Tag: Moonis Elahi

  • ‘I served them for 40 years and look what they did to me’, Pervaiz Elahi on establishment

    ‘I served them for 40 years and look what they did to me’, Pervaiz Elahi on establishment

    Moonis Elahi, exiled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, gave an interview with BBC News Urdu and said that his father, Pervaiz Elahi, was downhearted by the establishment’s behaviour toward him.

    When Pervaiz Elahi asked Moonis whether he had any interaction with the establishment, Moonis replied in the negative then Elahi stated, “Don’t connect with them either, because I served them for 40 years and look what they did to me.”

    Journalist Hussain Askari asked Moonis whether he was the reason the father-son duo chose to stick with PTI even though all matters had been settled with Asif Ali Zardari, Moonis replied, “I convinced him in the beginning but after that, all the decisions were his own.”

    Askari then asked Moonis if former Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was involved in their decision to lean towards Imran Khan, he replied, “When we got offers from both sides my father called General Bajwa and asked what he should do. When Bajwa said that he should do whatever he wanted Pervez Elahi reiterated that he would do whatever General Bajwa wanted and then finally Bajwa replied that it was his wish that he [Pervez Elahi] support Imran Khan.”

  • ‘No merger, only seat adjustment with PML-N’: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid

    ‘No merger, only seat adjustment with PML-N’: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat has said that the people of Pakistan have pinned many hopes on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, adding that the future government will have to work for the restoration of the economy, eliminating unemployment and inflation.

    Shujaat Hussain said, ‘By overcoming the bitterness of the past, we should utilize our full capabilities to solve the issues facing the people.”

    “Our collective responsibility is not for revenge politics but for building a strong economy, providing relief to the people, and safeguarding national interests,” he added.

    PML-Q also quashed rumors of an impending merger with PML-N on Sunday.

    Instead, the party confirmed its intention to pursue seat adjustments with the Nawaz Sharif-led faction in specific constituencies.

    Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, PML-Q Punjab General Secretary, clarified the party’s position, asserting its commitment to maintaining an independent identity.

    Notably, PML-Q candidates are set to participate in the upcoming elections, carrying the party’s symbol – the tractor.

    Speculations about a potential merger were rife, with talks centering around seat allocations for Chaudhry Shujaat’s sons and Tariq Bashir Cheema, the party’s secretary-general.

    However, these speculations were dispelled by Chaudhry Shafay Hussain.

    The political landscape is witnessing increased activity, with PML-N actively seeking alliances.

    Last week, they announced a joint participation in the polls with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

    A recent meeting between a PML-N delegation and MQM-P leadership in Karachi delved into discussions on electoral alliances and future strategies.

    While PML-N explores collaborative ventures, the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has voiced discontent. Sharjeel Memon, a PPP leader, criticized PML-N’s historical ascent to power, alleging rigging.

    Despite this, Memon expressed confidence in PPP’s electoral prospects, anticipating a clean sweep in the upcoming elections.

    Simultaneously, PML-Q leader Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain and his son, ex-MNA Hussain Elahi, critiqued PML-N’s economic policies.

    They credited the recent improvements in the national economy and currency to strict measures initiated by Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir.

    The criticism of the PML-N by both the former PML-Q lawmakers and close family members of the party chief, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, has surfaced just when the leadership of both factions of the Pakistan Muslim League is hinting at making a seat adjustment in the election on Feb 8, 2024.

    Speaking to a gathering of party workers at his Nutt House in Gujrat, Wajahat said the masses were witness to the statement of PML-N leadership regarding being beggars and that wherever they went to seek financial assistance, the other side would consider them as beggars.

    Wajahat announced to kick off the election campaign of his son, Hussain Elahi, and two Punjab Assembly candidates of his party, Abdullah Yousaf Warraich and Khalid Asghar Ghural, asking his supporters to work for their victory.

