Punjab’s Provincial Minister for Prisons Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and Secretary Information Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azma Bokhari had an interesting exchange outside the Punjab Assembly earlier today.
Fayyaz Chohan offered to hold a joint press conference in the Punjab Assembly with Azma Bokhari.
“Azma sahiba can talk openly against our government and then it shall be my turn to comment on her party [PML-N],” said Fayyaz laughingly.
Azma Bokhari said she should be allowed to answer him point-by-point. Chohan Fayyaz said it would not be possible.
On being asked by a reporter as to why the two individuals weren’t ready to do a joint press conference, Azma said, ” He [Fayyaz] should resign from his ministry, and stand beside me and hold a press conference as today’s presser is the Opposition’s.” Azma further added that she would happily welcome him [Fayyaz] and present him with a garland if he resigns and joins the Opposition.
“I offered her [Azma] to speak first because I personally respect her,” said Fayyaz.
Fayyaz Chohan later took to Twitter and said, “I offered Azma Bokhari to hold a joint press conference today, I was ready to give her the first turn but Azma did not dare accept.”
میں نے عظمی بخاری صاحبہ کو آفر کی کہ آج مشترکہ پریس کانفرنس کرتے ھیں۔۔اور۔۔پہلی باری بھی دینے کو تیار تھا۔۔۔لیکن عظمی بخاری صاحبہ نے ھمت نہ کی۔۔۔!!! https://t.co/8UbsvQ4DJN
— Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan (@Fayazchohanpk) June 2, 2021
To which Azma tweeted, “I asked you to resign. You are not destined to stand beside me.”
میں نے تو کہا تھا،استعفے دے کے آجاو، میرے ساتھ کھڑے ہونے کے مقدر نہیں ہیں آپ کے،منافقت چھوڑ دو https://t.co/VqSrSeFMZ6
— Azma Zahid Bokhari (@AzmaBokhariPMLN) June 2, 2021
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.
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.”
پی ڈی ایم میں 8جماعتیں موجود ہیں وہ اپنا کام جاری رکھیں گی پی ڈی ایم کے دروازے ہر اس جماعت کے لیے کھلے ہیں جو پی ڈی ایم کےمنشور اور فیصلوں پر چل سکتی ہے اتحاد اعتماد سے ہوتے ہیں جب اعتماد نہ رہے تو پھر پی ڈی ایم میں اس جماعت کی جگہ نہیں رہتی.شاہدخاقان عباسی pic.twitter.com/pN2EaqfaIh
“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.
“کل پی ڈی ایم کے اجلاس میں پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی اور اے این پی موجود نہیں تھیں مگر آج بھی وہاں پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کی پالیسی ہی چل رہی ہے۔ وہ آج بھی استعفی نہیں دے رہے اور پارلیمان میں ٹف ٹائیم دینے کی باتیں ہورہی ہیں۔”@BBhuttoZardari 2/3 pic.twitter.com/dUQICtMDI2
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.
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.
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.
“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.
کل مولانا فضل الرحمٰن کی صدارت میں پی ڈی ایم کا اجلاس ہوگا اور تمام ممبران کی مشاورت سے جو فیصلے ہونگے میڈیا کو آگاہ کردیا جائےگا
ہم نے پارلیمانی لیڈران کا اجلاس بلایا تھا اسکا پی ڈی ایم سے کوئی تعلق نہیں تھا شاہد خاقان عباسی صاحب نے پوری طرح سے اسکی وضاحت کردی ہے@CMShehbazpic.twitter.com/cO5oNxNAXW
“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.”
شہباز شریف پہلے اپوزیشن کو اکٹھا کرنے کی بجا ئےنون لیگ کو اکٹھا کرنے پردھیان دیں، کشتی بھنور میں ہےاگراس سے نکلے تو فضل الرحمنٰ کا کندھا تو ہر انتشار کیلئے حاضر ہی ہے، اپوزیشن سنجیدہ ہو تو الیکشن اصلاحات پر بات کرنے کیلئےPDM جیسے چوں چوں کے مربعے کی بجائے پارلیمانی لیڈرز بات کریں
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.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, on Thursday talked about how he spent his days in jail, his niece Maryam Nawaz’s political future, Nawaz Sharif, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and many other issues in an interview given to Kamran Khan on Dunya News.
