Tag: Nawaz Sharif

  • After PTI, Bilawal wants PML-N workers to vote for PPP

    After PTI, Bilawal wants PML-N workers to vote for PPP

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters to vote for his party; earlier he had requested the same from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) voters.

    As the elections approach, Bilawal is branding himself as a leader willing to bridge the gap between political actors, vowing to ensure that no person becomes a “political prisoner” during his government if he is voted into power, and putting an end to the “old ways” of political revenge.

    The former foreign minister asked the crowds at a political rally in Gujrat to stamp on the ‘arrow’ if they want to see “real democracy” in Pakistan.

    “Today the lion is sucking people’s blood. Those who said that the PPP is no match for them are now obsessed with the PPP,” Bilawal Bhutto said while taking a jibe at his political opponents.

    He asserted that “the lion is not coming out to prey” for a reason.

    The PPP chairman also criticised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif for his fourth attempt to become prime minister.

    Bilawal had also said in a recent interview with Reuters that Nawaz Sharif wants to come into power again via a backdoor.

  • Here’s how to get Bilawal’s, Maryam’s and Nawaz’s looks on a budget

    On Wednesday, many political bigwigs appeared in public gatherings, flaunting their own particular fashion statements. Their winter attire had people wondering how to get hold of similar looks on a budget. We understand and so here we are to help out.

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, usually clad in a shalwar kameez, is quite a simple dresser but yesterday’s denim jacket was a refreshing change. We figured out that the denim fur jacket is available with Markhor trends on sale in Rs. 2,800.

    The Denim Company has a similar-looking piece in Rs 4, 350 while the Fitted has it in Rs. 3, 999.

    Maryam Nawaz, famous for her style statements, is yet again giving fashion inspo with her long coats.

    A look-alike of the beige coat she wore in a previous jalsa is available on Laam. pk on a discounted price of Rs. 14,025.

    That’s not exactly cheap, so another option is to try and get a pre-loved piece from a thrift shop.

    The latest coat which she wore in Nankana Sahib Jalsa is available with Clothing Call in Pakistan at a discounted price of Rs. 17, 800.

    Nawaz Sharif is not lagging in his style game with an olive coat and an orange and white scarf. The good news is that a similar piece is available at Clicky in Rs 4, 421.

  • ‘Pakistan’s economy performed best under Nawaz Sharif’: Bloomberg

    ‘Pakistan’s economy performed best under Nawaz Sharif’: Bloomberg

    An analysis by Bloomberg Economics reveals that Pakistan’s economy witnessed its best performance in the past three decades under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, who served as Prime Minister thrice.

    The report compares economic indicators during Sharif’s tenure with those of his rivals, including Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), using a misery index that combines inflation and unemployment rates.

    According to Bloomberg Economics, the analysis utilized an average of the misery index values over the years when each major political party ruled Pakistan since 1990.

    The results indicate that Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) outperformed both PTI and PPP in managing economic challenges.

    With general elections scheduled for February 8, Bloomberg suggests that Nawaz Sharif seems poised to return to power for the fourth time, especially as Imran Khan faces legal issues and incarceration.

    Despite Khan’s popularity, with a 57% approval rating according to a recent Gallup poll, Sharif has experienced a surge in popularity from 36% to 52% in the past six months.

    The past three decades saw the PML-N rule Pakistan four times under Sharif and his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif. The PPP under the Bhutto dynasty has held power three times, while Khan was in office for a four-year term ending in April 2022 when he was ousted from power in a parliamentary no-trust vote.

    “Bloomberg Economics used an average of the index values over the respective years when each of the major political parties ruled the country since 1990. A higher value indicates more economic hardship for citizens,” the publication said, explaining its conclusions.

    Bloomberg Economics Misery Index Results for Pakistan showed the Pakistan Muslim League scored 14.5 percent, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 16.1 percent, and the Pakistan Peoples Party 17.2 percent.

    Pakistan is currently grappling with economic challenges, including seeking a financial bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Inflation is close to 30 percent in Pakistan, the currency was Asia’s worst performer last year and foreign exchange reserves have slumped.

    The incoming government, as per IMF conditions, will need to implement potentially unpopular policies such as withdrawing subsidies and raising taxes. The IMF forecasts a 2% growth in Pakistan’s economy for the current fiscal year after experiencing a contraction in the previous year.

    Despite the positive economic indicators during Sharif’s governance, the report underscores the formidable tasks awaiting the new government in addressing the country’s economic hardships.

  • Nearly 18,000 election candidates set to participate in February 8 polls: ECP

    Nearly 18,000 election candidates set to participate in February 8 polls: ECP

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has confirmed that 18,000 candidates are going to contest for national and provincial assembly seats in the upcoming general elections set to take place on February 8.

