Tag: Asif Ali Zardari

  • ‘Bilawal ko wazir-e-azam banana hai toh Karachi ko sath le kar chalna parega’: MQM-P unites against PPP

    ‘Bilawal ko wazir-e-azam banana hai toh Karachi ko sath le kar chalna parega’: MQM-P unites against PPP

    A few days before scheduled Local Government (LG) elections, Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal let go of the past grievances as he announced merging his party into Muttahida Quami Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P).

    Addressing a joint press conference in Karachi, Kamal along with Dr Farooq Sattar, MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and others took a jibe at Pakistan People’s Pakistan (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for ruining Karachi in the past. During the important presser, all the leaders reiterated that they won’t let LG elections take place on January 15.

    Kamal said that Karachi was not liberated from Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) only for PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari to take over and “think of it as his”.

    He also claimed that Zardari wants his son—Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari— to become the Prime Minister. He said, “Bilawal ko wazir-e-azam banana hai toh Karachi ko sath le kar chalna parega” (If you want Bilawal as PM, you have to take Karachi along with you).

    He said that there are no personal fights with Altaf Hussain.

    MQM Revival Committee Head Farooq Sattar addressed the presser and announced rejoining MQM-P.

    He said that the people of Pakistan saw hope in the MQM. “We have kept aside all our differences. This is a message for the entire country. We are presenting a united MQM.”

    He said that if MQM was given a chance, the $10bn raised by Pakistan at a climate conference in Geneva, could be generated in Karachi.

    He said that the MQM had been separated from its past reputation to transform into a part of intellectuals and educated people. He noted that the country was increasingly polarised, saying that Karachi should be “given one chance”.

    Khalid Maqbool, meanwhile, said that all those sitting here wished to see Pakistan succeed despite the difficulties of the past five years. He also alleged that the MQM was defeated in the 2018 general elections through rigging.

    Talking about the local government polls, he said that the party would contest the elections if delimitation was carried out by tonight. “But if these aren’t fixed, then we will fight for our rights.”

    A day earlier, leaders of the Karachi-based party asked Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to tell them whether or not he was responsible for the situation of the port city and Hyderabad so that the party could accordingly decide about staying with or leaving the federal government.

  • Zardari ka jaadu: Seven Baloch politicians join PPP after meeting him

    Zardari ka jaadu: Seven Baloch politicians join PPP after meeting him

    Seven politicians from Balochistan joined Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after holding a meeting on Sunday with the party’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

    The politicians include former provincial ministers Nawabzada Gazin Marri and Tahir Mahmood, coordinator of the Balochistan chief minister Nawabzada Jamal Raisani and Mir Fareed Raisani.

    Other leaders who joined the party included Mir Abdullah Raheja, Mir Allah Bakhsh Rind and former senator and federal minister Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hassani.

    The PPP co-chairman welcomed the new party members and said Balochistan and PPP have a historical affiliation.

    The PPP is an integral part of Balochistan’s politics and the party will never compromise on its fight for the rights of the Baloch people, Zardari said after the meeting.

    It is pertinent to mention that earlier this month, several leaders of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)— the leading party in Balochistan— joined the PPP.

    Many media outlets have termed this development as the PPP’s way of having a strong foothold in Balochistan ahead of expected general elections this year.

  • ‘Dhokha’: Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s son says Elahi betrayed family by joining hands with IK

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s son Chaudhry Shafay Hussain has said that his father’s cousin— Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi—betrayed the family by backing out of an agreement made with the current ruling coalition at the last minute.

    In an interview with ARY News, Chaudhry Shafay recalled the entire incident, recalling that Elahi asked Chaudhry Shujaat to convince Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to give Elahi the Chief Minister’s seat. However, at the last minute, he switched over to Imran Khan.

    When asked what reason did Elahi give for backing out of the deal, Shafay said that he said former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa asked him to join hands with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). However, Shafay Hussain said Elahi should have told the party chief about the telephone call from Bajwa.

    According to Shafay, former president Asif Ali Zardari said he convinced PDM leadership including Nawaz Sharif to grant Elahi the top seat after clearing many obstacles.

    Shafay also addressed Moonis Elahi’s “sofware update” statement about Chaudhry Shujaat, terming it ‘inappropriate’. “One should not say something of this sort about the one who taught you politics,” he opined.

    Shafay accused Moonis of playing his own politic. Political families work together and Moonis doesn’t want that, Shafay said about his cousin.

    He also hinted at expelling some Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) from the party.

  • ‘No difference between Hamza Shehbaz and Bilawal for me’: Zardari

    ‘No difference between Hamza Shehbaz and Bilawal for me’: Zardari

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said that he does not see any difference between his son, Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shehbaz.

    In a statement, he said that after Pervaiz Elahi is removed from the post of chief minister of Punjab, the next chief minister of the province should be elected from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rather than the PPP.

    Zardari explained that he would not like to select the next Punjab CM from his party because the seat deserves a candidate from the PML-N due to its majority across the province.

