Tag: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz

  • British court orders unfreezing of Shehbaz Sharif, son’s UK bank accounts

    British court orders unfreezing of Shehbaz Sharif, son’s UK bank accounts

    A United Kingdom (UK) court has ordered to unfreeze Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his family’s bank accounts for lack of evidence of corruption and money laundering, reported Geo News.

    The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) unfroze the bank accounts of former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif and those of his son, Suleman Shehbaz, on Monday.

    The NCA had conducted a 17-month long probe in which it examined Shehbaz Sharif’s financial transactions over the past 20 years. It said that no evidence of money laundering or criminal activities against the PML-N president or his family was found.

    The UK’s top anti-corruption agency filed a unilateral application before Judge Rimmer to declare that its two-year high-profile investigation in the jurisdictions of Pakistan, UK, and Dubai found no evidence of money laundering and criminal conduct on part of the two Sharifs who were investigated. 

    The NCA had initiated the probe after Pakistan’s Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) had shared evidence with the UK crime agency.

    After the Westminster Magistrates Court allowed the accounts to be frozen and issued a probe consent to the NCA on December 19, 2019, Suleman Shehbaz’s declared Barclays account, Shehbaz Sharif’s HBL UK and Barclays account were immediately probed, seized and monies were frozen.

    Usually, anti-money laundering investigations go back only six years, but in this case, the NCA used its excessive powers and investigated Shehbaz Sharif and his son’s transactions dating back to around 20 years.

    NCA’s investigators started the probe from the first flat that Shehbaz Sharif bought in 2004 on Edgware Road when he was in exile and asked him to produce evidence of the clean origin of the money, including mortgage payments, sources of proceeds in his accounts, salaries and dividends, and full proceeds of the property purchase in the UK bought during exile.

    The NCA investigated Suleman Shehbaz’s Barclays account declared in Pakistan with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and looked into all transfers that were made from Pakistan after the State Bank of Pakistan’s approval. The NCA went through each receipt of transfers from the official money exchangers.

    The court documents obtained by this correspondent from credible sources show that the NCA received a letter from the ARU on December 11, 2019, in which it levelled allegations of criminal conduct against Shehbaz Sharif and Suleman Shehbaz.

    The government of Pakistan had requested the UK government to seize all assets and funds of Shehbaz Sharif and his family and asked them to return the same to Pakistan and extradite Suleman Shehbaz with his family.

    Advisor to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar said that reports of Shehbaz Sharif being acquitted by the British court were incorrect, clarifying that neither had the ARU nor NAB requested the UK government to initiate a probe against the PML-N leader.

    “[These transactions] were declared as a suspicious transaction by the UK authorities and the NCA secured an asset freezing order(AFO) from the court against these funds,” he tweeted.

    “The news about the alleged acquittal of Shehbaz Sharif or his son Suleman run by one news channel is incorrect and misreporting. It was a result of a suspicious transaction reported by a bank to NCA. The investigation by the NCA against Suleman Shehbaz and some of his family members was not initiated at the request of Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) or National Accountability Bureau (NAB),” tweeted Akbar, who had been keeping a low profile for the last couple of months.

    PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said: “The UK court’s decision has unequivocally exonerated Shehbaz Sharif and his family of all malicious and vexatious claims of corruption and money laundering by Imran Khan. The NCA conducted a 21-month global investigation spanning across a 20-year timeframe whilst overcoming unprecedented jurisdictional challenges.”

    “Never in the history of Pakistan has such a public office-holder been subjected to global scrutiny and multi-jurisdictional probing. Imran Khan has been exposed as a charlatan, willing to malign and assassinate characters of honest public office-holders. False corruption narrative exposed as nothing more than a smokescreen and Imran Khan to be an unscrupulous ringmaster of a circus built on incompetence, deceit and stained by the indignation of the innocent and the poor,” she said.

  • ‘Fake and doctored’, PML-N’s Muhammad Zubair reacts to video leak scandal

    ‘Fake and doctored’, PML-N’s Muhammad Zubair reacts to video leak scandal

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Muhammad Zubair’s leaked video, where he is allegedly seen in compromising acts with women, went viral on social media.

    The former governor of Sindh has categorically denied the video and termed it to be a “new low in politics” along with claiming that the video is “fake and doctored”.

    https://twitter.com/Real_MZubair/status/1442237405432463364

     “Whoever is behind this has done an extremely poor and shameful act. I have served my country with honesty, integrity and commitment. Will continue to raise my voice for betterment of Pakistan,” Zubair wrote on Twitter.

    The mobile footage, which allegedly shows the PML-N leader in bedrooms with women is blurred and the women cannot be identified. It  has stirred a debate on social media on whether the video is real and if so, how the ‘footage’ has been leaked.

  • PTI leads in Cantonment Board polls, PML-N in second place

    PTI leads in Cantonment Board polls, PML-N in second place

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the biggest winner in the Cantonment Board elections held across Pakistan on Sunday, reports Radio Pakistan.