    ECP released its final list of candidates on Sunday.

    According to the ECP, 11,785 candidates will take part as independent candidates in the polls, and 6,031 will compete under the banner of their respective political parties.

    On the other hand, some well-known politicians, including founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, and Asfandyar Wali, are out of the race for multiple reasons.

    After having been denied their preferred election symbol after its intra-party elections were found to be contrary to its own constitution and relevant laws, PTI has fielded its candidates as independents, and each one of them has been allotted a different symbol.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is contesting the elections from NA-15, Mansehra, and NA-130. The former prime minister and Nawaz’s brother, Shehbaz Sharif, is taking part in polls from NA-123, Kasur, and NA-132, Lahore.

  • Bilawal wants PTI supporters to vote PPP in upcoming elections

    Bilawal wants PTI supporters to vote PPP in upcoming elections

    The Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urged supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday to vote for his party as the competition in the upcoming elections is between two parties symbolised by “the lion and the arrow”.

    While the PTI has lost its election symbol “bat,” the PPP has secured its longtime symbol of an arrow. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also managed to secure its electoral symbol of a tiger.

    “I am speaking to PTI supporters: We kept on telling Khan sahib to do politics; abusing rivals and putting them and their sisters in jail is not politics,” Bilawal said while addressing a party power show in Lahore.

    Bilawal also said that he is aware of the pain that PTI workers are going through. “I respect political workers […] I’ve been through this and I do not want anyone to go through such testing times”, he stressed.

    “I appeal to you [PTI supporters], in the battle between ‘lion and arrow’, support me. I will bury revenge politics,” Bilawal vowed, reminding people that when his party’s prime ministers took office, they released “political prisoners”.

    Bilawal also stressed that the way of politics should change now and that all forces need to work together.

  • ‘Anybody but Dar’; Bilawal on next finance minister

    ‘Anybody but Dar’; Bilawal on next finance minister

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told in Absa Komal of Dawn News in an interview, “I think the whole nation has a unanimous consensus that anybody but (Ishaq) Dar (should be the finance minister).”

    The former Foreign Minister also criticised his political rivals and said that the Sharifs are vengeful and not capable of dealing with the economic crisis.

    “They [PML-N leaders] aren’t the one to forgive. They harbour animosity, seek revenge, and balance scores at the right time. They only know the politics of revenge. This is their history.” He singled out Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif for changing the then finance minister Miftah Ismail during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government.

    The PPP chairman predicted that independent candidates will play a vital role in the upcoming polls set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    “A huge number of independent candidates are contesting elections this year. Not only PTI leaders, but even those who are electable and have a political history, or those who failed to get tickets from PTI or PML-N, are contesting.”

  • Nawaz Sharif will decide the next Chief Minister of Punjab, says Shehbaz Sharif

    Nawaz Sharif will decide the next Chief Minister of Punjab, says Shehbaz Sharif

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif has said that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif will decide who will be the next Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab.

    In a meeting with senior journalists in Lahore, Shahbaz Sharif said that if PML-N comes to power, it will reduce unemployment, inflation, and electricity prices on an emergency basis.

    He said that Nawaz Sharif was overthrown by the former chief justice Saqib Nisar, adding that his party has never been pampered. “The credit goes to 13 parties for saving Pakistan from bankruptcy and restoring diplomatic relations.”

    The former prime minister said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has poisoned society, and it is a big challenge to end this hatred in a couple of years.

    He further said that Nawaz Sharif will decide who will be the next chief minister of Punjab.

    He also said that Nawaz Sharif is of the firm opinion that Pakistan should be taken forward through consultation.

  • ‘Thank you very much’; PTI doesn’t want level playing field from Supreme Court

    ‘Thank you very much’; PTI doesn’t want level playing field from Supreme Court

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has officially withdrawn its petition from the Supreme Court in which it sought a level playing field in the upcoming general elections.

    The party’s decision was revealed during the hearing on Monday, after counsel Latif Khosa conveyed the PTI’s intention to pursue the matter through what he referred to as the “court of 250 million people.”

    The three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and including Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Musarrat Hilali, presided over the hearing.

    During the proceedings, Khosa gave words to PTI’s discontent, claiming that the court had deprived the party of 230 seats through a previous judgment.
    “We do not want to fight this case in your [Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa’s] court. Thank you very much,” said Khosa.

    He highlighted the alleged humiliation faced by the party, citing instances where symbols like glass, eggplant, and a bowl were assigned to PTI candidates.

    CJP Qazi Faez Isa inquired whether the PTI intended to pursue the case, to which Khosa responded that he had been instructed to withdraw the application. “We came to you for a level playing field for fair and transparent elections,” he remarked.

