Tag: Opposition alliance

  • ‘I pray that the government allies will walk with Imran Khan’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘I pray that the government allies will walk with Imran Khan’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed speaking with reporters outside Prime Minister House has said that he prays to God that the allies of the government support Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on the day of the no-confidence vote.

    Rasheed said that it is for the public to decide who will win the vote, on March 27 people will come out in support of Khan and the Opposition will see it as well.

    Speaking with reporters he further said that Khan has got cards in his hand as well. He will reveal them on March 27 and everyone will see them.

    Earlier it was reported that three major coalition partners of the government, Mutahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), have decided to part ways with the government ahead of the no-trust motion against PM Khan.

  • ‘Broken hearts unite’: Shehbaz says PML-N and PPP are on the same page to oust Khan

    ‘Broken hearts unite’: Shehbaz says PML-N and PPP are on the same page to oust Khan

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif hosted Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari at his Lahore residence on Saturday to discuss the present political situation.

    Both Zardari and Bilawal expressed well wishes for PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s health and also inquired about Shehbaz, who had recently tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement issued by the PPP.

    Both sides discussed the political situation in the country in a meeting which was also attended by Maryam Nawaz,l and Hamza Shehbaz.

    Speaking after the lunch, Shehbaz said, “Broken hearts can be united again. Both PPP and PML-N are united to take Prime Minister (PM), Imran Khan, out.”

    “The government is incompetent and the more the Opposition unites and works in coordination, the more we will be able to pressurise the government,” said Bilawal.

    “We believe, the trust of the people is no more on the government. And the parliament should also stop trusting the government,” said the PPP chairperson.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Shehbaz called Bilawal on Friday and invited him for a luncheon meeting on the instruction of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

  • Bilawal offers to rejoin PDM but has some conditions

    Bilawal offers to rejoin PDM but has some conditions

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that there is now a high probability of the Opposition parties working together in the future.

    The PPP chairperson while talking to reporters outside the Parliament House on Tuesday said, “If they [Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)] are ready to withdraw their stance on the issue of en-mass resignations and consider my proposal of bringing a no-confidence motion, then certainly there is a possibility that we can work together.”

    He said all parties have to play their role. “We have to dislodge the government, no matter the number of marches we have to take.”

    He said his party’s reservations regarding the prices of essential commodities being multiplied due to the mini-budget had proved correct as Pakistan had already been facing an economic crisis before the mini-budget, which has now led to a historic price hike, unemployment, and poverty. “People are being crushed under this burden,” he said.

    Bilawal Bhutto along with former Prime Minister (PM) Yusuf Raza Gilani, said that they protested inside and outside the Parliament against the mini-budget. They were promised that tax will not be imposed on a few items, but that was false as well.

    “The people of Pakistan are demanding that we take to the streets against this government and our CEC has decided that we will take to the streets on February 27,” added Bilawal.

  • Zardari-Elahi meeting: possibility of a future coalition?

    Zardari-Elahi meeting: possibility of a future coalition?

    Punjab Assembly Speaker and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had a meeting with former president Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday.

    A press release issued after the meeting said both sides discussed matters of mutual interest and the national political scene without giving any more details.

    However, as per a report in Dawn, “a close aide to the Chaudhrys of Gujrat said that some quarters were seeing snap polls by the year-end and the meeting should be taken in the context of exploring possibilities of political cooperation in that scenario. He claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan canceled his scheduled UK visit knowing the political storms in the making, both within his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and in the ruling coalition.”

    The PML-Q is presently an ally of the PTI in Punjab.

    Though officially Pervaiz Elahi denies any differences with the PTI, his son Moonis Elahi has criticised various policies of the government publicly, particularly on social media.

    Asif Zardari has summoned the party’s chief organiser in Punjab Raja Pervez Ashraf to Bilawal House in Lahore.

    A PPP leader, who requested not to be named, said Zardari had taken on to himself the task of bargaining for a future alliance strong enough to form the next government, directing his son and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to look after other matters for the time being.

    However, the Punjab government has termed the meeting of Elahi and Zardari a “storm in a teacup” and rubbished rumours of any differences between the coalition partners.

    Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said, “The PML-Q is an experienced political party and an important ally of the PTI government.”

    “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, we have defeated the worried Opposition — due to the successes achieved by the government — at every front,” added Awan.

  • ‘Raiwand’s prime minister’ sent abroad despite conviction: Bilawal

    ‘Raiwand’s prime minister’ sent abroad despite conviction: Bilawal

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, said, “Raiwand’s prime minister” Nawaz Sharif was sent abroad despite being convicted.

    Bilawal said former president Asif Ali Zardari remains in Pakistan, moving from one doctor to another, despite his children telling him to go abroad and seek treatment.

    “If the president [Zardari] is from Nawabshah, he remains on medical bail despite trumped-up charges,” said chairman PPP.

    “I want to ask the prime minister (PM) what sort of accountability and justice is being implemented in the country? I want to ask the PM what kind of rule of law is there within the country?” Bilawal asked, adding that if the premier’s friends are being alleged of a crime, no action is taken against them.

