Tag: Hamza Shehbaz

  • Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to appear before Supreme Court tomorrow: sources

    Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to appear before Supreme Court tomorrow: sources

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain will appear before the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday (tomorrow) over the matter of his letter to Punjab Assembly (PA) Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari on the day of the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) election (July 22), sources have revealed according to Geo News.

    According to media reports, he has left for the capital.

    It is pertinent to mention that after reading Shujaat’s letter to the House, Mazari dismissed the 10 votes of PML-Q cast in favour of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, which led to his [Elahi] defeat in the CM election against Hamza Shehbaz.

    Following the election, a plea was filed by Elahi challenging Mazari’s ruling. On Saturday, the apex court heard it and said that incumbent CM Hamza Shehbaz will work as a trustee CM till Monday and adjourned the hearing.

    ‘Hamza Shehbaz will work as trustee CM till Monday’: Supreme Court

    In a plea filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi challenging Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari’s ruling, the Supreme Court (SC) has said that incumbent Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz will work as a trustee CM till Monday and adjourned the hearing.

    The judges also remarked that the deputy speaker’s ruling appeared to be illegal. Earlier today, a three-bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial heard Elahi’s plea after last night’s Punjab CM election.

    The court has also made it clear that Hamza will work in accordance with the law and the Constitution until then. According to the top court, Hamza is not allowed to use his power as CM in any way that would benefit him personally.

    Outside the court, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PT) leader Farrukh Habib told reporters that the government’s side had no responses or credible arguments to present.

    He said the case has become very “simple and clear” and after today’s hearing, Elahi would be the “legal and constitutional” chief minister once the court verdict comes. He said Hamza is restored only as a “trustee” chief minister so that the province’s governance is not impacted and his oath today has been withheld.

    Earlier today, CJP directed Dost Mazari to appear before the court so that he could explain his position. However, he did not show up. Irfan Qadir, Mazari’s lawyer, asked the court for more time and said he wanted to submit a written response. The court granted him time till Monday.

    It is pertinent to mention that Elahi had the support of 10 PML-Q MPAs apart from PTI. However, a day before the CM Punjab election, a meeting took place between Shujaat and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, which turned the tables in Hamza’s favour. On the day of the election, Shujaat directed his MPAs to vote in favour of Hamza.

    However, the lawmakers cast votes in favour of Elahi but Mazari dismissed their votes. Later both PTI and PML-Q challenged Mazari’s ruling as they were of the view that it is unconstitutional.

    SC summons Punjab Deputy Speaker Mazari at 2pm on Elahi’s petition

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday summoned Punjab Assembly (PA) Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari at 2pm in connection with a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi challenging his ruling during the chief minister’s run-off election held on July 22.

    A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justices Ijazul Ahsan and Munib Akhtar, directed Mazari to submit the complete record of yesterday’s election to the court.

    Elahi’s counsel Barrister Ali Zafar informed the court that in the run-off election yesterday, Hamza secured 179 votes against his client’s 186.

    The SC’s opinion in the May order, Zafar said, states that the parliamentary party can give directions to lawmakers on whom to vote for, and the PML-Q’s parliamentary party decided to back Elahi, but despite that, Mazari dismissed 10 PML-Q votes.

    “They ignored the parliamentary party’s decision,” Zafar said.

    At this, the chief justice said that all the relevant parties — deputy speaker, chief minister, and Punjab attorney-general — should be issued notices so they can provide their version.

    “We wish to hear from the deputy speaker personally. Only the deputy speaker can tell us which paragraph he was referring to,” Justice Bandial said.

    Elahi files a petition against the deputy speaker’s ruling

    In his petition, Elahi requested the court to hold the deputy speaker’s ruling leading to Hamza’s re-election as “bogus and false”.

    “Hamza Shehbaz may kindly be declared disqualified as the Punjab chief minister/ member of the provincial assembly,” the petition read.

    It requested the court to declare the deputy speaker’s decision to discard the votes of 10 PML-Q lawmakers on grounds of Article 63-A of the Constitution as “unconstitutional”.

