Tag: Hamza Shahbaz

  • Nawaz Sharif attracts over 30 electables to PML-N camp

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has successfully garnered the support of more than 30 influential electables from Balochistan, Geo News reports.

    The seasoned politician, who recently returned to Pakistan after a four-year self-imposed exile, orchestrated the feat during his visit to Quetta.

    Accompanied by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz, Nawaz engaged in discussions with leaders from various political factions during his visit to Balochistan.

    Following these deliberations, over 30 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Balochistan National Party–Mengal (BNP-M), National Party (NP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) joined the ranks of PML-N.

    From BAP, former Balochistan chief minister Jam Kamal Khan, Mir Saleem Khosa, Noor Mohammad, Baba Buledi, Sardar Masood Luni, Rubaba Buledi, Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, Shoaib Nosherwani, Ramin Jan Muhammad Hassni and Muhammad Khan Lehrijoined the PML-N ranks.

    PPP leaders Saeedul Hassan Mandokhail, Sardar Fateh Muhammad, and Faiq Jamali jumped ship to join the PML-N.
    From the National Party, Mujib Mohammad Hassni and former senator Dr Ashok Kumar, while Zeenat Shahwani of BNP-M and PTI’s Muhammad Jamali and Sardar Atif Sanjrani also joined the PML-N.

    The PML-N delegation, which held discussions with a BAP delegation led by Nawabzada Khalid Magsi, also marked a noteworthy reconciliation between the historically contentious parties. BAP, founded in 2018, has roots in political dissidents from both PML-N and the PML-Q.

    To strengthen its position in the province, PML-N is reportedly exploring electoral alliances, including with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F).

    Talks suggest that, if successful, the parties may jointly contest the general elections, with a shared decision on the chief minister’s candidacy.

    Sources said that the JUI-F has also put forward the name of Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri conditioning their support if he is made the province’s chief executive.

    The development comes as earlier this month the PML-N and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) announced their electoral alliance to jointly contest the upcoming general elections in Sindh.

    In response to these developments, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari offered a suggestion to Nawaz Sharif, urging him to “focus on Lahore,” on Tuesday.

    “Mian sahab has been adviced to visit other provinces. I would suggest that he should stay in Lahore and focus on its problems,” said the PPP chairman during a presser in Mithi, calling on PML-N to do politics on its own and stop relying on others.

  • Nawaz on ‘Quetta’ mission; Tension in PMLN over toughest election – What is happening?

    Nawaz on ‘Quetta’ mission; Tension in PMLN over toughest election – What is happening?

    In the run-up to the February 8 general elections in Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is embarking on a two-day visit to Balochistan, following the party’s strategy to form alliances in all provinces.

    The move aligns with the recent invitation extended by senior MQM-P leaders to the party to forge an alliance against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh.

    Sources reveal that during a visit to Lahore, Balochistan leaders urged Nawaz Sharif to visit Quetta and align with them for the upcoming polls, as per Dawn.

    “Since some of the BAP leaders earlier remained with the PML-N and incumbent Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, a former member of BAP, had a good working relationship with PML-N, the party of Sharifs may not face much problems in exploring strategic partners in Balochistan ahead of the polls,” they said.

    The party is eyeing at least 25 sardars/electables from Balochistan, crucial players in the region’s elections.

    PML-N Balochistan chapter president Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail said Mr Sharif would hold meetings with PkMAP Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai, National Party President Dr Malik Baloch, former CM Jam Kamal and BAP leaders, including Nawabzada Khalid Magsi, Sardar Muhammad Saleh Bhootani and some of the party’s senators, ex-MNAs and MPAs.

    Nawaz Sharif will also attend an event in which various ‘electables’ will announce joining PML-N, including former MNAs and MPAs belonging to BAP.

    Tension arises in PMLN

    Meanwhile, in Muzaffargarh, internal tensions arise within the PML-N as former municipal committee chairman Akram Chandia and his brother Ajmal Chandia join the party, potentially securing tickets for the upcoming elections.

    The move has irked former PML-N MPA Hamad Nawaz Tipu, who announced his candidacy, vying for both MPA and National Assembly seats.