    “This is revenge and political engineering and their ministers themselves accept it has hurt the economy,” added Bilawal.

    “If the prime minister and his sister are blamed for a crime, nothing happens to them,” Bilawal lashed out.

    However, if a former president from Nawabshah’s sister is blamed for something, then she is dragged to jail from her hospital bed, he said, referring to PPP leader Faryal Talpur.

    The PPP chairman denigrated the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and questioned its standards of accountability. “This system is a mockery of the Constitution,” said Bilawal.

    “If the Leader of Opposition is from Lahore (Shehbaz Sharif), he is awarded bail, and if the leader of Opposition hails from Sukkur (Khursheed Shah), he is denied the right and treated like a ping-pong ball — back and forth from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) courts to Supreme Court,” Bilawal said.

    The PPP chairman claimed the authorities were repeatedly blackmailing Shah’s children and his wife.

    Bilawal further said that the party would support Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly on the budget despite the inappropriate behaviour of some Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members.

    “I unconditionally say to Shehbaz Sharif in front of the media that all PPP members will be in your support with regards to parliament and this [upcoming] budget despite tantrums [of some PML-N members].”

    He said that PPP members would come and vote on the day of the budget and now it was up to Shehbaz as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly to “do his work and stop the government’s budget.”

    Bilawal was responding to a question on whether the PPP had been contacted on the budget issue and whether it would support the Opposition. He responded that despite the “inappropriate behaviour” of the PML-N and other political parties in the Opposition, the PPP had prioritised national issues and the budget over differences between the political parties.

    “So despite their insults, the PPP went to Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation for dinner so we can rid the people of economic difficulties. Unfortunately, our host was publicly insulted after that dinner by some officeholders of the PML-N,” said Bilawal, adding that flinging statements at guests was not a part of “our tradition, values, and culture”.

    The PPP chairman also lashed out at the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), saying it should have offered resignations the same day or the next when the PPP had “supposedly” refused to listen to its demands and set out for its long march.

    “If they still want to do politics of resignations, then they should have given them by now.”

    Hitting out at the prime minister, the PPP chairman said that the statements since the past few weeks on the state of the economy showed that the “prime minister has no connection to the common man”.

    “The prime minister says Pakistan’s difficult time is over. Not sure about the common man but the IMF’s (International Monetary Fund) difficult time is over, for sure,” he said.

    Bilawal Bhutto said the government’s ministers had come around to accept the PPP’s stance on the economy and expressed the hope that Pakistan would escape the “IMF’s grip” in the budget next week.

    Bilawal similarly hit out at an ordinance for the creation of a new media body and said the PPP would continue to oppose it. He added that the recent attacks on journalists such as Asad Ali Toor or pressure being applied to media personnel such as Hamid Mir through petitions had “exposed the government’s weakness and insecurity”.

  • ‘Those who call themselves democratic are demanding the military to topple the government’: PM Khan

    ‘Those who call themselves democratic are demanding the military to topple the government’: PM Khan

    Addressing a ceremony to lay the foundation for the upgradation of the Multan-Lodhran section of the N-5 Motorway, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “Those who call themselves democratic are demanding the military to topple the government.”

    “From day one, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government faced criticism from the Opposition, which was poised to topple the government unless their leaders were given an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance),” said Khan.

    “These mafias are bent upon doing anything to safeguard their interests as billions of dollars stashed by them abroad through money looted in the country are being probed,” he said. PM added that rule of law changes society and ensures that there are no sugar and land mafias.

    “Change is not possible without a struggle,” Khan said adding that the Opposition raised a hue and cry regarding a change a week after they [PTI] took power.

    “My own people had to face a tough time. The media also gave an impression that Naya Pakistan can emerge by switching a button on,” he said.

    PM Khan said the country registered a growth of 4 per cent this financial year despite the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said we not only saved our people from the pandemic, but also the economy.

    The government is focusing on uplifting the agriculture sector, industries, IT, housing and tourism sectors, he said, adding that a package is being introduced for the farmers to bring a green revolution in the country.

  • PM ‘worried’ about the Opposition

    PM ‘worried’ about the Opposition

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, while speaking at a ceremony in Ziarat said, “I am worried, whether they [Opposition] will remain as an alliance or not.”

    Khan took a jibe at the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which faced a setback after the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Awami National Party (ANP) left it.

    The premier said the country was “getting out of a very difficult time”, adding that the Opposition parties had been “making noise” that his government would fail ever since it came to power.

    “Our opponents have created hue and cry. Even when Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had formed the government in 2018, our opponents said that we were bound to fail,” said Khan.

    The Opposition kept reiterating that the country’s economy would suffer, but now, when the growth rate’s statistics were made public, they rejected them, he said.

    “Our opponents want us to fail,” he said, as he stressed the government was doing everything in its power to uplift the economy.

    The premier, shedding light on how his government achieved growth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the PTI-led government promoted tourism, launched health cards for nearly half of the population.

    Moreover, till this year’s end, Punjab’s population will have a health card and soon enough, all of Pakistan will have this facility. “Even in Balochistan, every family will have a health card.”

