Saadhay 14 August: Bought laughter & satire to Islamabad

January 21, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The play, which was well-liked in Karachi and successfully ran 100 performances, is now in its final week of performances in Islamabad. Saadhay 14 August, like Karachi, was able to draw large crowds to each performance, and the audiences were astounded by the incredible presentation, drama, choreography, and, of course, the powerful storyline.

President Arif Alvi, attended the performance at the Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad with the first lady. His admiration for Saadhay 14 August demonstrated that the masterpiece was not only adored by the general public but also by those responsible for setting national policy.

Saadhay 14 August is the third and last part in the trilogy that started with Sawa 14 and Pawnay 14 August. Exceptionally well-written by the legendary Anwar Maqsood and masterfully put together by Dawar Mehmood. Saadhay 14 August is a thorough thought-provoker and entertainer.

The political, economic, and social upheavals in Jinnah’s and Gandhi’s respective countries were explicitly presented to them by the inclusion of well-known historical and contemporary personalities. Even when serious situations are shown, people are seen laughing because of Maqsood’s writing magic and every actor’s immaculate performance.
The audience and the main characters of the play are shown everything there is to know about Pakistani and Indian politics from Kashmir to Lahore to Delhi to London. From the bustling streets of Lahore to the burgeoning political activism among its citizens—from a state-sponsored film set in Delhi to London—you see the most outstanding, humorous performances along with Sajid Hassan’s convincing portrayal of a Sindhi politician in London who, like the many politicians and powerful individuals in Pakistan, managed to flee despite having his name on the Exit Control List.

Saadhay 14 August provides satire and amusement in one package. The spectacular the play’s team is now travelling to Lahore where they will perform Saadhay 14 August for the city’s zealous populace after the incredible house packed performances in Islamabad.

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Maryam Nawaz to return to Pakistan on January 29

Our Correspondent

January 20, 2023

LONDON: The schedule of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz Sharif return to Pakistan has been finalized. The PML-N vice president will return to the country on January 29.

According to PML-N sources, Maryam Nawaz will leave London on January 28 and reach Lahore at 4:00pm on January 29 (Sunday).

On her return, Maryam Nawaz would assume her new responsibilities as “Chief Organizer” of the party. Sources also informed that the PML-N vice president has been tasked to lead the party’s election campaign Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In October last year, Maryam Nawaz left Pakistan for London to unite with her father after her name was removed from the no-fly list after three years.

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Nawaz takes stock as PML-N leaders gather in London

TNT Monitoring Desk

January 20, 2023

LONDON: Breaking his silence for the first time after his party faced a major political blow in Punjab following Parvez Elahi’s victory in a vote of confidence shortly before the dissolution of the provincial assembly, PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif said “a cruel joke had been played on Pakistan… for the sake of personal gains”.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with a delegation of senior PML-N leaders from Pakistan, he said: “We all discussed the situation in Pakistan. Pakistan will come out of this difficult situation and we will be the ones to take the country out of it.”

When asked if he held former army chief retired General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former spymaster General Faiz Hamid responsible for the state of the country, he said: “The reality is before everyone. Now no name or face is hidden. Pakistan was used for personal gain. It was a cruel joke played on the nation.

“In my Gujranwala jalsa, I stated who was responsible and everything was out in the open. It is my responsibility to tell the nation about the wrongs committed against the people, and it is my responsibility to make things right.”

At the time, he also questioned who was responsible for the “two governments” in the country, and went on to blame then army chief Gen Bajwa and then ISI chief Faiz Hamid as being behind everything.

His remarks came in the wake of a top-level huddle where he and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, met with party leaders to discuss strategy as the possibility of polls in two provinces grows.

The meeting took place amidst heightened political activity back home, with the dissolution of both the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies and the imminent return of Ms Nawaz to Pakistan.

PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah, Pervaiz Rashid and Javed Latif were also present at the meeting held at Stanhope House on Thursday, where along with the ongoing political situation, Ms Nawaz’s return to Pakistan and the party’s election campaign prospects were discussed in the four-hour huddle.

