Tag: Imran Khan

  • MQM nay ‘dil aur darwazay’ Opposition kay liye khol diye

    MQM nay ‘dil aur darwazay’ Opposition kay liye khol diye

    The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has decided to part ways with the government in principle. The final decision was announced today during a press conference, flanked by leaders of the joint Opposition, MQM-P. MQM is a government ally at the Centre.

    The development was “historic”

    MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at the beginning of the conference said the development was “historic” and at the same time, it was a “test for the political leadership of the country” as the coming days would pose several challenges to them.

    “Today, we are gathered here to vow that we should work beyond promises and ensure that the decisions we take impact common Pakistanis,” Siddiqui said.

    A national jirga of the opposition … has come together: Shehbaz

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said: “Today is an important day in Pakistan’s history because a joint opposition … a national jirga of the opposition … has come together and efforts have been made for national unity.

    “This agreement will be implemented in letter and spirit,” added Shehbaz.

    PPP and MQM-P have to work together under any condition if we want to work for Karachi and Pakistan’s prosperity: Bilawal

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari thanked MQM-P and described its decision of teaming up with the opposition as “historic”.

    “I want to repeat that PPP and MQM-P’s working relationship is not related to the no-confidence motion. PPP and MQM-P have to work together under any condition if we want to work for Karachi and Pakistan’s prosperity,” he said.

    “Imran Khan has now lost his majority. He is not the prime minister anymore. The parliament session is tomorrow. Let’s hold voting tomorrow and settle this matter. We can then start working on transparent elections and the journey towards restoration of democracy and an end to economic crisis can then begin.”

    Following the formal announcement, MQM-P’s Siddiqui signed the agreement with the opposition parties.

    MQM-P’s Farogh Naseem, Aminul Haque step down as federal ministers

    Both members of MQM-P serving as federal ministers, Farogh Naseem and Aminul Haque, have stepped down from their posts, hours after the party’s announcement to side with the Opposition in the vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    Opposition congratulates Pakistan

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari congratulated Pakistan on the latest development.

    “The united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement. Rabta committee MQM & PPP CEC will ratify the said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow IA. Congratulations Pakistan.”

    Rabta Committee meeting today

    A draft agreement had been finalised between the two sides in the early hours today but MQM will publicly announce its final decision once the Rabta Committee has ratified the agreement. MQM-P will convene a meeting at their Bahadurabad office today at 2pm to discuss the agreement with the Opposition. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui will preside over the Rabta Committee meeting.

    MQM’s list of demands

    Journalist Gharidah Farooqi tweeted the list of demands made by the MQM.

    The government ally has asked the Opposition that the local government law will be made in accordance with Article 140-A, the Sindh government will present a draft amendment in the local body law in the assembly within a month, Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab will resign from his post, put an end to fake domiciles in Sindh, an increase in the powers of local bodies, and administrators of local bodies in Hyderabad, Karachi to be appointed in consultation with PPP and MQM.

    PTI’s offer

    After the Opposition’s meeting, a delegation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also reached Parliament Lodges to convince the MQM, not to part ways with the government.

    Governor Sindh Imran Ismail told the media that the government has made a better offer than the Opposition.

    “We offered one more ministry and are willing to give whatever they will ask for. Our doors are open,” said Governor Sindh.

    Previously, the government had offered to give another ministry to the MQM.

  • PM Khan ready to share ‘written letter of foreign conspiracy’ with CJP Bandial: Asad Umar

    PM Khan ready to share ‘written letter of foreign conspiracy’ with CJP Bandial: Asad Umar

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan is ready to share the “threat letter” with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial. PM Khan claimed during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) March 27 rally that he had evidence of a “foreign-funded conspiracy” to topple his government and showed a letter to the audience.

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Minister for Planning and Development Umar said he has seen the letter himself, adding that if someone had doubts, the “prime minister is ready … he thought we can share with the chief justice of the Supreme Court”.

    Chief justice has a very good reputation

    Asad Umar said that after the masses questioned the credibility of the letter, the prime minister deliberated over sharing the letter with someone, and he thought that it would be right to share it with the CJP — as he is a credible person.

    “He holds a high office […] and the chief justice himself is a well-respected man,” the federal minister said, noting that it would be shared with the CJP when the need might arise.