    On the National Assembly seat, he lost to PPP’s Mehr Irshad Sial, who received 53,054 votes, with the runner-up being Jamshed Dasti securing 50,566 votes. Mr Tipu stood third with 47,642 votes. The MPA election also witnessed a close contest where winner Abdul Hayee Dasti received 17,686 votes, followed by Ajmal Chandia with 17,669 votes and Mr Tipu with 16,358 votes.

    Ajmal Chandia was a candidate for PP-270 as a candidate of Jamshed Dasti’s party in the 2018 elections and stood as the runner-up behind Abdul Hayee Dasti.

    While Mr Tipu and the Chandia brothers are in contention for the PML-N ticket, former MPA Chunnu Laghari has also announced joining the PML-N, and he is unlikely to face any resistance in obtaining an MPA ticket under Basit Sultan’s National Assembly constituency in Jatoi tehsil.

    ‘Toughest elections’

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s son Hamza Shehbaz said the Feb 8 polls were going to be the most difficult ones in the country’s history.

    Talking to journalists in Lahore on Monday, the PML-N leader said all parties should work together to steer the country out of crisis.

    In reply to a question about the role of the establishment and the PML-N’s relations with it, he said it was a good sign if the establishment supported the government.

    “It is also a good thing if there are cordial relations with the establishment,” Hamza added.

    Asked whether Nawaz Sharif was new blue-eyed of the military establishment, Hamza said: “When I was in the opposition, the people would call Imran Khan their blue-eyed.”

  • Fawad Chaudhry criticises PTI’s provincial governments for disappointing workers

    Fawad Chaudhry criticises PTI’s provincial governments for disappointing workers

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised the party’s own provincial governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for “disappointing party workers” and “not responding befittingly” to the attempted arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, May 25 crackdown, arrest and alleged torture of Shahbaz Gill and other political workers.

    “Let me make it clear to our provincial governments that people did not vote for you so that you become ministers. Be it the attempt to arrest Imran Khan, the events of May 25 or the arrest and torture of Shahbaz Gill and [other] political workers, you have disappointed the workers. Those ruling Islamabad have become goons,” tweeted Fawad.

    Turning his criticism to his own party, Fawad Chaudhry wondered why there has not been any response from the PTI’s provincial governments to the federal government’s “witch-hunt” of Imran Khan.

  • Ruling coalition demands full court bench in Punjab CM case

    Ruling coalition demands full court bench in Punjab CM case

    The ruling coalition has demanded that a full court bench should hear the petitions filed in reference to the election of the Punjab chief minister (CM) election.

    In a statement, the coalition parties said it will be fair that a full court bench comprising all the honourable judges of the Supreme Court should review the hear Supreme Court Bar Association’s (SCBA) review request, the present petition, and other related applications together, and schedule them for hearing together and issue a single ruling because these are matters of national, political and constitutional importance.

    Criticising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the joint statement said that he wants to move Pakistan’s democracy and right to governance towards “default”, “just as he did with the economy”.

    “Imran Khan’s attitude and thoughts are like a ‘termite’ eating away at  Pakistan […] but the ruling coalition reiterates its commitment that there will be no compromise on the constitution, democracy, and people’s right to rule,” they said.

    They added that the coalition parties will move forward on every forum together and they will “fight against the darkness of fascism”.

    ‘Enough is enough. Don’t expect us to follow one-sided decisions, says Maryam Nawaz

    Reacting to the events of last night, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said that she disapproved of how things were unfolding said that the party will not accept “one-sided” decisions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan,

    “Amid pressure due to bullying, threats, misbehaviour and abuses, if the house of justice makes specific decisions via the same bench and negates itself, negate its own decisions, puts its weight behind a single side then do not expect us to bow our heads before such one-sided decisions. Enough is Enough!” tweeted the PML-N leader.

    The PML-N leader said that the current political chaos and instability started with the Supreme Court’s court decision on Article 63A, adding that it made an “arbitrary interpretation” of the constitution to not count the MPAs that voted voluntarily. 

    “With utmost respect, I request that a full bench be constituted”: Atta Tarar

    PML-N leader Ataullah Tarar demanded that since this is a matter related to the interpretation of the Constitution, a full bench should hear the petition.