Although it was being speculated that Mr Sanaullah — who was charged with overseeing trust vote proceedings in the Punjab Assembly — had been summoned to London to explain the party’s defeat, a source privy to the discussion rubbished reports that the senior Sharif was annoyed with the interior minister.

“The meeting took place in a very good atmosphere. Mian sb told Rana sb ‘we have been waiting for your arrival for four days’. He [MNS] also said in the last few days homework has been done and it will be presented to you [Sana]. Mian sb said as president Punjab, Rana sb’s recommendations are key and the party will act on them,” the source said.

The source claimed the meeting was called to discuss the return of Ms Nawaz and her role as chief organiser. “Rana sb’s opinion on that programme and implementation to mobilise the party was critical to Ms Nawaz’s return.”

When pressed on the party’s defeat in the vote of confidence at the Punjab Assembly, Rana Sanaullah attributed it to the “doublespeak” of CM Elahi, who had earlier said he wouldn’t take a vote of confidence or dissolve the assembly.

“We had the numbers and we will show we have the numbers. The coming elections will show PML-N strength and victory,” he told reporters outside the PML-N’s London headquarters.

He said there will be more meetings in the coming days, and that the party’s election campaign will be kicked off according to the guidance given by their leader. He confirmed Ms Nawaz will return next week.

When asked about the return of the senior Sharif, Rana Sana said, “It is understood MNS will return, and he will lead the party’s election campaign. The legal formalities regarding his return were also discussed, DAWN reported.

“MNS return is critical as he is the leader of the party, he has the vote and support of the people.”

The interior minister also rubbished reports of rifts between former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the PML-N leadership. “There are no differences and Mr Abbasi is committed to the party.”

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India yet again sets condition after Pakistan offers ‘sincere’ talks

TNT Monitoring Desk

January 20, 2023

NEW DELHI: In response to Islamabad’s desire to normalize bilateral ties with its nuclear-armed neighboring country, India has yet again set a condition before resuming talks with Pakistan.

“India reiterated its position on relations with Pakistan and said that a ‘conducive atmosphere free of terror’ is needed for talks,” state-run ANI quoted the Indian foreign ministry’s spokesperson as saying.

Replying to a question during a press briefing Arindam Bagchi, the Indian foreign ministry’s spokesperson, said: “We have already said that we have always wanted normal neighborly relations with Pakistan.”

He added, “But there should be a conducive atmosphere which does not have terror, hostility or violence. That remains our position.”

The comments came four days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during an interview with Al Arabiya news channel, asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to hold “serious and sincere talks” — to resolve the burning issues with New Delhi, including Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“My message to the Indian leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is that let us sit down [at] the table and have serious and sincere talks to resolve our burning issues like Kashmir,” the premier said.

PM Shehbaz said that flagrant human rights violations were taking place day in and day out in IIOJK, adding that the neighbouring country had usurped any semblance of autonomy given to Kashmiris according to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The autonomy was revoked in August 2019.

The premier also said that the minorities in India “are being persecuted”. “This must stop so that message can go around the globe that India is ready to have talks.”

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan and India “are neighbours and have to live with each other”.

The ties between the two nuclear-armed nations halted in 2019 after the Modi administration revoked the special status of IIOJK and has since been continuing its unabated terrorism in the Himalayan valley.

Islamabad and New Delhi in November 2003 agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary, but the truce was breached repeatedly after Modi came into power in 2014.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch earlier this week told journalists that Pakistan would welcome United States’ facilitation in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

“Regarding the Pakistan–India relations and the facilitation by third parties, including the United States, Pakistan has always said that we would welcome the international community to play their role in promoting peace in the region including in facilitating dialogue and resolution of the core dispute between Pakistan and India i.e. the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” she said.

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Got ‘trump card’ to put PDM to test: Imran Khan

Asifa Farhat

January 20, 2023

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan warned the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), saying he had a “trump card” and plenty of choices to put his political rivals to the test.

Speaking to senior journalists in Lahore, the deposed premier took a dig at Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman, alleging that by omitting to include the election date in the summary sent following the dissolution of the assembly, he had breached the constitution.