    The statement comes as the combined Opposition of PPP and PML-N in Punjab seek to oust CM Pervaiz Elahi after he didn’t seek a confidence vote today (Wednesday).

    Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) might give the post of CM to PPP after Zardari was said to be campaigning in Lahore to get the seat.

  • PDM may give Punjab CM seat to PPP: report

    PDM may give Punjab CM seat to PPP: report

    The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) may give the post of Chief Minister of Punjab to Pakistan People’s Pakistan (PPP) as the party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari campaigns in Lahore to get the seat, reports Geo News Urdu.

    According to the media outlet, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat has favoured PPP in this matter.

    In case of consensus, the Punjab Assembly (PA) speaker and deputy speaker candidates would be from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    Zardari has also started considering names for the CM chair, including PPP Punjab parliamentary leader Hasan Murtaza, former Premier Yousuf Raza Gillani’s son Ali Haider Gillani and Usman Mehmood.

    However, the final decision will be made jointly by Zardari, Chaudhry Shujaat and Nawaz Sharif.

    The development comes forth as the no-confidence motion against incumbent CM Pervaiz Elahi gains steam. Elahi, however, remains seemingly ahead in numbers in the provincial assembly with the support of 190 Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs).

    Apart from Elahi, a separate no-trust motion was also submitted against PA Speaker Sibtain Khan and Deputy Speaker Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi.

  • ‘Meri gharri hai, mai bechoon ya jo marzi karoon’: Imran Khan

    ‘Meri gharri hai, mai bechoon ya jo marzi karoon’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has accused the media of looking the other way on important matters and instead focusing on what he implied were trivial issues, such as the Toshakhana watch scandal.

    “The channels that used to bash the PTI government for inflation, those channels are quiet now and are instead focused on a watch,” he said in a press conference in Lahore.

    “It’s my watch. I can sell it, or do whatever I want. No one is talking about the economic murder being committed right now.”

    Referring to his opponents, Imran Khan said the “gang of thieves” has properties in foreign countries worth billions of dollars, hence they do not care about the economic collapse of the country.

    He added that the US dollar will further shoot up and there would be no foreign investment “if Pakistan defaults”.

    “A group of thieves has been imposed on us,” the deposed premier said, adding that the gang has been stealing national wealth for the past 30 years. He also said they were laundering the looted money abroad via illegal means including hundi and hawala.

    He again criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan and the establishment of supporting the ruling alliance led by the PML-N during the recent by-polls in the country.

    “Maryam Nawaz reached [homeland] first, then Ishq Dar was dry cleaned and now Suleman Shehbaz will be dry cleaned,” Imran Khan said.

    “We all knew who gave them NRO-II,” the former Prime Minister said and asked if the Constitution has room for NRO-II.

    The PTI chairman feared that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari will not move towards elections.

    Addressing the new military leadership in the presser, the former premier said: “The new regime which has recently taken over should think about the country for God’s sake. National security institutions should see what is happening with the country.”

    He also stressed that the nation and army go hand in hand, not separately.

  • ‘Siyasat mein violence ki koyi jagah nahin,’ Condemnations pour in after assassination attempt on Imran Khan

    ‘Siyasat mein violence ki koyi jagah nahin,’ Condemnations pour in after assassination attempt on Imran Khan

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Thursday while leading his party’s long march in Wazirabad. The Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was shot in the leg and is currently receiving medical treatment at Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore. According to media reports, one person was killed while seven people sustained injuries.

    Other than Khan, PTI leaders Faisal Javed and Ahmad Chattha were also injured. Following the tragic incident, leaders from across the political spectrum condemned the attack on Khan.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the firing incident and said that an immediate report of the incident has been sought from Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.

    In a tweet, he said, “I strongly condemn the firing at Imran Khan’s rally. An immediate report of the incident has been sought from the Interior Minister. We pray for the speedy recovery of Imran and other injured. The federal government will provide all possible support to the Punjab government in the security/investigation of the incident. Violence should have no place in country’s politics.”

    President Dr Arif Alvi took to Twitter to express his concern, saying that “This attack was sad, alarming, deceitful and cowardly”.

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that the firing incident during PTI’s long march near Gujranwala is “highly condemnable”.

    “Sincere prayers for precious life lost and speedy recovery and well-being of Imran Khan and all those injured in this unfortunate incident,” the military’s media wing said.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif also condemned the attack and prayed for Khan’s and other party leaders’ recovery.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto said, “Strongly condemn the attack on Imran Khan. Praying for his swift recovery.”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s Twitter account tweeted that Former President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the firing incident. He said, “I pray to God that Imran Khan recovers soon”.

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also condemned the unfortunate incident.

    Sanaullah’s office’s official account said that on the instructions of PM Shehbaz, a report of the incident was sought from the Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police (IG) Police Punjab.

    From PML-N leaders, Ahsan Iqbal also came forward to condemn the attack.

    He tweeted, “Thank God Imran Niazi is safe. There is no room for violence in politics. I strongly condemn the incident of firing on Imran Niazi’s container in Wazirabad. The Punjab government should review the security arrangements.”

    Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai wished the PTI chief a full recovery.

    “Attacks on leaders of any political belief or party are always wrong. And violence is never an acceptable protest”, she said in a tweet

  • Khan claims more audio leaks of Maryam Nawaz are on the way

    Khan claims more audio leaks of Maryam Nawaz are on the way

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan reacting to the audio leaks of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and other Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders including Vice-president Maryam Nawaz, has said that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja should resign from his post.

    Addressing students at Government College University in Lahore on Monday, Khan said that the audio leaks had made it clear that CEC Raja was a “Servant of the Sharif household”.

    After the audio leaks, the CEC should resign if he has even an ounce of shame, said Khan. “But he doesn’t [have any shame], so we will have to make him resign,” he told the students gathered there to listen to him.

    Khan also alleged that the CEC had blocked the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) on the instructions of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari.

    “I kept on trying to introduce EVMs for three years […] But this man, on the instructions of Nawaz and Zardari, who rely on false votes, did not allow EVMs,” he claimed.

    He continued that in the coming days, there would be more “episodes” in audio leaks saga.

    “I am hearing that a [recording] will surface where Maryam will tell abba jee [Nawaz] that the election commission has said they will disqualify Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case and that there is no need to worry,” he said.

    “This is the [state of the] election commission.”

    Earlier today, PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry had termed the slew of audio recordings a “major security lapse” and demanded a “thorough investigation” to expose those responsible.

    He said that the PM Office is unsafe from cyber attacks, adding audio files up to 340 hours were leaked but no institution was aware of it.

    “We [PTI] spent a lot of money to provide the latest equipment to agencies.”

    He claimed that the government is in talks with hackers and purchasing data that was put up for sale on the dark web.

    “The hacker has said that the explosive audio is yet to be released,” Fawad said.

    On Saturday, September 24, alleged audios of PM Shehbaz and other Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders leaked online.

    In one of the audio clips, PML-N Vice-president Maryam Nawaz allegedly can be heard complaining to her uncle [PM Shehbaz] about Finance Minister Miftah Ismail.

    The second clip allegedly concerns a conversation between PM Shehbaz, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Tarar, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and former National Assembly (NA) speaker Ayaz Sadiq about the resignations of PTI MNAs. The audio is said to be a recording of a cabinet meeting.

    Party leaders can be allegedly heard discussing whose resignations from PTI will be accepted. Moreover, the leaders can be heard saying that the final decision will be taken by PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif who is in London.

  • ‘Enough is enough’: Khan to reply to ‘PDM crooks’ at 5pm today

    ‘Enough is enough’: Khan to reply to ‘PDM crooks’ at 5pm today

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that he has had enough of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) “cabal of crooks” who are trying to launch propaganda against him.

    Khan on September 4, alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Zardari wanted to appoint their favourite as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) because if a “strong and patriotic army chief” was appointed, they would be questioned about their corruption.

    In a tweet, the PTI chairman said, “Am following intense propaganda launched by PDM cabal of crooks against me.This stems from their being petrified of PTI’s soaring popularity.”

    “Today in Peshawar jalsa I will give proper reply to all those who have deliberately been distorting my words to malign me. Enough is enough,” said Khan.

    Pakistani Army on Monday, August 5, expressed extreme displeasure over Khan’s recent statement against the establishment and said that the institution was “aghast” over it.

    Read more: ‘Disappointing’, Pak Army says Khan should not ‘scandalise’ Army Chief selection

    “Pakistan Army is aghast at the defamatory and uncalled for statement about the senior leadership of Pakistan Army by Chairman PTI during a political rally at Faisalabad. Regrettably, an attempt has been made to discredit and undermine senior leadership of Pakistan Army at a time when the institution is laying lives for the security and safety of the people of Pakistan every day,” said the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

  • ‘Neither IK nor India can beat the combo of Nawaz and Asif Zardari’: Twitter reacts to PAKvsInd match

    ‘Neither IK nor India can beat the combo of Nawaz and Asif Zardari’: Twitter reacts to PAKvsInd match

    Pakistan won against India on Sunday in a super four-stage match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 in Dubai on Sunday.

    Mohammad Nawaz helped Pakistan to chase India’s mammoth score of 181 runs. Nawaz scored a T20I career-best 42 off 20 balls including six boundaries and two maximums. His 71 runs partnership with Mohammad Rizwan proved pivotal in sealing India’s fate.

    Asif Ali, on the other hand, scored a crucial 16 runs on eight balls.

    The match-winning performances of Nawaz and Asif have made Twitter users draw comparisons between politicians Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and both the cricketers.

    Have a look at the memes:

    After a blazing start by India, Pakistan bowlers bounced back to halt India’s march, restricting the defending champions to 181/7 in 20 overs.
    Chasing 182, Pakistan achieved the target with one ball to spare. Pakistan will play its second Super Four stage match against Afghanistan on Wednesday.