Tag: Benazir Bhutto

  • Nisar asks why Nawaz’s religious objections to Benazir’s leadership don’t apply to Maryam

    Nisar asks why Nawaz’s religious objections to Benazir’s leadership don’t apply to Maryam

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party member and former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in a public meeting, raised the past to question Maryam Nawaz’s leadership, citing his and Nawaz Sharif’s speeches against the late Benazir Bhutto.

    Recalling the time the party was part of Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), the estranged PML-N leader said that he and Nawaz Sharif gave speeches against former Prime Minister and archrival Benazir Bhutto, saying that a woman cannot be a leader or a ruler in an Islamic society.

    Admitting that he too used to say the same things in speeches, Nisar said, “A woman cannot give the azaan, a woman cannot lead prayer congregations, a woman cannot speak in a loud voice so as not to be heard by a non-mahram and she cannot perform Umrah or Hajj without a man.”

    Further questioning the present day scenario where Nawaz Sharif’s daughter is now the Senior Vice-president of the party, Nisar asked that if all that was said in the speeches was pertinent for Benazir Bhutto, then why aren’t the same objections applicable on Maryam Nawaz.

    Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, bitter political rivals in the late 1980s and 1990s, ended their animosity to join hands to bring down General Pervez Musharraf’s government by signing the Charter of Democracy in May, 2006.

  • ‘Was a freshman at Oxford’, Bilawal gets candid about his whereabouts when his mother was assassinated

    ‘Was a freshman at Oxford’, Bilawal gets candid about his whereabouts when his mother was assassinated

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari recently got candid while talking about his mother’s legacy, assassination, and his foray into politics.

    In a wide-ranging interview on Thursday with The Washington Post’s Lally Weymouth, Bilawal, who is currently representing Pakistan at World Economic Forum in Davis, agreed that if his mother Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had lived Pakistan would have been a different place.

    “I think that not only would Pakistan be a different place, but our region would have gone in a different direction. She had a vision and clarity that no one had at the time,” he said of his mother, the first female Muslim Prime Minister in the world.

    Responding to a question about where he was when his mother was assassinated in 2007 in Karachi, he said, “I was a freshman at Oxford”. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in an attack in Rawalpindi in 2007, right before she was to lead her party to the polls.

    Speaking about his early stages in politics, Bilawal—who is also chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)— said that his party thought that it was important for him to take a “ceremonial role leading the party to keep them united”.

    When asked whether he could become prime minister this year, FM Bilawal said he would have to win an election first.

    “Obviously, my party will be hoping that we win,” he said, hinting towards a coalition government if his party wins the most seats in the general elections scheduled for later this year.

    During the interview, the young minister reiterated that Pakistan’s new leadership, both political and military, will hold no talks with terrorist organisations who don’t respect the country’s laws and constitution.

    He said that former PM Imran Khan gave the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) a place to hide; not only did he release prisoners who were in Pakistan’s custody, but also engaged in a dialogue with them. “He [Imran Khan] has always been ideologically sympathetic to their point of view,” he added.

  • ‘Benazir ke sandwich khanay unkay college jata tha’: Imran Khan

    ‘Benazir ke sandwich khanay unkay college jata tha’: Imran Khan

    A clip from a two month old interview of Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has gone viral on social media. In the interview, Imran Khan narrates his memories with former Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benzair Bhutto when they were both studying in London.

    Journalist Haroon Rasheed interviewed Imran Khan in October and asked him about the food in Oxford. In response, Khan said, “I remember that I was hungry all the time in England’s winters. We used to have three meals in Pakistan, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner. Then my mother used to give me milk.”

    Khan said that when he went to England, he would get hungry again as soon as he ate in the dining room. “This hunger would take over the time,” he recalled.

    Imran Khan then said that Benazir Bhutto, who was also studying in another college in Oxford at the time, would hold an open house on Sunday. “She was contesting union elections. I was friends with Benazir. An Indian friend, Vikram Mehta, used to be with me. We both used to go to Benazir’s college because we would be hungry,” added Khan.

    “Benazir was living in great splendor and used to make sandwiches herself, which we would go and eat,” he told Haroon Rasheed.

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Zardari to be new neighbours?

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Zardari to be new neighbours?

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly bought two bungalows of 14 kanal in one of the elitist areas of Gulberg in Lahore, reports The News.

    According to media reports, discussions to purchase another bungalow of 6 kanal for residential purposes in Lahore are ongoing. This bungalow is situated in front of PPP’s rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s house near Gaddafi Stadium.

    If the deal finalises, Zardari and Qureshi would become neighbours. It is pertinent to mention that Qureshi left PPP in 2011 after almost two decades of serving under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto. Since then, he is on bitter terms with PPP.

    Zardari and his son Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s current residence in Baharia Town in Lahore will be converted into a farmhouse.

    Earlier, the former president hinted at buying a residence in Gulberg so that he can hold more meetings with people, as it gets difficult for people to come to his residence in Bahira Town.

    Stronghold in Punjab

    According to Geo Urdu, Zardari is currently in Islamabad. However, he will later visit Lahore and hold meetings to discuss the political crisis in Punjab.

