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PM Imran terms PDM Lahore public meeting 'pathetic', rules out NRO again
Dawn.comUpdated 15 Dec 2020
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Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday termed the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) Lahore public meeting "pathetic". ─ File courtesy PTI social media
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday termed the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) Lahore public meeting "pathetic".
"PDM spent so much money, time, effort and displayed utter callousness by endangering people's lives during Covid-19 spike, showing the scant regard they have for citizens' safety and well-being," he tweeted.
"All this just to blackmail me into giving them an NRO to save their looted wealth."
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
"Let me once again reiterate: I will never give an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance)," the premier said.
"Whatever future plans of further blackmail PDM may have, my message is categorical: There will never be an NRO from my govt no matter what tactics the looters devise."
The PDM had arranged its sixth power show at Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore today, where the alliance's leadership had blasted the government and establishment. The opposition had termed today's public meeting as a "historic and decisive" one.
The gathering attracted disdain from other government officials as well. Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar raised doubts over the size of the crowd, saying, "even the most sympathetic channels for PMLN/PDM are struggling hard with their camera angles to find a suitably decent crowd size. 11 parties couldn't match the size and junoon of PTI jalsas in Lahore."
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
Prime minister's assistant Zulfiqar Bukhari alleged that PDM supporters were using pictures of the PTI rally held at Minar-i-Pakistan in 2013 in order to convince people that the turnout at today's public meeting was huge.
Planning Minister Asad Umar also chipped in and said: "In [a] speech in opposition's Karachi gathering, [they] rejected Urdu as the national language, today in a speech Punjabis were declared as the partners of the English. Insulting Pakistan's institutions, repeating Indian narrative in speeches, violating the sanctity of Quaid's mausoleum; what path have they taken to save their stolen wealth?"
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Opposition’s ‘drama’ doomed to fail: Imran
Dawn ReportUpdated 17 Dec 2020
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Twitter Share
7
PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan distributing cheques among young entrepreneurs on Wednesday. — White Star
Prime Minister Imran Khan addresses an event of the Kamyab Jawan Programme on Wednesday. — PID
PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan distributing cheques among young entrepreneurs on Wednesday. — White Star
Prime Minister Imran Khan addresses an event of the Kamyab Jawan Programme on Wednesday. — PID
PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan distributing cheques among young entrepreneurs on Wednesday. — White Star
In a talk with the PTI’s social media team at Governor’s House here, whose video was uploaded on Facebook, the premier said the opposition was staging a drama that was doomed to fail.
He said he had predicted two and a half years ago that the opposition leaders would get together to protect their vested interests.
“They are big dacoits who are trying to blackmail me, but I will never give them an NRO,” the prime minister said. “If I were to give an NRO to them, what is the crime of common people who are languishing in jails for years.”
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
He said everyone knew that money was used to buy votes in the previous Senate election, and that was why this time the government wanted to hold the election through a show of hands.
The prime minister said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had expelled its 20 MPAs on charges of selling their votes in the previous Senate polls.
He said the PTI enjoyed majority in the parliament and could easily win the Senate election.
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
Responding to another question, he reiterated that the government was ready for a dialogue with the opposition, but it should not seek an NRO.
Mr Khan said on the day the PDM held its public meeting in Lahore, he felt relaxed, which was visible from his activities on that day.
Without naming Pakistan Muslim League-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, the PM said while he was busy shopping in London, he was asking the people to take to the streets.
“I believe that the people are not fools that they would take to the streets,” Mr Khan said, adding that he could hold a bigger rally than the PDM’s but he did not want to put the masses’ lives at risk.
Cheque distribution**
Earlier, addressing a ceremony held to distribute cheques among the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the PTI government’s flagship Kamyab Jawan Programme, Prime Minister Khan said the government had launched the ambitious programme to extend financial support to unemployed youth and skilled labourers.
He said the youth of Pakistan had enormous potential to excel in different fields of life and his government was encouraging small and medium enterprises through the programme for sustainable economic growth in the country.
He said KP had a great potential in tourism and massive revenue could be generated by investing in this sector. He said KP’s hilly areas, including Malakand and Hazara divisions, were suitable for adventure sports and mountain tourism.
He said skiing was an important winter sport and Pakistan’s upper areas were suitable for winter sports.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology (PIC), the prime minister said cancer and heart ailments caused more deaths than other illnesses worldwide.