A typical day in jail
When asked what is a typical day in jail and how he spent those eight months, Shehbaz said: “I used to pray for Pakistan in jail. It is not easy to remain in jail as it takes a lot of patience to remain in jail. Allah gives one hope there. I would get up for Fajr prayers, I continued my morning walk. After exercise, I would have my breakfast and then recite the Quran. I would read books like Bob Woodward’s Rage. I read Islamic books and read tafseer (explanation) of Quran as I had a lot of time on my hands in solitary confinement. I would feed birds when I was there. I once fed aaloo chanay to birds. I saw that a crow washed the potato with water as it was spicy, which I found very fascinating as they say that crows are wise so I would observe the birds keenly.”
Corruption cases
Kamran Khan asked Shehbaz about the allegations against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Sharif said since this is a sub judice matter, NAB invited him for the Saaf Paani case and arrested him in Ashiana scandal. During his arrest, they again arrested him in Ramzan Sugar Mills, and then assets beyond means case was opened against him. “I was given bail on merit in February 2019 in Ashiana and Ramzan Sugar Mills case.” He denied all charges of corruption. Shehbaz Sharif said that there is a NAB-Niazi collusion to target the Sharif family. “What else have they [the government] done in three years? They have no other priority other than how to destroy Sharifs’ businesses and our reputation. All they are interested in is to target my elder brother Nawaz Sharif and our family members.” He asked have they proved a penny of corruption against us.
Medical treatment in Britain
Shehbaz Sharif said he is a cancer survivor. He has been getting an annual check up in Britain since 2003. When asked how he would have entered Britain since Pakistan is on a Red List, Shehbaz said he took a chance to go via Doha and if that wasn’t allowed, he would have gone via Istanbul as Turkey was not on Britain’s Red List at that time. “I wasn’t going to Britain to play a cricket match or to learn jaadu tona (black magic). I was going there for my medical treatment and also to see my family.”
شہباز شریف بتا رہے ہیں پاکستان کے برطانیہ کی کورونا حوالے سے ممنوع ریڈ لسٹ میں شامل ہونے کے باوجود لندن کا سفر کرنے کے لئے وہ لاہور ائیرپورٹ کیوں پہنچ گئے اس کا توڑ انکے پاس موجود تھا pic.twitter.com/lMomFRcsIs
Kamran Khan asked him about the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) while he was in jail and if he was involved directly or indirectly with PDM’s decisions. “As luck would have it, PDM was formed when I went to jail. PDM faced divisions within the alliance when I was in jail. I do not impose my views on anyone. I wasn’t allowed to meet my lawyers or family regularly either. I would give my advice when someone sought it. I didn’t know much about it [PDM]. Now I will be there in the next PDM meeting….Such alliances were formed in the past too like MRD, etc.” Shehbaz said differences do take place in such alliances. “No party alone can take a decision unilaterally. Maulana Fazlur Rehman is the head of PDM, so such decisions are taken with consensus. Even if PDM isn’t there in its original form, I am the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and it is my duty to talk to all Opposition parties on issues like budget, Covid, foreign policy, Kashmir, Palestine or CPEC. Even if there are divisions in PDM, we have this forum in parliament.”
شہباز شریف PMLN صدر کی حیثیت سے بڑے پتے کی بات کررہے ہیں PDM غلط فیصلہ سازی کی وجہ سے ٹوٹ گئ اب آگے بڑھیں پارلیمنٹ میں اپوزیشن جماعتیں آپس میں مل کر تمام قومی مسائل پر مشترکہ حکمت عملی بنائیں گے اور پارلیمنٹ میں مسائل کا حل تجویز کریں گے pic.twitter.com/Iv0X6IRQIC
Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is facing a lot of problems. “India is a member of G20. We came into being together; we should have been leading in the comity of global nations. Bangladesh, which was part of Pakistan, now has a GDP growth rate higher than ours. How unfortunate that today, Afghanistan’s currency is stronger than Pakistan’s.”
Sharif lamented that this is a selected government. “They came into power after massive rigging.” General Bajwa said in front of me that Mian Nawaz Sharif has given me a lot of respect and never said no to anything related to defence. “Confrontation is not our path; it has to be consultation. This country cannot move forward without this. We need a consultative process between all institutions within the limits set by the Constitution. No one institution can take us out of this quagmire alone. It has to be through collective wisdom and efforts can we make Pakistan as a going country among comity of nations.” Kamran Khan said this is music to everyone’s ears.