    Chief Justice Isa reminded the PTI that the court had repeatedly sought evidence of intra-party elections, emphasizing that the judges should not be held responsible for the verdict.

    He asserted that the court’s role is to ensure elections are conducted within the confines of the law, and if the PTI disliked the decision, they should consider legislative changes.

    Khosa argued that the court’s decision would undermine democracy and claimed that the PTI was being pushed out of parliamentary politics. He disclosed that the party’s leaders would now participate in elections as independent candidates.
    “You are destroying all the institutions of Pakistan,” the CJP told Khosa.
    Meanwhile, Justice Musarrat Hilali raised reservations over the ECP’s conduct and its handling of matters related to PTI ahead of the polls on February 8.
    “The Election Commission is not fair. It is running behind one party,” she remarked during the hearing, asking whether the electoral body can see any other parties or not. “Does the Election Commission not see other parties?”

    The Supreme Court had previously revoked PTI’s cricket bat symbol, citing irregularities in the party’s internal elections held in the preceding year. The court asserted that the PTI failed to comply with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s directive to conduct intra-party polls in 2021.

  • Family ties; PML-N candidate list favours relatives

    Family ties; PML-N candidate list favours relatives

    As the general elections loom closer, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has disclosed its roster of candidates for both the National and Punjab Assemblies, drawing attention for granting tickets to more than 30 family members, as reported by The News.

    The announcement was made by Ishaq Dar, PML-N’s Head of Election Cell, marking a pivotal moment in the party’s preparations for the upcoming political showdown.

    In a notable revelation, 36 candidates have familial ties, including father-son, father-daughter, husband-wife, brother-in-law, mother-son, father-in-law, and uncle-nephew relationships among them.

    PML-N stalwarts Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz are set to contest the National Assembly polls from Lahore, while PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz will participate in both the National Assembly and provincial assembly polls.

    Malik Saif ul Mulook Khokhar, the President of PML-N Lahore, and his son Faisal Ayub, have secured tickets for the National and provincial assemblies, respectively.

    Afzal Khokhar and his nephew Irfan Shafi Khokhar from Lahore are also contesting on PML-N tickets.

    From Dera Ghazi Khan, former minister Awais Leghari and his son Amar Leghari are nominated for National Assembly seats in Rajanpur.

    Additionally, former minister Khawaja Saad Rafique is vying for a National Assembly seat, while his brother Salman Rafiq is contesting for a provincial assembly seat, both from Lahore.

    In Muzaffargarh, former minister Syed Basit Bukhari and his daughter Syeda Shahr Bano Bukhari have been fielded as candidates.

    From Bahawalpur, Iqbal Chanar is nominated for a National Assembly seat, with his son Zaheer Iqbal Chanar is contending for a provincial assembly seat.

    Chaudhry Khalid Javed Waraich and his son Uqba Waraich are PML-N’s candidates for the National and provincial assemblies from Toba Tek Singh, respectively.

    Yaqoob Shaikh is contesting for the National Assembly from Jhang, while his wife Rashida Yaqoob is running for a provincial assembly seat.

    Notable leaders like Daniyal Aziz didn’t make it to the list.

    PML-N ticket distribution extends to various regions, including Kasur, Vehari, Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa, Lodhran, Khanewal, and Sheikhupura, with candidates such as Rana Hayat, Begum Tahmina Daultana, Amjad Farooq Khosa, Siddique Baloch, and Mian Javed Latif, among others.

    Notably, the PML-N has introduced eight new faces in Punjab for National Assembly tickets, including Bilal Azhar Kayani and Attaullah Tarar. The party has also allocated tickets to six women for the National Assembly and three for the provincial assembly in Punjab, showcasing a diverse candidate pool.

  • ‘If I can’t contest election, I will go to Supreme Court’: Imran Khan

    ‘If I can’t contest election, I will go to Supreme Court’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan said on Friday that he will go to the Supreme Court (SC) if he is not allowed to contest the upcoming elections set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    Talking to journalists inside Adiala Jail, the former prime minister said in the courtroom that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif, the party’s president Shehbaz Sharif, and PML-N’s senior vice president Maryam Nawaz are certified money launderers.

    Asked about the Al-Qadir case against his wife Bushra Bibi, Imran pointed out that the former First Lady is a trustee. “How can the police arrest her,” he asked.

    He also explained that trust land cannot be owned by anyone; Shaukat Khanum has land worth billions of rupees. “That too is not my property. Bushra Bibi is also a trustee; not even a single penny is ours.”

    Imran Khan further said that all laws were abolished by force; what is happening to PTI has not happened to any party.