Tag: Pakistan Democratic Movement

  • Ishaq Dar denies reports of financial emergency amidst economic turmoil

    Ishaq Dar denies reports of financial emergency amidst economic turmoil

    On Friday, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar denied reports suggesting Pakistan should impose a financial emergency, amidst constant criticism over the current economic turmoil. He berated Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for spreading “fake news” about Pakistan heading towards default. Dar blamed the previous PTI government for pushing the nation of 220 million people on the brink of default, claiming that it was the coalition government that saved the country by prioritising the state over politics.

    Dar recalled that when the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) ousted Khan through a no-confidence motion, the leaders of the coalition government had decided to keep aside all political interests in the wider interest of the state. He stated that the PTI leaders have been calling him out since the rupee plunged to a historic low of Rs285.09 a day earlier while February’s inflation hit nearly a 50-year high of 31.5 per cent.

    Expressing his surprise and concerns over Khan’s continuous criticism of the coalition government, he said: “I am unable to understate whether he (Khan) has a problem in his leg or brain.” Instead of protecting the national interest, PTI’s leadership tried to sabotage the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal, Dar said. “Khan’s attitude is selfish.”

    According to Geo, Dar reiterated that Pakistan has neither defaulted in the past nor will it default in the future. Referring to Khan’s remarks about default, the finance minister said that the PTI chairman’s statements adversely affect the country’s financial markets. He, however, admitted that the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) reserves fell below $3 billion. It should be noted that the liquid foreign reserves held by the country stand at around $9 billion as of February 24 while the net reserves held by commercial banks stand at around $5.5 billion.

    The finance minister revealed that China has renewed a facility under which Pakistan expected an additional inflow of $500 million in the “next few days”. He highlighted the PDM-led government’s economic achievements, stating that the foreign exchange reserves held by the SBP climbed to $3.8 billion from $2.8 billion recorded last month. He maintained that the government returned $6.5 billion of foreign debt during the current fiscal year.

    Dar drew a comparison between the economic performance of nearly four years of PTI and almost 11 months of PDM-led government. He shared numeric data to prove that Khan and Co. did everything to “destroy the country,” but the numbers show who is sincere with the country. Dar argued that the opposition — the PTI — has not really improved Pakistan’s standing. However, Pakistan will escape the economic quagmire, he said, adding that the country is making repayments to bilateral and multilateral lenders and has made payments beyond its capacity.

  • ‘We still want immediate elections,’ Maulana Fazl tells the new govt

    ‘We still want immediate elections,’ Maulana Fazl tells the new govt

     Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has demanded immediate elections.

    Addressing his party workers in Islamabad, Maulana said that the maximum time this new government would be in power for is a year.

    “In this new setup, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam has its own identity and we are telling them [new government] that we still want immediate elections.”

    READ MORE: Zardari, Nawaz, Maulana have all been ruined by one man: Saleem Safi

    Maulana said that continuing to stay in power unnecessarily is not his party’s stance. The new government, he added, can take some time for electoral reforms but Maulana said that Imran Khan was ousted so that the people of Pakistan could be given their mandate back.

    “Now it is our responsibility to give back the nation what we promised.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also been demanding early elections. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that elections cannot be held before October as it needs four months to complete the process of delimitation of constituencies.

  • JUI-F announces to place 10,000 Ansarul Islam volunteers in Islamabad for March 25 rally

    JUI-F announces to place 10,000 Ansarul Islam volunteers in Islamabad for March 25 rally

    The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has announced on Thursday that 10,000 members of Ansarul Islam will provide security to marchers coming to Islamabad on March 25, reports Dawn.

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and JUI-F Chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman ordered all party workers to reach Islamabad on March 25 for the long march.

    According to the JUI-F media cell, the provincial council of the party held a meeting with Maulana Attaur Rehman, brother of Maulana Fazl ur Rehman, in Peshawar on Thursday. They discussed a plan in detail for the Islamabad rally against the government on March 25.

    Ansarul Islam is a group of volunteers force of the JUI-F that provides security to leaders and party workers during rallies and major events.

