Imran Khan is coming to Islamabad for no reason: Maulana Fazlur Rehman

Taking a jibe at PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday said that the former premier was marching towards Islamabad "for no reason."

Khan has announced that he will be leading the PTI's much-awaited long march from Peshawar and will be reaching Islamabad on May 25. He has also demanded a date for the election as well as the dissolution of the assemblies.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, the PDM chief said that no one could break the record of the long march set by his party, the JUI-F, during Khan’s tenure.

“They are coming to Islamabad for no reason. A long march does not even hold the importance of two paisas,” Fazl said, adding that people would be “mad” to respond to the PTI chairman's call for the long march.

Talking about the economic challenges the country was facing, the PDM chief claimed that Pakistan was not heading towards bankruptcy but was already bankrupt because of the policies of the previous, PTI-led government.

“Problems that mounted over the last four years are being asked to be fixed within four days,” said Fazl, adding that the “biggest challenge” before the new government was figuring out how to uplift the economy.

“We need to make such a situation that China gets on board,” Fazl opined, adding that Khan’s economic experts had themselves warned that the rupee-dollar difference would cross the 200 mark.

He also said that this was the impact of Khan’s policies. "In difficult times, institutes and politicians need to be on the same page to solve the issues."

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FM Bilawal meets Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on first bilateral visit

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday held a meeting with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Guangzhou, after his arrival in China on his first bilateral visit at Wang's invitation.

According to the PPP's Media Cell, Bilawal was holding talks with his counterpart. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar was also present.

Yesterday, the foreign minister said his visit coincided with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan's diplomatic ties with China.

“Landed in Guangzhou, China on my first bilateral visit. Today also marks 71st anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China. Looking forward to meeting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for in-depth discussions on Pakistan-China relations,” he tweeted after arriving in the Southern Chinese city which is also largest city and capital of China’s Guangdong province.

The minister left for the two-day visit to the neighbouring country on Saturday which is the first in-person high-level interaction between the two countries since the establishment of the coalition government in April.

This is Bilawal’s first bilateral visit as foreign minister to a foreign country after he took up the post in April.

Extensive consultations were set to be held with his Chinese counterpart, during which the entire gamut of bilateral relations will be reviewed, with particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.

"Fast-tracked progress on the transformational China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative, will feature in the discussions," the statement said.

The two sides will also have wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues, it added.

According to the Chinese state-affiliated Global Times, the foreign minister’s visit is a part of the high-level exchanges between China and Pakistan, which recently also included the message of felicitations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and a telephonic conversation between the two leaders on May 16, 2022.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin said that as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, it was necessary for China and Pakistan to improve communication and coordination on major issues to deal with changes in the region and risks and challenges.

"China hopes to use this visit as an opportunity to carry on with the traditional friendship with Pakistan, consolidate strategic mutual trust, and further deepen the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future," the spokesperson added.

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Police detains parliamentary affairs DG ahead of Punjab Assembly session

Punjab police on Saturday night arrested Punjab Assembly Director General for Parliamentary Affairs Rai Mumtaz after a PA session was summoned ahead of the scheduled date.

In a surprise move, PA Speaker Pervaiz Elahi convened a meeting of the provincial assembly today (Sunday). The assembly was previously slated to meet on May 30.

Mumtaz's family alleged that the police raided their house and shifted him to an unknown location.

The Punjab Assembly spokesperson confirmed reports of Mumtaz's detention, saying that the police leaped the walls of the DG's house. He said that the houses of PA Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti and Coordination Secretary Inayatullah were also raided.

The spokesperson further stated that they also have video evidence of the raids on assembly official's residences.

He also accused police of vandalism during the raids.

Keeping the intensifying situation in the provincial politics in mind, the police has been directed to stay on high alert and a heavy police force was deputed in the surroundings of the provincial assembly.

The administration closed the doors of the PA while barbed wires were placed in front of the assembly building. Punjab assembly staff said that even they are not allowed to enter the assembly.

Condemning the arrest and raids, Elahi said that every action is being taken at the behest of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He termed the arrest and raids a “fascist action” by the government.

"The arrest of an assembly official and raids is a proof that the government is panicked. The face of the Sharifs is being exposed before the nation," Elahi said.

He said that the government is revealing new tactics after violating the sanctity of Parliament, as he referred to the Punjab Assembly ruckus during the election for the chief minister. The government is taking unconstitutional steps, he added.

Elahi, while referring to PM Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz, said "the father-son duo are doing this to the assembly because they have less numbers."

He questioned how he could assume charge as the Punjab governor when Omar Sarfaraz Cheema still serves the post. He said that he is still a candidate for the CM's slot.

Despite the security situation around the PA, the speaker urged the MPAs to reach the assembly by 12.

"The assembly will surely meet today. Let's see who stops the elected MPAs from entering the assembly," Elahi said, adding that they will face the government's fascism firmly.

He said that all MPAs will attend the session as no one can stop the elected representatives from going to the assembly.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Musarrat Jamshed Cheema said that there is lawlessnes in the country and no one is safe here. She said that the PML-N is in the government to close all the cases against its leaders.

