Ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on the Punjab chief minister election case, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz tweeted that the government must take a firm stand and rise to the occasion.
“The government MUST take a firm stand & rise to the occasion. Rise to the occasion or fall to the status quo. Leaders are made by the situations they are confronted with,” tweeted Maryam Nawaz.
The government MUST take a firm stand & rise to the occasion. Rise to the occasion or fall to the status quo. Leaders are made by the situations they are confronted with.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 26, 2022
Meeting of heads of the coalition government has been called
A meeting of the heads of the federal government’s coalition parties has been called on the possible decision of the Supreme Court. The meeting will begin shortly at the Prime Minister House.
It is being reported that the political situation, including the decision of the Supreme Court, will be considered.
It is pertinent to mention here that on Monday, July 25, all political parties in the coalition announced that they will boycott court proceedings till a full bench is constituted.
Announcing the decision, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that since the coalition government’s request for the formation of a full court bench was rejected, they have also rejected this decision of the court.
“We will not appear before this bench and will boycott it.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is currently reviewing the political situation in Pakistan and it is likely that the PML-N chief may return to Pakistan, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News.
It is also being reported that Nawaz Sharif should restart his interaction, both with the media and the public. The PML-N did not want the government and were eager to go for fresh elections in May this year but were told to continue in the best interest of the country, stated the report.
“We won’t accept it without the return of Mian Nawaz Sharif and in the absence of a level-playing field and clear rules of [the] game for all political parties,” revealed a PML-N insider.
The PML-N wants to see the court decide the appeals against Sharif to give him and the party a fair opportunity to contest the elections.
It is pertinent to mention here that Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government will complete it’s constitutional term in August 2023.
Last week, Ansar Abbasi revealed that the establishment is considering holding elections in October.
“A soft intervention by the establishment between the government and the Opposition has raised the prospect of early talks and general elections in the country in October,” said Abbasi.
Abbasi further said that after the unconditional intervention of the establishment between the government and the Opposition, talks between the political parties are likely to begin soon and the prospect of general elections in October seems imminent.
The ruling coalition has demanded that a full court bench should hear the petitions filed in reference to the election of the Punjab chief minister (CM) election.
In a statement, the coalition parties said it will be fair that a full court bench comprising all the honourable judges of the Supreme Court should review the hear Supreme Court Bar Association’s (SCBA) review request, the present petition, and other related applications together, and schedule them for hearing together and issue a single ruling because these are matters of national, political and constitutional importance.
حکمران اتحاد کا مشترکہ متفقہ اعلامیہ جاری
حکمران اتحاد میں شامل تمام جماعتیں چیف جسٹس پاکستان سے پر زور مطالبہ کرتی ہیں کہ وزیر اعلی پنجاب کے انتخاب سے متعلق مقدمے کی سماعت فل کورٹ کرے۔ pic.twitter.com/WUtqozDoQc
Criticising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the joint statement said that he wants to move Pakistan’s democracy and right to governance towards “default”, “just as he did with the economy”.
“Imran Khan’s attitude and thoughts are like a ‘termite’ eating away at Pakistan […] but the ruling coalition reiterates its commitment that there will be no compromise on the constitution, democracy, and people’s right to rule,” they said.
They added that the coalition parties will move forward on every forum together and they will “fight against the darkness of fascism”.
‘Enough is enough. Don’t expect us to follow one-sided decisions, says Maryam Nawaz
Reacting to the events of last night, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said that she disapproved of how things were unfolding said that the party will not accept “one-sided” decisions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan,
“Amid pressure due to bullying, threats, misbehaviour and abuses, if the house of justice makes specific decisions via the same bench and negates itself, negate its own decisions, puts its weight behind a single side then do not expect us to bow our heads before such one-sided decisions. Enough is Enough!” tweeted the PML-N leader.
