Tag: Hamza Shehbaz

  • ‘Nani, diesel, cherry blossom, baby’: Khan has a name for all his political rivals

    ‘Nani, diesel, cherry blossom, baby’: Khan has a name for all his political rivals

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan quite frequently comes up with names for his fellow politicians. From names like cherry blossom, kukri, diesel, and nani, Khan has repetitively used these names to demean his political rivals.

    Cherry blossom:

    Khan has started addressing Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Shairf as ‘cherry blossom’ and often calls him “boot polishiya” [someone who polishes boots].

    In the same public address, Khan also called Shehbaz as “chooha” [mouse/rat].

    Geedar- Nawaz Sharif

    The PTI chairman called Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif a “geedar” [jackal] and said, “Geedar (jackal) cannot be a leader.”

    Maryam Nani

    Imran Khan called PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz “nani” [Grandmother].

    Later addressing Maryam as “bachi” [child], Khan said she does not have a political standing.

    ‘Baby Bilawal- Bilawal Sahiba’

    Khan during his jalsa in 2015 addressed Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as “beta [son] and baby”. The former premier said, “Bilawal beta this is not how politics is done. Politics is not done by putting pictures of your grandfather and mother in the back ground. We are going to make a Naya Pakistan baby Bilawal.”

    In 2019, Khan addressed Bilawal as “sahiba” [Madam]. He said, “Bilawal Bhutto sahiba ki tarhan mein koi kagazh ki parchi pay nahi aya tha.” [I did not come into politics on a piece of paper like Madam Bilawal Bhutto.]

    Later in 2020, he referred to Bilawal as a child and criticised him for not having done an actual job in his life.

    Diesel- Maulana Fazl

    Khan said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major-General Qamar Javed Bajwa asked him not to call Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman “diesel”.

    “I was just talking to Gen Bajwa and he told me not to refer to Fazl as diesel. But I am not the one who is saying that. The people have named him diesel,” said Khan.

    Hamza Kukri

    The PTI chairman has often called Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz “kukri” [ chicken].

    Three stooges

    Khan called Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Shehbaz Sharif, and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari the “three stooges”, referring to a classic American programme. This address was before Khan was ousted from power. He told his party members that the no-confidence motion was a “blessing” as it had “lifted” Khan’s party.

  • CM Hamza Shehbaz finally has a cabinet after a month

    CM Hamza Shehbaz finally has a cabinet after a month

    Eight members of the new cabinet of the Punjab government took oath at Governor House in Lahore in the first phase yesterday (May 30).

     Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman administered the oath to the cabinet. Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz was also present.

    The cabinet members include Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Sardar Owais Khan Leghari, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Syed Hassan Murtaza, Ataullah Tarar, Chaudhry Bilal Asghar and Ali Haider Gillani.

    The portfolios of the new cabinet members are yet to be announced.

    After the oath-taking ceremony, Hamza Shehbaz swore to solve the issues of the people and said, “Our motive is to serve mankind. We will move ahead with new hope and spirit, and our first and last priority is to solve the issues of the masses.”   

  • Elections for 20 de-seated Punjab Assembly seats to be held on July 17: ECP

    Elections for 20 de-seated Punjab Assembly seats to be held on July 17: ECP

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Wednesday that the by-polls on the 20 vacant seats of the Punjab Assembly will be held on July 17.

    The date for the by-elections comes after the ECP on Monday de-notified the 25 PTI MPAs that it had de-seated over defection from the party for voting in favour of Hamza Shehbaz in the chief minister election. The decision to de-seat the 25 PTI dissidents came during the announcement of the verdict in a case pertaining to the dissident Members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs).

    The ECP had issued official notifications for the cancellation of the dissidents’ election from respective constituencies of Punjab and seats reserved for women and non-Muslims.