    Prime Minister said his government “considers Balochistan ours” in a way that previous governments did not. Previous governments had not spent money on the province’s development, he said, adding that his government would “use all of our resources in this difficult time” to ensure progress.

    The premier said there was a gas issue in Ziarat, and a member of the provincial assembly (MPA) had told the premier that a gas line would be installed to overcome this problem.

    Installing an LPG plant is more feasible in Ziarat, he said, adding in the next fiscal year, he would try his best to get an LPG plant installed in the city.

    “Balochistan is a large province, so developing streets here is quite expensive …. Pakistan’s development will actually take place when the entire country develops,” he said.

    The premier said despite reservations from Punjab and KP that he was being “too generous with Balochistan”, it was the government’s “responsibility to make full efforts” because the province had been ignored in the past.

    “Pakistan’s development will only be in real terms when it is inclusive [and] when the whole country develops,” he reiterated.

    “I will keep coming here and checking the progress. We are giving another package for roads. We will give funds wherever there is room,” the premier concluded.

  • ‘PPP and ANP have left PDM’: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    ‘PPP and ANP have left PDM’: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    General Secretary of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP) have left PDM. “Now their paths are separate.”

    “There are eight parties in PDM and they will continue to do their work. The doors of PDM are open for every party that will follow the manifesto and decisions of PDM,” added Abbasi.

    Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that leaders of the fragmented anti-government alliance appear to be “confused and divided”.

    Bilawal further added that PPP was not part of the meeting held on Saturday, yet PDM is still following the manifesto that was presented by the PPP when PDM was formed.

    “We can have positive feelings for each other and wish everybody good luck. Everybody has the right to do Opposition politics in accordance to their own manifesto and ideology,” said the PPP chairman.

    He made these remarks while addressing a press conference with ANP leaders in Charsadda on Sunday.

    PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday said that the PPP and ANP were not discussed in the PDM meeting, as they are not part of the alliance.

    “They [PPP] can still contact the PDM leadership and apprise them about their intentions. But it is not something that we will waste time over anymore during PDM meetings,” said Maulana Fazl.

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ’PPP not discussed in PDM’: Maulana Fazl
    
			
    ’PPP not discussed in PDM’: Maulana Fazl
    
			
    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman on Saturday said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP) were not discussed in the forum, as they are not part of the alliance.
    

    “They [PPP] can still contact the PDM leadership and apprise them about their intentions. But it is not something that we will waste time over anymore during PDM meetings,” said Maulana Fazl.
    

    

    Earlier on Friday, Shehbaz Sharif said that no party has the right to bring or kick another party out of the alliance. “PDM is a forum and decisions are taken with consensus.”
    

    PDM also rejected the government’s “one-sided” electoral reforms, which include the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), and announced a fresh wave of anti-government protests.
    

    “PDM rejects the government’s unilateral electoral reforms ordinance, including the voting machines, and terms it as pre-poll rigging,” said Fazl.
    

    In this regard, the Election Commission of Pakistan, which is responsible for holding transparent elections, should call a meeting of all political parties to take a unanimous decision on reforms, Fazl added.
    

    The Opposition alliance announced a future course of action. On July 4, a massive anti-government protest will be held, followed by another one in Karachi on July 29.
    

    On the occasion of August 14, a massive protest will be held in Islamabad, with PDM showing solidarity with Kashmiris and Palestinians.
    

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will host a budget seminar soon to form a unified strategy during the budget session, while the task to hold the event has been given to PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif.
    

    The PDM chief said PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif attended the meeting via video, while other Opposition party leaders were present in person.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘No party has the right to kick another party out of PDM’: Shehbaz Sharif
    
			
    ‘No party has the right to kick another party out of PDM’: Shehbaz Sharif
    
			
    “No party has the right to bring or kick another party out [of the alliance]. Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is a forum and decisions are taken with consensus,” said President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif on Friday.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Shehbaz further added that we had invited ‘parliamentary leaders’ to the dinner, which had nothing to do with the PDM
    

    “Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has already clarified this matter. I, being the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, have a duty to fulfil. We had gathered to discuss the upcoming budget, the ill-performance, and massive failures of the sitting government,” added Shehbaz.
    

    Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, took to Twitter to comment on Shehbaz Sharif’s stance. “Shehbaz Sharif should first focus on uniting the PML-N instead of uniting the opposition. The boat is in a whirlpool.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Chaudhry further added that the government was ready to sit with the Opposition to discuss election reforms.
    

    The PML-N will host an important meeting of the PDM in Islamabad today. The meeting will take place at the PML-N secretariat. The meeting will be held under the chairmanship of the Leader of Jamat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and acting president of PDM Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
    

    Matters relating to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Awami National Party (ANP) will be contemplated upon. Opposition leaders will decide if both parties can be taken back again in the alliance or not.
    

    The PDM leaders will discuss the political situation in the country and the future strategy of the anti-government alliance.
    

    Just a day ago, Shehbaz in a TV show hinted at his plan to convince his elder brother and the PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif on these issues in the larger national interest.