    “Obviously, it is the highest office of justice in Pakistan, it is a huge position that has respect in this country. Personally too, the chief justice has a very good reputation. The prime minister said that on the nation’s behalf, if necessary, and for the people’s satisfaction, he is ready to present the letter to the chief justice of the Supreme Court.”

    Letter stated that if Imran Khan remained the prime minister, it would lead to “horrific consequences”

    “This is a very concerning thing and it is important because this letter clearly mentions the no-confidence resolution. There is no ambiguity that the no-confidence motion is being talked about.”

    Umar further said the letter stated that if Imran Khan remained the prime minister, it would lead to “horrific consequences”.

    ‘Letter shared with top civil, military leadership’

    Without naming anyone and in an apparent reference to opposition leaders, Umar referred to demands sharing contents of the letter.

    “They are asking why can we share the letter with them,” he said, adding that “national secrets are very sensitive in nature and there are clear laws on with whom these could be shared”.

    Umar then insisted that the letter was a “reality” and revealed that he had seen it.

    “I bear witness to it,” he said.

    Umar further said the letter had only been shared with the top civil and military leadership and a few members of the federal cabinet.

    Nawaz Sharif is involved in the “conspiracy” against PM Imran Khan

    Without naming anyone and in an apparent reference to Opposition leaders, Umar referred to demands sharing contents of the letter.

    “They are asking why can we not share the letter with them,” he said, adding that “national secrets are very sensitive in nature and there are clear laws on with whom these could be shared”.

    Umar then insisted that the letter was a “reality” and revealed that he had seen it.

    “I bear witness to it,” he said.

    Umar further said the letter had only been shared with the top civil and military leadership and a few members of the federal cabinet.

    Pakistan has a leader who is not attending foreign phone calls and is connected with the people

    “Until now, they were unaware, but now, they have been informed about the letter. So, it is up to them to decide whether they will side with forces working against Pakistan or not,” added Chaudhry.

    Chaudhry said this is “not a new thing” as earlier ex-prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated, former premier Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was prosecuted, and former military ruler Gen Zia-ul-Haq lost his life in a plane crash.

    The information minister said that the decisions taken in the past were part of Pakistan’s history. “But now, Pakistan has a leader who is not attending foreign phone calls and is connected with the people.”

  • Civilian governments and completing their term

    Civilian governments and completing their term

    In the wake of the no-confidence move against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan by the Opposition, a debate has started about several issues ranging from the government completing its term to defections from the ruling party. In Pakistan’s history, no civilian prime minister has ever completed his/her five-year term. Even when the last two civilian governments completed their tenures from 2008-2018, despite many hiccups and conspiracies against the governments. Of course, we do not know what the result of the latest vote of no-confidence will be, but if we are to believe speculations about what is happening in politics, this government may not survive and even PM Khan may not be able to complete his full term. Ideally, a civilian government, no matter how it has come to power, should be able to complete its full term. In a democracy like Pakistan, there are many factors involved in politics, which is why it is important for democratic governments to complete their tenures. 

    On the other hand, a vote of no-confidence is also a constitutional right that can be exercised in parliament to remove the Prime Minister from office if he/she loses the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly. The number required to dislodge the premier is 172. The Opposition has followed a democratic procedure by moving a resolution for a vote of no-confidence, which requires signatures of at least 20 percent of the total membership of the lower house.

    Under the 1973 Constitution, we have seen two votes of no-confidence in the past against prime ministers. First against Benazir Bhutto in November 1989 and then against Shaukat Aziz in August 2006. Both Bhutto and Aziz survived the votes. After successfully defeating the vote of no-confidence, Benazir Bhutto gave a magnanimous speech and said she bore no ill-will against the opposition. Contrast her words with what is happening today — a prime minister addressing the nation with a short message to join his March 27 rally, bitter words by the ruling party on national television, threats of what is in store for those members who have gone to the opposition’s side, threats of a showdown, etc. This is not how politics should be but unfortunately, we have seen how the discourse over the last few years has led to politicians stooping to the lowest level just to settle scores. Add to it labels like a traitor, apart from other choice words. These add to the toxicity of political discourse, which is telecast live on our television screens.

    Parliament’s fights should be fought on the floor of the house through the vote of no-confidence, not on the streets.

  • Is Firdous Apa going to join PML-N?

    Is Firdous Apa going to join PML-N?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader and former special assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on information and broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has termed the news regarding her wish to join the government’s rival political party —PML-N as “fake”.

