Tag: PMLN

  • ‘PPP was offered to bring down PML-N with the help of PTI’: Hamid Mir

    ‘PPP was offered to bring down PML-N with the help of PTI’: Hamid Mir

    Senior journalist Hamid Mir revealed that last year, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was offered that along to give a tough time to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with the help of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after some backdoor meetings.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Hamid Mir said, “The PPP knows the full truth. Last year, the PPP convinced the PML-N to bring a no-confidence motion. This is because last year in September/October, the PPP was contacted. I revealed in your show Shahzeb saab that Asif Ali Zardari was being contacted to leave Pakistan just like Nawaz Sharif left on medical grounds. However, Asif Ali Zardari refused to go abroad. This is where the story started and the PPP has never revealed who conveyed this message. One-on-one meetings were held with the PPP leadership.”

    Hamid Mir further revealed that some backchannel contacts were made between the PPP and PTI.

    “The PPP was told that it should bring down the PML-N with the help of the PTI. However, the PPP did not take any of this seriously. After this, there were some other developments. They learned that a formula was being formed to adjust PTI in Sindh and similarly the PPP in the federal government, and that election will be held in October 2022. However, an important appointment will take place in April 2022. When the party started probing the suggestions, it realised that this was a long process. During this time Kala Bagh Dam was also to be made, the 18 Amendment would be rolled back, and talks of having a Presidential system too came to the surface and that’s when PPP ki kanpaain tangna shuru hogai. [That’s when the PPP was alarmed].”

    “When the PPP realised this, they decided to contact Nawaz Sharif. Then Shehbaz Sharif saab was involved. And they were informed that before the elections, which were to be held in 0ctober 2022, the plan was to send the PML-N leadership to jail,” said Mir.

    “Both the PPP and PML-N never really told anyone that they were bringing in the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan. They kept it a secret.”

  • Coalition govt should name their favourite judges: Sheikh Rasheed

    Coalition govt should name their favourite judges: Sheikh Rasheed

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed condemned the coalition government for calling Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial’s bench a “fixed bench”. Yesterday, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz said that bench-fixing is a crime like match-fixing.

    Sheikh tweeted that “no-confidence should be submitted against [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif”, adding that after the army, the Supreme Court (SC) is now being targeted.

    He asked the coalition government to name their “favourite judges”. Rasheed also claimed that the PML-N is running away from elections.

    Prior to the SC hearing on the matter of the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) election, the coalition government held a joint press conference.

    The government demanded a full court bench but the SC rejected this demand. On Monday, it was announced that all political parties in the coalition will boycott court proceedings till a full bench is constituted.

  • ‘Bench-fixing a crime like match-fixing’: Coalition govt demands full court bench

    ‘Bench-fixing a crime like match-fixing’: Coalition govt demands full court bench

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz said on Monday that “bench-fixing” is a crime similar to “match-fixing” and suo motu notice should be taken over it as a “specific” anti-PML-N bench being constituted for one-sided decisions.

    “One or two judges, who have always been anti-PML-N and anti-government, are repeatedly included in the bench. Bench-fixing is a crime just like match-fixing,” said Maryam.

    In a joint press conference alongside the coalition government leaders, including Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maryam Nawaz said, “Institutions are insulted from within, not outside. One wrong decision blows up an entire case. Criticism isn’t needed where the right decisions are taken.”

    Referring to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) petition against the chief minister’s July 22 election, Maryam said that the Supreme Court’s (SC) doors were opened late at night and the registrar gave “sufficient time” to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to draft its appeal.

    “This is not what happens in our justice system. PTI was given ample time to draft its petition by the registrar, while the common man is given months for the date of hearing.”

    ‘Have you ever heard of a trustee chief minister?‘

    Maryam gave several examples of the PML-N’s legal woes, claiming that the party’s leaders were being discriminated against.

    “Have you ever heard of a trustee chief minister?”

    She said that since Hamza was elected chief minister of Punjab, he was not being allowed to work. “He goes from parliament to court, and back and forth. What justice is this?”

    ‘Did any court take suo motu notice against Khan? Are the suo motus only for the PML-N and its allies?’

