Tag: Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar

  • ‘Fawad Chaudhry’s face shouldn’t have been covered’: PML-N’s Malik Ahmad Khan

    ‘Fawad Chaudhry’s face shouldn’t have been covered’: PML-N’s Malik Ahmad Khan

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Malik Ahmad Khan has said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry should not have been presented in court with a white cloth covering his face.

    “If any kind of brutality happens with Fawad, I will condemn it. If due process is not followed, or in case of mistreatment, I will be the first one to [protest]. His face shouldn’t have been covered yesterday. They should have presented him in court openly,” said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader while addressing a press conference on Thursday.

    However, Malik believed that Fawad should not have threatened the Election Commission and their families. He said that his relationship with Chaudhry spans 30 years. “The one who threatened the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) isn’t the Fawad I know,” said Malik Khan.

    Former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar tweeted that such actions by the ECP will damage the remaining reputation of the institution.

    Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail also spoke up, tweeting, “Fawad should not have been arrested and handcuffed.”

    Stating that Chaudary was wrong to threaten ECP officials and families, Miftah said he should have instead been served a notice. “IK was wrong to jail us for months without charge only—-because we opposed him.”

    Former Chairman Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani, said that the Chaudhary’s arrest under section 124A, PPC, 1860, for sedition is unwarranted.

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), deploring the continuous use of archaic, colonial laws against sedition by successive governments against their political opponents, said that Fawad Chaudhry was the latest in the series.

    “The charges must be dropped immediately, and the government of the day must act more responsibly,” the human rights watchdog has stated.

    Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) also strongly condemned Fawad Chaudhry’s arrest and demanded his immediate release.

    SCBA termed his arrest a classic example of abuse of power and political victimisation.

  • ‘Rethink and reimagine Pakistan’: Politicians, bureaucrats call for political consensus

    Former Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar has announced that he along with a group of politicians and bureaucrats, will be organising a series of seminars across Pakistan aimed at bringing about a “political consensus for restructuring the governance structures of Pakistan”.

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, Fawad Hasan Fawad, Asad Ali Shah, Haji Lashkari Raisini, Mir Humayun Kurd, Khawaja Mohammad Hoti, along with others, will be part of this effort to create political consensus.

    Khokhar tweeted, “In a nonpartisan effort, I have been talking to friends & colleagues about the current economic, political and social crisis of Pakistan which are now striking at the core foundations of the state and the society.”

    “At the same time individual and collective rights are under severe stress causing a widespread dissatisfaction of people across the regional and ethnic divides in Pakistan. These trying times require us to “rethink” or “reimagine” Pakistan.”

    Talking to The News, Khokar said, “From political uncertainty to economic meltdown to polarisation in society that has reached dangerous levels of intolerance, Pakistan is not facing just one crisis but multiple crises at the same time. Today we are at a juncture where we are actually at a ‘naazuk morr’ — a phrase that we always hear but only when powerful quarters don’t want something to be talked about”.

    Ismail too took to Twitter and said, ” I and many other colleagues are trying to bring about a national consensus on major issues. Thus we are starting with holding seminars across Pakistan.”

  • ‘I am as much part of PPP as Miftah Ismail is of PML-N’: Mustafa Khokhar

    ‘I am as much part of PPP as Miftah Ismail is of PML-N’: Mustafa Khokhar

    Former senator, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, calling the coalition government a “hybrid 2.0” setup announced quitting Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after differences arose between him and the leadership over his stance on government policies.

    “I am as much part of PPP as Miftah Ismail is of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Let’s see where I head next from here,” Khokhar said while speaking on Geo News’ programme “Naya Pakistan”.

    “I wish the best for Peoples Party. I feel honoured to serve as a member of the party, but I am no longer a part of it,” he confirmed.

    Khokhar said if the party’s members do not talk about ongoing issues, then it would look like it’s more of a “monarchy than a political party”.

    Criticising the current coalition government, Khokhar said that what happened during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tenure when Imran Khan was the Prime Minister, continues to happen in the present government as well.

    “We managed what happened at Sindh House. [Some were out of free will], and some were forced. But whatever happened in [Khan’s] tenure is still happening today,” he lamented.