اگر انصاف کے ایوان بھی دھونس، دھمکی،بدتمیزی اور گالیوں کےدباؤ میں آ کر بار بار ایک ہی بنچ کے ذریعے مخصوص فیصلے کرتےہیں،اپنے ہی دیے فیصلوں کی نفی کرتے ہیں،سارا وزن ترازو کے ایک ہی پلڑے میں ڈال دیتے ہیں تو ایسے یکطرفہ فیصلوں کے سامنے سر جھکانے کی توقع ہم سے نا رکھی جائے۔بہت ہو گیا!
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 23, 2022
The PML-N leader said that the current political chaos and instability started with the Supreme Court’s court decision on Article 63A, adding that it made an “arbitrary interpretation” of the constitution to not count the MPAs that voted voluntarily.
موجودہ سیاسی انتشار اور عدم استحکام کا سلسلہ اس عدالتی فیصلے سے شروع ہوتا ہے جس کے ذریعے آئین کی من مانی تشریح کرتے ہوئے اپنی مرضی سے ووٹ دینے والوں کے ووٹ نہ گننے کا حکم جاری ہوا ۔آج اس کی ایک نئی تشریح کی جا رہی ہے تاکہ اب بھی اسی لاڈلے کو فائدہ پہچنے جسے کل پہنچا تھا!نا منظور!
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 23, 2022
“With utmost respect, I request that a full bench be constituted”: Atta Tarar
PML-N leader Ataullah Tarar demanded that since this is a matter related to the interpretation of the Constitution, a full bench should hear the petition.
The PML-N leader said that court hearings related to constitutional matters that have taken place recently — since the no-confidence motion against ex-prime minister Imran Khan — warrant a full bench.
“Therefore, with the utmost respect, I request that a full bench be constituted to hear this case as well,” the PML-N leader said.
‘How long will State institutions continue to allow this? We are not far from Sri Lanka moment’: Imran Khan
PTI Chairman Imran Khan, in a series of tweets, said that Pakistan was “not far” from defaulting and the state would soon depict a likeness to Sri Lanka, which has defaulted on its external debt.
Khan said in just over three months — from the time he was ousted from power — the “Zardari-Sharifs mafia” has “brought the country to its knees”, politically and economically.
In just over 3 mths the Zardari – Sharifs’ mafia has brought the country to its knees politically & economically; simply to save their illegally accumulated wealth amassed over 30 yrs of plundering Pakistan. My question is:how long will State institutions continue to allow this?
Hamza Shehbaz elected Chief Minister (CM) Punjab again after Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari rejected 10 Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) votes.
10 PML-Q votes will not be counted: Dost Mazari
Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Mazari says 10 PML-Q votes will not be counted because of Chaudhry Shujaat’s letter.
According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Raas, Hamza received 179 votes whereas Elahi got 186 votes. After Mazari rejected 10 PML-Q votes, Elahi was left with 176 votes, which turned the tables in Hamza’s favour.
While announcing the result, Mazari read Shujaat’s letter out loud. “As party head of Pakistan Muslim League, I have issued directions to all my provincial members to cast their votes in favour of Muhammad Hamza Shehbaz Sharif,” Mazari quoted Hussain as saying.
His ruling was countered by PTI MPA Raja Basharat, who said that the law states that the parliamentary party could issue instructions to party members.
“The head of the parliamentary party is Pervaiz Elahi,” he contended.
However, Mazari said that the matter had been clarified by the Supreme Court, subsequently proroguing the session.
Will not support the PTI candidate for the CM slot., confirms Moonis Elahi to Hamid Mir
Moonis Elahi has confirmed to senior journalist Hamid Mir that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has indeed written a letter to the Deputy Speaker. He has said that he will not support the PTI candidate for the CM slot.
Senior journalist Hamid Mir originally broke the story about Chaudhry Shujaat’s letter, which was later confirmed by Moonis Elahi to him as well.
Asif Ali Zardari to meet Chaudhry Shujaat, again: Hamid Mir
Senior journalist Hamid Mir says that Asif Zardari is about to meet PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
Reports suggest that Moonis Elahi has also left the Punjab Assembly.