    Maryam also alleged that court decisions were favouring the PTI even though they were mocking the judicial system. She questioned the state of the judicial system and where the country was headed if decisions were given in favour of those who “abuse and bully institutions”.

    Maryam said that during former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure, the country witnessed a downfall in all sectors and the courts played “an important” role in that. The PML-N leader asked which crime had Khan not committed — he was involved in inciting violence, attacking property, and in the attack on parliament and PTV.

    “Did any court take suo motu notice against Khan? Are the suo motus only for the PML-N and its allies?” she asked.

    Criticising the judges for the recent remarks during the “Azadi March” hearing, Maryam said that despite PTI blatantly violating the court’s orders, the party was still given leverage.

    “After he blatantly violated the orders, the judge said that maybe he didn’t receive the order; they also said maybe they burnt the green belt to save themselves from tear gas.”

    ’Three people cannot decide country’s fate’: Bilawal Bhutto

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari asserted that the country’s democratic parties had only one demand: the formation of a full court bench.

    “We all want full court bench. Whatever you decide then will be according to the law and Constitution and we will trust it.”

    “It cannot happen that only three people decide this country’s fate. That only they decide whether this country is run through a democratic system, an elected system or a selected system.”

    Bilawal said that all the parties in the coalition government wanted a democratic system. “It cannot be possible that three people change Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution with just the stroke of a pen,” said Bilawal.

    “And it has been three months and some powers, people, political parties and conspirators are unable to tolerate […] a campaign is being run in the country to keep Imran Khan at the forefront,” said Bhutto.

    “We did not let any conspiracy succeed in the past and we will not let it happen now. We want institutions to remain uncontroversial. If only three judges give a decision, then we will not be able to control the political situation that will develop in this country.”

    “Institutions meddle in political affairs to protect the state but do they ever think that the state is weakened due to their interference?” Maulana Fazl

    “Institutions meddle in political affairs to protect the state but do they ever think that the state is weakened due to their interference?”

    “You are sitting behind a wall. You may decide whatever you want […] and make politicians the culprit in the eyes of the public and defame them. But hold yourself accountable,” added Maulana Fazl.

    He went on to say that the government supported what Maryam said earlier, saying that this was their “united stance”.

    “Don’t take this nation to a point where people rebel against institutions,” he said.

    The JUI-F chief said that it was very easy to “create difficulties”.

    “If you expect us to not create any difficulties for you, then it is also your obligation to not create difficulties for us […] if there’s support for parliament, institutions and the government, the country will stabilise.”

  • ‘Elahi will remain my candidate for CM slot,’ reveals Chaudhry Shujaat

    ‘Elahi will remain my candidate for CM slot,’ reveals Chaudhry Shujaat

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has come forward and clarified why he backed out at the last moment and opposed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Minister (CM) slot nominee — his cousin and party leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    The PML-Q chief said that he could not support “anyone who criticised state institutions”, adding that he has had relations with institutions for the last 30 to 40 years, which is why Pervaiz Elahi could not be PTI’s candidate.

    The PML-Q leader said that there is stability in Pakistan until there are institutions. He is of the view that using abusive language against institutions cannot be tolerated as institutions consider the integrity of the country their duty.

    He also clarified that Elahi “was, is and would remain” his candidate for the office of the chief minister, however, he [Shujaat] could not allow him to become “the nominee of PTI”.

    In a series of tweets, Hussain made these revelations. According to PML-Q leader and Elahi’s son Moonis, the Twitter account does indeed belong to the PML-Q chief and is operated by his son, Chaudhry Salik Hussain.

    In his tweets, Shujaat Hussain suggested that “all political leaders’ personal interests should be subordinate to national interests so that the country could come out of this quagmire”.

    Moonis Elahi also claimed that Shujaat was under “immense pressure” and that’s why refused to support Pervaiz Elahi as a candidate for Imran Khan. Talking to the media, Moonis said he had gone to see Shujaat Hussain and asked whether he had written the letter to which he replied that he did.

    According to Moonis, Shujaat told him that he has instructed the PML-Q MPAs not to vote for anyone in the chief minister’s election.