    The PML-N leader said that court hearings related to constitutional matters that have taken place recently — since the no-confidence motion against ex-prime minister Imran Khan — warrant a full bench.

    “Therefore, with the utmost respect, I request that a full bench be constituted to hear this case as well,” the PML-N leader said.

    ‘How long will State institutions continue to allow this? We are not far from Sri Lanka moment’: Imran Khan

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan, in a series of tweets, said that Pakistan was “not far” from defaulting and the state would soon depict a likeness to Sri Lanka, which has defaulted on its external debt.

    Khan said in just over three months — from the time he was ousted from power — the “Zardari-Sharifs mafia” has “brought the country to its knees”, politically and economically.

    Khan alleged they had done so “to simply save their illegally accumulated wealth amassed over 30 years of plundering Pakistan”.

  • Pervaiz Out: Hamza Shehbaz elected as CM again

    Pervaiz Out: Hamza Shehbaz elected as CM again

    Hamza Shehbaz elected Chief Minister (CM) Punjab again after Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari rejected 10 Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) votes.

    10 PML-Q votes will not be counted: Dost Mazari

    Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Mazari says 10 PML-Q votes will not be counted because of Chaudhry Shujaat’s letter.

    According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Raas, Hamza received 179 votes whereas Elahi got 186 votes. After Mazari rejected 10 PML-Q votes, Elahi was left with 176 votes, which turned the tables in Hamza’s favour.

    While announcing the result, Mazari read Shujaat’s letter out loud. “As party head of Pakistan Muslim League, I have issued directions to all my provincial members to cast their votes in favour of Muhammad Hamza Shehbaz Sharif,” Mazari quoted Hussain as saying.

    His ruling was countered by PTI MPA Raja Basharat, who said that the law states that the parliamentary party could issue instructions to party members.

    “The head of the parliamentary party is Pervaiz Elahi,” he contended.

    However, Mazari said that the matter had been clarified by the Supreme Court, subsequently proroguing the session.

    Will not support the PTI candidate for the CM slot., confirms Moonis Elahi to Hamid Mir

    Moonis Elahi has confirmed to senior journalist Hamid Mir that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has indeed written a letter to the Deputy Speaker. He has said that he will not support the PTI candidate for the CM slot.

    Senior journalist Hamid Mir originally broke the story about Chaudhry Shujaat’s letter, which was later confirmed by Moonis Elahi to him as well.

    Asif Ali Zardari to meet Chaudhry Shujaat, again: Hamid Mir

    Senior journalist Hamid Mir says that Asif Zardari is about to meet PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

    Reports suggest that Moonis Elahi has also left the Punjab Assembly.

    ‘Now the rules of the game will be the same for everyone, else PML-N knows how to play it better’: Maryam Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has tweeted that the PML-N has not forgotten the treatment meted out to them. “Now the rules of the game will be the same for everyone, else PMLN knows how to play it better. Insha’Allah.”

    PTI to file contempt of court petition against Dost Mazari: Fawad Chaudhry

    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has tweeted that the unnecessary delay in starting the Punjab Assembly session is a violation of the Supreme Court’s orders. He said that the party has directed its lawyers to file a contempt of court petition against Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari.

    ‘Allah ko manzoor huva tau jeeteinge’: Hamza Shehbaz

    Hamza Shehbaz has reached the Punjab Assembly. Talking to the media, Hamza seemed quite happy and hoped for a victory.

    ‘Hammad Azhar will be the new PTI Punjab President’: Imran Khan

    According to media reports, Chairman PTI Imran Khan said that Hammad Azhar will be the new PTI Punjab President.

    Last month, Shafqat Mahmood stepped down from this post. Hammad Azhar was made PTI Central Punjab General Secretary.

    However, Azhar took to Twitter and said that “No changes are being in punjab chapter’s organisation.”

    ‘I was there’: Buzdar denies he was absent from PTI jalsas in Punjab

    Former CM Punjab Usman Buzdar was asked about his absence from the PTI jalsas being held in Punjab.

    He responded by saying, “I was present at every jalsa.”

