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Governor KP donates two dialysis machines to LRH, inquires about health of Peshawar blast victims

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Governor KP donates two dialysis machines to LRH, inquires about health of Peshawar blast victims

PESHAWAR, Feb 04 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ghulam Ali on Saturday paid a surprise visit to Lady Reading Hospital, here, and inquired about the health of under-treatment Police Lines Masjid blast victims.

Talking to media men, Haji Ghulam Ali said that the Police had been rendering great sacrifices for the restoration of peace and fought with bravery with the security forces.

He said during his visit earlier on, he had told about the shortage of dialysis machines which is why he was donating two dialysis machines so that the people get timely treatment.

“It was my second visit to inquire about the health of our brave Police Jawans who rendered a lot of sacrifices in the war against terror,” Haji Ghulam Ali said.

“It was a national tragedy,” he said, adding, “Chief Minister [Interim] and Governor are on the same page and we will fulfill all the requirements and even before the incident, it had been said that all political parties would like to sit together,” he added.

He said, the Police Lines Masjid blast had given a new spirit to the Police Jawans and their morale will be higher. “Thanks to the prime minister and army chief for reaching the hospital on the same day,” Haji Ghulam Ali further said.

“In the apex committee meeting, everything was discussed, as all things were put forward,” he said while referring to the meeting held to review National Action Policy (NAP) held in Peshawar on Friday, adding that a non-participation of a party [purportedly PTI], “let the nation decide that even in such situations, they are not one and playing Politics”.

The Election Commission should consult with the institutions regarding security so that a transparent and peaceful election is possible, he said, adding, the election was postponed due to the martyrdom of Benazir because it was also a tragedy.

“We will invite the same party again, we have also invited them in APC and surprisingly the style of his (Imran) hatred is that he never wrote a letter to the incumbent Prime Minister with his name and signature,” Haji Ghulam Ali said.

“Police’s testimonies were politicized,” he said, adding, “Today’s situation should be taken seriously, the by-elections are only in a few constituencies and there should be an election commission, but providing security is the job of the provincial government and the Police and law enforcing agencies.”

“If they are so obstinate, then the Tiger Force should be brought in for security,” Governor KP said. In question, the Governor KP said that he was not aware of not inviting Jamaat-e-Islami.

Around 400 explosions took place in the past, thousands were martyred and at the time he was the Chief Minister of the Province but did not attend the funerals, he alleged. “My responsibility is to reduce the problems of the province and people around are considering the good relationship with the ministers and the provincial government as holding the cabinet hostage,” Haji Ghulam Ali said.

Health is a big issue, measures are being taken in this regard, he said, adding, Rs. 470 billion was given for the improvement of the institution, and the Prime Minister has now also ordered an inquiry in this connection.

Fakhar, Haris and Sharjeel on making of aggressive openers in HBL PSL 8

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Fakhar, Haris and Sharjeel on making of aggressive openers in HBL PSL 8

By Sohail Ali

LAHORE, Feb 04 (APP): One of the most crucial aspects in T20 cricket is to start strongly as gaining an early momentum in an innings that spans only 20 overs often provides an upper hand over opposition.

Whether it has been Test cricket or One-Day Internationals, the openers have always had their work cut out as they are required to provide solid platforms to those next in the batting order.

T20 cricket has added a layer of difficulty as the format demands the runs to be scored at a brisk rate all the while ensuring the wickets stay intact in the Powerplay. As the T20 format continues to evolve, there are various methods and philosophies opening batters have deployed to deliver the goods for their sides.

PCB Digital spoke to Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Sharjeel Khan. The three batters have established themselves as attacking openers and will be in action in the HBL Pakistan Super League 8, which commences on 13 February in Multan.

Fakhar played an integral role in Lahore Qalandars’ successful HBL PSL 7 campaign. His 588 runs were the most for any batter and his staggering strike-rate of 152.72 was the best amongst the top five run-getters last year. Amongst the batters playing in the upcoming edition, Fakhar’s 73 are the most sixes behind Islamabad United’s Asif Ali’s 79.

Fakhar said : “As an opener, I try to exploit the opening six overs as there are gaps with two fielders outside the 30-yard circle. I try to go for boundaries from the very first ball and make the most of the good balls by rotating the strike.

“There are many factors that shape up an aggressive opener: natural game, the mindset and the demand of the team. I think having an attacking mindset is of the utmost important.

“The approach usually differs in the second innings as you are going after a target. If you are going after a small total, then you have time to adjust and the pressure is not that much. But, you have to attack in case you are chasing a big total.”