    MNAs, MPAs, and other local body members from JUI-F will lead a rally for Islamabad long march that will reach the capital on March 25.

    On March 10, Ansarul Islam members entered the Parliament Lodges to provide security to the Opposition lawmakers. The police raided lodges and arrested dozens of its members, including some prominent parliamentarians. JUI-F party workers blocked the highways in protest but later opened them after police released all members from JUI-F and Ansarul Islam.

  • ‘Maulana, you are acting like Maula Jutt. You will have to pay the price,’ warns Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘Maulana, you are acting like Maula Jutt. You will have to pay the price,’ warns Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Wednesday warned Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman that he would have to “pay the price” if the joint Opposition’s move to overthrow Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan pushes the country into anarchy.

    “[The] Opposition should fear lest this no-confidence motion pushes the country towards destabilisation,” Rasheed said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

    “We will not touch you, but if you disturb the law and order, then we will not spare you,” warned Rasheed.

    The minister said that it’s the first time Maulana Fazl has become furious and is playing the role of Maula Jutt.

    “It’s a shame. You have huge respect as a religious leader but the language you are using is not highlighting the principles of Islam.”

    “If it causes civil war and anarchy in the country, you’ll have to pay for it.”

    Rasheed said that PM Imran Khan will be benefitting even if he loses or wins in the vote of no-confidence against him as his popularity among the masses has increased massively during the last three weeks.

     Rasheed said that all members of parliament will be protected ahead of the voting on the no-confidence motion.

  • ‘Bilawal dil ka jaani hai’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘Bilawal dil ka jaani hai’: Sheikh Rasheed

    “Bilawal dil ka jaani hai,” said Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed about Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

    Speaking about the Opposition’s long march towards the federal capital, the minister said that they are coming here to do “Duma Dum Mast Qalandar“.

    “They [Opposition] are coming since the last four months. Let them come. If anything happens, the loss will be of the Opposition. Imran Khan has finished his four years, he has one year left and he will work through that one year,” said Rasheed, adding that the Opposition has only created confusion in the past four years.

    The reporter asked Rasheed that Bilawal’s Awami March pulled a large crowd and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman too has street power, to which Rasheed interjected and said that he provided more security to Bilawal than the people attending his ‘Awami March’.

    Rasheed again reiterated the fact that Prime Minister Imran Khan is going nowhere. On being asked about the governance in Punjab, Rasheed said, “I don’t do Punjab politics.”

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to hold a ‘public meeting’ at D-Chowk on March 27.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday called the entire nation to march towards the federal capital on March 23 for an anti-government long march.

  • Ab tou dharnay hongay: Govt, Opposition set to do jalsas on same day in Islamabad

    Ab tou dharnay hongay: Govt, Opposition set to do jalsas on same day in Islamabad

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to hold a massive, what they are calling, a ‘public meeting’ at D-Chowk on March 27.

    As per media reports, the government has cautioned lawmakers that they will have to make their way through the crowd of ‘one million’ to enter Parliament House for casting their vote on the no-trust motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, which is expected to take place on March 28.

    The decision to gather PTI workers at D-Chowk on March 27 was made in the ruling party’s core committee meeting, which was presided by PM Khan himself.

    It is being reported that the core committee was also attended by National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser and Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday called the entire nation to march towards the federal capital on March 23 for an anti-government long march.

    “People should be ready for staying in Islamabad […] we are not sure till when will the long march last,” said Fazl.

    “From the door of the Parliament House to Shahrah-e-Dastoor, we will hold a historic rally. Through this, we will give a safe passage to all lawmakers for reaching the [assembly] safely and casting their vote,” said Maulana Fazl.

    PDM chief made the announcement after a meeting of Opposition parties which was hosted by Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif.

    In response to the PDM chief’s announcement, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said he had already stated that the Opposition was against the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) session in Islamabad.

    “I had already said that Fazlur Rehman’s real agenda was against the OIC conference. They are not able to accept that OIC foreign minister’s meeting will take place here after 15 years,” tweeted Fawad.

    PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan said on Monday announced that the voting on the no-confidence motion against PM Khan will take place after March 27.