    Sources have told Dawn that by criticizing the PML-N policies, the Wajahat camp has tried to attract the PTI vote bank with an anti-PML-N narrative as his traditional rival, Nawabzada family, has already been in the PML-N and the voters might not be easily won by the PML-Q in that constituency.

    They say Hussain Elahi would assess the ground position of his constituency for the future course of action.

    It’s pertinent to mention that both Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain and his son Hussain Elahi were in the PTI before the May 9 incidents when many of the party leaders had started quitting the party. The duo also quit the PTI and joined the PML-Q.

  • Pervaiz Elahi’s cousin Wajahat withdraws his support in aftermath of May 9

    Pervaiz Elahi’s cousin Wajahat withdraws his support in aftermath of May 9

    Former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Pervaiz Elahi’s cousin Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain has announced that he is withdrawing support for his Elahi over the May 9 episode in which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) allegedly attacked military installations and government buildings.

    In a press conference in Lahore, Hussain condemned the violent protests of May 9, saying that some people in his family took poor decisions. “They will soon realise their mistakes,” he said.

    Referring to the patriarch of the clan, Wajahat said that Chaudhry Shujaat will welcome whoever wants to come back to Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), adding that the coming time would unite the Chaudhry family. “It is possible that whoever created misunderstandings is the one fixing them,” he said cryptically.

    Wajahat Hussain also advised Elahi’s son Moonis Elahi, a vocal proponent of PTI, to return to the PML-Q.

    Earlier this year, Wajahat Hussain, who is also the younger brother of PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, had sworn allegiance to Elahi when the latter left the PML-Q and joined PTI.

    A day earlier, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif went to the PML-Q chief’s home to meet him. Reportedly, Pervez Elahi left the house on the premier’s arrival. Both cousins live in adjacent houses in the same compound.

    According to Geo News, Elahi isn’t in contact with anyone since last night.

  • Bye bye Buzdar? Elahi says Khan has promised him the CM seat

    Bye bye Buzdar? Elahi says Khan has promised him the CM seat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Pervaiz Elahi has claimed that party chief Imran Khan has “promised” to give him the chief minister’s post once again if their party wins the election in Punjab.

    Discussing the current political crisis, Elahi said that when he agreed to dissolve the assembly, Khan offered him the post of the central president of the party and promised him that he or his son Moonis Elahi would be the next CM of the province.

    When asked that Imran has said that Punjab dissolution took place on former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s directives, Elahi said that he had “no discussion with him over this issue.”

    He clarfied that PTI respects the real establishment, however, there are some intruders, so the party cannot side with them.

    He admitted that Khan’s fight was with Bajwa, adding that now that the former army chief is gone, new people had come in, so Khan doesn’t want more fights.

    About the raid at his homes in Lahore and Gujrat last week, the PTI leader chose not to name who he thinks are responsible, saying “Everyone knows who they are”.

    Last month, PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry said that the senior leadership of the party, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Hammad Azhar, and himself didn’t get party tickets for the upcoming Punjab election although it was widely speculated that they wanted one for the CM seat. Meanwhile, both former CMs of Punjab, Pervaiz Elahi and Usman Buzdar were given a ticket.

  • Moonis bought benami Spanish properties on same day father Pervaiz Elahi became CM

    Chaudhry Moonis Elahi purchased several properties in Spain on the day his father, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, took oath as Chief Minister (CM) Punjab on July 27 last year.

    Writing for The News, Umer Cheema has revealed that this information has been obtained by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from Spanish authorities.

    Moonis confirmed holding benami properties in Spain, which includes an apartment, a Range Rover and a company among the newly made assets apart from a bank account and previously incorporated companies.

    Moonis admitted to their ownership and said he would declare them in his next year’s tax return. He said it was nothing more than a coincidence that the purchase of properties occurred on the day his father took the oath.

    National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore had written a letter to the authorities in Spain for an ongoing investigation of alleged corruption, looting and ill-gotten properties against the family.