“Two years ago, we had to close the cardiac department at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, due to high mortality rate after which was cruelty to the local people. It is a blessing for the people of the province that finally a long-delayed project has materialised,” he said.
“Lack of funds had hampered its completion but now we have completed the state-of-the-art institute which will extend services not only to the people of the KP but also those from Afghanistan,” he said.
The standard of the PIC, he said, was impressive and it should be maintained so that the institute could compete with private hospitals and patients could get better services.
The PM also spoke about the extension of Sehat Sahulat Programme to the entire population of KP. “It is a model of a welfare system under which people get free services at the public and private hospitals.”
During his daylong activities in Peshawar, Prime Minister Khan inaugurated Hayatabad Sports Complex expansion project which aims at developing the sports complex as per the international standards, including standards of the International Cricket Council, at a cost of Rs994 million.
KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and provincial ministers accompanied the premier.
KP Sports Secretary Mohammad Abid Majeed, giving a briefing on the project, said work on the cricket stadium at the sports complex would be completed by June 2021 and it would offer all facilities, including main pavilion, general stands and digital score board.
He said a gym and all-weather swimming pools were parts of Hayatabad Sports Complex project which would also provide indoor sports facilities to women athletes. The scheme would be completed in Dec 2021 at a cost of Rs100m.
Besides, the official said, work on playgrounds in 66 tehsils had been completed while work on 10 others was underway. He said 50 playgrounds had been constructed in 50 union councils and similar projects were being executed in 209 union councils.
Mr Majeed said monthly scholarships were being given to medal winners of the 33rd National Games and a grant had been allocated to give sports scholarships to the medal winners of the U21 Games soon after completion of its second phase to be organised at the district level.
He said the construction of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar would be completed by November 2021 at a cost Rs1,377 million.
He said KP has taken lead by establishing nine Astroturf hockey grounds and four international standard squash courts had been constructed in Peshawar Sports Complex while another 10 were being constructed in different educational institutes.
Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2020
Dawn.comUpdated 15 Dec 2020
Facebook Count
Twitter Share
123
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday termed the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) Lahore public meeting "pathetic". ─ File courtesy PTI social media
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday termed the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) Lahore public meeting "pathetic".
"PDM spent so much money, time, effort and displayed utter callousness by endangering people's lives during Covid-19 spike, showing the scant regard they have for citizens' safety and well-being," he tweeted.
"All this just to blackmail me into giving them an NRO to save their looted wealth."
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
"Let me once again reiterate: I will never give an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance)," the premier said.
"Whatever future plans of further blackmail PDM may have, my message is categorical: There will never be an NRO from my govt no matter what tactics the looters devise."
The PDM had arranged its sixth power show at Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore today, where the alliance's leadership had blasted the government and establishment. The opposition had termed today's public meeting as a "historic and decisive" one.
The gathering attracted disdain from other government officials as well. Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar raised doubts over the size of the crowd, saying, "even the most sympathetic channels for PMLN/PDM are struggling hard with their camera angles to find a suitably decent crowd size. 11 parties couldn't match the size and junoon of PTI jalsas in Lahore."
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
Prime minister's assistant Zulfiqar Bukhari alleged that PDM supporters were using pictures of the PTI rally held at Minar-i-Pakistan in 2013 in order to convince people that the turnout at today's public meeting was huge.
Planning Minister Asad Umar also chipped in and said: "In [a] speech in opposition's Karachi gathering, [they] rejected Urdu as the national language, today in a speech Punjabis were declared as the partners of the English. Insulting Pakistan's institutions, repeating Indian narrative in speeches, violating the sanctity of Quaid's mausoleum; what path have they taken to save their stolen wealth?"
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...awn.com/news/1595562&display=popup&ref=plugin
Opposition’s ‘drama’ doomed to fail: Imran
Dawn ReportUpdated 17 Dec 2020
Facebook Count
Twitter Share
7
PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan distributing cheques among young entrepreneurs on Wednesday. — White Star
Prime Minister Imran Khan addresses an event of the Kamyab Jawan Programme on Wednesday. — PID
PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan distributing cheques among young entrepreneurs on Wednesday. — White Star
Prime Minister Imran Khan addresses an event of the Kamyab Jawan Programme on Wednesday. — PID
PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan distributing cheques among young entrepreneurs on Wednesday. — White Star
In a talk with the PTI’s social media team at Governor’s House here, whose video was uploaded on Facebook, the premier said the opposition was staging a drama that was doomed to fail.