    “Pursuant to the Order dated the 20 May 2022 passed by the Election Commission of Pakistan in case No. 13(1)/2022-Law, upon confirmation of the declarations under Article 63A(1)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Election Commission of Pakistan hereby de-notify the following member’s Provincial Assembly of Punjab from the respective Constituencies, seats reserved for women, and non-Muslims in terms of Article 63A(4) of the Constitution,” the notification said.

  • PM Shehbaz, Hamza appear in court for hearing of Rs16bn money laundering case

    PM Shehbaz, Hamza appear in court for hearing of Rs16bn money laundering case

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz appeared in a special court (Central-I) for their hearing in the Rs16 billion money-laundering case today.

    The father-son duo was accompanied by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.

    Shehbaz and Hamza were set to be indicted in the case in the previous hearing on May 14 but it was delayed because the prime minister was in the UK and postponed his return to the country in order to visit the UAE to offer condolences over the death of their president.

    Once the hearing started, Judge Ijaz Hassan Awan complained that due to the security of the prime minister, others coming to the court had to suffer.

    Replying to his complaint, PM Shehbaz mentioned that he has asked his security not to stop anybody. “I am appearing before the court in order to maintain its dignity and follow the laws of the country,” the premier added.

    When the court asked PM Shehbaz to take the rostrum, the premier said he would have committed a crime if he hadn’t appeared in the court.

    “On the orders of former prime minister Imran Khan, an investigation was conducted in Britain and I was proved innocent,” PM Shehbaz recalled, adding that he returned to Pakistan back in 2004 and wouldn’t have come back if he had black money.

    When Shehbaz again took the stand, he told the court he had served as the chief minister for 10 years but had never taken a salary. “My salary would be Rs10 million but I did not take it. I also went on official tours using my own money. I used to get the government car refuelled from my own pocket.”

    “I saved the nation billions of rupees.”

    The premier’s counsel argued that the 14 accounts mentioned by the FIA were through banking channels. “Baseless propaganda was done in this case for 1.5 years. The suspects tolerated insults despite lack of evidence.”

    “It seems the FIA is inspired by [streaming platform] Netflix. This is a film-inspired FIR,” he argued.

    The FIA had in December 2021 submitted the challan against Shehbaz and Hamza to a special court for their alleged involvement in laundering an amount of Rs16bn in the sugar scam case.

  • Battle begins: Hamza Shehbaz refuses to step down after ECP decision

    Battle begins: Hamza Shehbaz refuses to step down after ECP decision

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz has reportedly refused to step down from his position following the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to de-seat 25 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) dissident Member of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) who voted for Hamza.

    PTI says it will send the CM home through legal means in line with the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) and ECP’s decisions.

    “The game for the fake CM is over after de-seating of the 25 lotas (turncoats),” Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Moonis Elahi said. He added that after losing the majority in the House, Hamza has no moral or legal grounds to cling to the office.

    Moreover, the Opposition — PTI-PML-Q alliance — sees a run-off election in the coming days claiming Hamza cannot “illegally” hold the office for long.

    It is pertinent to mention that the allocation of five vacant reserved seats will assume an important role if the run-off election is held. According to legal experts, ECP will now distribute these seats as per the current strength of each party in the Punjab Assembly, which means if the PTI gets the most share, it may be able to get the CM post.

    Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said Hamza Shehbaz is not going to resign and still has a majority in the Punjab Assembly. Similarly, PML-N deputy secretary-general Attaullah Tarar said that the ECP’s decision has no impact on Hamza’s office.

    Tarar claimed the PML-N enjoys the support of 177 members in PA against 168 of the PTI-PML-Q combined. He also claimed the PML-N will get three of the five reserved seats, which would take its tally to 180.

    The PTI-PML-Q joint candidate for the CM’s slot and the current PA Speaker Chaudhry Parvaiz Elahi said, “I am Imran Khan’s candidate and after taking oath as the CM, I will dissolve the assemblies if he asks me.”

    The Punjab Assembly’s current strength is 346 members: PTI has 158 lawmakers, PML-Q has 10, PML-N 165, PPP seven, five independents, and one Rah-e-Haq Party.