    Prior to this, the PPP co-chairman claimed that his party will form the next government in the Centre after winning the next general elections.

    “The next government (in the Centre) will be the PPP’s. I promise if I get a chance to return to power, I will turn around Pakistan 110 degrees. The PPP has the capability to help the country negotiate all the challenges,” said Zardari.

    Talking about politics in Punjab, Zardari said, “The PPP has to sacrifice its politics to save Pakistan. I will myself look into the party affairs in Punjab and ensure its revival here.”

    “We will strengthen our party in Punjab and ensure we get our fair share in the province,” he said.

    Criticising former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Zardari said that the policies of the “anokha laadla” (favourite) had caused price hike and inflation in the country.

    The PPP is currently ruling Sindh, where it is in power for the third time in a row, while it is also a major stakeholder in the incumbent federal government.

  • ‘Shehbaz Sharif should be allowed at least one year to serve the nation’: Bilawal Bhutto

    ‘Shehbaz Sharif should be allowed at least one year to serve the nation’: Bilawal Bhutto

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif should be allowed at least one year to “serve the nation”. Bilawal was speaking at a gathering commemorating his late mother and former premier Benazir Bhutto’s 69th birthday in Larkana.

    “Give this government some time to carry out economic and electoral reforms. We will then hopefully come out of the mess left behind by the selected government,” said Bilawal, adding that the previous government had been in power for four years.

    The foreign minister was of the view that the current economic crisis was due to Imran Khan.

    “Imran Khan had inked a wrong deal with the IMF.”

    Bilawal added that it was necessary to send the “selected government” back home because it became a threat to the economy and democracy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his team saved the country from default, he said.

     “Our slogan is ‘trade not aid’ and we are ready for economic engagement with other countries,” said Bilawal.

    The foreign minister was hopeful for more good news from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and said, “Pakistan will be out of the grey list of the FATF by October.”

  • ‘Can be arrested’: Law minister says Nawaz will have to surrender if he fails to secure transit bail

    ‘Can be arrested’: Law minister says Nawaz will have to surrender if he fails to secure transit bail

    Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar said Tuesday that if Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif does not secure transit bail while coming back to Pakistan, he can be arrested.

    The law minister said that if Nawaz fails to secure transit bail, then he will have to surrender himself and the “courts should provide [relief] to the people who are handing themselves over to the law voluntarily”.

    Speaking on the issue, Tarar said that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto also secured transit bail when she came back to Pakistan.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the Lahore High Court (LHC) allowed Nawaz to go to London for medical treatment in November 2019.

  • ‘Our democracy is poorer without her’: Twitter remembers Benazir Bhutto on her 69th birth anniversary

    ‘Our democracy is poorer without her’: Twitter remembers Benazir Bhutto on her 69th birth anniversary

    The 69th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is being celebrated in a befitting manner on June 21. It is pertinent to mention that Benazir Bhutto was not only the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan but also the first woman Prime Minister in the Muslim World.

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari tweeted, “In life she was Benazir, in death she is Benazir. To her assassins we say; Tum zinda ho kr murda ho, wo mar kr phir bhi zinda hai.”

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “Our democracy is poorer without her & the void left by her martyrdom will never be filled. She fearlessly & staunchly advocated the causes she believed in. May Allah rest her soul in peace.”

    Federal Minister Sherry Rehman tweeted, “Our journey together is still unfinished. Your redemptive light still guides many of us on a path you trod with infinite grace and courage. May you shine on forever.”

    Mushaal Hussein Mullick wished Benazir tweeted, “Beauty Brains and Bravery Personified.”

    Here is a look at the pictures from the time when Benazir Bhutto was alive.

  • Which reptile is Imran Khan most scared of? Zardari reveals all

    Which reptile is Imran Khan most scared of? Zardari reveals all

    Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari revealed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan is afraid of lizards.

    Taking a jibe at the PTI chairman, Zardari said Khan was detained for eight hours in 2007 and over there, it came to light that he was afraid of lizards.

    “If Imran Khan will be put in jail, then it will be an enormous problem for this gora (white) sahab,” he added.

    “We have an issue with Imran Khan’s mindset. We have an issue with how Imran Khan has provoked the people of Pakistan. Individually, I don’t care for him, ” said Zardari.

    “Imran Khan has been lying since the beginning. He exaggerates a lot. His ” said Asif Zardari on Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’.

    Talking about a secret meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Zardari, the PPP leader was questioned if it was this secrecy that led to Khan losing his position. “I don’t know what is in Imran Khan’s mind. But his advisers are novices, they are not political beings. They don’t understand politics. You know politicians make terrible bedfellows. So this can happen anytime.”

    Responding to becoming a part of PM Shehbaz’s cabinet, Asif Zardari said Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s inclusion will be decided according to the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).

    “Bilawal Bhutto as Foreign Minister of Pakistan will be decided in PPP’s CEC meeting,” he said.

    Talking about the 22-year political journey of Khan, Zardari said, ” Once Bibi [Benazir Bhutto] was asked what does she think about Imran Khan in politics, she said that as long as the ball is not tempered, he is welcome.”