    According to the unofficial results, PTI got 58 seats, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) scored 51. Independent candidates claimed 49 seats.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has managed to win 14 seats and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) got 10 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) won five seats while Balochistan Awami Party (BNP) got two seats.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet said the Cantonment Board election results show that the Opposition has left with no standing following a crushing defeat.

    Reacting to the ruling party’s victory, federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said: “Cantonment elections once again show the PTI not only as the largest party but also the only national party.”

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif called party leaders and congratulated them on their success in the cantonment polls.

    Province wise results:

    PTI won the most number of seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) — 18 — followed by 28 in Punjab, 14 in Sindh, and three in Balochistan.

    PML-N won big in Punjab, bagging 51 seats, managing only five in KP, three in Sindh, and none in Balochistan. In Lahore, the PML-N bagged 15 of 19 wards.

    PPP was surprisingly unable to defeat PTI in Sindh, instead of tying with them for 14 seats. The remaining three seats were won in KP, meaning none were won in either Punjab or Balochistan.

    Independent candidates scored big in Punjab, bagging 32 seats. They secured nine in KP, seven in Sindh, and four in Balochistan.

    MQM won all of its 10 seats in Sindh, whereas JI won five in Sindh and two in Punjab.

    ANP won two seats in KP, whereas BAP won two in Balochistan.

  • Moonis Elahi meets Bilawal Bhutto, discuss political situation

    Moonis Elahi meets Bilawal Bhutto, discuss political situation

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader and Federal Minister for Water Resources Chaudhry Moonis Elahi on Sunday met Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at Zardari House in Islamabad.

    The PPP Media Office issued a brief statement after the meeting, stating that the two leaders “discussed the overall political situation in the country”.

    The statement said the two leaders also discussed issues relating to water distribution among the provinces and the historic water shortage in Sindh.

    Bilawal also inquired about the health of Elahi’s uncle and party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar was also present during the meeting.

    The meeting between the two leaders took place a day before the president’s address to a joint sitting of parliament.

    In June, Punjab Assembly Speaker and PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had a meeting with former president Asif Ali Zardari in Lahore.

    During the meeting, both leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and the national political scene.

  • ‘They need to hold their tongue’, Saad Rafique demands action over Azam Swati’s ‘threats’ against ECP

    ‘They need to hold their tongue’, Saad Rafique demands action over Azam Swati’s ‘threats’ against ECP

    Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) leader Saad Rafique, said while referring to Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati’s accusation on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of taking bribes and being on the payroll of ‘someone’ said: “They need to hold their tongue.”

    “If the government is making such threats, it is the responsibility of Pakistan’s civil society and political parties to fulfill their responsibility and their voice [against such verbal attacks],” he reiterated.

    PML-N leader further added that the relevant institutions, whose responsibility was to serve justice, should take notice of action over threats made against the ECP.

    A day earlier, Swati said that the ECP was responsible for destroying Pakistan’s democracy and for rigging all elections. Swati added that such institutions should be “set on fire”. This happened when the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs met today to vote on two key election bills.

  • He’s not coming back yet, PML-N backtracks on Nawaz return

    He’s not coming back yet, PML-N backtracks on Nawaz return

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will only return to Pakistan “when doctors will give a clean bill of health allowing him to travel and when the party decides”.

    PML-N leader Mian Javed Latif claimed on Thursday that Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan this year.

    Mian Javed Latif talked to the media after he appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Lahore. He claimed that Nawaz Sharif will come to Pakistan this year. He added that those who disqualified Nawaz also realised that there was no option except to have him back.

    “Those who had brought him the third time will allow Nawaz Sharif to be elected prime minister for the fourth time,” Latif said.

    “Those who had expelled him from government knowing that only he can guide the country out of these problems,” PML-N leader said.

    Nawaz has been living in London since November 2019 after he was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment.

  • ‘Puppet PM will lose the govt if we get rid of puppet Buzdar in Punjab’:Bilawal

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Prime Minister Imran Khan himself will lose the government if the Opposition de-seats puppet Cheif Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar in Punjab.

    Addressing a gathering in Rahim Yar Khan, Bilawal reiterated that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) needs to understand the role of the Opposition. He said that his party is doing its part and that the PML-N will need to topple the government by sending both PM Khan and Buzdar home.

    Criticising the PML-N, Bilawal said, “It is not possible that you talk about ‘vote ko izzat do’ [give respect to the vote] and run away the moment one has to use the power of the vote.”

    “It is not possible that you [PML-N] talk about respecting the vote and then you boycott the by-elections and the Senate elections. Because of you, people are angry with us as well. If you talk about respecting the power of the vote, then you need to start practicing that power yourself as well,” said Bilawal.

    “I urge you [PML-N] to get courage, work together, think about the people, don’t think about ego or personal preferences. We need to save Punjab together,” said Bilawal reminding the PML-N that if they are not ready, the people will not forgive them.

