Latest news with #PakistanMuslimLeague-Nawaz
Business Recorder
18 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Miftah for probe into sugar export ‘crisis'
KARACHI: Former federal finance minister Miftah Ismail on Monday called for a thorough investigation into the country's recent sugar export crisis alleging that the policy benefited only a select group of sugar mill owners and was driven by vested government interests. Addressing at a press conference in Karachi, Ismail categorically rejected corruption allegations levelled against him by two senators from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), terming them 'baseless and politically motivated.' He singled out PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, stating that the former minister had already apologised to him privately for making false accusations regarding the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). 'I was in jail when the funds for this program were raised,' Ismail said, insisting he had no involvement in the alleged mismanagement. 'These allegations are being made simply because I speak the truth about the failures of this government,' he said, adding that if Chaudhry or any other accuser has evidence, they should bring it forward. 'Otherwise, apologise or be ready to face the court,' he added. Commenting on the sugar export policy, the former finance minister said the export was deliberately carried out to create an artificial price hike. 'Sugar was exported to make it expensive. Only mill owners benefited, and the decision was taken in an organised way,' he alleged. In a surprising revelation, Ismail said that the foreign minister was made the head of the committee overseeing sugar matters — a move he described as unprecedented and a reflection of the government's conflict of interest. 'This is not just about sugar; this is about the government's priorities,' he said. Ismail also criticised the federal government's policies, especially in the agriculture and energy sectors. 'The current government is not farmer-friendly. The farming community has been left to suffer while sugar barons thrive,' he said, expressing concern over rising input costs and a lack of subsidies. On the issue of power tariffs, Ismail lamented the growing burden on the common citizen. 'Electricity prices are increasing every other day. The poor are being crushed under the weight of overbilling and inefficiencies,' he said, referring to the recent Rs 244 billion in electricity overbilling. 'If you are honest, return this amount to the people.' Taking aim at the ruling party, he said, 'Shehbaz Sharif's government has been in power for three years, but all we see is worsening governance and growing public misery. Even good governance has been washed away by the floods in Punjab.' He also expressed sorrow over the recent tragedies, including the boat sinking in Gwadar and deaths caused by monsoon rains across the country. 'I offer my deepest condolences to the families affected by these disasters,' he said.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Aafia Siddiqui is Pakistan's daughter, govt's priority, says FM Ishaq Dar
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday stated there should be no misconception Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who's imprisoned in US, is Pakistan's daughter and a priority for the government. Addressing the Pakistani community in New York, Dar said that efforts to resolve Aafia's case will continue until a solution is found. He said this in response to the social media reaction on his earlier statement regarding the incarcerated Pakistani neuroscientist. Addressing an event in Washington on Friday, responding to a query about imprisonment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Dar had made comparison between incarceration of Imran and Aafia. He had said if 'due process of the law has resulted in that action [arrest of Aafia],' then the same applies to Imran. 'There's no exception.' 'Legal due process has no exceptions', Dar compares Aafia, Imran's arrests Here in New York when Dar clarified that he was asked about Imran, upon which, he said when the government raises the issue of Aafia's release with the US, it is told that the legal process does not allow for it. He said he just tried to make his point on the PTI founder's arrest as there is also a legal process in Imran's case. Dismissing the criticism he received, he said that the entire world is appreciating Pakistan's activities in the United States, yet opponents have begun criticising, following which, he said, he had to clarify. He also said, 'If someone doesn't understand English, what is my fault?' After receiving the backlash, in a statement a day ago, FM Dar had said his comments in the US about the case of Dr Aafia were being 'taken out of context'. 'Our government's stance on the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui's release is clear and unequivocal,' he had said in a post on X. The deputy prime minister further stated that the government had also written a letter to former US president Joe Biden on the issue of Aafia, and even sought clemency for her from Biden before he left the office. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met her sister two days ago to assure full support, he said, adding that Pakistan has made every effort to secure the release of Aafia Siddiqui. Dar said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government has always supported the release of Aafia, providing all diplomatic and judicial support for her release. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif also spoke to former US president Barack Obama in this regard, he said, adding that the government made immense efforts to secure Aafia's release in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and it continued to do so.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Governor's letter sparks row