    Zardari said that Khan’s propaganda machinery was very strong. “He has hired people internationally. He has the complete support of the Goldsmith family.”

    Talking about National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Zardari said that it is important to bring sensibility to NAB. So before the next elections, “we will decide to dilute some of the powers of NAB”.

    Talking about wooing Khan’s allies to vote against him in the no-trust motion, the former president went on to say, “I am a guarantor in all agreements made with allies and we will fulfill all of their legitimate demands.”

    “I am also a guarantor with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P). However, someone has misguided Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), but we still want them to join us,” he said.

    Zardari said it was also his responsibility to oversee the implementation of the agreements signed with all allies, including the MQM-P, Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) of Akhtar Mengal, Shahzain Bugti of Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) and Khalid Magsi of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

  • ‘Do you know about the corruption stories of First Lady,’ Bilawal launches attack on Bushra Bibi

    ‘Do you know about the corruption stories of First Lady,’ Bilawal launches attack on Bushra Bibi

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in a hard-hitting press conference against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that he respects First Lady Bushra Bibi and has never used foul language against her.

    Bilawal said that people have told him stories about how things are happening in Punjab and said, “Do you know about the corruption stories of First Lady?”

    He further alleged that no transfer and posting is done in Punjab without permission and giving money to the First Lady.

    “We are told that your candidate for the chief minister [could not give enough money], but Buzdar invested in the right place — and this problem (Buzdar) has been imposed on us,” said Bilawal.

    Threats not tolerable, I am not a child anymore: Bilawal Bhutto

    “I am not a child anymore,” Bilawal said in reference to his young age at the time of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

    “We will not tolerate this anymore; I am here now,” Bilawal said responding to PM Khan’s remark about having former president Asif Ali Zardari being his next target.

    “What I will do to you will be remembered by your generations,” Bilawal warned PM Khan.

    “We never used guns but we know how to use them,” Bilawal said, adding that he is a peaceful person and will remain the same.

    “However, we will respond in the same language if they keep pressurising us,” he said, referring to the prime minister’s “foul language”.

    “Using foul language will not save PM Imran Khan’s seat but he would curse more when he sees his position in danger.” 

    PM Khan uses donations from cancer hospital to run his kitchen: Bilawal

    “You used the donations from the cancer hospital to run your kitchen and your party […] you are a culprit; a United States court has convicted you,” said Bilawal.

    Ohh, Imran, the cases that will be filed against you; you have no idea: Bilawal

    Bilawal said he was not Zardari, who “says that let his opponents lie as much as they want”, as due to their allegations, he would “go to paradise”.

    “Should we still believe that you are meeting ends by selling your cricketing days’ toys […] Ohh, Imran, the cases that will be filed against you; you have no idea,” Bilawal warned the premier.

    Bilawal said neither Imran nor anyone could “break” Zardari through allegations or misuse of power.

    “It was a plan that Zardari and Faryal Talpur be first put behind bars and it was also assumed that PPP would remain silent, but that did not happen.”

    The more pressure comes, the more the premier will abuse: PPP Chairperson

    Reacting to the prime minister’s speech, Bilawal said, “The more pressure comes, the more the premier will abuse.” He maintained that PM Imran will hurl more abuses after sensing a threat to his government.

    “PPP always stood against the tyrants in every era,” he said, adding that those who think that he will get scared and step back, don’t know that Zardari and Benazir’s blood flows in his veins.

    We consider the attack on Aseefa a message for us: Bilawal

    The PPP chairman said that there have been two such incidents that are unbearable for him. The threats to his father and an “attack” on his sister, Aseefa, are intolerable for him.

    “We believe that the drone incident was a message for us,” he said and demanded of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Agency and other agencies to investigate the incident.

    Will Shehbaz be the next PM?

    Giving hints about the next prime minister, Bilawal asked PM Khan to pray and ask the First Lady to pray that no one else but Zardari forms government again. “We will request Shehbaz Sharif at the right time to appoint an interior minister.”

    People made Awami March historic: Bilawal

    Bilawal also thanked the PPP supporters for joining the “Awami March” he led, saying that their participation has made the march historic.

    “The people brought a no-confidence motion against the selected [prime minister] and proved that they stand by the democracy,” Bilawal said.

  • Bilawal, watch old videos of Benazir and learn how long marches happen: Fawad Chaudhry

    Bilawal, watch old videos of Benazir and learn how long marches happen: Fawad Chaudhry

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry advised Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to watch previous videos of his late mother, Benazir Bhutto, to learn how to conduct a long march.

    “Bilawal must go through the videos of previous long marches held by (late) Benazir Bhutto to learn how such rallies are conducted.”

     “We first want them [Opposition] to get tired by holding this march, then we will make our next move,” said Fawad.

    Rejecting the claims of the Opposition, Fawad said that the relief package announced by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan a day earlier was not an attempt to woo voters ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    “We just made adjustments to our existing budget to facilitate our middle class. Previously, we had given targeted subsidies to extremely poor segment.”