Tag Archives: PM Imran

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The army, the head of the ISI discussed national security with PM Imran | Instant News


ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday held a meeting with Army Commander General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director General of Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed to discuss, as per the official leaflet, “matters of national security”.

No further details were provided by the Prime Minister’s Office but observers believe the meeting may be linked to the current Afghanistan situation especially after the Biden Administration announced to review the peace agreement with the Afghan Taliban.

A high-level meeting at the PM’s office is believed to have taken place to finalize the Pakistan strategy as the Biden Administration will soon formally contact Islamabad to discuss peace efforts in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has played a key role in facilitating and brokering the February 29 deal between the US and the Afghan Taliban while at the same time working closely with all stakeholders to make inroads during the intra-Afghan dialogue.

The announcement by White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that the Biden administration would review a peace agreement with the Taliban was followed very closely in Pakistan. Officials here say they are waiting for more details to find out what kind of overview the new US government will seek.

Following telephone conversations between the US and Afghan National Security Advisors, authorities in Kabul on Saturday recaptured 600 Taliban fighters, who were released earlier as part of a landmark February 29 deal. The Afghan government defended the decision by suggesting that Taliban fighters had returned to the battlefield.

Likewise, the office of the President of Afghanistan also welcomed the announcement of a review of the peace agreement with the Taliban. Presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said in a statement on Saturday that the US-Taliban agreement had so far failed to achieve the desired goal of ending Taliban violence and establishing a ceasefire. “The Taliban are not living up to their commitments,” he said.

This raises concerns that peace efforts may slip or run into serious obstacles.

Also read: Pakistan is not surprised by Biden’s intention to review the US-Taliban deal

Against this backdrop, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi placed a phone call with Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar on Monday. Without explicitly mentioning the Biden administration’s intention to review the peace deal, Qureshi said the Intra-Afghanistan Negotiations had provided a window of opportunity for a return to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan has always argued that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict and a political solution is the only way forward,” Qureshi quoted the foreign office as saying.

“Pakistan will continue to play a positive role in supporting the Afghanistan Peace Process and strengthening bilateral relations with Afghanistan,” he added.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s consistent support for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined that the Intra-Afghanistan (IAN) negotiations provide a historic opportunity for the Afghan leadership to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Minister expressed concern over the high level of violence in Afghanistan and emphasized progress in the IAN which would also facilitate a reduction in violence, leading to a ceasefire.

Highlighting Pakistan’s policy of strengthening trade between the two countries, Foreign Minister Qureshi drew the attention of Foreign Minister Atmar to the proposed establishment of a Border Maintenance Market. He underlined that it was Prime Minister Imran Khan’s special initiative to increase local trade and economic activity in the border region. The Foreign Minister expressed his hope that the MoU could be completed as soon as possible.

In the summons, Foreign Minister Qureshi also raised the issue of Pakistani prisoners who have been incarcerated in Afghan prisons for minor crimes. He expressed hope that the prisoners would be released in accordance with the president’s decree, giving them the opportunity to return to their families.

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AGP questioned the legality of the Spreadsheet investigation committee | Instant News


ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan, when questioning the legality of the proposed investigation committee in Sheet width problem, has recommended the government to form a commission on the issue.

Source passed down to The Express Tribune that a meeting of senior government officials was held on Monday at which the AGP asked what law the committee would work under, as there was no legal support.

It is known that high-ranking legal officials have advised the government to investigate the matter through the Inquiry Commission Law 2017.

Under the law, the commission has enormous powers to pursue the matter. And the government will be bound to publish the commission’s findings. On the advice of the AGP, studied further, the matter will be put before the cabinet on Tuesday (today) for reconsideration.

There is a possibility that the questionnaire format will be reviewed at a cabinet meeting. Likewise, a source informed that the government is also considering a review of the Terms of References (TOR) of the questionnaire committee announced last week.

Read more: Govt, the opposition in Broadsheet’s war of attrition

It was also noted that despite opposition from one section of the government, Prime Minister Imran Khan was firm on the previous decision to give former Supreme Court Judge Azmat Saeed Sheikh the task of leading the investigation.