    According to Geo News, it was earlier reported that the former SAPM had conveyed the message to the PML-N leadership in London through renowned singer Waris Baig — who had met PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and former finance minister Ishaq Dar in London.

    As per the news outlet’s sources, Awan did not demand a ticket from her constituency Sialkot.

    Geo News further revealed that the PML-N’s top leadership discussed the matter for ten minutes.

    However, Awan was not given any assurance regarding her addition to the party and was told to contact the PML-N leadership in Punjab.

    It is pertinent to mention that Awan has been not seen by the public on mainstream media for quite a while.

  • Can a jalsa turnout be determined through number of mobile phones?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s jalsa’ was held on March 27 at the Parade Ground in Islamabad as the opposition geared up to remove the PM from his office via a no-confidence motion. The very first thing that the media speculates is that how many people were present at the location of the rally.

    Several Pakistani digital news platforms have stated that “more than 0.6 million unique mobile devices were detected in Islamabad on Sunday, as per the data traffic analysis shared by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)”, which means that they are suggesting that more than six lakh people were present at the PTI rally.

    It is pertinent to mention that PTA or any authentic personnel have not officially released any statement regarding this. In fact, a number of netizens have commented that the ones who are claiming the presence of 0.6 million people at the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s march do not have the authentic source of information.

    The crowd was reportedly estimated by Islamabad police to be between 60,000 – 70,000 people, while the Intelligence Bureau (IB) said it was only 26,000 people.

    Independent sources claim that not more than 35,000 people attended the rally, and some suggest that the crowd was not even close to 100,000 people.

    But the question remains: Can you determine a jalsa turnout through the number of mobile phones in the area?

    Whenever a cell phone is used, it emits an electromagnetic radio wave, called a radio frequency, which is received by the nearest cell tower’s antenna. Once the cell tower receives this signal, it will transmit the signals to a switching center.

    Also, the cellular towers have limitations to accommodate a certain number of phones, this might allow the network provider to determine the devices connected to it.

  • ‘Letter I have is proof’: Khan says details of ‘foreign conspiracy’ will be brought forward ‘at the right time’

    ‘Letter I have is proof’: Khan says details of ‘foreign conspiracy’ will be brought forward ‘at the right time’

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has claimed that the Opposition’s no-trust move is part of an alleged “foreign-funded conspiracy” hatched against his government.

    In what was a marathon speech lasting almost two hours on Sunday night, Khan discussed his struggling time as a politician, the achievements of PTI, his political ideology, and criticism on the Opposition.

    PM Khan further added that attempts were being made to topple his government and said, “some of our own people” are being used in this regard. The premier’s remarks came during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) power show titled Amr Bil Maroof (enjoin the good) at Parade Ground in Islamabad.

    We have been threatened in writing but we will not compromise on national interest

    “Attempts are being made through foreign money to change the government in Pakistan. Our people are being used. Mostly inadvertently, but some people are using money against us. We know from what places attempts are being to pressure us. We have been threatened in writing but we will not compromise on national interest,” said PM Khan.

    “This is the era of social media. Nothing can be hidden. We will not accept anyone’s dictation. We will have friendships with everyone but we will not submit ourselves to anyone,” said PM Khan, adding, “Attempts are being made to influence our foreign policy from abroad. We have been aware of this conspiracy for months. We also know about those who have assembled these people (the opposition parties) but the time has changed. This is not the era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.”

    The PM told the crowd that when former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto tried giving Pakistan an “independent foreign policy to the country”, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Nawaz Sharif launched a movement against him.

    “And situations like today’s were created due to those conditions Bhutto was hanged,” said PM Imran. He added that today’s Bhutto’s son in law, Asif Ali Zardari, and grandson, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, are sitting with his murderers in thirst of a chair.

    “They do not have any shame they do politics on their grandfather and for the sake of their seat they are with the people who got him hanged,” said PM Imran.

     “I am placing the case of Pakistan’s independence before you. The letter I have is proof and I want to dare anyone who is doubting this letter. I will invite them off the record. We have to decide for how long we will have to live like this. We are getting threats. There are many things about the foreign conspiracy which will be shared very soon.”

    “We know who is behind it,” the premier said, adding that “there are a lot of things that will be revealed before the nation but at the right time.”