    What happened in Punjab on July 22?

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) candidate Hamza Shehbaz on July 22 retained the post of the Punjab chief minister after a three-vote victory against the PTI’s candidate, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    Dost Mazari, citing the Supreme Court’s opinion on Article 63-A of the Constitution, rejected 10 votes cast by PML-Q members in favour of Elahi “against the party line”.

    As a result, Hamza received 179 votes, while Elahi, who was backed by the PTI, managed to bag 176 votes.

  • 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.

  • VIDEO: Former MPA Iftikhar Ahmed Baloch attacked, Hamza Shehbaz orders arrest of attackers

    VIDEO: Former MPA Iftikhar Ahmed Baloch attacked, Hamza Shehbaz orders arrest of attackers

    Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz on Wednesday sought a report from Inspector-General (IG) Punjab after former MPA Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Baloch was attacked in Jhang.

    A video that surfaced on social media showed that he was beaten, his clothes were torn and abuses were being hurled at him.

    After the video went viral, Hamza directed the IG Punjab to arrest those involved in the incident.

    The police said that under the direction of the chief minister, a team has been formed to arrest those people who attacked the former MPA.

  • Kaptaan smashes Noon at Shehbaz Speed

    Kaptaan smashes Noon at Shehbaz Speed

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept the Punjab by-elections held on July 17 by bagging a total of 15 out of 20 Punjab Asse­mbly seats while the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) only managed to win four seats. An independent candidate won one seat. The unexpected and sweeping victory of PTI in the all-important Punjab by-polls is set to influence the political as well as economic future of the country. The outcome of the by-elections has not just sealed the fate of Hamza Shehbaz’s government in Punjab but also sent alarm bells ringing for Shehbaz Sharif’s federal government.

    The million dollar question is, what happened in Punjab that the kaptaan was able to pull this off in the heart of PML-N? PTI Chairman Imran Khan led a vigorous campaign against those who had ditched the party during the first poll for the chief minister on April 16 and voted for Hamza. Even the PML-N’s voters did not vote for the ‘lotas’ or turncoats. Khan continuously targeted the ‘neutrals’ for not siding with him in foiling the so-called ‘conspiracy’ the PML-N, PPP, and other parties had allegedly hatched “with the help of the United States” to oust him from power. That his foreign conspiracy mantra sold like hot cakes shows that Pakistanis love conspiracy theories.

    The Punjab by-elections have brought to the limelight further questions: what is next for the PML-N? The ruling PML-N really needs to ‘introspect’ its shortcomings and need to go back to the drawing board and check every possible situation that led the party to its failure in Punjab. Was the vote of no-confidence the right move? Was the PML-N really thinking that a father-son duo as prime minister and the chief minister can turn out to be successful? At present, the most important question is, when is Nawaz Sharif coming back? The party has faced a lot of damage in his absence. Within the PML-N, a lot of people are of the view that Hamza should accept defeat and immediately resign as chief minister, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should call the next general elections as soon as possible. What the PML-N will do next can shape the future of Pakistan. Will Shehbaz Sharif announce the general elections or stick to power? Will a caretaker government be formed that can also take care of the economy for three months given how crucial the IMF deal is?

    Whatever happens, Pakistan is in need of massive reforms. With the pertaining economic crisis and inflation, major political, as well as economic stability, is required. The country needs stability more than ever.

  • ‘Coalition government lost support of the people’: Politicians react to PTI’s win in Punjab by-polls

    ‘Coalition government lost support of the people’: Politicians react to PTI’s win in Punjab by-polls

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that the by-elections have made it clear that the coalition government has lost the support of the people.

    Khokhar was of the opinion that instead of forming the government, elections should have been held immediately. He also said that the deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should have been done by a government with a fresh mandate.

    “Difficult decisions should be made by a government that has a mandate of five years, it is not possible that we have sky-rocketing inflation and people shower us with flowers,” said Khokhar.

    “Political parties are still stuck in the 90s, the by-elections made it clear that the coalition government has lost the support of the people, political stability will be further eroded, and governance will become difficult. The country and economy need stabilisation, which is possible only through general elections,” said Khokhar.