  • Zardari wants Shehbaz to be next PM, Shehbaz nominates Khursheed Shah: report

    Zardari wants Shehbaz to be next PM, Shehbaz nominates Khursheed Shah: report

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, Former President Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rahman met on Wednesday evening at the residence of the PML-N leader.

    The Opposition favors immediate elections but the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) allies are not in its favour. However, since the coalition seeks support of the government’s allies for bringing a no-trust motion against the government, The News has reported that Zardari will persuade the Opposition parties’ leaders to show flexibility on the matter of elections, reports The News.

    The news outlet further reports that Shehbaz Sharif wanted someone from within the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as the prime minister while the PPP wanted Shehbaz Sharif to be the next prime minister, a proposal which he was reluctant to accept. They claimed that former president Asif Ali Zardari nominated Shehbaz Sharif as the prime minister while Shehbaz named PPP’s Khursheed Shah for the slot.

    On the other hand, The News reports that the Opposition parties have also started signing the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and the united Opposition claimed the support of 24 members of the ruling party.

    The sources claimed the Opposition parties have 162 members and 10 more votes were needed to make the no-confidence motion a success. The PML-N has claimed to have the support of 16 government members while the PPP claimed to have the support of six government members and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) said they had the support of two government members.

    Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Wednesday revealed that at least three MNAs PTI were offered money by the opposition for support to their no-trust move.

    The minister said these three legislators included one minority MNA and a female member of the assembly, adding bidding had started by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan People’s Party to revive horse-trading.

  • Opposition united to remove PM Khan, Fazl and Zardari visit Shehbaz Sharif for no-confidence motion

    Opposition united to remove PM Khan, Fazl and Zardari visit Shehbaz Sharif for no-confidence motion

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman visited Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif at his residence upon Sharif’s invitation for a lunch.

    Sharif had invited Fazl along with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to the lunch, to discuss the current political situation and the no-confidence motion against the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

    https://twitter.com/pmln_org/status/1496427330281091075

    It is being reported that Fazl will visit the Chaudhry brothers’ residence in Gulberg, Lahore for dinner today.

    Zardari met Sharif on Tuesday (February 22). The meeting was held at Bilawal House, Lahore. In a joint declaration after the meeting, it was announced that all-out efforts would be made to rid the country of the present government.

  • PDM to table no-trust motion against the government

    PDM to table no-trust motion against the government

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) president Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced on Friday that the Opposition alliance has decided to move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and would contact the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s allies in the Centre for this purpose.

    “All parties in the PDM have agreed on bringing a no-confidence motion against these illegitimate rulers and contacting the government’s allies in this regard,” said Maulana.

    “[We will ask government allies] to have mercy on this country and nation, considering their impoverished condition,” he added. “[We will tell them] that remaining an ally of such a government is not politically and economically beneficial for the country.”

    When asked why the PDM announced the decision to bring about a no-confidence motion against the government without completing the “homework”, Fazl said that the Opposition should be allowed to make preparations first.

    “The PDM has announced the no-confidence motion at this stage because we have a firm intention of doing so. Without preparations, we cannot give a date, so let us do our work,” he said.

    Answering a question about the planned long march, he said that it will take place as per the schedule, while the PDM’s steering committee will chalk out a plan for this purpose.

    When a reporter asked Fazl what the PDM will do if the government’s allied parties refuse to cooperate, he said: “In that case, we will hold talks with them once again and try to convince them.”

    He added that the PDM will “not contact any PTI member,” adding that if they contact the anti-government alliance themselves, there could be any reason for that.

    “We are neither going to bribe anyone nor lure them [to join us] by offering any seats [political incentives],” Fazl maintained.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif said that the citizens of Pakistan are protesting against inflation and the ensuing poverty.

    “Who else would come forward to rid them of this tyrant government if not us?”

    Reacting to PDM’s announcement of bringing about a no-confidence motion against the PTI government, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the move will serve as a “victory for democracy”.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “It is a victory for democracy that most Opposition parties now agree to bring a no-confidence motion against the government. The PM has lost the confidence of the people, it is about time he lost the confidence of Parliament.”