‘Now the rules of the game will be the same for everyone, else PML-N knows how to play it better’: Maryam Nawaz
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has tweeted that the PML-N has not forgotten the treatment meted out to them. “Now the rules of the game will be the same for everyone, else PMLN knows how to play it better. Insha’Allah.”
PMLN has NOT forgotten the treatment meted out to them. Now the rules of the game will be the same for everyone, else PMLN knows how to play it better. Insha’Allah.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 22, 2022
PTI to file contempt of court petition against Dost Mazari: Fawad Chaudhry
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has tweeted that the unnecessary delay in starting the Punjab Assembly session is a violation of the Supreme Court’s orders. He said that the party has directed its lawyers to file a contempt of court petition against Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari.
صوبائی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں غیر ضروری تاخیر سپریم کورٹ کے واضع احکامات کی خلاف ورزی ہے، وکلاء کو توہین عدالت کی کاروائ کے لئے کہ دیا ہے، اب سے کچھ دیر بعد ڈپٹی اسپیکر کیخلاف توہین عدالت کی درخواست سپریم کورٹ میں دائر کی جارہی ہے۔
Today, the Punjab Assembly will vote in the runoff election and decide who gets to be the next chief minister of the province: Hamza Shehbaz or Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. The Punjab Assembly session started at 4pm today as per the Supreme Court’s orders.
Hamza Shehbaz is the incumbent chief minister and CM candidate of the PML-N and its coalition partners, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The total number game of the PML-N-led ruling coalition is179.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi of the PML-Q is the CM candidate of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). PTI and PML-Q have a total of 187 members on their side.
Pakistan will become another Sri Lanka if Elahi not allowed to become CM Punjab: Imran Khan
Yesterday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said yesterday that if Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is not allowed to become CM Punjab, Pakistan will become another Sri Lanka.
“I will never forget what happened to us on May 25. We will never forget,” added Khan.
#Pakistan Punjab Assembly session to elect CM will be held today. If people’s mandate is stolen in the Assembly during the CM election,then I am warning that the country would head towards a condition like Sri Lanka & after that,it would not be my responsibility,Say’s Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/O3v1pMDVTX
— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) July 21, 2022
Credit goes to Zardari for first destroying the PPP and now the PML-N: Fawad Chaudhry
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the Maryam Nawaz group’s gesture by accepting the results of the Punjab by-polls was good but the Shehbaz Sharif group is most probably working under the influence of Asif Ali Zardari. He alleged that Shehbaz Sharif is consulting Zardari these days for major decisions.
“Credit goes to Zardari for destroying two parties, first the PPP and now the PML-N,” added Fawad Chaudhry.
PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari met PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain once again last night. Zardari had already held two meetings with Chaudhry Shujaat earlier in an effort to get his support for Hamza Shehbaz.
The former president had sent a message for a meeting with Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi. However, they both refused to meet him according to The News.
Moonis Elahi said that it’s “game over” for the government.
“They can do whatever they want, they have lost the game,” said Moonis Elahi.
50 PTI MPAs can vote for Hamza Shehbaz: Rana Sanaullah
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has claimed that 50 PTI MPAs can vote for Hamza Shehbaz in the CM Punjab election today.
“Not five, but 50 PTI MPAs can either use their right to vote or abstain from casting their votes,” said Rana Sanaullah.
On July 17, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) suffered a heavy loss in the by-elections as it only managed to win four seats out of 20 while its rival party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won 75 per cent (15 seats) of the Punjab constituencies.
Despite the PML-N’s disastrous performance in Punjab, the federal government has decided to complete its constitutional tenure till August 2023. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday (July 19). The coalition partners also agreed that they will give a tough time to Imran Khan.
The Current reached out to experts to ask their opinion on what the PML-N should do next and what will be PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s next move.
Here is what they have to say.