  • ‘Stole people’s mandate, thumb impressions taken on blank paper,’ PTI lashes out after Elahi’s defeat

    ‘Stole people’s mandate, thumb impressions taken on blank paper,’ PTI lashes out after Elahi’s defeat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders lashed out at Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain for directing his Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) to vote for Hamza Shehbaz instead of his cousin and party leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in the run-off election for the Punjab chief minister.

    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that Shujaat’s ability to make decisions is “limited due to his illness”, adding that his thumb impressions “were taken on a blank paper”.

    Talking to journalists, Chaudhry also took a jibe at Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Mazari, and said that Mazari stole the people’s mandate, adding that he violated the Constitution.

    He said that now the PTI has approached Supreme Court (SC) in this regard.

    About Zardari, Fawad said that Pakistan cannot bear the brunt of the “politics of Zardari”.

    Apart from Fawad, other PTI leaders also lashed out following yesterday’s defeat.

    Talking to Twitter, PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood termed Mazari’s ruling as “shameful denial of peoples verdict”.

    Meanwhile, Hammad Azhar said that Chaudhry Shujaat is the most dislikable figure among the masses.

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi was of the view that yesterday’s incident is “equivalent to suppressing the voice of the people”.

    It is pertinent to mention that Elahi had the support of 10 PML-Q MPAs apart from PTI. However, a day before the CM Punjab election, a meeting took place between Shujaat and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, which turned the tables in Hamza’s favour. On the day of the election, Shujaat directed his MPAs to vote in favour of Hamza.

    However, the lawmakers cast votes in favour of Elahi but Mazari dismissed their votes.

  • ‘Kisi aur ka gandd hum kyun saaf karein,’ asks SAPM Hafiz Karim

    ‘Kisi aur ka gandd hum kyun saaf karein,’ asks SAPM Hafiz Karim

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Shehbaz Sharif with the status of Federal Minister, Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim said that it is better to leave the government.

    “It is better to leave the government. We should not have taken the government,” said Karim.

    “Kisi aur ka gandd hum kyun saaf karein? Jo gandd laaye hain, wohi saaf karein.” [Why should we clean up someone else’s mess? They should clean up the mess that they created.]

    “If you want to govern, do not impose conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that burden the people. Believe me, if there is no relief, leave the government and do politics,” said SAPM Karim while speaking with journalist Naeem Ashraf.

    On the other hand, despite the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) disastrous performance in Punjab, the federal government has decided to complete its constitutional tenure till August 2023.

  • Govt to distribute 100,000 laptops under Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme

    Govt to distribute 100,000 laptops under Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme

    About 100,000 students enrolled in government universities and colleges will soon receive free laptops as part of the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme, according to the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Youth Affairs, Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

    She said in a Monday interview with APP that the programme will only award young people with high-quality laptops based on their merit.

    “These laptops will be provided to all Ph.D. and postgraduate students, while the top performers in undergraduate programmes will also be included in the scheme,” she said.

    The SAPM claimed that the laptop program’s allotted quota for Balochistan students has been doubled, along with quotas for students who are disabled and 50 per cent of the program’s allotted quota for women. Prime Minister Skilled Programme will provide skills and information technology training to up to 100,000 youth.

    She claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) government launched the Prime Minister Youth Program in 2013, which had six steps for empowering youth.

    Khawaja rejected the impression of closing the Prime Minister Youth Loan Scheme terming it wrong, and added, the restructuring of this program has been done under which the loan limit has been revised.

    “Now the youth will be provided interest-free loans up to Rs500,000, while loans from Rs500,000 to Rs7,500,000 will be provided on easy terms,” she told APP.

    She emphasised the urgent need to provide these youth with skills education in line with market needs by stating that 20 lakh graduates enter the market each year after completing their education.

  • PML-N decides not to hold early elections

    PML-N decides not to hold early elections

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided not to hold early general elections in the country and to complete its constitutional term, reports Geo News.

    In a meeting on Monday under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, the PML-N’s defeat in Punjab by-polls and other political matters were discussed.

    On July 17, the ruling party suffered a heavy loss 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.