    If they have won seats through people’s mandate, CM should step down: Malik Ahmad

    “In all fairness, if they have won seats through the people’s mandate, then the CM [Hamza Shehbaz] should step down and let them form a government,” said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan to The News.

    “Once the people have spoken, they are the sovereign and if they have spoken in favour of Imran’s narrative for general elections, then they have spoken. Then let there be a fresh mandate. Otherwise, every day there will be a new crisis,” added Malik Ahmad.

    Imran Khan to decide when Shehbaz Sharif will be removed: Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry said that Imran Khan would decide when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be removed.

    Speaking to Geo News, Fawad Chaudhry said that all the political parties need to end the ongoing political crisis and show maturity.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept the Punjab by-elections by bagging a total of 15 out of 20 Punjab Asse­mbly seats while the ruling PML-N only managed to win four seats. An independent candidate won one seat.

  • ‘It is my voice’: Sheikh Rasheed confirms the authenticity of his audio leak

    ‘It is my voice’: Sheikh Rasheed confirms the authenticity of his audio leak

    An audio call between former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed and another man, Gul Zaman, has been leaked.

    In the audio leak, it can be heard that two are talking about a “payment” being made to PML-N’s Mian Jaleel Ahmed Sharaqpuri.

    Following the news, Zaman came forward with his side of the story. He said that Rasheed called him and started talking about some payment and Sharaqpuri. “I snubbed him and asked him right away,” he added.

    He claimed he hasn’t met Sharaqpuri and Sharaqpuri also doesn’t know him. Gul Zaman said he has no clue why Rasheed said all that.

    While talking to Samaa News, Sheikh Rasheed confirmed the authenticity of the leak. According to him, all of this was a joke and denied any payments being made.

    In a video message, he further clarified that Sharaqpuri is innocent and blamed the government for the leak. He said that the government has a problem with Sharaqpuri giving his resignation to Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    Sharaqpuri said that it was a pre-planned audio leak. He said he doesn’t know Sheikh Rasheed much. He further added that Rasheed is Imran Khan’s enemy and is a fraud.

    https://twitter.com/mianjalilahmedd/status/1548628283725680640?s=21&t=2wRqvRPk0BUyMufpbemXfw
    Trouble for PML-N: Mian Jaleel Ahmed Sharaqpuri resigns

    PML-N Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) Mian Jaleel Ahmed Sharaqpuri resigned from his seat on Saturday.

    The former MPA announced his decision along with Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Fawad Chaudhry tweeted before Sharaqpuri’s resignation that some PML-N MPAs are soon going to tender their resignations.

    PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have claimed that another sitting PML-N MPA Maulvi Ghayas ud Din will also resign. However, Ghayas ud Din has not issued any such statement and has denied these reports, reports Geo News.

    According to Fawad Chaudhry, another PML-N MPA Kashif Mehmood has been disqualified. He claimed that now the PML-N and PPP have 173 MPAs including the independent candidates in the Punjab Assembly. PTI has also the support of 173 MPAs.

    Sharaqpuri’s resignation has put the PML-N in a tight spot as it is already in a neck-to-neck contest with PTI-PMLQ over the Chief Minister’s (CM) slot.

    All eyes are set on today’s by-election results, which will decide the Punjab government’s fate.

  • Today’s by-elections: Your candidates and predictions

    Today’s by-elections: Your candidates and predictions

    How many seats are there in Punjab by-elections?

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) de-seated 25 dissident members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in May. Out of these, five seats were reserved. Later, ECP notified PTI members on all five reserved seats while there will be by-elections on the rest of the 20 seats today (Sunday, July 17).

    Why is it important?

    The results of the by-elections will decide the fate of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz as the Supreme Court ordered a run-off poll for CM Punjab on July 22, five days after the by-polls are held. The magic number required to be the Punjab CM is 186.

    Four Lahore Constituencies:

    There are a total of four constituencies in Lahore.