PML-N is no longer popular among the masses: Shafqat Mahmood
“PML-N is no longer popular among the masses. The people of Pakistan have realised that these people are “bhayaanak” [horrible]. It is because of their history of corruption and bad governance during the last three months that they have been badly defeated,” said PTI leader and former Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood.
Talking about Khan and his future plans after winning the Punjab by-polls Mahmood said, “PTI only wants fair and free elections. On July 22, PTI will be in power in Punjab once again.”
PML-N needs to go to the drawing board: Mansoor Ali Khan
Senior journalist Mansoor Ali Khan said that the PML-N needs to go to the drawing board to fix its problems and start the process all over again.
“They have to go back to the drawing board and start the process again. The most important thing in the present situation for the PML-N to think about is when can Nawaz Sharif come back to Pakistan. His absence has already caused a lot of damage. The party really needs to take a look at all the mistakes committed by them, which led to its defeat in the Punjab by-polls.”
“I think this is Imran Khan’s winning moment and he will only want early elections. Khan will keep putting pressure on the government and will only want elections. Since the last two months, we have already witnessed him doing this and the Punjab by-polls result is evidence enough that Khan’s plan is working.”
Federal capital without Punjab is nothing: Kashif Abbasi
Senior journalist Kashif Abbasi said that the federal capital without Punjab is nothing.
“The PML-N should talk to the PTI and find a way to work towards early elections. There is no point in running the federal capital without Punjab.”
Abbasi said that Khan has all the cards at the moment while the PML-N is in trouble.
“Early elections will possibly favour the PTI as well. So at present, early elections are the solution both for the PTI and PML-N.”
Early elections should be called: Absa Komal
Journalist Absa Komal said that the PTI secured a clear mandate in Punjab by sweeping the by-polls in PML-N’s home ground.
“Ideally, sanity should prevail within the PML-N and early elections should be called.”
“Khan sahib will keep on resisting, especially if the government creates problems in making Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi chief minister. Meanwhile, he will continue to build a narrative about the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Khan will continue to use his victory in Punjab for building his future narrative,” said Komal.
PML-N reaction
Meanwhile, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that these by-elections cannot measure the popularity or unpopularity of the PML-N.
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail stated in an interview that the government would keep making difficult choices in an effort to save the economy and keep the nation from going bankrupt.
The finance minister also noted that it was crucial for the government to take unpopular measures, which also resulted in political setbacks. “But if need be, we will take more tough decisions,” he said.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept the Punjab by-elections held on July 17 by bagging a total of 15 out of 20 Punjab Assembly seats while the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) only managed to win four seats. An independent candidate won one seat. The unexpected and sweeping victory of PTI in the all-important Punjab by-polls is set to influence the political as well as economic future of the country. The outcome of the by-elections has not just sealed the fate of Hamza Shehbaz’s government in Punjab but also sent alarm bells ringing for Shehbaz Sharif’s federal government.
The million dollar question is, what happened in Punjab that the kaptaan was able to pull this off in the heart of PML-N? PTI Chairman Imran Khan led a vigorous campaign against those who had ditched the party during the first poll for the chief minister on April 16 and voted for Hamza. Even the PML-N’s voters did not vote for the ‘lotas’ or turncoats. Khan continuously targeted the ‘neutrals’ for not siding with him in foiling the so-called ‘conspiracy’ the PML-N, PPP, and other parties had allegedly hatched “with the help of the United States” to oust him from power. That his foreign conspiracy mantra sold like hot cakes shows that Pakistanis love conspiracy theories.
The Punjab by-elections have brought to the limelight further questions: what is next for the PML-N? The ruling PML-N really needs to ‘introspect’ its shortcomings and need to go back to the drawing board and check every possible situation that led the party to its failure in Punjab. Was the vote of no-confidence the right move? Was the PML-N really thinking that a father-son duo as prime minister and the chief minister can turn out to be successful? At present, the most important question is, when is Nawaz Sharif coming back? The party has faced a lot of damage in his absence. Within the PML-N, a lot of people are of the view that Hamza should accept defeat and immediately resign as chief minister, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should call the next general elections as soon as possible. What the PML-N will do next can shape the future of Pakistan. Will Shehbaz Sharif announce the general elections or stick to power? Will a caretaker government be formed that can also take care of the economy for three months given how crucial the IMF deal is?
