Tag: Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz

  • Hamza Shehbaz’s electricity relief package suspended by ECP till July 17

    Hamza Shehbaz’s electricity relief package suspended by ECP till July 17

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday suspended Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz’s electricity relief package, “Roshan Gharana Programme”, which offers free electricity to households that consume up to 100 units till July 17.

    Hamza Shehbaz announced on Monday that the provincial government would bear the power cost of households consuming up to 100 units of electricity in a month.

    A three-member bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja issued a stay order against the implementation of the CM’s announcement.

    The ECP sought a reply from the provincial chief executive on July 7.

    The reply submitted by Hamza’s counsel stated that the CM’s relief package is for the entire province except for the constituencies where the by-polls are being held.

    “No election is being staged in areas where Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) supplies electric power,” Hamza’s counsel maintained.

    At this, CEC Sultan asked why Hamza held a separate press conference if the programme was already included in the budget.

    “The announcement garnered more reaction than the programme’s approval in the budget. There was no need to make a separate announcement for it if was already a part of the budget,” the CEC remarked.

  • CM Hamza announces free electricity for households consuming up to 100 units

    CM Hamza announces free electricity for households consuming up to 100 units

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz announced on Monday the provincial government would bear the power cost of households consuming up to 100 units of electricity in a month.

    “I was told not to take big decisions without the cabinet’s consent to steer the backward class out of difficult economic conditions. I was told that it could become a NAB case, but I said that I am ready to face any difficulty to give relief to people,” said Hamza Shehbaz.

    The CM conveyed that the provincial government would pay the full bill of consumers using up to 100 units of electricity per month under the Punjab Chief Minister’s Roshan Gharana Programme. The consumers using up to 100 units of electricity in each of the past six months will be able to avail the facility, the CM said and emphasised that the programme would benefit almost half of the population of the province.

    “This will act as an incentive for those who use more than 100 units of electricity to save energy,” Hamza hoped.

    Hamza said that there are 4.4 million families using 100 units in Punjab, i.e. 55 million people in the province use less than 100 units per month.

    “The economic situation will be back on track,” he promised. He vowed that “the genie of inflation will be put back into the bottle and the dying economy will be revived with the grace of Allah Almighty and help of masses”.

  • Will Punjab select its new CM today?

    Will Punjab select its new CM today?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) moved the Supreme Court (SC) to challenge Lahore High Court’s verdict to recount the votes cast in the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) elections excluding the votes that were cast by 25 dissident PTI lawmakers.

    The SC accepted PTI’s plea for an immediate hearing earlier in the day and formed a three-member bench. The hearing is currently underway by the bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial.

    During the hearing, PTI’s lawyer Babar Awan requested to wait for seven days for the election process. To this, the court questioned, “Do you want Punjab to remain without a Chief Minister for seven days?”

    Moreover, the apex court has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to send notice to five reserved seats. As in the petition, PTI pointed out that lawmakers on five reserved seats in the Punjab Assembly had still not been notified in accordance with the LHC’s earlier directives.

    PTI leader and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry announced the development on his Twitter handle. He said, “An appeal has been filed in the SC against the decision of the LHC. It is hoped that the SC will hold a hearing today in view of this crisis and the session of the Punjab Assembly will be adjourned.”

    The petitioners urged the court to remove Hamza as CM and requested to issue directives for holding a “free and fair” election for the post of the province’s chief executive. Moreover, they requested the court to suspend the election process till the pendency of their petition.

    In the petition, the party also said that some of their Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) are currently not in Pakistan as they have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. The party also argued that many PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) members are busy with political campaign in their constituencies for the upcoming by-elections in Punjab.

    The magic number required to show the majority is 186. According to the verdict of the LHC, after recounting the votes today (Friday), the tally of the incumbent CM Hamza Shehbaz will come down to 172 votes after the exclusion of 25 votes of PTI dissident MPAs. The session will take place today at 4pm as per the LHC order.

    ‘Going to Supreme Court over LHC decision on Punjab CM polls’: Imran Khan

    On Thursday, LHC accepted the appeals of PTI filed against the election of CM Hamza and ordered a recount of votes with the exclusion of the 25 defecting party members who voted for him.

    A five-member larger bench of the LHC headed by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan announced the verdict.

    After the verdict, Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the party would be going to the apex court tomorrow (Friday) and challenge the verdict.

    Verdict:

    As per the verdict, the votes will be recounted and the candidate securing a majority of votes will be declared the chief minister of Punjab.

    Article 130(4) of the Constitution of Pakistan governs the election of chief ministers, under which there is an obligation of a majority of 186 votes.

    Hamza will no longer be the chief minister if he doesn’t retain the required majority after the exclusion of 25 votes, while the second round of polls will be held as per Article 130(4) in case no one gets the majority after a recount.

    Reactions:

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar said that the PML-N is happy and content because it has the required numbers. He said that the PML-N has 177 votes, which means a majority of nine votes even if the dissidents’ votes are not counted.

    “The court neither nullified the previous elections nor ordered fresh elections,” Tarar said.

    The politician said that PTI is unable to understand what the verdict states “in English”.

    Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “The decision of the High Court has further aggravated the political crisis in Punjab. There are many flaws in this decision.”

    Hamza Shehbaz was elected CM Punjab on April 16 with 197 votes, while PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) candidate Pervaiz Elahi received no votes.

