Shehbaz Sharif

The Prime Minister lashed out at Khan for accusing him and the senior military official of orchestrating the failed assassination bid on him during PTI's long march in Gujranwala on Thursday, saying India is using his statement to target Pakistan's institutions, Express Tribune reported. Sharif also slammed the PTI chief for his comments against state institutions, particularly COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his family, and lamented about enemy nations celebrating the critical situation in Pakistan, Geo News reported.

The $13 billion package is equal to 38 per cent of the estimated gross external financing requirements of Pakistan for fiscal year 2022-23, The Express Tribune reported. Its materialisation can eliminate the threat of default, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not come up with a big financial package despite imposing numerous harsh conditions.

On Friday, Khan alleged that three people -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and a senior officer of the Pakistan Army -- were involved in plotting his assassination bid on Thursday, The News reported.

"Earlier when Imran Khan had an incident, Nawaz Sharif went to inquire about his health," said Sanaullah, Geo News reported. He added that Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif is considering going to inquire about Khan's health, and will soon take a call on this.

Speaking to The News, the premier said that no decision has been taken so far as to who would be the new Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). It was also learnt that the military authorities have not yet moved the summary containing a panel of three-star Generals for the topmost military appointments.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Sharif said that they also "agreed to increase multilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan, including CPEC, and further strengthen the strategic partnership". The Pakistani leader also posted images of the meeting. Sharif landed in Beijing on Tuesday night on a two-day official visit -- the first since he took office in April this year.

Taking to Twitter, Nawaz took a jibe at Khan and his ongoing long march and said that "the one who claimed to bring 1 million people out on the streets couldn't even manage to gather 2,000 workers", Geo News reported. He said that he has instructed Shehbaz not to bow before Khan's demands at any cost.

Talking to vloggers, the prime minister said that the PTI chairman offered talks with the government a month ago through a mutual businessman friend to resolve two issues, one of which was the appointment of the army chief, The Express Tribune reported. "Imran Khan offered [to conduct] negotiations," Prime Minister Shehbaz told vloggers. "The first matter was the army chief's appointment and the second was holding early elections," he added.

The PTI chief made the remarks while addressing his supporters in Sialkot, The Express Tribune reported. "A gang of thieves and slaves of America were imposed upon us. Our fight is against these thieves and (mission is to) bring real freedom to the country," he said.

Hundreds of delegates from around the world including government officials, business leaders and even CEOs of American companies are attending the two-day Future Investment Initiative summit in Riyadh. The conference will kick off on Tuesday, The Express Tribune reported.