"They [government] accepted its defeat by arresting Rai Mumtaz," Cheema said.

This is the third time that the date of the PA session has been changed as the speaker first gave the date of May 16 when the assembly was scheduled to meet in the first week of May. However, the session wasn't held on the given date and rescheduled for May 30.

Given the dramatic change in the numbers game in the PA after the Election Commission of Pakistan's decision to de-seat the dissident PTI MPAs, Elahi called the assembly meeting just on the notice of one day.

 

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FM Bilawal meets Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on first bilateral visit

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday held a meeting with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Guangzhou, after his arrival in China on his first bilateral visit at Wang's invitation.

According to the PPP's Media Cell, Bilawal was holding talks with his counterpart. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar was also present.

Yesterday, the foreign minister said his visit coincided with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan's diplomatic ties with China.

“Landed in Guangzhou, China on my first bilateral visit. Today also marks 71st anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China. Looking forward to meeting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for in-depth discussions on Pakistan-China relations,” he tweeted after arriving in the Southern Chinese city which is also largest city and capital of China’s Guangdong province.

The minister left for the two-day visit to the neighbouring country on Saturday which is the first in-person high-level interaction between the two countries since the establishment of the coalition government in April.

This is Bilawal’s first bilateral visit as foreign minister to a foreign country after he took up the post in April.

Extensive consultations were set to be held with his Chinese counterpart, during which the entire gamut of bilateral relations will be reviewed, with particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.

"Fast-tracked progress on the transformational China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative, will feature in the discussions," the statement said.

The two sides will also have wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues, it added.

According to the Chinese state-affiliated Global Times, the foreign minister’s visit is a part of the high-level exchanges between China and Pakistan, which recently also included the message of felicitations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and a telephonic conversation between the two leaders on May 16, 2022.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin said that as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, it was necessary for China and Pakistan to improve communication and coordination on major issues to deal with changes in the region and risks and challenges.

"China hopes to use this visit as an opportunity to carry on with the traditional friendship with Pakistan, consolidate strategic mutual trust, and further deepen the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future," the spokesperson added.

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Police detains parliamentary affairs DG ahead of Punjab Assembly session

Punjab police on Saturday night arrested Punjab Assembly Director General for Parliamentary Affairs Rai Mumtaz after a PA session was summoned ahead of the scheduled date.

In a surprise move, PA Speaker Pervaiz Elahi convened a meeting of the provincial assembly today (Sunday). The assembly was previously slated to meet on May 30.

Mumtaz's family alleged that the police raided their house and shifted him to an unknown location.

The Punjab Assembly spokesperson confirmed reports of Mumtaz's detention, saying that the police leaped the walls of the DG's house. He said that the houses of PA Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti and Coordination Secretary Inayatullah were also raided.

The spokesperson further stated that they also have video evidence of the raids on assembly official's residences.

He also accused police of vandalism during the raids.

Keeping the intensifying situation in the provincial politics in mind, the police has been directed to stay on high alert and a heavy police force was deputed in the surroundings of the provincial assembly.

The administration closed the doors of the PA while barbed wires were placed in front of the assembly building. Punjab assembly staff said that even they are not allowed to enter the assembly.

Condemning the arrest and raids, Elahi said that every action is being taken at the behest of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He termed the arrest and raids a “fascist action” by the government.

"The arrest of an assembly official and raids is a proof that the government is panicked. The face of the Sharifs is being exposed before the nation," Elahi said.

He said that the government is revealing new tactics after violating the sanctity of Parliament, as he referred to the Punjab Assembly ruckus during the election for the chief minister. The government is taking unconstitutional steps, he added.

Elahi, while referring to PM Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz, said "the father-son duo are doing this to the assembly because they have less numbers."

He questioned how he could assume charge as the Punjab governor when Omar Sarfaraz Cheema still serves the post. He said that he is still a candidate for the CM's slot.

Despite the security situation around the PA, the speaker urged the MPAs to reach the assembly by 12.

"The assembly will surely meet today. Let's see who stops the elected MPAs from entering the assembly," Elahi said, adding that they will face the government's fascism firmly.

He said that all MPAs will attend the session as no one can stop the elected representatives from going to the assembly.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Musarrat Jamshed Cheema said that there is lawlessnes in the country and no one is safe here. She said that the PML-N is in the government to close all the cases against its leaders.

"They [government] accepted its defeat by arresting Rai Mumtaz," Cheema said.

This is the third time that the date of the PA session has been changed as the speaker first gave the date of May 16 when the assembly was scheduled to meet in the first week of May. However, the session wasn't held on the given date and rescheduled for May 30.

Given the dramatic change in the numbers game in the PA after the Election Commission of Pakistan's decision to de-seat the dissident PTI MPAs, Elahi called the assembly meeting just on the notice of one day.

 

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IHC orders immediate release of Mazari, directs govt to hold judicial probe

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) late Saturday ordered the immediate release of former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, who was arrested by Islamabad police earlier in the day in a case related to illegal transfer of land.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition filed against the arrest of Mazari and directed the federal government to conduct a judicial inquiry into the matter.