    Taking a jibe at the incumbent government, Khokhar called it “hybrid 2.0” and noted that it was “resorting to the wrong moves” in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Swati’s case — who is being transferred from one jail to another over his controversial tweets.

    Khokhar formally resigned as a senator on November 10, stressing that he would try hard to maintain his “independence”.

  • ‘I’m not joining any political party’: Mustafa Khokhar denies rumours of joining PTI

    ‘I’m not joining any political party’: Mustafa Khokhar denies rumours of joining PTI

    Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, senator from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has formally submitted his resignation from the upper house.

    “Allhamdulillah, I have formally submitted my resignation today. I’m thankful for the positive response & support across party lines which was far beyond my imagination,” he said while announcing the resignation.

    “For those who are speculating about my political future, let me state clearly that I’m not joining any political party. I will try hard to maintain my independence,” the tweet added.

    “Allhamdulillah, I have formally submitted my resignation today. I’m thankful for the positive response & support across party lines which was far beyond my imagination,” he said while announcing the resignation.

    “For those who are speculating about my political future, let me state clearly that I’m not joining any political party. I will try hard to maintain my independence,” the tweet added.

    Social media users are praising the former senator.

    https://twitter.com/UxamaAftab/status/1590618643947474944

    Khokhar had said that he had “gladly” agreed to resign from the upper house after a senior party leader had conveyed the leadership’s unhappiness with his “political positions”.

    In a series of bombshell tweets, Khokhar wrote, “Met a senior leader from the party today. He conveyed that the party leadership wasn’t happy with my political positions and wanted my resignation from the Senate. I gladly agreed to resign.”

  • Fawad proposes committee with leaders from coalition govt and PTI to probe Gill’s ‘torture’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday (August 20) proposed the formation of a committee comprising Federal Railways and Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, and PTI leader Dr Shireen Mazari — to investigate the “torture” of Dr Shahbaz Gill.

    “They will also not be blamed for being pro-PTI,” Fawad tweeted.

    “These people have a point of view on torture, which is independent of their parties’ narrative […] hence, they should be given the responsibility of inquiring the events,” he said.

    The PTI has alleged that Gill was tortured in custody and was sexually abused.

    On Friday, Khan said in a series of tweets said, “All the pictures and videos show clearly Gill was tortured both mentally and physically, including sexual abuse — most too gruesome to relate.”

    Talking to media persons outside the capital’s Police Lines Headquarters today, Chaudhry asserted that physical or mental torture won’t be allowed under any circumstances.

    “I personally believe […] and this is not my party’s demand but mine […] that an independent panel should be formed and the torture should be investigated. And then the faces of those who tortured [Gill] and those who passed its orders should be brought forward in public,” he said, requesting the Supreme Court to take notice of the incident.

  • ‘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.

  • ‘My mother has been abducted’: Shireen Mazari’s daughter

    ‘My mother has been abducted’: Shireen Mazari’s daughter

    Former Human Rights Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf senior leader Shireen Mazari has been arrested from her house in Islamabad.

    In a video, it can be seen that female officers forcibly took her away as she tried to resist getting into the car.

    Following the incident, her party members including Zulfi Bukhari, Shibli Faraz, Fawad Chaudhry along with Mazari’s daughter Imaan Mazari reached the Kohsar police station.

    Mazari’s daughter tweeted that her mother has been abducted by Anti-Corruption Wing, Lahore.

    While talking to the media, Imaan said nobody was informed before and she will come after this government.

    According to Geo News, Mazari was arrested in a case registered in Dera Ghazi Khan. The case had opened during former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar’s tenure but the investigation was put on hold as per his orders

    Mazari’s neighbour, Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar told The Current: “I saw some heavy security movement around my house. When I inquired, we were told it was for someone’s security. However, my staff informed me that Shireen Mazari, who is my neighbour, may have been arrested. I went to her house and from there we went to the police station with her daughter Imaan Mazari.”

    Khokhar added that the police informed them that she has been arrested by Anti-Corruption Department Punjab.

    According to Journalist Syed Talat Hussain people in authority in Punjab are clueless about Mazari’s arrest.