    1- PP-158

    In PP-158, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Rana Ahsan Sharafat will contest against PTI’s Mian Akram Usman. The constituency falls under NA-129, where PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq is a Member of the National Assembly (MNA). PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s former close aide Aleem Khan won the constituency as a PTI candidate in 2018 but in these elections, he will not contest and will instead support the PML-N candidate.

    Areas: Garhi Shahu, Dharampura, Gulberg, Jail Road

    by-elections PP-158
    2- PP-167

    In PP-167, PML-N’s Nazir Chohan will contest against PTI’s Shabbir Gujjar. In 2018, Chohan won the constituency as a PTI candidate. The constituency falls under NA-133, where PML-N’s Shaista Pervaiz Malik is MNA.

    Areas: Mainly Johar Town

    by-elections PP-167
    3- PP-168

    In PP-168, PML-N’s Malik Asad Ali Khokhar will be against PTI’s Malik Nawaz Awan. In the 2018 general elections, Khokhar won from this constituency. The constituency falls under NA-133 and NA-131, where PML-N’s Shaista Pervaiz Malik and PML-N’s Saad Rafique are MNAs respectively.

    Areas: Walton, Cavalry, Kot Lakhpat, Kainchi

    by-elections PP-168
    4- PP-170

    In PP-170, it will be PML-N’s Muhammad Amin Zulqarnain versus PTI’s Zaheer Abbas Khokhar. Previously, in 2018, Zulqarnain won this constituency as a PTI candidate. The constituency falls under NA-134, where PML-N’s Rana Mubashir Iqbal is MNA.

    Areas: Wapda Town, Valencia, Township, and some rural areas of Lahore

    by-elections PP-170
    Who will win Lahore?

    Talking to The Current, senior journalist Majid Nizami said that the PTI claims that it will win three seats out of the four in Lahore in the upcoming Punjab by-polls. They think that the PML-N will win PP-168. Similarly, the PML-N also claims that it will win three out of four seats in Lahore. They think that PTI will win PP-170. According to Nizami, it is quite likely that both parties will win two seats each. From PML-N, Khokhar in PP-168 and Nazir Chohan from PP-167 are the strong candidates. From PTI, Mian Akram Usman from PP-158 and Zaheer Abbas Khokhar from PP-170 are likely to give a tough time to their competitors.

    5- Multan: PP-217

    In Multan, PML-N’s Salman Naeem is standing against former Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s son Zain Hussain Qureshi. The constituency was previously won by Naeem in 2018 when he defeated Shah Mahmood and became a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA).

    According to Majid Nizami, Naeem is likely to become MPA again this time.

    by-elections PP-217
    6- Sahiwal: PP-202

    Three candidates are contesting against each other in PP-202. From PML-N, there is Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial who is fighting against PTI’s Major Ghulam Sarwar and Independent Candidate Adil Saeed Gujjar. The constituency falls under NA-149, where PTI’s Murtaza Iqbal is MNA. PTI has a chance of winning this seat.

    Areas: Chichawatni Tehsil

    7- Bahawalnagar: PP-237

    Under this constituency, there are two candidates. PML-N’s Fida Hussain Wattoo will fight PTI’s Syed Aftab Raza, who is contesting for the first time. It is pertinent to mention that Wattoo earlier won this constituency in 2018 as an independent candidate. He later joined the PTI. Despite the fact that in the past Wattoo was elected MPA thrice in a row, Majid Nizami says that there is going to be a tough competition between these two.

    Areas: Minchinabad

    8- Lodhran: PP-224

    PTI’s Amir Iqbal Shah will contest against PML-N’s Zawar Hussain Warraich, who won the constituency in the 2018 general elections. Zawar is also considered close to Jahangir Tareen. This seat is likely to fall in the hands of the PTI.

    Areas: Dunyapur

    9- Lodhran: PP-228

    PML-N’s Nazir Ahmed Baloch, PTI’s Captain Retired Izzat Javed Khan and Independent Candidate Pir Syed Rafi Bukhari are contesting. Baloch already won the constituency in 2018. The constituency falls under NA-161, where PTI’s Mian Muhammad Shafiq is MNA. Reports indicate that the PTI is in a tight position here. The tough competition will take place between Pir Syed and Baloch.