    “The nation wants to know who the man sitting in London is meeting with and whose directions the characters based in Pakistan are following? I am revealing the proofs we have. I cannot talk more in detail because I have to protect the interest of my country. I cannot talk about anything that harms my country. I could have told you about it. I do not fear anyone but I care about Pakistan’s interest.

    ‘I want to speak my heart out and I want you to listen’

    At the beginning of his address, the premier thanked the attendees of the jalsa for responding to his call and gathered in Islamabad from every part of the country.  The premier also lauded his team for arranging the jalsa.

    “I pay tribute to my team and the nation [for making this jalsa possible]. Thank you for making me happy,” he said. “Today, I will have a heart-to-heart conversation with the nation.”

    Prime Minister Imran Khan while responding to the criticism about him using religious references during his political speeches, said that when he joined politics 25 years ago, it was for the sake of the ideology of Pakistan.

    “Nations are built on ideologies, and the ideology on the basis of which Pakistan came into being was Islam,” he said. The premier then added that he learned through his experience of living in the West that the true teachings of Islam were followed over there instead of Pakistan.

    “We are providing loans to families for housing, technical education, and small businesses. As soon as our tax was enhanced, I announced a subsidy and reduced rates of petrol and ‘Fazlur Rehman’,” he said. “I also offered a subsidy in power tariff. I promise I will spend more money on my people as our government collects more capital in taxes.”

    He said that Muslims ruled the world for a long time as they followed in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

    “Based on those ideals, I envisioned a welfare state in Pakistan and Alhamdulillah, we have already started a journey on that path. I am proud of the fact that we have introduced a health system in the country based on the principles of welfare.”

    ‘I will not forgive them even if my government goes or even if I lose my life‘

    “Poor countries are backward because the law there fails to catch the rich who are involved in white-collar crimes. They transfer stolen and looted money to offshore accounts. Small thieves do not destroy a country like the way big thieves do.”

    “These ‘three stooges’ are looting the country for years and all this drama is being done to have Imran Khan surrender like former President General Pervez Musharraf. They are trying to blackmail the government. General Musharraf tried to save his government and gave these thieves NRO and it resulted in the destruction of Pakistan.” The PM uses the term “stooges” in reference to Asif Ali Zardari, Shehbaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    “Come what may, I will not forgive them even if my government goes or even if I lose my life,” he added.

    PTI government’s achievements 

    The premier recapped the achievements of his government, including how the country steered itself out of the coronavirus pandemic and how its economy remained stable while the whole world was struggling.

    “Today, I assure you that as I will continue to collect money through taxes, I will utilise that money for the betterment of the country.”

    “InshaAllah, once we complete our five-year term, history will show that no other government worked as much as the PTI government did [for the development of the country].

    The premier said, “Our exports reached a historic high. We collected unprecedented tax. We gave incentives to overseas Pakistanis and received record remittances. We formed an ease-of-business model for the construction sector that led to the growth of 30 other allied industries.”

    “Covid erupted that led to closure of the world but I did not shut my country and faced criticism. I can proudly say that Pakistan’s steps were acknowledged by the world as they helped save the economy,” he said.

    “We saw record crops. It happened because we facilitated our farmers. We protected them. Now Pakistan’s industries are growing rapidly. Textile industries are struggling to find labour because all industries are working at their full capacity. This is the first time government is supporting its industries.”

    He urged TV anchors to invite economic experts on their shows and conduct a comparison of his government’s performance with the previous ones.

    The premier had said that he would “surprise” the Opposition a day before the no-confidence motion session, adding that he is yet to lay his cards on the table. 

    It is pertiennt to mention here that on March 8, the Opposition submitted a no-trust motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in National Assembly (NA), which is likely to be tabled on Monday in a crucial NA session.

  • Bye Bye Buzdar?: No-trust motion submitted against Punjab CM Usman Buzdar

    Bye Bye Buzdar?: No-trust motion submitted against Punjab CM Usman Buzdar

    The Opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar in the Punjab Assembly today (March 28).

    A total of 126 lawmakers from the Opposition parties have signed the no-confidence motion against Buzdar, said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Rana Mashood, adding that 119 members signed the requisition for a session.

    Copy of the no-confidence motion against CM Buzdar

    The speaker is bound to summon a session within 14 days of the submission of the no-trust motion. CM Punjab can no longer dissolve the Assembly after the submission of a no-confidence motion against him.