Even one of the top government officials has suggested that the sitting judge investigate the matter but the prime minister disagrees. A cabinet member informed The Express Tribune that the prime minister believed that Justice (ret.) Sheikh was the best choice for this job.

Despite opposition from opposition parties and media people, and objections expressed by some sections of the government to the nomination of Supreme Court Justice (Purn) Sheikh, the former top court judge was also firm on his decision to lead the investigation, he said.

“Everything will be decided in a cabinet meeting today (Tuesday) and it is hoped that the inquiry commission will be notified on Wednesday,” said the cabinet member. The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, Sindh Salahuddin Ahmed High Court Bar Association Chairman said Judge (retired) Azmat Saeed Sheikh should reject the nomination, because he previously worked at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

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Modi will damage India more than any enemy, said PM Imran | Instant News


Prime Minister Imran Khan has ruled out any possible talks with India, saying Narendra Modi’s right-wing Hindu nationalist government would cause tremendous damage to his own country more than any enemy.

“Time will tell that Modi’s government will cause more damage to the country than its enemy,” the prime minister said while interacting with digital media representatives in Islamabad on Sunday.

He was responding to questions regarding Pakistan’s foreign policy and a possible dialogue with the government in New Delhi. “No talks are possible with India until they restore the autonomous status of Jammu and India’s Illegally Occupied Kashmir [IIOJK], “He stressed.

Pakistan downgraded its relationship with India in August 2019 when the Modi-led government revoked IIOJK’s autonomous status apart from deploying tens of thousands of additional troops and placing the disputed valley under military siege.

The prime minister also said that the Modi government’s sole aim is to “spread chaos in Pakistan”.

According to the Foreign Office more than 300 innocent Kashmiris, including women and children, have been martyred in sham gatherings and carried out custody and security operations over the past year in the Himalayan region.

Prime Minister Imran said Pakistan had after a long period of time had a “very respectful” relationship with the United States. “We don’t have the relationship with the US like in the past when the US asked us to do more.”

In addition, the Prime Minister stressed that Pakistan enjoys good relations with other countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran and Afghanistan. “International relations is a dynamic process, not static. It keeps changing, “he said while answering a question whether New Delhi’s offer affected Islamabad’s relations with its allies, especially the Gulf states.

“We have no hostile relations with any country except India which is trying to destabilize Pakistan,” said the prime minister.

He is of the view that Pakistan’s main goal is to become financially sovereign to pursue its foreign policy goals without external influence.

‘Change is an ongoing exercise’

Prime Minister Imran Khan also said that bringing change is a continuous struggle that can make a person retire only at death.

He said the ‘change’ was not a switch that could be turned on at will.

The prime minister said that out of 220 million people entered Pakistan only 3,000 paid 70 percent tax.

“Half of our taxes [the government] collect go in debt for settlement of loans taken by the previous government, “repeated the PM.

“My life will be much easier if I give the opposition the National Reconciliation Law (NRO), but it will be a disaster for Pakistan,” he said.

PM Imran added that the country is at a turning point. “Our exports are growing, the construction industry is flourishing,” he said, adding that the service industry is still experiencing a worldwide crisis.

Also read: Remittances over $ 2 billion for six consecutive months: PM

“When you cut spending, you lowered demand,” he said.

On January 5 reported that income tax return (ITR) filings have increased significantly over the 2020 tax year, according to a statement issued by the Federal Revenue Council (FBR).

“Around 1,768 million taxpayers submitted their SPT before the deadline, namely December 8, 2020, while the income received by FBR reached Rs22 billion as of this date,” he said.

“The number of reporters has increased further to 2,316 million while tax collection increased to Rs43.6 billion through January 4, 2021, compared to 2.181 million reporting and collection of Rs28 billion during the same period the previous year, representing a 55% increase in tax collection in the current year. . “

It is important to mention that the number of tax returns filed after the deadline of 8 December 2020 reached 0.547 million and the total tax collection reached Rs22 billion.