Recounting the demand of the elections, Imran Khan said if the polls will not held, the country will have to face a Sri Lanka-like situation.

Berating Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Imran Khan held the financial czar responsible for the economic woes.

Making his claim on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Imran Khan said serious voices were being heard regarding vandalism within the PML-N.

He also chided the PML-N for “inherent politics,” saying former party leader Chaudhry Nisar was the first to raise the voice against dynastic politics.

Imran Khan also made it clear that there was no plan to stage a protest, even if the date of general elections was not announced.

Earlier, PTI chief convened a parliamentary party meeting in Islamabad tomorrow (Friday) to discuss the party’s future strategy in the National Assembly.

The PTI meeting will begin at 10 am at KP House, with the deposed premier expected to speak via video link. In the meeting, the strategy for returning to the NA and appointments to three parliamentary posts will be reviewed.

The decision to meet the NA speaker will also be taken during the meeting of the parliamentary party.

On the other side, PTI) chief Imran Khan said that allowing the incumbent government to commit more wrongdoing would be a ‘stupid idea’.

The members of the PTI’s parliamentary committee called on the deposed premier to discuss the issue of establishment of Punjab caretaker government. Senior leader Fawad Chaudhry was also present. The PTI discussed the names of Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera, Naveed Cheema and Naseer Khan and Imran Khan agreed to send two names to the parliamentary committee after final consultation.

Speaking on this occasion, Imran Khan recalled that the country could not afford to delay the elections, adding that endangering the transparency of the elections was a very sensitive issue which was tantamount to enmity against the nation. He said transparent elections were the most serious matter and need of the hour.

As for the role of the caretaker government, Imran Khan stated that those with the best reputation and ability were best suited for the job. “The PTI is nominating personalities with the best reputation and ability,” he added.

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Islamabad, parts of KP hit by 5.6 magnitude earthquake

Our Correspondent

January 19, 2023

ISLAMABAD: A mild earthquake hit Peshawar and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) around 4:30pm Thursday — making it at least the third shock in less than a month.

The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) reported that tremors were also felt in Charsada, Islamabad and its surrounding areas, which were measured at 5.6 on the Richter scale, while its depth was 190 kilometres.

The epicentre of the earthquake was 237 kilometres west of Chitral, according to NSMC.

The Pakistan Metrological Department also shared the details of the earthquake via Twitter saying, “An earthquake originated on 19-01-2023 at 16:30 PST. Mag: 5.6. Depth: 190km. Lat: 35.89 N. Long: 71.39 E. Epicentre: 37 km west of Chitral.”

The NSMC further reported that two more earthquakes of medium magnitude were felt 70 kilometres from KP’s Bisham and 28 kilometres South of Kharan.

Immediately after the earthquake, residents of affected cities took to Twitter to share their experiences, while others scrambled and started praying for safety.

One user said, “Severe Earthquake jolts Abbottabad! Lasted for more than 10 seconds.”

Earlier this month on January 5, another earthquake was felt in parts of Pakistan.

The NSMC had then reported that the magnitude of those termors was 5.8 on the Richter scale, while the US Geological Survey claimed that the magnitude of the quake was recorded as 5.5 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake’s effects were also felt in Peshawar, Lower Dir, Chitral, Khyber District, Waziristan, Tank, Bajaur, Mardan, Parachinar, Murree, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Multan, Sheikhupura, Chiniot and Kotli.

Additionally, just a day before that, a low magnitude earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale had struck parts of Punjab at 3:04pm, the NSMC said.

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No respite: Inflation edges up to 24.5% in December

Nuzhat Aftab

January 2, 2023

ISLAMABAD: In line with the market expectations, consumer prices increased rather slowly to 24.5% in December amid persistent inflationary pressures, indicating no letup for the people, whose purchasing power has already hit rock bottom.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the inflation monitor, rose to 24.5% in December from 12.3% in the same period last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Monday.

Despite a slight increase of 0.7% in the index movement, the majority of the consumer goods remained out of the people’s reach.