A product of age-group cricket, Haris, who played the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in 2020, took the HBL PSL by storm last year as he smoked 166 runs at a strike-rate of 186.51 in five matches.

His strike-rate in the Powerplay was almost a run better (187.32) and he smashed a boundary every third ball.
Haris, who turns 22 on 30 March: “It is very important to anticipate so I am continuously reading the fields.

I see which two fielders are outside the circle and that helps me predict what two to three balls the bowler is looking to deliver and that is how I plan my shots. Like, if the bowler has positioned a deep square leg, I know that a bouncer is on the cards. Thankfully, the success rate to date is around 80 per cent for me.

“You need a strong and solid technique to be aggressive and attack the bowler. For me it is about dominating
the bowler no matter who he is.”

Sharjeel Khan was the first batter to score a century in the HBL PSL. He clubbed eight sixes in his 62-ball 117 for Islamabad United against Peshawar Zalmi in the second qualifier and Islamabad were eventually crowned champions of the inaugural edition. He has, to date, smashed 72 HBL PSL sixes, one less than Fakhar.

Sharjeel, who since his return to the HBL PSL in 2020 has been in Karachi Kings, has hit a boundary every 4.5 ball in the HBL PSL and that is because of his desire to make the most of the Power-plays.

Sharjeel said: “I believe 70 to 80 per cent of the match is defined by how the first six overs go. What I have learned over the years that a team which has the most boundaries wins the match, so I try to milk the first six overs.

“I am also looking to lay a solid platform for my side and if I continue to bat after the completion of the first six overs then I look to make sure that I carry that momentum.

“It is important to not to forget the basics and try to gauge the conditions.

So usually, I do try to take four balls or an over as every day is a new day and conditions are different. Whether I am facing a spinner or a pacer, the plan remains the same, examine the conditions and then go for the attack and this often proves to be beneficial for the team as well.”

Incarcerated APHC leader Nayeem Khan thanks Pakistani nation for supporting Kashmir cause

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 04 (APP): Senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Nayeem Ahmed Khan has expressed his profound gratitude to the government and particularly the people of Pakistan for expressing complete solidarity with the struggling people of occupied Kashmir.

In his message from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Nayeem Ahmed Khan thanked the Pakistani nation for its wholehearted support of Kashmiris’ just struggle for the right to self-determination.

The observance of Kashmir day, he said, amply demonstrated Pakistan’s consistent policy, its unwavering commitment and allegiance towards the cause of Kashmir.

“The people of Indian-occupied Kashmir deeply appreciate this enduring support on the part of Pakistan that despite facing many daunting challenges, it never hesitated to go extra mile in advocating Kashmir cause at important world forums,” he added.

He expressed the hope that Pakistan would continue to extend its moral, political, and diplomatic support to Kashmiris till they attain their cherished goal of freedom from India’s unlawful and forcible occupation.

Lauding Pakistan’s role in championing the cause of Kashmir at the world level, he said that Pakistan had always played a pivotal role in providing every possible support at the regional and international level to the ongoing liberation struggle of the Kashmiri people.

Seeking peace, prosperity, and economic stability for the people of Pakistan, the Hurriyat leader said a politically stable and economically strong Pakistan was a guarantor to the success of Kashmiris’ freedom struggle.

Preparations finalized to observe ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’: Qamar Zaman Kaira

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 4 (APP): Advisor to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira on Saturday said the ministry had finalized all preparations to observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 05 to express sympathies with oppressed Kashmiri people.

In a statement, he said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would visit Muzaffarabad to address the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative assembly while the special messages of Prime Minister and President of Pakistan would be aired and through different media tools on the Solidarity Day.

He said the documentaries to highlight Indian atrocities and tyranny in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) would be aired on Pakistan Television (PTV) and other channels. Social media would be used as a tool to raise voices to urge the international community to pressurize India to stop its atrocities on innocent Kashmiri people.

“Private television channels and FM Radio is committed to covering the event organized in various parts of the country on eve of Solidarity Day,” Kaira added.

He said Pakistanis living across the world would express their solidarity with the Kashmiri people in this difficult time. The solidarity walk had also been arranged at Shahrah-e-Dastoor in this regard, he apprised.

The adviser said one minute’s silence would be observed to pay glowing tributes to the Kashmiri martyrs those had sacrifices their lives for the Kashmir cause.

He concluded the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had already displayed the banners on various Shahrahs including the Express Highway in the federal capital.

KC-EU to hold Candlelight Vigil in Brussels for solidarity with Kashmiris

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KC-EU to hold Candlelight Vigil in Brussels for solidarity with Kashmiris

MIRPUR (AJK), Feb 04 (APP): Brussels-based Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU) will manage an event of Candlelight Vigil in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, in order to express solidarity with oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK).

