Here’s what’s happening across the border: PM Imran didn’t speak to Macron, clarifies Qureshi; US’s $300m not aid but reimbursement, says Pak after snub.
Twitter users go gaga over first lady’s visit to Lahore orphanage
Bushra Maneka, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s third wife, visited an orphanage in Lahore Saturday and shared food with the children, reported The Express Tribune.
Accompanied by her friend Farah Khan, the first lady distributed chicken biryani and zarda (a traditional sweet dish) among the children.
Pictures of Maneka’s visit took Twitter by storm. A number of users appreciated her gesture and termed it heart-warming.
https://twitter.com/HasnainShah69/status/1035834885116710912
The first lady visited Orphanage house in #Lahore as her first public appearance both #BushraBibi wife and husband are giving good gestures… hope this new Pakistan will be better than the old one 😁😁
— Nabeel Alvi 🇵🇰 (@NabeelAlvi10) September 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/tigerkhan97/status/1035890453735006209
She, however, received flak from some users for wearing a burqa again.
https://twitter.com/ClausSanity/status/1035862112453750784
My nine year old Soni, would have freaked out if someone showed up to her school in white shrouds, a face mask and posed for pix #BushraBibi #JustSaying #mummytalk Lets get with the times
— Sara Taseer (@sarataseer) September 1, 2018
PM never spoke to French President Macron: Qureshi
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Sunday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had never spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron, reported The Times of Islamabad. In a press conference, he also clarified that Khan had never put Macron’s call on hold, adding that a call between the two heads of state is scheduled Monday.
Qureshi’s statement came after journalist Hamid Mir tweeted, alleging that Imran Khan had ignored Macron’s call and chosen to continue a meeting with journalists that he was having Friday.
Interesting tweets of the day
Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday launched the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami campaign, under which, 1.5 million trees are to be planted. Khan’s campaign has garnered a lot of attention in Pakistan, with journalist Muhammad Lila tweeting that from children to the elderly, everybody had participated in the plantation drive.
In Pakistan, something extraordinary is happening.
People are planting trees. Kids, seniors, you name it.
In just one day, they'll have planted 1.5 MILLION saplings – part of a campaign to fight climate change.
Goodness can be anywhere. #Plant4Pakistan pic.twitter.com/kb68W538iM
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) September 2, 2018
Journalist Omar R. Quraishi has claimed that there are approximately 72 government cars in the Prime Minister’s official residence that are older than 10 years. These cars are being auctioned on 17 September as part of incumbent Prime Minister Imran Khan’s austerity measures.
As many as 72 of the 100-plus govt cars being auctioned are 10 years or older… pic.twitter.com/KXiMVlBaBo
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) September 2, 2018
In the light of his promises, Imran Khan to start the construction of five million houses across the country.
PM to initiate construction work of five million houseshttps://t.co/x59xFiBkiy @ImranKhanPTI @PTIofficial @MoIB_Official @fawadchaudhry pic.twitter.com/iPM18b9vLT
— The_Nation (@The_Nation) September 2, 2018
Salma Jafar, a development consultant, called for the release of Mohammad Hayat Khan Preghal, a blogger and member of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), alleging that he has been arrested by intelligence agencies.
#ReleaseHayatPerghal hope he comes home tomorrow only fault is being a voice against injustice pic.twitter.com/YpZANqWpXb
— salma jafar (@Chiltan) September 2, 2018
Writer Bina Shah has written the Prime Minister, pointing out that there are no women economists on the newly-formed Economic Advisory Council.
I have included a list of 23 women who are titans of economics, finance, development, and business & technology that could have been considered for inclusion on the EAC. https://t.co/cnfSaKklZ2
— Bina Shah (@BinaShah) September 2, 2018
PTI leader ordered to deposit Rs 3 million in SC’s dams fund
There seems to be no end to Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar’s drive to obtain funds from litigants, for the construction of dams in Pakistan. On Saturday, the chief justice instructed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Ali Shah to deposit Rs 3 million in the Supreme Court’s dams fund for physically attacking a man in Karachi, reported Dawn.
Last month, a video of Shah beating up the citizen went viral on Twitter and was widely criticised. Senior leaders of PTI issued a show-cause notice to him and subsequently Shah was fined Rs 5,00,000.
Stating that Shah’s action was an “unforgivable offence”, the CJP during the hearing directly addressed him and said, “What were you thinking when you slapped a citizen? One does not even hit an animal like you did.”
Despite Shah’s multiple apologies in court, the CJP was not convinced and said, “What sorry? I (once) hit a servant with a belt in childhood, and my father hit me twice to teach me a lesson (to never dare to do it again)”.
US’s $300 million not ‘aid’ but ‘reimbursements’, says Pak
The Imran Khan government Sunday responded to US’s cancellation of $300 million ‘aid’ to the country, insisting that the money was not ‘aid’ but reimbursement for the expenses borne by Pakistan in fighting terrorism, The Express Tribune reported.
“This is not aid. This is our money that we have spent in the fight against terrorism,” the report quoted Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi as saying, adding that he stopped short of denouncing the US move.
The “guarded reaction”, the report said, was the result of consultations within the Pakistani establishment, which has decided not to “react strongly at this stage” but wait for the visit of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is due in Islamabad Wednesday.
The US military is cancelling $300m as ‘aid’ over Pakistan’s failure to crack down on terror groups.
PIA disregards PM’s policy on VIPs
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) offered President Mamnoon Hussain and his relatives business class seats, even though they had economy class tickets, The Nation reported via a private TV channel. The President and his family members were on their way back to Islamabad from London.
The move goes against the announcement by Prime Minister Imran Khan to abolish the VIP culture for politicians.
Just a few days ago, President Mamnoon and five of his associates travelled to London from Islamabad in PK-785 and returned via PK-786 after a five-day stay in the city.
Contributors: Aastha Singh, Alind Chauhan and Manisha Mondal.