PM replies to queries in defamation suit
The cross-examination of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif continued on Monday in the Rs10 billion defamation case, he had filed against PTI founder Imran Khan over the latter's claim that Shehbaz offered him bribe for withdrawing the Panama papers case.
Shehbaz appeared in the Lahore district court via a video link. He replied to the queries of Imran's counsel which revolved around Shehbaz's affidavit, content, its institution, stamps, attestation and some other aspects of the case.
Shehbaz told the court that the then prime minister Imran Khan had not made those accusations in front of him but he seemed to be making these allegations on TV programmes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz prioritises shift to cashless economy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said the government is prioritising efforts to digitise Pakistan's economy and shift financial transactions to a cashless system. Chairing a review meeting on the cashless economy in Islamabad, he directed provincial chief secretaries to cooperate fully with the federal government in expanding the Raast digital payment system to the district level. Sharif expressed satisfaction over the progress made toward a cashless economy and digital financial systems. Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting on Cashless economy. — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 17, 2025 Officials briefed the meeting that Pakistan will build digital public infrastructure to provide every citizen with a digital ID, integrating national identity cards, biometrics and mobile numbers. These IDs will enable secure and efficient payments. The briefing added that provincial governments had made progress in linking government-to-public and public-to-government payments with the Raast system. Authorities further informed the meeting that federal development agencies have granted right of way for fibre connectivity, while discussions with Pakistan Railways and the National Highway Authority are under way to expand digital infrastructure. Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the formation of three specialized committees – the Digital Payments Innovation and Adoption Committee, the Digital Public Infrastructure Committee, and the Government Payments Committee – to promote cashless economy across the country. Read More: Cashless economy a necessity for fiscal resilience: FinMin During the briefing, the premier was updated on progress made toward implementing a nationwide cashless system. It was shared that currently, over 40 million users are benefiting from the RAAST system, and various initiatives are underway to increase this number. All financial transactions of the federal government are now conducted through the RAAST system, and steps are being taken to expand it to the provincial level. The briefing also highlighted that Fintech is a key component of this ecosystem.
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Govt prioritising shift to digital, cashless economy: PM Shehbaz
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that the government is working on a priority basis to digitise the economy and transition the transaction system to a cashless and digital model. PM Shehbaz stated this while presiding a review meeting on cashless and digital economy in Islamabad. The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the steps taken and progress made toward a cashless economy. 'The government is working to change the buying and selling system to a cashless system,' he said. Digital payments thriving in Pakistan: Q3 sees 2bn transactions: SBP He instructed all the chief secretaries to fully cooperate with the federal government in taking the Raast system to the district government level. The meeting was briefed on the progress of initiatives toward a cashless economy. According to the briefing, digital IDs will be created through Pakistan Digital Public Infrastructure, which will include each individual's national identity card, biometric data, and mobile phone numbers. These digital IDs will be used for digital payments, the briefing added. The briefing also stated that provincial governments have made significant progress in linking public-to-government and government-to-public payment systems with Raast. Regarding the development of digital infrastructure, the federal development authority has granted right of way for fiber connectivity, while discussions with Pakistan Railways and the National Highway Authority in this regard are ongoing. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Prime Minister's Advisor Dr Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Finance & Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior government officials.
Express Tribune
15 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Iqbal urges joint push for $100b exports
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, on Saturday, called upon the government and private sector to work shoulder to shoulder in achieving an ambitious target of $100 billion in exports under what he termed an "export emergency." Speaking at a ceremony titled Marka-e-Haq and 78 years of Independence Day celebrations – Uraan Pakistan – at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Iqbal said Pakistan's economic stability hinged upon export-led growth, tax reforms, and foreign direct investment. He stressed that the business community was the main driver of the economy, and the private sector would play a decisive role in steering the country out of past cycles of instability. The minister said eight sectors had been identified as central to Pakistan's export expansion plan, including hospitality, IT, mining, manpower, blue economy, and creative industries. He urged FPCCI to immediately constitute eight joint working groups with the government to prepare actionable strategies in each sector. "Pakistan has faced severe economic crises in the past two years, but today international institutions are recognising our macroeconomic turnaround," Iqbal said. "We have to ensure that this turnaround becomes sustainable by focusing on exports and productivity." Iqbal likened the current phase to Pakistan's "fourth flight," referring to earlier failed attempts at sustained economic take-off. "The success of this Uraan depends on learning from the past three crashes. If we repeat old mistakes, we will fail again. But if we innovate, reform, and stand united, this time Pakistan will truly fly," he remarked. He stressed that Karachi remained the heart of Pakistan's economy, with FPCCI representing industries and businesses that fuel national growth. He further noted that the tax-to-GDP ratio remained among the lowest in the world, underscoring the urgent need to broaden the tax base. State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Kheal Das Kohistani, also addressed the gathering. He praised the business community for its resilience, saying its role was crucial in strengthening Pakistan's economy. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Shaikh assured full support to the government's export-led strategy. He said global institutions' positive reports had boosted confidence in Pakistan's economy and that the private sector would serve as the government's partner in achieving the $100 billion target. "Through research-based policy inputs, FPCCI will continue providing feedback to the government to align strategies with ground realities," Shaikh noted. He added that new opportunities under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode would help accelerate growth. Senior Vice President FPCCI Saqib Fayaz and industrialist Bashir Jan Mohammed also underscored the need for closer cooperation between policymakers and businesses to sustain momentum. SM Tanveer, Patron-in-Chief of the United Business Group (UBG), said Pakistan's $40 billion trade deficit could only be addressed through aggressive export promotion. "The solution is export, export, and only export," he declared. Tanveer highlighted FPCCI's role in pushing down electricity tariffs from Rs48 per unit to Rs31 per unit, though he added the struggle was ongoing to bring rates further down to 9 cents (Rs26 per unit). Lowering interest rates from the current 11% to 6-7%, he said, would save the government Rs3,500 billion annually in debt servicing. He urged the government to focus on "district economy," giving local leadership authority over regional economic planning. "Every district in Pakistan can export its own product and earn foreign exchange. Decentralisation will strengthen the economy," he argued. Separately, FPCCI also hosted the PakistanEthiopia Business Council meeting. Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker Abdula, noted that Ethiopia's economy was growing at 8.2% annually, presenting opportunities for Pakistani exporters. The FPCCI president reaffirmed that under the government's "Look Africa" initiative, Pakistan would increase exports to African markets. "Pakistan and Ethiopia hold immense untapped trade potential, and FPCCI will act as the government's arm in realising it," he said. Chairman of the PakistanEthiopia Business Council, Ibrahim Khalid Tawab, added that African markets, particularly Ethiopia, were highly attractive for Pakistani exports.