    It has been found that Barcelo hotel in Barcelona is also owned by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi family, while another multi-story plaza is also said to be owned by Elahi family—with a person named Saqib Tahir appointed as caretaker, reports Samaa News.

    The Canary Islands in Spain are also said to be home to various historic buildings, plazas and orchards, owned by Eahi family.

    Moonis Elahi has recently started a taxi service in Barcelona by obtaining 250 taxi vehicles on bank lease.

    In Spain, Chaudhary Pervez is known as the frontman of the Elahi Family.

  • Imran confirms Pervaiz Elahi is now President of PTI

    Imran confirms Pervaiz Elahi is now President of PTI

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has confirmed in a speech that his party has “honoured” Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi for standing with the party and appointed him as the President of PTI.

    Addressing his followers through a video link on Thursday, the PTI chief started off by claiming that the establishment pressurised Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). “They even were offered money and were threatened that there is no future for them with PTI”, he said.

    Stating that despite all this, the father and son stayed loyal, Imran Khan appreciated Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi for their efforts, especially for dissolving the Punjab Assembly on Khan’s directives.

    “Despite all the pressure, he agreed to a merger. We told him [Elahi] that we are honouring him by making him the president of the party,” Khan said.

    On Tuesday, Moonis and his father formally joined PTI with ten other former Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

    On the same day, addressing a press conference in Lahore alongside PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, Elahi said he had stood with Khan during “hard and testing times”. Fawad also announced that Pervaiz Elahi will be the President of PTI.

    PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain dismissed Elahi from his party post and terminated his basic membership on Tuesday.

  • ‘Naked fascism’: Khan condemns repeated police raids on Pervaiz Elahi’s home

    ‘Naked fascism’: Khan condemns repeated police raids on Pervaiz Elahi’s home

    Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has condemned continuous police raids at former Chief Minister Perviaz Elahi’s home.

    “Strongly condemn the repeated police raids on Pervez Elahi’s home in Gujrat as well as arbitrary arrests & abductions of his supporters & those who worked with him.”

    “This is naked fascism on the part of Imported Govt & their Handlers, simply to spread fear in all who support us,” added Khan.

    “Just to remind, arrests of & actions ag Sharifs & others during our govt, were a result of NAB cases with over 95% filed before we were voted into power & of the int Panama revelations. While in custody they were given VIP treatment. But what they wanted was NRO which we refused,” tweeted Khan.

    ‘Bhatti may be subject to forcible disappearance’: Pervaiz Elahi concerned about Secretary’s arrest

    Punjab Assembly Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti was arrested in Sindh on Monday.

    According to news reports, his house in Gujranwala was also raided by police, and a domestic employee was arrested on the same day.

    The news report stated that Bhatti was wanted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in different cases.

    Former Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi expressed fears that Bhatti may be subject to forcible disappearance.

    In a statement Elahi said, “The way our legal advisor Amir Saeed Ran remains missing, he too may be subject to disappearance.”

    “What kind of message is being sent if officers from Punjab start disappearing from Sindh?” he asked.

    Meanwhile, Moonis Elahi tweeted, “Police , FIA and others again at Kunjah House . They keep raiding without warrant. By raiding our house you think you will make us leave @ImranKhanPTI . Think again!!”

  • ‘Why were there two black Vigos?’: Elahi family slams govt after raid on Gujrat house

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) and former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Pervaiz Elahi has condemned the raid on his family house ‘Kunjah Gujrat’ and held the incumbent government responsible.

    In a tweet, he claimed that the staff at their house was harassed in the middle of the night. The former CM also threatened the caretaker government with legal action and said that the matter will go to court.

    Addressing Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and caretaker CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi directly in another tweet, Elahi urged Shehbaz to “respect the sanctity of the home” and warned him that “people would protest outside his own home”. To Naqvi, he said that his job is to ensure fair and transparent elections

    He also regretted that “the rulers have directed police and administration to engage in vengeful actions” while the country is dealing with terrorism.