He said he had predicted two and a half years ago that the opposition leaders would get together to protect their vested interests.
“They are big dacoits who are trying to blackmail me, but I will never give them an NRO,” the prime minister said. “If I were to give an NRO to them, what is the crime of common people who are languishing in jails for years.”
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
Replying to a question, Mr Khan said the government intended to hold Senate elections ahead of its schedule and it would go to the Supreme Court for this purpose.
He said everyone knew that money was used to buy votes in the previous Senate election, and that was why this time the government wanted to hold the election through a show of hands.
The prime minister said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had expelled its 20 MPAs on charges of selling their votes in the previous Senate polls.
He said the PTI enjoyed majority in the parliament and could easily win the Senate election.
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
Responding to another question, he reiterated that the government was ready for a dialogue with the opposition, but it should not seek an NRO.
Mr Khan said on the day the PDM held its public meeting in Lahore, he felt relaxed, which was visible from his activities on that day.
Without naming Pakistan Muslim League-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, the PM said while he was busy shopping in London, he was asking the people to take to the streets.
“I believe that the people are not fools that they would take to the streets,” Mr Khan said, adding that he could hold a bigger rally than the PDM’s but he did not want to put the masses’ lives at risk.
Cheque distribution**
Earlier, addressing a ceremony held to distribute cheques among the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the PTI government’s flagship Kamyab Jawan Programme, Prime Minister Khan said the government had launched the ambitious programme to extend financial support to unemployed youth and skilled labourers.
He said the youth of Pakistan had enormous potential to excel in different fields of life and his government was encouraging small and medium enterprises through the programme for sustainable economic growth in the country.
He said KP had a great potential in tourism and massive revenue could be generated by investing in this sector. He said KP’s hilly areas, including Malakand and Hazara divisions, were suitable for adventure sports and mountain tourism.
He said skiing was an important winter sport and Pakistan’s upper areas were suitable for winter sports.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology (PIC), the prime minister said cancer and heart ailments caused more deaths than other illnesses worldwide.
“Two years ago, we had to close the cardiac department at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, due to high mortality rate after which was cruelty to the local people. It is a blessing for the people of the province that finally a long-delayed project has materialised,” he said.
“Lack of funds had hampered its completion but now we have completed the state-of-the-art institute which will extend services not only to the people of the KP but also those from Afghanistan,” he said.
The standard of the PIC, he said, was impressive and it should be maintained so that the institute could compete with private hospitals and patients could get better services.
The PM also spoke about the extension of Sehat Sahulat Programme to the entire population of KP. “It is a model of a welfare system under which people get free services at the public and private hospitals.”
During his daylong activities in Peshawar, Prime Minister Khan inaugurated Hayatabad Sports Complex expansion project which aims at developing the sports complex as per the international standards, including standards of the International Cricket Council, at a cost of Rs994 million.
KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and provincial ministers accompanied the premier.
KP Sports Secretary Mohammad Abid Majeed, giving a briefing on the project, said work on the cricket stadium at the sports complex would be completed by June 2021 and it would offer all facilities, including main pavilion, general stands and digital score board.
He said a gym and all-weather swimming pools were parts of Hayatabad Sports Complex project which would also provide indoor sports facilities to women athletes. The scheme would be completed in Dec 2021 at a cost of Rs100m.
Besides, the official said, work on playgrounds in 66 tehsils had been completed while work on 10 others was underway. He said 50 playgrounds had been constructed in 50 union councils and similar projects were being executed in 209 union councils.
Mr Majeed said monthly scholarships were being given to medal winners of the 33rd National Games and a grant had been allocated to give sports scholarships to the medal winners of the U21 Games soon after completion of its second phase to be organised at the district level.
He said the construction of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar would be completed by November 2021 at a cost Rs1,377 million.
He said KP has taken lead by establishing nine Astroturf hockey grounds and four international standard squash courts had been constructed in Peshawar Sports Complex while another 10 were being constructed in different educational institutes.
Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2020
