Future of politics closely tied to IK: Fawad
Speaking to the media at the Lahore High Court, Chaudhry emphasised that the primary concern is Imran Khan's release from jail. He accused the current PTI leadership of being complicit in keeping the party founder imprisoned to diminish his political influence. He criticised the existing PTI leaders, labelling them as unfit to lead any movement and asserting they have failed to gain public support.
Additionally, he dismissed Aliya Hamza's contributions to the political struggle and suggested that if Imran Khan's sons were to enter the political arena, it could dramatically change the landscape. He also said there was no room for additional political parties in Pakistan, suggesting that any new party would be as insignificant as Reham Khan's, implying it would have minimal influence.
Chaudhry also claimed that the legal cases against him lack merit and warned that the Anti-Terrorism Court's (ATC) decision could further escalate political tensions.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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
Dar touts inflation dip, better global relations
Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan has emerged from diplomatic isolation and is witnessing economic recovery, highlighting a sharp drop in inflation and growing international engagement. Speaking to the Pakistani community at the Consulate General in New York on Saturday, Dar said, 'We have made considerable progress, especially in political and economic fields, in the past three years, despite heavy odds – we are indeed a resilient nation.' Dar, who returned earlier in the day from Washington, said his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was held in a cordial atmosphere and covered key global and regional matters. 'The meeting went very well,' he said, expressing hope for stronger bilateral ties. Present at the event were Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, and Consul General Aamir Ahmed Atozai. Dar told the audience that Pakistan was no longer isolated and now enjoys support from many nations, evidenced by recent high-level meetings with officials from China, the US, and others. He pointed to the reduction of inflation from 40% to 2.4% as of January 2025 as proof of government effectiveness. The DPM/FM said investor confidence had returned following the successful conclusion of the IMF programme, a recovery acknowledged by international credit agencies. He reaffirmed the government's ambition to join the G20. Dar credited PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif for steering the federal and Punjab governments, calling him an able statesman. He also briefed the community on the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which aims to ease investment in key sectors. He announced that work was under way to resume PIA flights to New York, following the restoration of routes to Europe and the UK. Appreciating the Pakistani-American community's role, Dar acknowledged their contributions to Pakistan and the US, praising their unity during past tensions with India. He recounted the shooting down of six Indian aircraft by the Pakistan Air Force and praised the leadership of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Dar noted Pakistan's presidency of the UN Security Council—secured with support from 182 countries—and the unanimous adoption of a Pakistan-sponsored resolution on peaceful settlement of disputes. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to diplomacy, peaceful regional ties, and its outreach to Afghanistan for trade and rail connectivity, while expecting Afghan soil not to be used for terrorism. On Aafia Siddiqui's incarceration, he said efforts for her release were ongoing through diplomatic channels. Ambassador Sheikh also addressed the community, noting Pakistan's improved global image following the armed forces' role in national defence. He urged the diaspora to invest in Pakistan, saying a strong economy is vital for national security.
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Chamber decries hurdles to trade with Kabul
Trucks loaded with supplies wait to cross into Afghanistan at the Friendship Gate crossing point, in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border town of Chaman. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE Listen to article The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), led by Chairman Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, has welcomed the signing of a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between the two countries earlier this week. Formalised by Pakistan's Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul and Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Mullah Ahmadullah Zahid, this agreement reduces tariffs on key agricultural commodities such as Afghanistan's grapes, pomegranates, apples and tomatoes and Pakistani mangoes, oranges, bananas and potatoes from over 60% to 27%, with a special 22% rate for tomatoes and potatoes. "PAJCCI acknowledges this progress, which builds on discussions held in a meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) on December 17, 2024. This milestone reflects our longstanding demands, pursued through consistent efforts and reinforced during the SIFC meeting, marking a significant step towards enhancing trade," the chamber said in a statement on Saturday. Despite the encouraging step, PAJCCI President Junaid Makda remained concerned about persistent challenges hindering bilateral and transit trade, which declined from $2.5 billion at its peak to $1.2 billion in 2024. "As outlined in our recent letter to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, these issues include the lack of a consistent, long-term trade policy from the Ministry of Commerce and the State Bank of Pakistan, creating uncertainty among traders and discouraging investment," he said. Payment disputes, driven by banking inefficiencies, have led to undue pressure from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on legitimate businesses, which impacted traders' confidence. Temporary Electronic Import Form waivers, without a permanent system, complicate trade planning while delays in visa issuance for Afghan businessmen are highly discouraging, and streamlining the process could foster greater economic collaboration, the chamber said. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's infrastructure development cess, though reduced to 1%, continues to burden transit trade, which is contrary to international commitments and diverts some trade to routes like Chahbahar, Iran.
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Dar's US visit sets stage for stronger trade ties
Listen to article Pakistan's trade relations with the United States are set to strengthen following Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar's recent visit to Washington DC, said the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Saturday. In a statement released on Saturday, LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad praised the economic diplomacy led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy PM Dar, crediting their leadership for restoring macroeconomic stability and global confidence in Pakistan. He called the visit a "landmark step" that signals Pakistan's intent to revive economic momentum and expand global partnerships. During the trip, Dar held a key meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where both sides discussed deepening cooperation in trade, investment, technology, agriculture, and minerals. Shad welcomed their joint commitment to building structured and sustainable mechanisms for bilateral engagement. Dar's address at the Atlantic Council also drew praise. The deputy PM spoke of Pakistan's transition from aid dependency to trade-driven growth. Shad said this forward-looking approach reflects the aspirations of Pakistan's business community and sends a strong signal to investors. He endorsed Dar's commitment to open Pakistani markets to American goods and his push for a comprehensive trade deal with the US. He said this strategy would boost investor confidence and unlock opportunities for both sides. He added that Pakistan's reforms to improve ease of doing business and attract foreign investment should further reassure US stakeholders. Shad noted that the US is already Pakistan's largest export destination, especially for textiles, garments, leather, and surgical tools. He pointed out that Pakistan is also the second-largest buyer of US cotton, reflecting deep trade links. He underscored that Pakistan's textile sector would greatly benefit from predictable trade frameworks and preferential market access. A free trade agreement or bilateral investment treaty with the US, he said, would be a game-changer for Pakistan's economy. He praised the government's strategic diplomacy and expressed LCCI's full support for efforts to enhance trade ties and foreign economic relations.