“The program will be arranged at 4 p.m. on Sunday, 5th of February in connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day at European Squire in front of Central Station in Brussels, the EU headquarters”, the organization’s Chairman Ali Raza Syed told APP Correspondent through telephone from Brussels on Saturday.

“A BBC’s documentary about violence against Muslims in India and atrocities against the people of Jammu and Kashmir will also be shown on a wider screen through projector”, he told.

Ali Raza Syed said “it should be noted that in this (BBC) documentary, with reference to an unpublished report of the British Foreign Ministry, it is stated that the current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat before was responsible for creating an atmosphere of violence during the 2002 riots in Gujarat.

More than a thousand people were killed in these riots, most of whom were Muslims. At the same time, many Muslim women were assaulted under the plan and serious human rights violations were committed by the Gujrat’s police.

The film also talks about police violence during the implementation of the Indian controversial Citizenship Act in 2019.

The BBC’s documentary raised questions about India’s democratic system under the Narendra Modi government and the polarization of India on the basis of religion. The documentary also highlighted violations of the rights of Kashmiris. A Video about Kashmir would be also displayed on the wider screen on the occasion.

In a statement, Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed said, we express solidarity with the oppressed people of Indian occupied Kashmir suffering from Indian brutalities for the last seven decades.

By condemning the atrocities and genocide of Kashmiris committed by Indian Occupation forces, he paid great tribute to the brave people of Kashmir struggling for their right to self-determination”, he added.

Chairman KC-EU emphasized that, “we will continue our support to the people of Kashmir till suitable resolution of the Kashmir dispute. The people of Kashmir are struggling peacefully for the right to self-determination and there should be a plebiscite under United Nations supervision in order to make the clear political fate of the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Chairman Kashmir Council EU pointed out that the deployment of eight lak Indian troops in IIOK is proof as large-scale human rights violations.

Indian authorities are engaged to press the peaceful mass movement by use of force and brutalities especially the massacre of the innocent Kashmiris.

Ali Raza Syed demanded that the UN and EU should play their role in a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. He also urged Human Rights Organizations to pressurize India to stop severe violations of human rights in IIOK.

KP people to observe ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ to condemn illegal occupation of IIOJ&K

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KP people to observe 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' to condemn illegal occupation of IIOJ&K

PESHAWAR, Feb 04 (APP): The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmiris are all set to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Sunday to condemn the illegal occupation of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by India and would demand UNO to give the right of self-determination to the oppressed Kashmiris as per its security council’s resolutions.

The Kashmiris would renew their pledge to continue their struggle till they get Independence from the Indian yoke.

The people would strongly deplore the revoking of the special status of IIOJ&K by India on August 5, 2019 and would demand the fascist Modi government to immediately withdraw his illegal act by restoring the special status of the held velley that has virtually turned into a military jail.

From Chtral to D I Khan and Waziristan to Kohistan, the people of all 37 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmiris have planned big protest rallies, walks and seminars, etc in connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Besides government officials, NGOs, civil society, students, and academia, the transports, wagons, and rickshaws unions would take out protest rallies from the general bus stand at Peshawar and culminate at Press Club. The lawyers, politicians, traders, and people have also planned rallies.

Life has become a nightmare for the oppressed Kashmiris, who were passing through endless human rights abuses including forced abduction, sexual violence against women and children besides state-terrorism since 1947.

Muhammad Hussain Khateeb, Member All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC Gillani Group) told APP that India had broken all records of atrocities, extra judicial killings and war crimes in the occupied valley.

He said Indian occupational forces have intensified state terrorism in IIOJ&K after the abolishment of its special status in a bid to suppress the legitimate freedom movement of Kashmiris but completely failed.

Condemning the August 5, 2019 illegal acts of the fascist Modi regime, APHC leader said that Kashmiris had faced with an unending ordeal of state terrorism, mental agony, and trauma due to frequent abductions of youth, rape of women and molestation of children besides illegal detentions at the hands of Indian occupied forces on the pretext of cordons and search operations in IIOJ&K. 

He said over 0.9 million Indian occupational forces had unleashed a reign of terror and jailed the senior Kashmiri leadership in fake cases besides depriving Kashmiris of all constitutional rights and liberties.

He praised the courage and steadfastness of the great Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, who was handed down life term imprisonment by the Indian court in a fake case.

He said thousands of innocent Kashmiris were extra-judiciary killed including great freedom fighter Burran Wani Shaheed in ‘fake encounters’ in IIOJK where collective punishments were imposed. 

