ransacked and torched military installations across the country following the arrest of their leader Imran Khan in a graft case. Addressing the garrison officers and soldiers at Corps Headquarters, Gen Munir emphasised that any action aimed at widening a gulf between people and the milita...

Another audio clip purportedly featuring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and US Congresswoman Maxine Waters has come to light on Saturday. A purported audio conversation between Imran Khan and US senator has surfaced online in which the PTI chairman can purportedly be heard seeking ‘help’ from Maxian Moore Waters following amid an ongoing crackdown on his party following May 9 riots. Breaking News : Leak audio of Imran Khan with American congresswomen Maxian Moore Water pic.twitter.com/4CFSUsnHij — Malik Ali Raza (@MalikAliiRaza) May 20, 2023 In the alleged conversation, Imran Khan could be heard telling US congresswoman about the removal of his government by ex-army chief Gen (r) Bajwa. The former premier also reportedly asked US politician to make a statement and raise her voice in support of PTI. “We are going through difficult times in Pakistan right now and my life is also in danger,” he said in alleged audio, adding that 99% of Pakistan wanted him in pow...

Pakistan on Saturday strongly condemned storming of Al Aqsa Mosque by a member of the Israeli occupation authority and members of the Knesset under protection of Israeli occupation forces. “Pakistan calls upon the international community to take urgent action to put an end to Israeli transgressions in the occupied territories that have been conspicuously ascendant since the beginning of this year,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press statement. Violation of the sanctity of one of the holiest sites in Islam constituted yet another reprehensible event in a series of escalatory Israeli actions disrespectful to religious sentiments of over 1.5 billion Muslims around the world, it was added. “We reiterate that such acts are inconsistent with the right to freedom of expression and religion or belief of the Palestinian people, defying all humanitarian and human rights laws and norms,” the spokesperson further said. Pakistan reaffirmed its unstinted support for the Palestinian ca...

As many as three soldiers embraced martyrdom and one terrorist was killed in an exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in Zarghun, the area of Balochistan on Saturday. According to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an operation was launched in the area against suspected terrorists who attacked a security post. “Troops on the post retaliated readily to the fire raid thereby, pushing back the terrorists,” stated the military’s media wing. In the ensuing exchange of fire, three soldiers were martyred while one terrorist was also killed. The military identified the martyred soldiers as Sepoy Zaheer Ahmed, Sepoy Mudassir Shaheed and Lance Naik Abdul Qadeer. The ISPR stated that the post had recently been established to “check extortion efforts targeting coal mines in the area”. “Based on follow-up ISR effort, likely hideout of fleeing terrorists has been identified in nearby mountains and a deliberate blocking and sanitisation op...