  • CM Punjab Hamza owns over Rs410 million assets: ECP report

    CM Punjab Hamza owns over Rs410 million assets: ECP report

    The Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) has revealed the details of assets held by lawmakers of the Punjab Assembly.

    Hamza Shehbaz

    The ECP reported that Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz owns assets worth more than Rs410 million, out of which Rs130 million is attributed to 11 houses that the CM owns.  He also owns 3 agricultural properties that are valued at Rs30 million with another 2 gifted to him by his brother, Suleman Shehbaz.

    The CM’s first wife Mehrunnisah owns assets worth Rs3.5 million while his other wife, Rabia owns assets worth Rs37.5 million. Hamza, according to the documents submitted to ECP, is also in debt of nearly Rs100 million.

    Sardar Usman Buzdar

    The former chief minister of Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar, has over a dozen properties to his name valued at Rs35 million reports the ECP. He is also the owner of 3 tractors and 2 cars, one that was passed down from his father.

    Aleem Khan

    Ex-provincial minister Aleem Khan has assets valued at over Rs700 million to his name.

    Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi

    The ECP reports that Punjab Assembly speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi owns assets worth over Rs200 million and non-agricultural land valued at over Rs60 million. According to the documents submitted to the ECP, Pervaiz Elahi owns a flour mill that was valued at Rs9.9 million while his wife holds assets worth Rs100 million.

  • ‘Lotay washroom kay elawa kisi kaam kay nahi rahay’: PTI celebrates ECP decision

    ‘Lotay washroom kay elawa kisi kaam kay nahi rahay’: PTI celebrates ECP decision

    The Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) on Friday declared 25 dissident members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) de-seated while announcing its verdict in a case pertaining to the dissident members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs).

    In a unanimous verdict, ECP announced that the MPAs will be defected from the party by voting in favour of Hamza Shehbaz, which means that the election that got Hamza Shehbaz the CM seat might not be valid. The reference against PTI dissidents who voted for Hamza Shehbaz in the election of Punjab chief minister was sent by Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    Former Planning Minister and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar on Friday called out the de-seated members of the party and said that ‘lotay washroom kay elawa kisi kaam kay nahi rahay’. [Lotay are now only good for use in the washroom].

    Speaking to journalists outside ECP Umar congratulated the nation saying “another chapter of heinous politics has closed today”. “Some of the political parties have used politics for businesses as they are involved in horse-trading,” Umar said, adding that these people [the current leadership] come into power by investing money and earn more by misusing their power.

    In the election for the chief minister’s slot on April 16, 2022, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz got 197 votes as opposed to the required number of 186 in the House of 371, meaning the support of PTI dissidents was key to his victory.

    Journalist Majid Nizami in his report said, “As per the rules of the Punjab Assembly (PA), the chief minister is elected with a simple majority, therefore 186 votes out of the 371-seat assembly. But if no candidate secures the votes of a majority of the total membership for the assembly in the first round then the second round of voting is held. In this round, the member who secures the most votes, from amongst the members present that day, will win.”

    PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz reacting to the news said, “No matter what PTI does, the dream of snatching Punjab from the tiger will be shattered.”

  • ‘Khan wants to destroy Pakistan for his ego’: CM Hamza Shehbaz

    ‘Khan wants to destroy Pakistan for his ego’: CM Hamza Shehbaz

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz on Thursday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was “trying to divide the army”.

    “I want to tell you today that what Imran Khan Niazi is doing is not politics. He is spreading hatred in the name of politics,” said Hamza, addressing a press conference in Lahore. “What does he want to do with this country? I, as a Pakistani, want to warn the nation: don’t be misled with his fake demeanour.”

    He urged people and the institutions to “keep an eye” on Imran and his tactics.

    “He is trying to destroy Pakistan for his ego, just like he trampled upon the Constitution and the law for his ego. Keep politics aside. First decide what this man is trying to do with the nation. The people and institutions will have to take notice.”

    Hamza said he would stay on the post of CM “as long as God wills it” and vowed to continue working for the welfare and well-being of the people of the province “without wasting any moment”.

    “The way these people are creating problems in Punjab, whether it is the former governor [Omar Sarfraz Cheema] or the president [Arif Alvi] … The way they are spreading propaganda among the public … I have decided not to waste a second in making things easier for the people.”

    “I won’t let anything hinder my resolve in working for the people of Punjab.”

    “But I want to tell you today that the government of Punjab is standing with its people,” he pledged, announcing a relief package for the province in which the price of a 10kg bag of wheat flour, which earlier cost Rs650, has been reduced to Rs490. “In 36 districts of Punjab, people will be able to buy flour at this price,” the CM said. “We are giving a relief of Rs160 under the Rs200 billion subsidy for the province.”

    Hamza also said that he will ensure that everyday medicines and especially the ones used for cancer will be given free to people.

  • PPP doesn’t want Punjab governorship, demands ministries, chairmanship

    PPP doesn’t want Punjab governorship, demands ministries, chairmanship

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation had a meeting with Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz. Power-sharing issues were discussed between CM Hamza and the PPP delegation, reports Geo News.

    As per reports, it is being said that the PPP will give up the constitutional posts of Punjab and has decided not to take up the post of Governor. The PPP has also sought three ministries, more than two special assistants, and a chairmanship of a standing committee in Punjab. Besides, the PPP has also sought the posts of two parliamentary secretaries in Punjab.

    Leaders of both PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have also agreed to work together.