    Earlier in the day, his son and former federal minister Moonis Elahi claimed that his family home in Gujrat was raided by the police in the early hours of Wednesday “without having a warrant, nor a case”.

    Implying that intelligence agencies were involved in the raid, he said “I can wrap my head around the 25 police vehicles, but why were there two black Vigos?”.

    Moonis then asked if the police were looking for Indian agents.

    The raid has taken place after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday declared that PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain would remain the president of the party months weeks after he was ousted following rifts with his cousin Pervaiz Elahi.

    Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) accused the caretaker Punjab government of ‘political persecution’.

  • ECP declares Shujaat PML-Q president

    ECP declares Shujaat PML-Q president

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has restored Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain as the President of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) setting aside his removal as the head of the party by his cousin, former Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    The commission also stated that the PML-Q’s Central Working Committee’s (CWC) decision to remove Shujaat as party chief was illegal, declaring it null and void.

    On January 16, PML-Q’s CWC removed Shujaat as the party chief. His brother, Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain was given the command of the PML-Q.

    The step was taken by the committee after Shujaat had suspended the basic membership of the-then CM Elahi — for his statement about a possible merger with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    After the ouster of PTI’s chief Imran Khan from power, rifts within PML-Q widened as the party got divided into two camps over the issue of joining hands with the PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)

    Elahi, his son Moonis Elahi and the majority of party leaders sided with the PTI while Chaudhry Shujaat, Salik Hussain and Tariq Bashir Cheema supported the PML-N.

  • Khan wants PML-Q to merge with PTI

    Khan wants PML-Q to merge with PTI

    In a meeting with journalists yesterday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that the PML-Q should merge with the PTI but discussions have yet to take place on this.

    Looking relaxed and quite confident after pulling off Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s vote of confidence in the Punjab Assembly and the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly, Khan praised Moonis Elahi and said he stood by the PTI despite pressure by powerful quarters. “Moonis is a forward-looking young man and he could see PTI’s political future and was able to convince the older leadership of his party.”

    Khan also praised Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for having withstood threats and other pressure. He said that even his own members had a lot of offers, especially women MPAs, but they refused and stood by their party when it came to the vote of confidence.

    Khan said that fighting with the establishment is madness. On reconciliation with the army, Khan said that it is possible and he is willing to forgive the establishment and move on, whether it is the case of Azam Khan Swati or Shahbaz Gill or other things that took place since the vote of no-confidence against him because he genuinely believes that the military is the most organised institution and has the resources to stop smuggling of dollars, help in the crackdown against corruption and other things.

    Khan recalled the army’s assistance and work during the Covid pandemic, in polio vaccination campaigns and in controlling locusts. He also said that the military establishment only needs direction by the leaders. Their role can be very positive when they move in the right direction. To a question by this reporter on whether the military would get more space to meddle in politics if more role is given to it, he said that it cannot end overnight but leaders have to make sure that a direction is set on how to use the military to establish rule of law. Per him, only the military can take the country out of the current quagmire if it works with all political stakeholders.

    Khan said that the military can establish rule of law and no institution should be above the law. He said that he was not willing to sit with the PDM because they are looters who want an NRO, which basically means they want to be above the law. He said they have no stakes in the country as their assets are stashed abroad, which is why they can also be pressurised by outside powers.

    Talking about Balochistan and former FATA, Khan said he believed in political solutions and not military solutions.

    On being asked (by this reporter) about the crackdown against the media during the PTI’s tenure, Khan said he had nothing to do with it. “I have always taken the legal route when I have had problems with the media. I have a lot of tolerance for media criticism.”

    The PTI chairman was very confident that after the dissolution of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies, the PDM would be left with no choice but to go for general elections. Khan believes that the current establishment will not support the government given the economic crisis. “If this government continues till August, Pakistan will be worse off than even Sri Lanka.”

    Khan said that whatever economic growth was achieved during the PTI tenure had all been undone by the PDM in less than a year.