    According to former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, nobody knows about Mazari’s whereabouts. He said the government has attacked a lady from their party, if this is war then so be it.

    While Sheikh Rasheed said that a list of PTI leaders has been prepared which mentions names of the ones to be arrested in the future.

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has condemned the act. In a tweet, they have said that her arrest smacks of political victimisation, which has regrettably become an entrenched practice and is deplorable no matter which party is the perpetrator.

    CM Hamza Shehbaz has ordered immediate release of Dr Shireen Mazari. He said that she is a respected personality.

    “We condemn what Imran Khan said about Maryam Nawaz but we don’t believe in revenge politics.”

    Mazari was arrested outside her house in Islamabad. Anti-Corruption Department Punjab arrested Mazari earlier today.

  • Shehbaz govt has no right to appoint new army chief’, Fawad Chaudhry

    Shehbaz govt has no right to appoint new army chief’, Fawad Chaudhry

    Former federal Law Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that the constitution gives the right to the elected Prime Minister to appoint the Army Chief. He said that such important appointments will create anarchy in the country if done by an imported government, which is just temporary and not permanent. “The present government has no right to make such important appointments.”

    Fawad’s tweet came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a meeting with journalists said that appointment of Army chief will be done constitutionally at the right time.

    PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar while responding to Fawad’s tweet wrote, “Making the appointment of a new Army Chief controversial is an irresponsible attempt by your party to push this country towards anarchy. This statement of yours in the lust for power is a conspiracy to create divisions in the army.”

    Khokhar added: “We have the examples of Iraq and Libya in front of us. Disagree with the military, of course, but it is a national institution.”

    General Qamar Javed Bajwa is due to retire as Chief of Army Staff on November 29, 2022 after a three-year extension. He was appointed as the army chief by the then prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, in 2016.

  • Bilawal going to meet Nawaz to make Zardari president: report

    Pakistan People’s Pakistan (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is expected to meet Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif in London, reports Geo News.

    As per the news outlet’s sources, Bilawal will discuss the inclusion of Balochistan National Party (BNP) and Moshin Dawar in the federal cabinet with Nawaz Sharif during his visit to the UK. PPP Secretary-General Farhatullah Babar told The News, “The main purpose of meeting Nawaz Sharif is to congratulate him on the coalition government and discuss the current political situation.”

    However, according to Journalist Saleem Safi, “Bilawal is giving a false impression that he is going to London for the sake of allies. He is going to beg for the governorship of Punjab, more ministries and to make Zardari President.”

    As per the media outlet’s sources, there is no deadlock between PPP and PML-N on the issue of the Foreign Ministry. There is an understanding between the PPP and the PML-N that Bilawal would take over as the Foreign Minister (FM). There are speculations that there are some issues in the coalition government that’s why Bilawal did not take oath as FM despite attending the cabinet oath-taking ceremony on Tuesday.

    Earlier, it was reported that Asif Ali Zardari and other PPP leaders are not in favour of Bilawal joining the cabinet.

    Recently, PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar has excused from taking oath as minister of state for personal reasons and said he wants to focus on the upcoming general elections.

  • Bilawal’s ‘Awami March’ to arrive at Islamabad’s D-Chowk today

    Bilawal’s ‘Awami March’ to arrive at Islamabad’s D-Chowk today

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s “Awami March” is to reach Islamabad today (Tuesday).

    The district administration has allowed the party to end its rally, which began from Karachi, at D-Chowk.

    Prior to this, Bilawal asked Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to resign before the vote of no-confidence is tabled in the National Assembly (NA). He also challenged PM Khan to dissolve the assembly as “he has always threatened to do”. Bilawal gave PM Khan a 24 hours ultimatum.

    PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, speaking to Dawn, said that around 40,000 to 60,000 people are taking part in the long march.

    “We will reach Rawat around midnight. The route of the march was changed from Murree Road to Islamabad Expressway due to the Test match being played in Rawalpindi. We are committed to reaching D-Chowk by 4pm on Tuesday (today),” said Khokhar.

    Meanwhile, sources in the police said a contingent of paramilitary troops along with Punjab, KP, and Islamabad police would be deployed in the capital, including in Red Zone.

    It is being reported that Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) leadership will also take part in the march.