Whatever happens, Pakistan is in need of massive reforms. With the pertaining economic crisis and inflation, major political, as well as economic stability, is required. The country needs stability more than ever.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah tweeted on Tuesday that a “so-called political party” and its leader “who suffers from insanity” have started a campaign based on hate and malice. Rana advised everyone, especially Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters, that if any supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) heckle them, they should make their videos from their mobile phones instead of responding to them.
“Make a video so that the hecklers can be identified and send it to Director FIA Cybercrime Wing through mail, or WhatsApp or tag FIA on social media after posting the video. Proper action will be taken against them, including blockage of passports and/or identity cards so that people’s right to freedom of movement under Article 15 is protected.”
Rana further added that if the hecklers start physical fights, the law permits self-defence.
ایک نام نہاد سیاسی جماعت اور پاگل پن کے شکار اسکے لیڈر کی طرف سے سیاسی نفرت، بغض، فتنہ اور فساد پر مبنی مہم جوئی اور اسکے پیشِ نظر حفاظتی اقدامات کی خاطر میں تمام پاکستانی شہریوں بلخصوص پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے احباب سے مخاطب ہوں۔ (1/5)
— Rana Sana Ullah Khan (@RanaSanaullahPK) July 12, 2022
In response to Rana Sana’s series of tweets, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that Rana Sanaullah is a “scarecrow” who is being used by someone else.
Chaudhry said that Rana “has the support of someone else”, which is why he is using this type of language.
Rana Sana justified his tweets and stated: “Let me make it clear that as public representatives, politicians are accountable to people and there is absolutely no restriction on asking questions. But action will be taken if any politician is harassed in the name of freedom of speech.”
PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressed a rally in Lodhran on Tuesday where he justified the heckling of Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
“You must have seen on social media that Ahsan Iqbal went to eat at McDonalds. He claims that Imran Khan has taught people to misbehave. O Ahsan Iqbal, you lying Aristotle. This is not misbehaviour, this is the truth: you’re a thief.”
یہ ویڈیو ان لوگوں کیلئے ہے جو کہتے ہیں کہ عمران خان اپنے فالوورز کو نہیں اکساتا pic.twitter.com/Dm5K35hICI
Last week, a pro-PTI family hurled ‘chor chor’ at Iqbal at a restaurant on the Motorway. The family later apologised to Iqbal for their misbehaviour and visited him at his residence in Narowal.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s politics will end after July 17 by-polls, while addressing an election rally in PP-156, Dharampura on July 3.
“Punjab will never vote for Imran Khan again”
Maryam addressing the rally said that Punjab will never vote for Imran Khan again. The people of Punjab understood Imran Khan now.
پنجاب اب کبھی عمران خان کو ووٹ نہیں دے گا کیونکہ پنجاب جان گیا ہے کہ اگر پنجاب کی ترقی کا کوئی دشمن ہے تو وہ فتنہ خان ہے.
نوازشریف,شہبازشریف کے میگاپروجیکٹس سی پیک بجلی کے کارخانے اورنج لائن سڑکوں کا جال جبکہ فتنہ خان کے میگاپروجیکٹ فرح گوگی پنکی پیرنی اور منی گالہ کرپشن ٹرین. pic.twitter.com/7dx8FHHoJt
Maryam, speaking of Khan, said that he had fallen on his face without crutches. “Now he knows that people have found him out and will no longer vote so now he is calling out [for help] He calls out to neutrals at rallies but nobody pays any heed.”