Nawaz Sharif
Asked if Nawaz Sharif would agree to these suggestions, Shehbaz Sharif said: “He [Nawaz] is a statesman. I guarantee you he will be more than willing to contribute towards nation building efforts if there is a new social order which guarantees free and fair elections, all institutions work within their constitutional boundaries, judiciary is independent and free, and every government is allowed to work independently. Reconciliation is still possible; it’s never too late. Nawaz Sharif would be more than willing to do this, I guarantee you.”
He said that when he goes to London, he will meet Nawaz. “He is my leader, he is like my father. There is no compromise on national interest. I am sure he will promote national interest if there is a level-playing field. Even if I have to hold his feet for national interest, I will do so because it is my national duty. I am a Pakistani first and then anything else.”
شہباز شریف با بانگِ دہل اعلان کررہے ہیں ٹکراؤ لڑائی جھگڑے کی حکمت عملی سے کام نہیں چلے گا صرف مشاورت سے کام چلےگاسب سے اہم بات شہباز صاحب ” گارنٹی” دے رہے ہیں نواز شریف قومی مفاہمت کی ہر کاوش کی حمایت کریں گے وہ نواز شریف کو قائل کرلیں گے چاہے پاؤں پکڑنے پڑیں pic.twitter.com/npZjrbx3nT
Kamran Khan asked Shehbaz about Maryam Nawaz’s active political role in the last few months. “Maryam has a right to be in politics; she is now a politician. Time is on her side. The awaam (people) will decide. I am telling you whether it is Hamza who spent 21 months in jail or someone else from other parties, they all have a right to enter politics and then the people will decide.
“Time is on Maryam’s side, time is on Hamza’s side. They need grooming. Maryam’s father, who is a statesman, will groom her. I will groom her as her uncle from my experience. We need to alleviate poverty, eliminate unemployment. This is our agenda. If we cannot follow this agenda, then politics means nothing.”
بڑی مہارت سے شہباز شریف صاحب نے مریم نواز ساتھ ساتھ جمزہ شہباز کو مشورہ دیا یاد رکھیں ابھی انکا وقت نہیں آگے انکا وقت آسکتا ہے ابھی انہیں تربیت کی ضرورت ہے ابھی انکے والدین موجود ہیں لیڈرشپ رول انکے پاس ہے گویا ابھی انتظار کریں pic.twitter.com/y8dru3jLee
“Chaudhry Nisar was not my friend; he was Nawaz Sharif’s friend. Whether you like it or not, I have always inherited his [Nawaz’s] legacy. Whether it’s Chaudhry Nisar or Khawaja Asif or Khawaja Hamid or anyone else. Chaudhry Nisar was initially against me, then he became a close friend of mine. Unfortunately, this 30-year-old friendship ended on a bad note. I won’t go into the details. When my mother passed away, I met him when he came for her fateha (prayers). Taking oath is Chaudhry Nisar’s own decision; he did not consult me. He did not directly consult me on this.”
چوہدری نثار کے حوالے سے بلاوجہ قلابیں ملائیں گئی حالانکہ جب شہباز شریف ہی چوہدری نثار علی خان سے کنارہ کشی بلکہ لا تعلقی کی گفتگو کریں تو واضح ہے چویدری نثار کا ن لیگی تعلق حتمی انجام کو پہنچ گیا pic.twitter.com/6xfAU9Jg8z
Shehbaz Sharif said that without electoral reforms, no one can take a step forward. However, he said this does not mean that electronic voting machines are the answer. “Who are they trying to befool? We all want to give the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis. But in the garb of providing them the right to vote through electronic voting machines, we cannot have an RTS again.”
Summary of the interview
Shehbaz Sharif said that unity and a consultative process is needed and Parliament is the forum where this can be done. “We need a middle way for national reconciliation, consultative process with all institutions. Unfortunately, Parliament has been locked by Imran Khan Niazi. We need meaningful, substantial consultation in parliament. He [PM Khan] hates me so much that he did not even mention my name or title in the letters addressed to me by the Prime Minister. I addressed him by his title and name but he responded without mentioning my name again. If he is only interested in what his pir (spiritual guide) will tell him on how to destroy the Opposition, if this is his only priority, then what can I say?”
مجھے یقین ہے شہباز شریف انٹرویو کے سیاسی منظرنامے پر دورس خوشگوار اثرات رونما ہوں گےتوجہ سے سنیں: میں نے شہباز شریف سے زور دیکر قومی مفاہمتی منصوبہ اور نواز شریف شمولیت کی دو ٹوک وضاحت حاصل کی معنی خیز لگا دوران گفتگو انہوں نے نواز شریف صاحب کے لئے جنرل باجوہ کے جذبات کا زکر کیا pic.twitter.com/r8h3vfa5L4
PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said her party president Shehbaz Sharif’s dinner had nothing to do with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). Shehbaz held a dinner on Monday for Opposition leaders, including those from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Awami National Party (ANP).