    Areas: Rajapur

    10- Rawalpindi: PP-7

    PML-N’s Raja Sagheer Ahmed who won the constituency in the 2018 elections is going to fight against PTI’s Lt. Col. Shabbir Awan. The constituency falls under NA-57, where PTI’s Sadaqat Ali Abbasi is MNA. In this constituency, the PML-N is ahead of PTI.

    Areas: Kahuta and Kallar Syedan

    11- DG Khan: PP-288

    The son of PTI MNA Amjad Farooq Khan Khosa, Abdul Qadir Khosa, is contesting on the ticket of the PML-N. He will be against PTI’s Saif-ud-din-Khosa who is ahead in the race.

    Areas: Tehsil DG Khan, Shah sadar din and Ghaus Abad.

    12- Khushab: PP-83

    In PP-83, PML-N’s Ameer Haider Sangha is going to lock horns with PTI’s Hasan Aslam Awan and Independent candidate Malik Asif Bha. In this constituency, there is going to be a three-way fight.

    Areas: Jauharabad, Khushab city and Hadali

    13- Layyah: PP-282

    Tahir Randhawa, on a PML-N ticket, is now fighting against PTI candidate Qaiser Abbas Magsi. Magsi contested the 2008 and 2013 elections on a PML-N ticket and won as MPA. Despite this, Randhawa is ahead of Magsi.

    Areas: Chowk Azam and Chaubara Tehsil

    14- Muzaffargarh: PP-272

    Syeda Zehra Bukhari will be against PTI’s Moazzam Khan Jatoi. Zehra is the wife of PTI MNA Basit Sultan Bukhari and she won in 2018 from this constituency. Meanwhile, Jatoi is a former minister and MNA. Syeda Zehra has a stronghold.

    Areas: Shaher Sultan

    15- Muzaffargarh: PP-273

    PML-N’s Muhammad Sibtain Raza is going to be up against PTI’s Yasir Arfat Jatoi. Raza won the constituency as a PTI candidate in the previous elections. However, this time Jatoi is likely to become MPA.

    Areas: Ali pur Tehsil

    by-elections PP-273
    16- Bhakkar: PP-90

    PML-N’s Saeed Akhbar Khan Nawani will fight against PTI’s Irfan Ullah Khan Niazi who just joined the party. Nawani won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. Here, Nawani is said to be ahead of Niazi.

    Areas: Darya Khan Tehsil

    by-elections PP-90

    17- Faisalabad: PP-97

    The former Provincial Minister in Punjab, PML-N’s Ajmal Cheema is up against PTI’s Ali Afzal Sahi in Faisalabad. Although, Cheema won the constituency in 2018, Sahi is likely to win this seat. Sahi is the son of the former speaker of the Punjab Assembly Muhammad Afzal Sahi.

    Areas: Chak Jhumra Tehsil

    by-elections PP-97
    18- Jhang: PP-125

    PML-N’s Faisal Hayat Jabboana will be competing against PTI’s Mian M. Azam Cheela and Independent candidate Iftikhar Ahmad Khan Baloch. Jabboana won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. PML-N candidate is likely to leave his contenders behind.

    Areas: Athara Hazari Tehsil

    by-elections PP-125
    19- Jhang: PP-127

    In PP-127, PML-N Mehr Aslam Bharwana is going to fight against M. Nawaz Bhawarana. In 2018, Aslam Bharwana won as an independent candidate. There is going to be a tough competition between the two.

    Areas: Jhang Tehsil

    by-elections PP-127
    20- Sheikhupura: PP-140

    PTI’s Khurram Virk is going to fight against Mian Khalid Mehmood who won the MPA seat from this constituency in 2018. The constituency falls under NA-121, where PML-N’s Javed Latif is MNA. However, Virk is likely to win this seat. It is pertinent to mention that according to Majid Nizami, a TLP candidate is also contesting against these two and has a pretty strong position.

    Areas: Sheikhupura city

    by-elections PP-140
  • 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”.