He also directed the IG Islamabad to drop her home and remarked that security personnel should be deployed at her residence as well.

The judge has also ordered the authorities concerned to return mobile phone and other belongings of the PTI leader.

Speaking to the media outside the IHC before hearing, Mazari said this was her first experience of disappearance. “I will tell everything they have done to me, my phone has not been returned yet. My case is a case of enforced disappearance.”

The IHC had ordered the authorities concerned to produce Mazari before the court at 11:30pm.

Earlier in the day, Mazari was allegedly beaten up and arrested from her home. The reports of her detention were confirmed by her daughter, lawyer Iman Mazari.

Mazari's daughter tweeted about her mother's arrest saying, "Male police officers have beaten and taken my mother away. All I have been told is that Anti-Corruption Wing Lahore has taken her.

Islamabad Police however refuted claims of mishandling during the arrest. “Dr Shireen Mazari was arrested by female police officers as per the law on the request of the anti-corruption department. News of any mishandling is baseless,” it said in a tweet.

Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz hours after the arrest ordered ‘immediate release’ of Shireen Mazari.

CM Hamza in a statement said that Shireen Mazari as a woman is respect worthy and he has ordered for her release. “Arrest of any woman does not hold compatibility with our moral values,” he said, adding that the investigation should also be made against the anti-corruption staff for arresting Dr Mazari.

Hamza also underscored that if the arrest is inevitable as a result of investigation then the law will take its own course. The Punjab CM said that he does not agree with the way Dr Mazari was whisked away by police, adding that PML-N as a political party believes in giving respect to the women.

CM Hamza also condemned the indecent language being uttered about his party’s vice president Maryam Nawaz. “However, taking revenge is not our tradition and practice,” he added.

The first information report (FIR) registered against the former minister said during the scrutiny of record, it revealed that Shireen Mehrun Nisa Mazari in connivance with revenue officials fraudulently and through bogus mutation transferred 800 Kanal land in favour of bogus company namely M/s Progressive Farms Limited.

Furthermore, the FIR said the Federal Land Commission in its report declared this mutation bogus. “During the perusal of record, it revealed that land measuring 1,386 Acres of Mst. Shireen Mehr-un-Nisa Mazari was surrendered to Provincial Govt through Land Commission. In Mutation No. 39 dated 05.07.1973, there is cutting and tempering.”

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IHC orders immediate release of Mazari, directs govt to hold judicial probe

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) late Saturday ordered the immediate release of former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, who was arrested by Islamabad police earlier in the day in a case related to illegal transfer of land.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition filed against the arrest of Mazari and directed the federal government to conduct a judicial inquiry into the matter.

He also directed the IG Islamabad to drop her home and remarked that security personnel should be deployed at her residence as well.

The judge has also ordered the authorities concerned to return mobile phone and other belongings of the PTI leader.

Speaking to the media outside the IHC before hearing, Mazari said this was her first experience of disappearance. “I will tell everything they have done to me, my phone has not been returned yet. My case is a case of enforced disappearance.”

The IHC had ordered the authorities concerned to produce Mazari before the court at 11:30pm.

Earlier in the day, Mazari was allegedly beaten up and arrested from her home. The reports of her detention were confirmed by her daughter, lawyer Iman Mazari.

Mazari's daughter tweeted about her mother's arrest saying, "Male police officers have beaten and taken my mother away. All I have been told is that Anti-Corruption Wing Lahore has taken her.

Islamabad Police however refuted claims of mishandling during the arrest. “Dr Shireen Mazari was arrested by female police officers as per the law on the request of the anti-corruption department. News of any mishandling is baseless,” it said in a tweet.

Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz hours after the arrest ordered ‘immediate release’ of Shireen Mazari.

CM Hamza in a statement said that Shireen Mazari as a woman is respect worthy and he has ordered for her release. “Arrest of any woman does not hold compatibility with our moral values,” he said, adding that the investigation should also be made against the anti-corruption staff for arresting Dr Mazari.

Hamza also underscored that if the arrest is inevitable as a result of investigation then the law will take its own course. The Punjab CM said that he does not agree with the way Dr Mazari was whisked away by police, adding that PML-N as a political party believes in giving respect to the women.

CM Hamza also condemned the indecent language being uttered about his party’s vice president Maryam Nawaz. “However, taking revenge is not our tradition and practice,” he added.

The first information report (FIR) registered against the former minister said during the scrutiny of record, it revealed that Shireen Mehrun Nisa Mazari in connivance with revenue officials fraudulently and through bogus mutation transferred 800 Kanal land in favour of bogus company namely M/s Progressive Farms Limited.

Furthermore, the FIR said the Federal Land Commission in its report declared this mutation bogus. “During the perusal of record, it revealed that land measuring 1,386 Acres of Mst. Shireen Mehr-un-Nisa Mazari was surrendered to Provincial Govt through Land Commission. In Mutation No. 39 dated 05.07.1973, there is cutting and tempering.”

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