Tag: PMLN

  • ‘Shehbaz Sharif’s dinner had nothing to do with PDM’: Maryam Nawaz

    ‘Shehbaz Sharif’s dinner had nothing to do with PDM’: Maryam Nawaz

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Maryam Nawaz’s media talk

  • ‘PML-N was never at war with the establishment,’ says Abbasi

    Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said his party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), never had any quarrel with the establishment. Abbasi made this statement in Dawn News programme, ‘Live with Adil Shahzeb.’

    “There is no point of distinctive appeasement with the establishment when we are not at war with them.” says Abbasi.

    The PML-N leader said his party always spoke for the country’s betterment, adding that even today, they do not seek power.

    Abbasi said the PML-N believes the country is in a miserable condition, thanks to the ‘stolen general elections’.

    “Is our country in a better state today than it was on May 2, 2018?” Abbasi asked the show host, “If the country is in a better position, I have no argument to defend my point. But, if the situation is pathetic, I want to ask what is the reason behind the worsening circumstances.”

    “The primary reason for the present condition I believe is the diversion from the Constitution,” he said.

    Mohammad Zubair, Spokesperson to Mian Nawaz Sharif, and Maryam Nawaz had previously said in a talk show that the PML-N has made peace with Rawalpindi.

  • Shehbaz files contempt petition in LHC against FIA officials

    Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif submitted a contempt petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday, against six officials who allegedly barred him from flying abroad despite the court’s order granting him permission.

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s name has been added to the Exit Control List (ECL).

     Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry, in a tweet said that with the approval of the cabinet and completion of all legal formalities, Shehbaz’s name was added to the no-fly list.

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that Shehbaz had not submitted any medical documents for travelling abroad or specify the treatment for his illness.

    “This is the first time that a verdict was given the same day a petition was filed. Shehbaz was trying to flee the country,” he remarked.

    Sheikh further added we want fair treatment for all prisoners and this is not fair. “What are the chances that Shehbaz Sharif will return when his brother Nawaz Sharif has yet to come back?” said Sheikh.

    He added that the PML-N leader may influence the approvers.

    Rasheed said Shehbaz can file an appeal against the decision in the Interior Ministry within 15 days.

    Earlier this month, the Lahore High Court granted Shehbaz permission to travel abroad once for medical treatment.

    After obtaining bail, Shehbaz was about to fly to London when an FIA team at the airport stopped him from travelling on the grounds that his name had been on the list of persons barred from leaving the country.

  • NA-249 by-poll: Others cry foul as PPP clinches victory in unexpected turn of events

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) came out on top after a close contest with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in NA-249 (Karachi West-II) on Thursday.

    According to unofficial results, PPP’s Abdul Qadir Mandokhel, in an unexpected turn off events, won the race against PML-N’s Miftah Ismail close behind.

    The NA seat was created in 2018 by amalgamating neighbourhoods that previously fell in two Upper House constituencies — NA-239 and NA-240 — during three general elections between 2002 and 2013.

    The constituency, with 339,591 registered voters, has emerged to be a highly contested seat with candidates belonging to almost every major political party fighting for it.

    Prominent candidates in the run were Miftah of PML-N, Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Syed Mustafa Kamal, Amjad Afridi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Qadir of PPP, Mohammad Mursaleen of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Mufti Nazeer Ahmed Kamalvi of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

    Contrary to pre-poll surveys, the PTI was unable to reclaim the seat fallen vacant after Faisal Vawda’s resignation.

    The PTI, instead, couldn’t even make it to top three.

    Earlier, when Miftah was in the lead, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz claimed that the “masses know who exactly is responsible for their troubles and woes”.

    “I have said it earlier and I will say it again, Imran Khan and PTI will not be able to campaign and if they do, this is how they will be welcomed,” she said.

    Her remarks were in response to a video shared by former journalist Talat Hussain showing PTI candidate for NA-249 Amjad Afridi being heckled by voters of the constituency.

    Earlier, taking strict notice of PTI lawmakers’ presence in the NA-249 constituency during the by-poll, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) directed them to leave.

    According to details, six PTI MPs Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Raja Azhar, Saeed Afridi, Bilal Ghaffar, Shah Nawaz Jadoon and Shahzad Awan were found to be violating the code of conduct by being present in the constituency during polling hours.