    “When we were with you [PML-N], you used to say that nothing can happen without resignation. I challenge you here to work with us or start implementing your own words and resign,” added Bilawal.

    Bilawal said, “You [PML-N] will have to do either of the two things, otherwise the people of Punjab will know that you are neither revolutionary nor ready for reconciliation but a hypocrite.”

    “The people of Punjab will reject the politics of hypocrites. We politely tried to explain to you but now we will show you how things are done through our hard work and political acumen and hold PM Khan accountable,” said Bilawal accusing the PML-N of being a facilitator of the government.

    Bilawal Bhutto claimed that the PPP will form the government in the Centre and provinces.

  • 48 per cent Pakistanis happy with PTI’s performance

    48 per cent Pakistanis happy with PTI’s performance

    Seven in 10 Pakistanis believe that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will complete its five-year term, according to a survey.

    A survey, ‘Gallup Pakistan’ was conducted with over 1200 respondents across urban and rural areas, covering over 100 districts in the country. The sample comprised a cross-section of age and socio-economic classes.

    The survey conducted was based to evaluate the performance of the PTI government.

    Performance of PTI:

    Public opinion is split on the issue of performance of the PTI government with slightly more than 48 per cent saying performance is good over the past three years. A sizeable 45 percent believe the performance has been bad.

    In the largest province of Punjab, a majority are unhappy and say that Imran Khan’s government’s performance isn’t good. Highest support in Balochistan at 74 per cent rating positively and KP where 62 per cent rated Imran Khan’s performance positively.

    Who is better Imran Khan vs Nawaz Sharif:

    When the survey crafted a comparison between Khan’s Rule vs Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif rule?

    Public Opinion split equally with 37 per cent each saying Imran Khan rule is better and 37 per cent saying Nawaz Sharif rule was better. 18 per cent of people believe that the performance of PM Khan’s government is the same as that of Nawaz’s.

    Economy:

    When it came to the economy, 45 per cent said they were satisfied with where it stands, whereas 44 per cent expressed dissatisfaction.

    Prevention of corruption:

    In efforts to prevent corruption, 48 per cent were of the view that the government has been successful, whereas 40 per cent were of the view it has failed.

    Performance on Foreign Affairs:

    A majority of Pakistanis, 58 per cent, have also indicated they are satisfied with the government’s foreign policy efforts. Of these, 18 per cent said the performance has been “very good”, while 40 per cent said it has been “good”.

  • Shehbaz’s remarks about a national govt are his personal views: PML-N

    Shehbaz’s remarks about a national govt are his personal views: PML-N

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks about the formation of a national government have stirred up a political debate in the country, reported Dawn.

    PML-N termed the party president’s views as passing remarks based on his personal opinion about a post-election scenario.

    “PML-N president and National Assembly Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif made a passing remark that if the people of Pakistan by the grace of God Almighty gave the PML-N the responsibility to govern again after the next elections, in his personal view he would not mind inviting other political parties, excluding the PTI, to contribute towards solving the massive crisis created by the Imran Khan government over their disastrous tenure in government,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb in a brief statement.

    “Any news item carried by any news media stating otherwise is a misrepresentation of what the PML-N president said,” she added.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) described the statement as clear proof that the Pakistan Democratic Move­ment (PDM) no more exists. The PPP believed it was an effort by the PML-N leader to keep himself “politically alive”.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that Sharif’s proposal of a national government was “a bid to save his own skin”.

    Sharif, while speaking to journalists in Karachi said, “Frankly, I am telling you that sometimes when I look at these huge problems and challenges, I feel convinced that it’s not possible for one party alone [to fix them],” he had said, adding: “It needs collective wisdom. It requires collective efforts. That’s why I think we should have a national government in place to sort out these huge tasks. I don’t know what the exact shape of this idea would be and the right time may make things clearer but for me it’s crucial. Even if we [PML-N] win a majority, we can’t fix it alone.”

  • Miftah Ismail steps down as PML-N Sindh General Secretary, blames ‘badmash tola’

    Miftah Ismail steps down as PML-N Sindh General Secretary, blames ‘badmash tola’

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh General Secretary Miftah Ismail has resigned from his party post arguing that politics became difficult in the presence of ‘badmash tola’ (mafia) in Karachi. According to details, Miftah resigned after no action was taken over vandalism by party workers at PML-N House in Karsaz.

    Dunya News reported that a few weeks ago, enraged workers of the PML-N in Karachi stormed into their own provincial party office and vandalised the facility, smashed windows, and tore posters of the party’s provincial leadership, in protest over “unjustified” distribution of party tickets for the upcoming local government elections in cantonment boards in the metropolis. 

    Reportedly, Miftah Ismail has tendered his resignation to the top leadership of the party due to the presence of “a gang of goons” who were making politics difficult for the former finance minister. He also contested the by-election in NA-249 in Karachi recently and lost a close contest to Qadir Mandokhel of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).