The inflation rate, however, was not in line with the Ministry of Finance’s expectations, which ranged from 21% to 23%.

Data further showed that the month-on-month inflation rate slowed down to 0.5% in December.

The reason behind a slight increase in the inflation rate was an uptick in the rate of increase in perishable food items.

Food inflation surged by 32.7% in cities and 37.9% in villages/towns last month, respectively, showed the PBS data. Prices of both perishable and nonperishable food products went up significantly compared to the same period last year.

The food group prices surged by over one-fourth in December compared to the same month a year ago. But prices of perishable food items soared by 55.93%, which still shows a significant demand and supply gap.

Prices of onions increased by 415% compared to a year ago followed by a 64% increase in rates of tea and a 58% rise in that of wheat. Vegetable ghee and cooking oil prices surged up to 32%, milk fresh 26% and rice 47%, according to the PBS.

Prices of the alcoholic beverages and tobacco group soared by 35% while those of the clothing and footwear group surged by 17.22%.

Core inflation, which is calculated after excluding the volatile energy and food prices, increased in December to 14.7% in urban areas and 19% in rural areas. The core inflation is still higher, indicating the underlying inflationary pressures.

The non-food inflation rate was 14.8% in cities and 20.7% in villages. Prices of housing, water, electricity and gas fuels group were higher by nearly 7%.

The transport group saw a price hike of 42%, according to PBS. Petroleum prices witnessed a record-high increase in 2022, going up almost 60%, which was the highest increase in a year.

For the July-December period of the current fiscal year, average inflation came in at 25.02%, which was nearly three-fold compared to 9.81% in the same period of the last fiscal year 2021-22.

Economist Sana Tawfiq, while speaking to Geo.tv, cited an increase in the prices of perishable goods — fresh vegetables, poultry, etc — and an uptick in the recreation and culture index — which is related to winter break in schools and colleges — as major contributors.

“Overall, there was no major change that was in line with the expectations,” she said, adding that the number was expected to remain elevated because of base difference.

However, the economist said that continuous increase in core inflation was a “major concern”. Keeping all these in view, Tawfiq said it was expected that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will further hike monetary policy interest rates in its next policy announcement due on January 23.

Regarding the inflation outlook, she predicted that “the CPI inflation will remain elevated till May as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to be revived; however, it is expected to decline gradually as base-effect kicks”.

But in the second half of the ongoing fiscal year season factors, including Ramazan and Eid, will have an impact on the number, she added.

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NSC resolves to take action against social media accounts targeting economy

Palwasha Mustafa

January 2, 2023

ISLAMABAD: National Security Committee (NSC) in its second round has expressed resolve to take action against social media accounts running negative campaign to spread speculations over Pakistan’s economy.

The NSC meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reviewed the elements that caused the country’s disrepute on social media. The NSC meeting, the principal decision-making forum on foreign policy and national security, was attended by senior civilian and military leaders.

During the meeting of the NSC, it has also been proposed to take action against those who spread negative campaigns against Pakistan on social media.

The meeting also decided to keep an eye on the social media accounts that promote the agenda of the enemies of the country, besides, instructions were issued to take action against the social media accounts that target the economy.

Earlier, in the first round, the civil-military leadership expressed resolve on Friday to consolidate the hard-earned gains in the country and deal with terrorism with an iron hand. Federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Khwaja Asif, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and others attended the moot. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir other services chiefs and spymaster Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum were also present.

The moot of the civil and military leaders came as Pakistan recently witnessed surge in terrorism cases after the TTP withdrew from the ceasefire agreement. Sources said the forum pledged to establish peace in every nook and corner of the country. It also resolved to ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan.

Last week, in the opening round, the high-level body vowed to eradicate terrorism with full force and without any distinction before postponing the moot till today so decisions could be finalised in view of proposals.

Since it is quite unusual for the NSC meeting to enter a second round, it was believed that decisions would be taken not only to deal with terrorism but also to stabilise the country’s crippling economy.