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Change is an ongoing practice: PM Imran | Instant News


ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday that bringing change is an ongoing struggle that can make a person retire only at death.

Speaking to digital media representatives in Islamabad, the prime minister said ‘change’ is not a switch that can be activated at will.

The prime minister said that out of 220 million people entered Pakistan only 3,000 paid 70 percent tax.

“Half of our taxes [the government] collect go in debt for settlement of loans taken by the previous government, “repeated the PM.

“My life will be much easier if I give the opposition the National Reconciliation Law (NRO), but it will be a disaster for Pakistan,” he said.

PM Imran added that the country is at a turning point. “Our exports are growing, the construction industry is flourishing,” he said, adding that the service industry is still experiencing a worldwide crisis.

Also read: Remittances over $ 2 billion for six consecutive months: PM

“When you cut spending, you lowered demand,” he said.

The prime minister further stated that the sole aim of the Indian government led by Narendra Modim is to spread chaos in Pakistan.

On January 5 reported that income tax return (ITR) filings have increased significantly over the 2020 tax year, according to a statement issued by the Federal Revenue Council (FBR).

“Around 1,768 million taxpayers submitted their SPT before the deadline, namely December 8, 2020, while the income received by FBR reached Rs22 billion as of this date,” he said.

“The number of reporters has increased further to 2,316 million while tax collection increased to Rs43.6 billion through January 4, 2021, compared to 2.181 million reporting and collection of Rs28 billion during the same period the previous year, representing a 55% increase in tax collection in the current year. . “

It is important to mention that the number of tax returns filed after the deadline of 8 December 2020 reached 0.547 million and the total tax collection reached Rs22 billion.

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Bilawal told PM Imran to “go home” if he could not solve the mass problem | Instant News


KARACHI:

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday said Prime Minister Imran Khan must “go home” if he is unable to provide a solution to the problems faced by the country’s people.

Speaking to attendees at a laying ceremony on the Malir Expressway in Karachi, Bilawal criticized the prime minister for his remarks about his government being ‘in training’ for the first year of PTI rule.

“It’s a joke with people in this country,” said Bilawal. “Where did the ’22 year struggle’, which we hear so often about, go? What is he [Imran Khan] doing at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during those last seven years? “

Bilawal’s statement came two days after PM Imran said lack of experience there is no more excuse for the government or ministers and it is time to deliver.

Furthermore, the Head of PPP asked the Prime Minister regarding the government’s claims in combating corruption in 90 days. “He [Imran Khan] we only have one answer to solve society’s problems, ”said Bilawal. “He said ‘what can I do?’

“What should we say to people who commit suicide because of hunger? What should we say to people who can’t even afford food let alone a roof over their heads. Asked Bilawal. “We have a solution. You have to resign and go home. “

Bilawal further said the potential of the state and its people could be put to good use if the prime minister was “even a little competent”.

“We are lacking in GDP when compared to Afghanistan and Bangladesh and are ahead of them in terms of inflation,” Bilawal said. “He [Imran Khan] do not have the competence to use state resources “.

The 39 km Malir Toll Road will be built on the left bank of the Malir River and will become a six-lane road. The main causeway starts from Jalan Korangi DHA and ends at Kathore.

A similar sentiment was also expressed by PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz in a speech during the PDM general meeting in Marday the day before.

He said Imran Khan didn’t know how to run the government. “The Pakistani and Mardan people have told you [the prime minister] that you may not be ready to run the government but they are ready to send you home, “he added.

Raising his scolding against the prime minister, he continued: “You said you weren’t aware of the circular debt, electricity problems and current account deficits … but you were fully prepared to cause the sugar and wheat crisis and cause Rs122 billion in LNG losses [liquefied natural gas]. “

He also criticized the frequent changes in the federal cabinet. The PML-N leader said that members of the federal cabinet “appeared to be playing the chair of music by themselves, switching one portfolio to another, but they were unable to fulfill” the promises made to the people before the election.

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