The last rituals including mass funeral of the great Kashmiri leader, Ali Gilani were not allowed, thus exposing India’s tyranny and disregards for minorities and humans rights.

He said clampdown on media, internet and suppression of peaceful protests besides abduction and torture of young Kashmiris continued in the held valley where people were confined at homes ahead of the Kashmir soliderity Day. 

Former Ambassador Manzoorul Haq said the Kashmir dispute was an unfinished agenda of the subcontinent partition plan and it was the responsibility of UN Security Council (UNSC) to implement its resolutions on Kashmir. 

“Modi Gov’t fascist policies have put peace of the entire region in jeopardy as a fifth war on Kashmir between the two nuclear countries may prove disastrous for the entire region.”

He said the Modi government went against several UNSC resolutions after abolishing the special status of IIOJ&K on August 5, 2019 which was also against the Geneva Convention.

“Following abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi fascist government, the legal paradigms of IIOJK has been changed and now any Indian national can purchase lands in the held valley.

IIOJK was divided in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh territories, which was tantamount to changing its demography and converting Kashmiris into minorities. 

India was using its media as a propaganda tool to divert the attention of the international community from gross human rights abuses and Indian forces’ war crimes including the use of pellet guns. 

He urged the international community to think beyond their trade and business interests and put pressure on India to give the right of self- determination to the oppressed Kashmiris as promised to them by the UN through several passed resolutions.

The international community was urged to investigate the mass graves, forced disappearances of Kashmiris and use of pellet guns being perpetrated with complete freedom by the Indian occupational forces at IIOJ&K and implement UNSC resolutions on Kashmir like of East Timor imperative for lasting peace in South Asia.

Karandaaz to launch survey on ‘financial inclusion’

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Karandaaz to launch survey on 'financial inclusion'

ISLAMABAD, Feb 4 (APP): With the aim to help increase financial inclusion, especially of underserved groups in the country, Karandaaz is all set to launch a comprehensive demand-side survey – Karandaaz Financial Inclusion Survey (K-FIS), a nationally and provincially representative financial inclusion survey of over 6,600 individuals across Pakistan.

The survey aims to track access to and demand for financial services, especially digital financial services.

The survey will help measure the adoption and use of a range of financial services among key underserved groups, including females, the poor, rural, and others.

It will identify drivers and barriers to the adoption of digital financial services. The survey aims to produce actionable, forward-looking insights based on rigorous data to support product and service development and delivery, according to a press release issued here.

Financial inclusion – the extent to which individuals are included in the formal financial system is a development priority for governments across the world. This emphasis is based on the rationale that financial inclusion leads to social equality and confers tangible benefits for segments at the bottom of the pyramid that can benefit through better access and cost-effective financial services.

Having a financial account makes it easier, safer, and cheaper to receive wages from employers, send remittances to family members, and make payments for goods and services. Mobile money accounts make it possible, even for the poor, to save and cope with adverse shocks.

Individual accounts give women more say on their household finances or save at their own pace or towards their own goals. Moreover, micro and small businesses are provided with effective means to access formal financial services, allowing them to be linked with the documented economy. Reciprocally, financial institutions and governments benefit from the increased size of the formal economy through several means, such as enhanced business revenue and tax collection.

Pakistan is one of several countries with a National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) targeting financial inclusion as a goal. The strategy has usage and access to digital accounts as the first pillar of an extensive plan. The metrics through which basic financial inclusion is measured are vital, and data is the backbone of programs aimed at strengthening the financial ecosystem through private and public interventions.

To support financial inclusion in Pakistan, Karandaaz believes making data-driven decisions and evidence-based policymaking will be key to realizing the country’s NFIS goals. Furthermore, it is important to have clear definitions, metrics, and estimates for better planning and intervention designs.

CEO Karandaaz, Waqas ul Hasan says, “It is estimated that the achievement of NFIS goals will add $5.5 billion to the GDP and create 3 million new jobs out of 1 million will be through digitization alone. K-FIS responds to the need for timely demand-side data and practical insights into major drivers of financial inclusion, chiefly digital financial services, including mobile money, and the potential for its expanded use, especially among unserved and underserved population segments.

Karandaaz proudly takes ownership of this survey, whose depth and breadth allow for analysis of a large number of financial inclusion indicators by several segments such as urban and rural, gender and provinces.

In conducting this rich survey, we are collecting important data on a rich set of indicators and promoting a data-centric culture within the financial ecosystem.”

The survey findings will be shared via a Zoom webinar on February 7 followed by two-panel discussions.