The civil and military leadership of the country has resolved that Pakistan, which remained the worst victim of terrorism in the world, had gained peace after a long war on terror that began in 2001.

The state will not allow terrorism to resurface because peace was gained through the sacrifices of thousands of Pakistani citizens.

Over the past few months, the law and order situation in the country has worsened, with terrorist groups like the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the militant Islamic State group, and Gul Bahadur Group executing attacks with near impunity across the country.

Insurgents in Balochistan have also stepped up their violent activities and formalised a nexus with the TTP.

The incident at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police’s Counter-Terrorism Department interrogation centre in Bannu and the suicide bombing attempt in Islamabad not only set off alarm bells in the power corridors but also left several countries worried about the security of their nationals.

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IHC admits ECP, govt’s appeals in Islamabad LG polls case

Sara Maqsood

January 2, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday admitted intra-court appeals filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the federal government against a ruling of its single-bench on local bodies polls in the federal capital.

A bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq has rejected the ECP petition, seeking suspension of the single bench order to hold the LG polls on Dec 31.

Last week, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir ordered the ECP to hold the election on time (Dec 31) while hearing petition of the PTI and JI against the election body’s verdict to delay the polls “for the time being” due to government’s decision to increase the number of union councils (UCs).

However, the ECP instead of holding the LG elections filed a petition against the order, presenting an excuse that there was a shortage of polling staff and government teachers and other staff are on winter vacation.

The IHC chief justice has issued notices to the PTI and JI in the case and sought their replies till Jan 9.

Talking to media outside the high court, PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said they would accept the every decision of the IHC. He maintained that the decision to extend the UCs was taken to ensure the participation of every citizen in the electoral process.

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Shahid Afridi shares idea of two Pakistan teams for men’s side

Zaman Bajwa

December 31, 2022

KARACHI: Seeking to improve bench strength, Pakistan’s newly-appointed interim chief selector Shahid Afridi said that he wants to create two teams for the men’s national side.

Talking to media persons in Karachi, the former captain and flamboyant all-rounder of his era, Afridi said: “I want to create two teams for Pakistan before my tenure ends.”

During the press conference, Afridi also highlighted a “communication gap” as one of the major issues the Pakistan cricket team is facing, insisting that the chief selector should be in direct contact with individual players to be aware of their positions properly.

Afridi said that when he spoke to Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail personally, he got to know a clear picture of the players.

The duo was added to Pakistan’s probable three-match ODI series against New Zealand.

“The major problem that I’ve observed here is the communication gap among management, doctors and the selection committee. It is important for a chief selector – be it me or someone else – to stay in direct contact with players,” he said.

“When I spoke to Haris and Fakhar, I got to know the better picture and I invited them to fitness Test,” he said.

Afridi, however, said that he is not running a one-man show and instead believes in sharing authority, which according to the former captain is an important element for success.

The former skipper said that having experienced individuals like Haroon Rashid is helpful for him along with people like Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftekhar Anjum who are involved in domestic cricket.

The interim chief selector also had words with the curators of National Stadium and discussed possible wickets for the second Test which starts on January 2.

Afridi said that the wicket for the second test will be a better one.

“It will be something where bowlers will get some support and batters will also enjoy their stay, there will be some bounce on wicket,” Afridi said.

“We can not become a top team by playing on these wickets. The wickets on which we’ve been playing are injurious to our bowlers, pacers will start having fitness issues and spinners will get their fingers injured.”

“Who says we can not produce better wickets in Pakistan. We certainly can if we are allowed to do so,” said the former captain.

Replying to a question, Afridi said that he will try to do justice to all the performers as long as he is working in the position of the chief selector. He added that if the squad was of 25 players, he would’ve surely added Mohammad Huraira to the list of probable. He praised the youngster and said that he has a good future ahead.

“One thing is that our academies are not working for the last 8 months, it is important that we keep them running for our domestic and under-19 performers. I will try to start a camp there for all such youngsters,” the chief selector added.

He said that Babar Azam is the backbone of the Pakistan team and the selection committee is there to support him so that he can get stronger in the field.

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