“He hosted the dinner as the leader of Opposition, as they had to devise a strategy for the budget session,” said Maryam. “Shehbaz Sharif is the Opposition leader [in National Assembly]. He hosted the dinner for parliamentarians. My presence was not needed,” she said when asked about her absence from the dinner.
At the dinner reception last night, leaders from the opposition parties candidly discussed a host of domestic & foreign challenges facing the country. We agreed that there was need for collective solutions to national issues. We will evolve a joint strategy for the budget session
Maryam said PDM had not received any response from the PPP regarding the party’s return to the alliance. She said that when the PPP addresses PDM’s concerns, the alliance will deliberate over the matter.
شاہد خاقان عباسی صاحب نے اسی موقف کو بیان کیا جو مسلم لیگ ن کا موقف ہے جو میرا موقف ہے جو پی ڈی ایم کا موقف ہے پیپلزپارٹی کو جو شوکاز نوٹس جاری ہوا تھا اسکا جواب ابھی نہیں آیا جب جواب آئے گا پھر بیٹھ کے دیکھیں گے.@MaryamNSharifpic.twitter.com/OTeeirh8gU
Meanwhile, PDM Secretary-General Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stated that there was no place for the PPP within the opposition alliance until it restored the trust it had broken.
اگر ملک میں گروتھ 3.94 فیصد ہوتی تو آج بےروزگاری نہ ہوتی آج ملک کی آمدن میں کمی نہ ہوتی ملک میں مہنگائی نہ ہوتی. مولانا فضل الرحمان نے بڑی وضاحت سے پی ڈی ایم میں کہا ہے کہ آپ اپنے فیصلے پہ نظر ثانی کریں جو اعتماد توڑا ہے اسے بحال کریں.شاہدخاقان عباسی pic.twitter.com/nYoGVdk9YM
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, the PML-N leader said that the opposition alliance was formed for a particular purpose. “If you are not committed to the movement, then there is no place for you within the PDM.”
“The PPP can’t just rejoin the movement. They can only do so once they restore their trust in the PDM. The alliance does not have a revolving-door policy that you break its trust, leave the movement and try to come back again when you face difficulties,” added Khaqan.
“The door is closed. The door will only open when you rebuild trust,” he said.
The PPP has decided to attend a dinner being hosted by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif for members of the opposition parties today (Monday).
The PPP delegation will reportedly include Opposition leader in the Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Sherry Rehman.
PPP leader Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that this was an invitation for opposition leaders and not of the Pakistan Democratic Movement alliance ( PDM). He further added, “Neither does the PDM president nor its secretary-general has the authority to kick PPP out of the alliance.”
“The differences with PPP could have been resolved over discussions or sit downs instead of sending show-cause notices,” Bukhari added.
Sources in the PPP said the party’s senior leadership thought attending the dinner would serve in the best interest of the opposition, in giving a tough time to the PTI government in the up coming budget session in the National Assembly, The News had reported.
Shehbaz Sharif has invited the opposition leaders for a dinner on Monday (May 24) at 07:30 PM in Islamabad, according to media reports.
Reports say that among others, former President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and JUI-F chief and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) head Maulana Fazlur Rehman have been invited to the dinner.
PDM and the current political situation will be discussed in the dinner.
Yesterday, PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said that PPP has not left PDM yet, adding that a decision will be made in this regard when the PPP will be invited to PDM’s meeting with the heads of all parties involved.
Cricket legend Shahid Afridi believes that Prime Minister Imran Khan is ‘stuck in the system.’
Talking to The Current, Shahid Afridi said that the government should focus on its own performance rather than focusing on what past governments did or did not do.
“Why is the Prime Minister always saying he will not give anyone an NRO. If the state institutions and judiciary are independent, let them do their work.” Afridi added that the government needs to show what it has done so far instead of just targeting Opposition leaders.
Afridi made this comment in an interview on ‘Samaa TV show, ‘Sawal’, saying that when PM Khan used to speak before becoming the Prime Minister, the entire nation would stand up in favour of Khan, but now all he does is give explanations.
Advising the PM, he said that the premier should now leave Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. Since the past two and a half years only talks about them where ever he goes.
He stressed that Khan should become the change for which people voted for him in 2013 and 2018.