The panelists for the discussions include Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO NRSP; Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, President HBL; Mr. Sohail Javaad, ED Digital Financial Services Group, State Bank of Pakistan; Mr. Mudassir Aqil, CEO Telenor Microfinance Bank; and Mr. Mohd. Yahya, Head of Digital, Bank Alfalah. Dr. Nafisa Shah, Member of the National Assembly, will deliver the closing address.

Hina Khar, Momen discuss Pak-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation

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Hina Khar, Momen discuss Pak-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation

ISLAMABAD, Feb 4 (APP): Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Bangladeshi Minister of Foreign Affairs AK Abdul Momen on Saturday discussed mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, especially in economy and trade.

They held a meeting on the sidelines of the Sri Lanka independence festivities, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

MoS for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar has been in Colombo on a two days official visit.

The MoS is visiting Sri Lanka to attend 75th Independence Day of Sri Lanka as a guest of honour.

Global food prices continue to decline; high wheat planting forecast in Pakistan: FAO

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UNITED NATIONS, Feb 04 (APP): Global food prices dropped for the tenth consecutive month in January, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), a Rome-based UN agency, has said.

Price indices for vegetable oils, dairy, and sugar drove the January decline, the agency said, issuing two new reports on food production expectations.

The FAO food price index fell 17.9 percent below its all-time peak, reached in March 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it was pointed out.

The downward pricing trend was helped in part by a pivotal agreement signed in July to unblock Ukraine grain exports amid the ongoing war.

Tracking monthly changes in the global prices of commonly traded food commodities, the latest index averaged 131.2 points in January, falling 0.8 percent since December. FAO reported small price decreases on its latest meat and sugar indices.

“Strong harvest progress in Thailand and favourable weather conditions in Brazil outweighed the impact on sugar prices due to concerns over lower crop yields in India, higher gasoline prices in Brazil, which support demand for ethanol, as well as the Brazilian real’s appreciation against the United States dollar,” the report stated.

At the same time, vegetable oil prices fell 2.9 per cent, stemming from subdued global import demand for palm and soy oils and ample export availabilities of sunflower seed and rapeseed oils. Cereal prices remained essentially unchanged since December.

International wheat prices fell for the third consecutive month. The 2.5 per cent decrease relates to Australia and Russia outpacing production expectations. Meanwhile, slightly higher global maize prices were rooted in a strong demand for exports from Brazil and concerns over dry conditions in Argentina.

Cheese became slightly more expensive despite dairy prices averaging 1.4 per cent lower than in December, which came after lighter demand from leading importers and increased supplies from New Zealand. Currency movements drove the price increase alongside a recovery in food services and retail sales in Western Europe following the New Year holiday.

Global rice prices climbed 6.2 per cent from December, triggered by tighter availabilities. Other factors included strong local demand in some Asian exporting countries and exchange rate movements.

In its latest Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, FAO expects international trade in cereals in the 2022/23 period to decline by 1.7 per cent from the previous year’s record level, to 474 million tons.

Early indications point to likely area expansions for winter wheat cropping in the northern hemisphere. However, higher costs may affect the amount of fertilizer than can be applied to crops, with adverse implications for yields.

Low domestic prices could result in a small cutback in wheat plantings in Russia, the world’s largest exporter, while severe war-induced impacts in Ukraine are estimated to reduce winter wheat area plantings by 40 per cent.

Record planting is forecast for India, spurred by high market and support prices, and relatively high planting is projected in Pakistan as standing water from the 2022 floods is causing less hindrance than initially anticipated.

In the southern hemisphere countries, most of the 2023 coarse grain crops have been sown. Brazil may post record maize plantings, while those in Argentina could decrease due to low soil moisture levels and weather conditions augur well for maize yield prospects in South Africa, the report stated.

IK’s tweet designed to damage security, political atmosphere: Dar

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 04 (APP): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here on Saturday strongly criticized Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman, Imran Khan for his irresponsible tweet, designed only to damage the country’s security situation and vitiate the political atmosphere.

In a tweet, the minister said the destruction caused by Imran Khan by dragged Pakistan Economy from World’s 24th largest to 47th in 2022 speaks volumes of bad governance, incompetence, unprecedented debt accumulation, mismanagement and corruption-led rule which caused high inflation and unbearable miseries for the people of Pakistan.

“Everyone knows, he [Imran] is a selfish, narcissist, megalomaniac who since his constitutional removal from PM-office has gone berserk,” the minister tweeted.

The contrast between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Imran Khan cannot be more stark, he said adding Shehbaz Sharif invited him as Leader of a political party for a national dialogue on security subject and National Action Plan which effects every Pakistani and Khan’s response in this uncouth and crass manner was shocking.

“Regrettably, IK would prefer seeing the country go down than live honorably in opposition!” he said.