    ‘Sari raat saaray duaein kartay rahay hain’: Pervaiz Elahi

    The PTI candidate for the CM slot, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, is currently in the House. Talking to the media, he seemed really hopeful of a win.

    Today, the Punjab Assembly will vote in the runoff election and decide who gets to be the next chief minister of the province: Hamza Shehbaz or Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. The Punjab Assembly session started at 4pm today as per the Supreme Court’s orders.

    Hamza Shehbaz is the incumbent chief minister and CM candidate of the PML-N and its coalition partners, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The total number game of the PML-N-led ruling coalition is179.

    Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi of the PML-Q is the CM candidate of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). PTI and PML-Q have a total of 187 members on their side.

    Pakistan will become another Sri Lanka if Elahi not allowed to become CM Punjab: Imran Khan

    Yesterday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said yesterday that if Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is not allowed to become CM Punjab, Pakistan will become another Sri Lanka.

    “I will never forget what happened to us on May 25. We will never forget,” added Khan.

    Credit goes to Zardari for first destroying the PPP and now the PML-N: Fawad Chaudhry

    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the Maryam Nawaz group’s gesture by accepting the results of the Punjab by-polls was good but the Shehbaz Sharif group is most probably working under the influence of Asif Ali Zardari. He alleged that Shehbaz Sharif is consulting Zardari these days for major decisions.

    “Credit goes to Zardari for destroying two parties, first the PPP and now the PML-N,” added Fawad Chaudhry.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1550107633423720448

    Read more: What next for the PML-N? Experts weigh in

    Asif Zardari meets Chaudhry Shujaat, again

    PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari met PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain once again last night. Zardari had already held two meetings with Chaudhry Shujaat earlier in an effort to get his support for Hamza Shehbaz.

    The former president had sent a message for a meeting with Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi. However, they both refused to meet him according to The News.

    Moonis Elahi said that it’s “game over” for the government.

    “They can do whatever they want, they have lost the game,” said Moonis Elahi.

    50 PTI MPAs can vote for Hamza Shehbaz: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has claimed that 50 PTI MPAs can vote for Hamza Shehbaz in the CM Punjab election today.

    “Not five, but 50 PTI MPAs can either use their right to vote or abstain from casting their votes,” said Rana Sanaullah.

  • Punjab Governor Sarwar removed early in the morning: What really happened?

    Punjab Governor Sarwar removed early in the morning: What really happened?

    Federal Information and Law Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted in the morning around 9am that Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has been removed from his position. “A new governor will be announced later. According to the Constitution, the Deputy Speaker will be the acting Governor.”

    Senior journalist Hamid Mir tweeted that he spoke to Chaudhry Sarwar, who told him that the Prime Minister’s Office was forcing him to do unconstitutional things that he refused. “He said Fed Govt wanted me to delay today’s session of the Punjab Assembly when he resisted they sacked him on the demand of Ch Pervez Elahi,” added Mir.

    However, Mir deleted his tweet and later tweeted a new one saying, “Governor @ChMSarwar called me and said he is still governor.”

    Rumour has it that Governor Sarwar was allegedly helping Hamza Shehbaz in today’s chief minister elections in Punjab.

    In November 2018, a video surfaced in which Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Tariq Bashir Cheema could be seen complaining to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Khan Tareen that Chaudhry Sarwar should be controlled as he was not letting Usman Buzdar work.

    “Sir, control Sarwar! He will not let your chief minister continue,” Cheema could be heard telling Tareen.

    https://twitter.com/PakPressWatch/status/1061957553251405824

  • Bail granted to Shehbaz Sharif

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday granted bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif. The bail was approved by the three-member bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, Justice Alia Neelum and Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi. Sharif was first granted and then denied bail after a division bench issued a split decision on Sharif’s petition, sending the matter to the LHC chief justice for the nomination of a referee judge.

    Sharif was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a money-laundering case last year in September.

    Shehbaz Sharif’s son Hamza Shehbaz was released in February after spending 20 months in jail as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) probed money laundering accusations against him.

    While Shehbaz was incarcerated, a report in The News said that Maryam Nawaz, due to her hawkish stance, has gained popularity in the party and the public. Her control on the party is strengthened to such an extent that she has stopped “consulting him [Shehbaz] for political advice”.