پرویز الہی کے مطابق جو فتنہ خان کی نیپی بدلتے تھے انہیں آج کہتا ہے کہ مجھے اقتدار کی سیڑھی تک پہنچاؤ,بیساکھیوں کے سہارے حکومت کرنے والے سے بیساکھیاں ہٹائی گئیں تو منہ کے بل نیچے آگرا ہے.@MaryamNSharifpic.twitter.com/dE6rtT0NDw
Maneka’s children have become billionaires in Imran Khan’s tenure”
Alleging corruption, Maryam claimed that Khawar Maneka’s children have become rich while the nation has become poor. “They gave grief to the people of Pakistan and relief to their own family members.”
فتنہ خان کی بیوی پنکی پیرنی سوشل میڈیا کے لوگوں کو کہتی ہے کہ پاکستان کے اداروں کے خلاف ٹرینڈ چلاؤ ,کہتی ہے کوئی میری کرپشن کا پوچھے تو غداری کا الزام لگا دو.@MaryamNSharifpic.twitter.com/mxXRRZhhUB
Referring to the recent alleged audio tape leak of Bushra Bibi, Maryam said that Bushra Bibi instructed that everybody who questioned her corruption be called a “traitor”.
“Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala Fitna Khan ke mega projects hain”
Criticising the alleged corruption in Imran Khan’s tenure, Maryam said once again Imran Khan is after the province of Punjab. “Fitna Khan ke mega projects kya hain? Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala. [What are the mega projects of Fitna Khan? (Imran Khan) Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni and Money Gala.”
“Farah Gogi swindled the entire province of Punjab and she’s a “bachi” [young girl]?”
Talking about the recent allegedly leaked audio tape in which Bushra Bibi called Farah Gogi a “bachi”, Maryam questioned after all of Farah Gogi’s crimes in Punjab, why is she still considered a child?
فرح گوگی کیسی بچی ہے جو پورا صوبہ پنجاب کھا گئی.پنجاب کے لوگوں کی محنت کی کمائی کھاکر راتوں رات دبئی فرار ہوگئی اور ابھی وہ بچی ہے.@MaryamNSharifpic.twitter.com/hT7P7I0Nax
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday tweeted in support of Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail. He further revealed that Ismail was facing immense criticism from within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) because of the continuous increase in petrol prices.
“FM Miftah is among the hardest working members of PM’s team, accessible to all stakeholders,” tweeted Khawaja Asif.
FM Miftah is among the hardest working members of PM’s team, accessible to all stakeholders. He is performing v. well under difficult circumstances, with immense criticism from vested interests – including, and unfortunately, from within PMLN. Time to show solidarity with Miftah
“He is performing v. well under difficult circumstances, with immense criticism from vested interests – including, and unfortunately, from within PMLN. Time to show solidarity with Miftah.”
Miftah Ismail had recently said that he was “not supposed” to appear on national television to announce an increase in the cost of petroleum products, but that he did so in response to a directive from Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.
I was not supposed to go on tv last evening to announce this. Another colleague was supposed to do this. But PM sahib decided that Musadik Malik and I should do that. https://t.co/M8xv3GWtXL
It is pertinent to mention here that PML-N’s supremo Nawaz Sharif’s close aide and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed his return to Pakistan in July. He said that he is coming back on the directions of Nawaz and the decision was taken after the consent of PM Shehbaz.
There was news circulating of Dar taking the charge of the finance ministry, to which he said he cannot decide this matter. “My party will decide.”
Ismail is under pressure since the government announced multiple hikes in petroleum products and the delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme.
Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar said Tuesday that if Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif does not secure transit bail while coming back to Pakistan, he can be arrested.
The law minister said that if Nawaz fails to secure transit bail, then he will have to surrender himself and the “courts should provide [relief] to the people who are handing themselves over to the law voluntarily”.
Speaking on the issue, Tarar said that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto also secured transit bail when she came back to Pakistan.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Lahore High Court (LHC) allowed Nawaz to go to London for medical treatment in November 2019.