  • ‘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.”

  • Supreme Court bars transfers, appointments in high-profile cases

    Supreme Court bars transfers, appointments in high-profile cases

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) is barring authorities from making new appointments and transferring officials involved in “high-profile” and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases as well as those cases which are being heard by special courts, reports Dawn.

    The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) observed that special courts in Karachi and Lahore lack judges while three accountability courts in Islamabad are also empty.

    The court issued notices to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman and the interior secretary. The court asked the parties concerned to give an explanation as to why there was “interference” in criminal cases, and stopped the NAB and FIA from withdrawing cases till further orders.

    The court also asked to be informed about the steps being taken to protect the record of criminal cases and directed for the record of high-profile cases to be checked and sealed. When Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf protested against this, the CJP said that the record of ongoing cases would not be sealed, only that of the prosecution.

    During the hearing, the CJP also observed that there should be “no interference in the prosecution process or the prosecution wing”.

    The CJP also noticed that FIA’s former director Mohammad Rizwan, who was probing money laundering charges against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shahbaz, was also transferred and later died of a heart attack.

    “We are concerned over these developments,” the CJP said. Justice Bandial, indirectly pointing out at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also stated that according to news reports, “thousands” of people had benefitted after their names were removed from the no-fly list.

    At one point, CJP Bandial remarked that the court was only concerned with ensuring justice and adjourned the hearing till May 27.

  • ‘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.

  • FIA terms withdrawal of cases against Shehbaz, Hamza ‘fake news’

    FIA terms withdrawal of cases against Shehbaz, Hamza ‘fake news’

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday termed the news story related to the withdrawal of cases against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz and others as “fake news”.

    In a statement, the FIA said that it had registered the case and it has not been withdrawn. The investigating agency further said that the proceedings are continuing in the court, with the next hearing scheduled for May 14.

    “Hence, it is fake news. FIA may legally proceed against the persons involved in spreading this fake news,” said the FIA spokesperson.

    The FIA said that on April 11, the prosecutor had submitted his opinion-based application in the court regarding a change of the prosecutor wherein he was instructed not to appear on behalf of the prosecution.

    It added that the prosecutor had alleged that the director-general of the FIA, via the investigation officer, had asked him not to appear before the court, adding that “it was not a withdrawal application anyway”.

    “On 11-04-2022, Mr Sanaullah Abbasi was the DG FIA. At the time of submission of the application, the new PM had not yet taken the oath. Tahir Rai was posted as DG FIA on 22-04-2022. This matter pertains to the timing before his arrival in FIA,” said the FIA.

    The agency said that the “change of prosecutor is a routine matter” and added that the government lawyer was also changed several times during the PTI government.

    “It is requested that fake news may not be spread in this matter,” said the FIA spokesperson.

    On the last hearing, the FIA’s special court issued an order that it will indict PM Shehbaz and CM Punjab Hamza.

  • Maryam Nawaz says Imran Khan ran country through sorcery

    Maryam Nawaz says Imran Khan ran country through sorcery

    Addressing a public rally in Swabi, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, on Wednesday, accused former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan of using “sorcery” to run the country.

    Maryam said that the nation should be thankful to God for getting rid of a government which ran country through ‘sorcery’ and did nothing substantial for the country.

    Moreover, the PML-N leader urged the people of Swabi to vote for PML-N in the next elections so that “KP should also get rid of Imran Khan”.

    Criticising Khan, she said there is no truth to Khan’s ‘threat letter’ claims. She was of the view that the PTI chairman is “hiding his incompetence behind a fake threatening letter despite the fact that his own party’s MNAs went against him and MPAs [in Punjab] voted in favour of Hamza Shehbaz”.

    According to Maryam, the former PM left the economy in doldrums and maintained that it would at least take two years to bring the economy back on track.

    She also accused Khan of attacking state institutions for not siding with him.