    The decision regarding elections has been taken by the PML-N. The party is yet to discuss the matter with its coalition partners and for that, a meeting is scheduled for today (Tuesday).

    A day earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressed the nation after his party’s landslide victory in Punjab. He highlighted that the only way out of the current political crisis is free and fair elections.

  • Numbers: Does Hamza have a chance to be CM Punjab?

    Numbers: Does Hamza have a chance to be CM Punjab?

    The result of the Punjab by-elections has come as a shock for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its supporters while it has proved to be a ray of light for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) future in upcoming elections.

    According to the results (as of now), PML-N managed to win only four seats in its popular province. PTI swept the by-elections by bagging almost 75 per cent of Punjab constituencies (15 seats) and one independent candidate won the seat.

    It is pertinent to mention that before the by-polls, PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) jointly had the strength of 173 members. Now, with 15 additional seats, the parties have achieved 188 seats in Punjab Assembly (PA) whereas they only needed 186. One independent MPA who has won is likely to be a part of the new ruling coalition.

    On the contrary, the current ruling coalition (PML-N, PPP and others) has 179 members.

    Two MPAs of PML-N including Mian Jaleel Sharaqpuri and Faisal Niazi had resigned so their seats are vacant. MPA Chaudhry Nisar is unlikely to vote for any of the candidates

    Great voter turnout

    In this election, a great voter turnout has been noted.

    In Sahiwal, the voter turnout was almost 56 per cent. While in Khushab, the turnout was 47.84 per cent.

    In the constituency of Multan, the turnout remained at 42 per cent where former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s son Zain Hussain Qureshi won.

    In the largest city of Punjab, the lowest turnout was recorded while the highest turnout was in Bakkhar where PTI’s Irfan Ullah Niazi won.

  • ‘It is my voice’: Sheikh Rasheed confirms the authenticity of his audio leak

    ‘It is my voice’: Sheikh Rasheed confirms the authenticity of his audio leak

    An audio call between former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed and another man, Gul Zaman, has been leaked.

    In the audio leak, it can be heard that two are talking about a “payment” being made to PML-N’s Mian Jaleel Ahmed Sharaqpuri.

    Following the news, Zaman came forward with his side of the story. He said that Rasheed called him and started talking about some payment and Sharaqpuri. “I snubbed him and asked him right away,” he added.

    He claimed he hasn’t met Sharaqpuri and Sharaqpuri also doesn’t know him. Gul Zaman said he has no clue why Rasheed said all that.

    While talking to Samaa News, Sheikh Rasheed confirmed the authenticity of the leak. According to him, all of this was a joke and denied any payments being made.

    In a video message, he further clarified that Sharaqpuri is innocent and blamed the government for the leak. He said that the government has a problem with Sharaqpuri giving his resignation to Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    Sharaqpuri said that it was a pre-planned audio leak. He said he doesn’t know Sheikh Rasheed much. He further added that Rasheed is Imran Khan’s enemy and is a fraud.

    https://twitter.com/mianjalilahmedd/status/1548628283725680640?s=21&t=2wRqvRPk0BUyMufpbemXfw
    Trouble for PML-N: Mian Jaleel Ahmed Sharaqpuri resigns

    PML-N Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) Mian Jaleel Ahmed Sharaqpuri resigned from his seat on Saturday.

    The former MPA announced his decision along with Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Fawad Chaudhry tweeted before Sharaqpuri’s resignation that some PML-N MPAs are soon going to tender their resignations.

    PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have claimed that another sitting PML-N MPA Maulvi Ghayas ud Din will also resign. However, Ghayas ud Din has not issued any such statement and has denied these reports, reports Geo News.

    According to Fawad Chaudhry, another PML-N MPA Kashif Mehmood has been disqualified. He claimed that now the PML-N and PPP have 173 MPAs including the independent candidates in the Punjab Assembly. PTI has also the support of 173 MPAs.

    Sharaqpuri’s resignation has put the PML-N in a tight spot as it is already in a neck-to-neck contest with PTI-PMLQ over the Chief Minister’s (CM) slot.

    All eyes are set on today’s by-election results, which will decide the Punjab government’s fate.