    The ECP issued their expulsion orders, directing police to expel them from the constituency.

    Since after the surprising turn of events, rigging allegations are pouring in against the ruling PPP of Sindh.

  • ‘I will throw a shoe at you’: Khaqan Abbasi threatens Asad Qaiser

    ‘I will throw a shoe at you’: Khaqan Abbasi threatens Asad Qaiser

    The National Assembly was set to debate the resolution on TLP demand regarding the expulsion of the French Ambassador today and Speaker Asad Qaiser was presiding on the session. After PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan spoke, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi rose and exchanged heated words with the Speaker over not being given a turn to speak before someone else. Asad Qaiser said, “You always behave like this,” to Khaqan Abbasi to which Abbasi responded, “I will take off my shoe and throw it at you.” Qaiser told him to remain in his limits and told him to fix his language.

    Watch the video here:

    The resolution came after a series of meetings with the TLP and the government. The banned TLP had held the country hostage with violent protests that led to the killing of four police officers and left 800 police officers injured.

    The opposition parties criticised the government over its method of dealing with the TLP and the Pakistan People’s Party boycotted today’s session.

  • PPP, several others, including PTI’s Fawad, against criminalising criticism

    PPP, several others, including PTI’s Fawad, against criminalising criticism

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has said that it rejects any attempts to further gag the fundamental right of freedom of expression in the name of preventing defamation and disrespect of the armed forces.

    In a statement, Senator Farhatullah Babar expressed grave concern over a bill moved by a PTI MNA and approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior seeking to amend the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) to send anyone to jail for two years with fine Rs 500,000 or both for what has been described as ‘defamation of the army”.

    He said that Section 500 of the PPC already provides punishment for the defamation of anyone, and the addition of Section 500-A is aimed only at gagging freedom of expression guaranteed under Article 19 of the constitution in name of national security. It is not acceptable and will be opposed at every platform he said.

    “The nation has witnessed enough of how behind the facade of ‘national security’ citizens have disappeared mysteriously, national resources diverted, internment centres set up, ex-tribal areas made a no-go area, foreign and security policies hijacked and security establishment’s business and commercial empire expanded exponentially.”

    Section 500-A is liable to be grossly misused in the name of national security as Section 295-C has been misused in the name of religion, he said.

    “Defence forces working within their constitutional limits are universally admired and do not need any legislation to protect their honor and respect. Similarly, no legislation can stop people from questioning those who transgress their limits with impunity,” he said.

    While the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reportedly tried to block the bill from approval by NA Standing Committee on Interior, saying it was a violation of right to freedom of expression, some government members have also expressed concern.

    While Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari had earlier blocked a similar bid to curb criticism, Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry has now said it was an “absolutely ridiculous idea”.

    In a tweet, he said he strongly felt that instead of introducing new laws to quell criticism, the laws dealing with contempt of court “should be repealed”.

    He was seconded by Mazari.

    “Totally agree. Cannot state it strongly enough,” she wrote.

  • Maryam welcomes Hamza upon release from jail

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz welcomed Hamza Shehbaz, her cousin and Punjab Assembly opposition leader, along with hundreds of party workers outside Adiala Jail.

    On Thursday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted bail to Hamza Shehbaz in a money laundering case and ordered the authorities to immediately release him. Hamza spent 20 months in jail without conviction.

    “Sher Aya sher Aya [The lion is coming],” the workers chanted slogans as Hamza Shehbaz came out of Kot Lakhpat jail.

    Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter and shared her selfie with Hamza Shehbaz with Marriyum Aurangzeb sitting in the background.

    Earlier, Maryam lashed out at Imran Khan, saying his party leaders aren’t even ready to cast votes. She said that the prime minister will not come back to power again if he gets ousted.

    Maryam Nawaz said that PTI was now fleeing from re-election as their rigging has been exposed. She also paid tribute to Hamza Shehbaz, saying that the opposition leader of Punjab Assembly faced politically motivated cases bravely.

    Hamza was a worker of the party just like him, she added. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers, especially the women workers are excited and happy over release of their leader Hamza Shehbaz from Kot Lakhpat jail.

  • VIDEO: The tea is not fantastic? Ex-PM’s video chiding help goes viral

    A cup of tea served to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif disturbed him during his address via video-link at an event organised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) media cell.