    It is pertinent to mention here that on March 8, the Opposition submitted a no-trust motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in National Assembly, which is likely to be tabled today in a crucial NA session.

  • ‘My Urdu is weak at 30, your Urdu is not good even at 70’: Bilawal on PM Khan

    Taking a jibe at Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that “PM Khan criticises my Urdu, I admit that my Urdu is not good. However, my Urdu is weak at the age of 30 but your [PM Khan] Urdu is not good even at the age of 70,” adding that before you fix my Urdu, teach Urdu to your three children.

    Bilawal addressed a public gathering in Parachinar today (Saturday), where he said that the Opposition has shown that Imran Khan has lost the majority in the house. Therefore, he is no longer the prime minister. “Opposition will consider Imran Khan as the PM if he manages to bring 172 members,” he added.

    He further said that the Opposition has tabled the no-confidence motion against PM Khan since March 8. “The prime minister should show sportsmanship and face us if he is brave enough to do so,” he said.

    While addressing, the PPP chairperson said,” Next elections will be free and fair and no institutions will be made controversial for one person.”

    He further claimed, “Imran Khan violates the Constitution and the democracy. He doesn’t want the rule of law in Pakistan. He rather wants all institutions to work like his Tiger Force.”

    Criticising the PM, Bilawal said: “The PM used to say that he would become the ambassador of Kashmir, but he ended up becoming the lawyer of Kulbhushan Jadhav.”

    “What kind of Riyasat-e-Madina is this which provides relief to the rich and inflation to the poor,” Bilawal posed a question.

    He also alleged that PM Imran has been conspiring and making efforts to turn all institutions — be it the NAB (National Accountability Bureau), be it the ISI (Inter-Service Intelligence), be it our armed forces, be it our police — into his Tiger Force.

  • Voting on no-confidence motion expected on April 3 or 4 : Sheikh Rasheed

    Voting on no-confidence motion expected on April 3 or 4 : Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that voting on the no-confidence motion against oust Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will take place on April 3 or 4.

    The federal minister’s comments came during a press conference.

    The interior minister said that everyone is allowed to hold public gatherings in Islamabad; however, according to the directions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), no one will be allowed to enter the Red Zone.

    The minister also announced that Pakistan People’s Party MNA Jam Abdul Karim would be arrested upon arrival in Pakistan as he is nominated in the Nazim Jhokhio murder case. “He is coming to cast his vote from Dubai. I have directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and talked with IG Sindh. We will arrest him and hand him over to the Sindh police,” said Rasheed.

    Rasheed said that the suspect is being brought to Pakistan from Dubai without obtaining bail ahead of voting on the no-trust motion against PM Khan. “This shows that their [Opposition’s] legs are trembling,” he added. 

    Taking a jibe at the Opposition, he said that they are “fools” because they played a major role in the popularity of Imran Khan.

    It is pertinent to mention here that National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser adjourned NA session on the vote of no-confidence motion till Monday (March 28).

  • PTI books special trains to accommodate people from Lahore, Karachi to reach Islamabad

    PTI books special trains to accommodate people from Lahore, Karachi to reach Islamabad

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is holding a jalsa at the Parade Ground tomorrow (Sunday) in Islamabad. The party leadership is expecting a huge crowd in the power show.

    To accommodate the people travelling from Lahore and Karachi, the ruling party has booked special trains in advance. A train will leave from Karachi today and will reach Lahore tomorrow around 03:30am and after half an hour, the train will leave and will reach Islamabad around 09:30am on Sunday. Another train will leave from Lahore around 04:30am on Sunday. Trains will also take back passengers tomorrow night.

    State-owned news channel, Pakistan Television (PTV) News, shared pictures and videos of people travelling from Gilgit-Baltistan for PTI’s public gathering on Twitter.

    PTV News also shared a special message from Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan regarding the jalsa. In the video message, PM Khan is calling people to join him in Islamabad on March 27.

    PTI has also hired DJ Butt for thejalsa. “DJ Butt will be in action in our historic public gathering on Sunday,” said PTI regional president MNA Ali Nawaz Awan.

    PTI leadership is expecting one million people in Islamabad. Following the Supreme Court’s order prohibiting political parties from entering the Red Zone, PTI relocated its planned March 27 power show in Islamabad from D-Chowk to Parade Ground.