An open letter from Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif urging calamity-hit status for flood-affected districts has triggered a strong public response from the provincial government, marking the latest instance of political back-and-forth between coalition partners Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP). Governor Khan, a PPP appointee, wrote an open letter asking the provincial administration to declare Chakwal, Jhelum, and Hafizabad as calamity-hit areas. Following visits to the affected regions, he described extensive damage to roads, bridges, and homes, and urged immediate aid and official designation to accelerate rehabilitation. Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari responded publicly, suggesting the letter bypassed administrative norms. She said relief operations were already under way and led directly by the chief minister. "There was no need for a public letter," she said. "If you truly want to raise the issue, write to your own party or the federal leadership." She pointed out that Maryam Nawaz had already visited Chakwal and issued orders for relief efforts. Bukhari implied the governor's letter was more about optics than urgency, dismissing it as a symbolic gesture that added little to the ground response. In the letter to the chief minister regarding the recent heavy rains in Punjab and the damage caused by flood after his visit to the affected areas of Chakwal, Jhelum and Hafizabad, the governor called for declaring the areas as disaster hit. It called steps to repair the damage caused by the flood as soon as possible, pointing out that life in the affected cities had been severely affected. Bridges connecting cities have been broken and roads washed away, causing difficulties for the people. The houses, livestock and valuables of people have been washed away in the flood, the governor stated. This latest exchange is part of a familiar pattern between the governor and the provincial administration. In November last year, Governor Khan had criticised both the PML-N-led federal and Punjab governments over their handling of a PTI-led protest march. He condemned the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister's use of state machinery for the rally but also questioned the Punjab government's preparedness and criticised the federal response, including the widespread use of shipping containers to block roads. Bukhari, in turn, questioned the governor's priorities and suggested he seemed more focused on opposition politics. She credited Maryam Nawaz's leadership for discouraging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activities in Punjab during that period. The two sides also disagreed over appointments in higher education. Governor Khan objected to receiving only one nominee per university for vice chancellor's positions, in contrast to the required three-candidate shortlist. "My office is not a post office," he said, insisting legal protocols must be observed. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz defended the process, saying the selections were based on merit and had been thoroughly reviewed. She said any objections should be raised in writing to avoid administrative miscommunication. The information minister later denied claims that the chief minister had accused the governor of lobbying for specific candidates. While the tone of these exchanges has at times turned sharp, political observers view them as routine friction within the framework of coalition politics. Many of these episodes are seen as attempts at public point scoring rather than signs of deep division.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC dismisses contempt plea against police
A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Faheem Wali on Thursday dismissed a contempt of court petition filed against the arrest of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) provincial leader Syed Haider Shah Bacha. During the hearing, Justice Ejaz Anwar remarked that summoning the police in every case could hinder their ability to perform their duties effectively. He noted that the police admitted to arresting the petitioner but stated that they had not received any court order prohibiting the arrest. "If the police claim they acted on orders from higher authorities, then we would have seen how they could defy court directives," the judge added. The hearing began with Additional Advocate General Bashir Naveed and the petitioner's counsel appearing before the bench. The petitioner's lawyer argued that his client was arrested under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) for protesting against electricity load shedding and was subsequently sent to Dera Ismail Khan Jail, despite having secured protective bail from the court. He contended that the arrest constituted contempt of court as it violated a prior judicial order barring police from detaining his client. Justice Ejaz Anwar questioned how the arrest could be justified if a court order existed, adding, "Is the police so powerful that it can ignore the judiciary?" The police, in its written reply, stated that they had no knowledge of the court order at the time of arrest and released the petitioner once the order was received. The court also took note of the fact that 18 FIRs had been registered against the petitioner. His counsel responded that the petitioner was already on bail in those cases. After hearing arguments from both sides, the bench ruled that there was insufficient evidence to establish contempt of court and dismissed the petition accordingly. Livestock notification Meanwhile, PHC has suspended the notification issued by the Livestock Department regarding the premature repatriation of the Project In-Charge for Khyber District, and has issued notices to the Secretary of Livestock and other relevant officials, seeking a formal explanation. The case was heard by a two-member bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Faheem Wali. Advocate Aminur Rehman Yousafzai, representing petitioner Naeemullah, the current Project In-Charge of the Integrated Development Package in Khyber District, told the court that his client's appointment was made in April 2025. However, on July 1, the posting was abruptly withdrawn and he was directed to report back to the parent department. The counsel argued that the transfer order was issued without the recommendations of the relevant committee, making it procedurally flawed. He further informed the court that the provincial government has already issued a formal policy for project-based appointments.
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PML-N disbands overseas youth wings
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif disbanded all the independent international youth wings and withdrew the authority for notifying office-bearers of the party wings in international chapters, said a notification issued here on Tuesday. The notification, signed by PML-N president on July 12, 2025 stated that the new notification superseded all the previous notifications and directives the matter. It added that all future international notifications would be issued only with the approval of the party president. "All notifications issued to-date regarding the establishment and appointment of independent youth wings and its office bearers in the International Chapters are hereby cancelled, disbanded and withdrawn with immediate effect," the notification stated. "From the date of this circular, notifications for all wings (including youth) internationally shall only be issued, with prior approval of the undersigned by President, PML-N, International Affairs and Overseas Pakistanis," it added.