    “When you knew I was speaking then why did you keep it here,” the clearly perturbed three-time prime minister said in the footage.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    https://twitter.com/worldofjaved/status/1335591711964344320?s=19

    It is pertinent to mention here that the PML-N in accordance with its social mobilisation plan has announced holding seven workers conventions throughout Punjab to build the momentum for running a decisive movement against the government from the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) platform.

    The decision regarding holding workers conventions was announced during a PML-N Punjab chapter meeting presided over by party provincial President Rana Sanaullah and attended by senior leaders, including all divisional and district presidents and general secretaries.

    On the other hand, Shahbaz Gill, Adviser to PM on Political Communication, shared the footage of Nawaz Sharif with the caption, “Nothing but parchee (script) during the speech.”

    PML-N leader Hina Parvez Butt hit back at Gill, saying, “So, secretly you watch Nawaz’s speeches.”

  • Did Maryam Nawaz just ask PML-N workers to harass those who leave party?

    Did Maryam Nawaz just ask PML-N workers to harass those who leave party?

    Kicking off her one-week-long political campaign ahead of the November 15 election in the semi-autonomous Gilgit-Baltistan region, Maryam Nawaz on Thursday told party workers to confront those Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders who were switching loyalties “under pressure”.

    “Promise me you will not vote for those who change their loyalties. Those who backstab their party do not deserve your votes,” the PML-N leader said while addressing a public gathering in Skardu.

    She went on to say that those who succumbed under pressure could never stand for the rights of the people. “They need to be taught a lesson,” Maryam added.

    Earlier during an informal discussion upon her arrival at the airport, the PML-N suggested that workers should gherao all such turncoats.

    Gherao or encirclement is a tactic similar to picketing. It is mostly used by labour activists and union leaders in South Asian countries where a group of people would surround a politician or a government building until their demands are met, or answers given.

    Later at the public gathering, Maryam began her speech by thanking former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pervez Rasheed and former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister (CM) Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman for staying by Nawaz Sharif’s side through thick and thin.

    “Today, politicking has changed. And it should change,” she told the crowd. “Those who remain loyal to their party and aren’t sell-outs, deserve votes.”

    “I have heard that out of our 16 candidates, eight or nine have changed loyalties. Remember this when you go out to vote that those who cannot endure pressure, will never stand for the public’s rights,” she reiterated.

    “The fake prime minister (PM) announced to make Gilgit-Baltistan a province. You may be a fake premier but you are still a premier. You don’t realise how people are struggling due to inflation,” Maryam said while taking a dig at PM Imran Khan.

    Blaming the incumbent government for the sugar and wheat crisis, she recalled the premier’s promise of 10 million jobs. “Has any youth in Skardu found employment? Did he fulfill his promise to provide housing?”

    The PML-N leader also urged the people of Skardu to send the “lying premier” home. “He is about to go. The last push will be given by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.”

  • PML-N’s Azma Bokhari reveals Maryam Nawaz’s hotel room number during a terror threat

    A day after the Balochistan government requested the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to postpone its rally in Quetta due to terror threats, the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N)’s former member of the Punjab provincial assembly (MPA), Azma Bokhari posted a video on social media revealing Maryam Nawaz’s room number and suite name. While shaking the door handle of the room, next a sign which clearly states the name of the suite and the number, Azma says, “…yeh lock aur darwaza InshaAllah salamat rahe ga, agar kisi ko adventure karne ka shauq hai tou hum yahan hi hain” (this room is locked, and if anyone wants to have an adventure, we will be waiting right here).

    The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has issued a terror threat for Peshawar and Quetta, saying that banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is planning terrorist activities in the two cities. The statement reads that the TTP is aiming to target religious and political parties in possibly bomb attacks or suicide bombings.

    Azma Bokhari seems to be alluding to the recent arrest of Captain Safdar from his hotel room in Karachi, suggesting that the workers of the party are on high alert and will be there to counter any potential ‘middle of the night’ arrest in Quetta.

    The PML-N former MPA was previously involved in another ‘video war’ with members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, over the price of aata in her area.

    PDM lead by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s Maulana Fazalur Rehman, PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has done two successful jalsas, one in Gujranwala and another in Karachi but there is some speculation about cracks within the opposition.