Tag: PPP

  • What is going on in PTI as leaders clash publicly?

    What is going on in PTI as leaders clash publicly?

    In a surprising turn of events within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), party founding chief Imran Khan has reportedly instructed senior vice chairman Sher Afzal Marwat to suspend all political activities in Sindh.

    Disagreements between Marwat and other party leaders, including Raoof Hasan and Barrister Hamid Khan, have escalated, leading to a temporary halt in political engagements.

    Hamid Khan endorsed the statements of Raoof Hasan.

    https://twitter.com/BrHamidKhan/status/1747182074191360492?s=20

    The directive from Imran Khan came a day after Marwat initially announced the suspension of the election campaign in Sindh, citing an alleged “attack” by party leaders Raoof Hasan and Hamid Khan.

    “Keeping in view the statements against me by sick-minded people like Hamid Khan and Rauf Hassan, I am calling off my campaign in Sindh,” said Marwat.

    However, conflicting statements emerged later after Marwat declared his intention to continue the polls campaign.

    “Workers are right and I will continue campaigning for PTI in Sindh. I will not be distracted,” wrote Marwat.

    In a social media post, he expressed his determination to continue campaigning for PTI in Sindh, urging party activists to confront what he referred to as “satanic forces” independently.

    The internal strife unfolded after Marwat launched the PTI’s election drive in Sindh but later called it off due to statements against him by party leaders.

    The controversy intensified as Marwat accused President Arif Alvi of being a “wrong number” and alleged a conspiracy against the party.

    In response, Hasan and Hamid disowned Marwat’s statements, asserting that he did not represent the party’s position and had no official post within PTI.

    Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of PTI, addressed the media, emphasizing the party’s commitment to democratic values and calling for unity among party members. Despite internal disagreements, he expressed confidence in Marwat’s candidacy for the upcoming elections from Lakki Marwat.

    The ongoing disputes raise questions about Marwat’s purported meetings with Imran Khan in jail, with conflicting statements from PTI leaders.

    While Hasan claimed no political leader was allowed to meet Imran, Gohar Ali Khan affirmed Marwat’s continued affiliation with the party.

    As PTI works towards finalizing its candidate list for the February 8 elections, the internal conflicts underscore the challenges inherent in the democratic process. PTI members are urged to set aside personal differences for the party’s success in the upcoming polls.

  • What election-related matters are Pakistanis searching on Google?

    What election-related matters are Pakistanis searching on Google?

    As the much-anticipated general elections in 2024 draw near, Google has taken a noteworthy step to provide insight into the search pattern of Pakistanis.

    In preparation for the polls scheduled for February 8, 2024, the technology giant has unveiled the “Google Trends Pakistan General Election” page.

    Search interest of people in Pakistan in the last 14 days indicate that 77 per cent searched for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, 14 per cent searched for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and only 3 per cent searches were related to Pakistan Peoples Party.

    The innovative platform aims to offer valuable insights into the questions actively being searched by people in Pakistan concerning political parties, election topics, and general interests.

    The most searched questions include, what is the date of the election in Pakistan, will the caretaker minister be changed, and how to get into politics.

    The dedicated trends page not only highlights the top election-related topics but also categorizes them based on regions, providing a comprehensive view of concerns and interests prevalent across the country.

    It is important to note that Google emphasizes that the trends page is not a survey or a reflection of voting behavior. Instead, it serves as a dynamic tool showcasing evolving interests and search queries.

    “While it is a valuable resource for understanding what people are searching for, it’s crucial to clarify that a spike in a particular search query does not indicate the popularity or success of a political party. It is not a measure of voting intentions but rather a reflection of the evolving search interests of the public,” stated Google in its official announcement.

  • ‘An umpire has recently given a no-ball’; Imran Khan slams Supreme Court decision

    ‘An umpire has recently given a no-ball’; Imran Khan slams Supreme Court decision

    Imran Khan, former Prime Minister and Founder Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), engaged in an informal conversation with media representatives during the Toshakhana case hearing in Adiala Jail on Monday.

    He voiced concerns over the political and legal developments, particularly critiquing the Supreme Court’s decision regarding PTI’s electoral symbol, referring to the decision as an “umpire giving a no-ball”.

    Khan suggested that the Supreme Court should have formed a five-member bench rather than a three-member one, to address controversies surrounding PTI’s electoral symbol. These remarks were made amidst the Toshakhana case proceedings.

    He again reiterated his belief that the current situation in Pakistan is part of what he referred to as the “London Plan”, alleging that elements of this plan include his imprisonment before elections, the perceived decline of PTI, and the exoneration of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    Imran Khan further highlighted the alleged misuse of state resources, asserting that Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz, and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had obtained bulletproof vehicles from the ToshaKhana without being held accountable.

    “Something very bad is going to happen to them,” he predicted.
    He demanded that an open trial of the cipher case should be conducted so that the people know the facts. “They ask me why did I not keep the cipher secret.”

    He alleged that the expose of former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and U.S. State Department official Donald Lu is responsible for what is happening with PTI now, adding that his party is the only one that has consistently struggled for 27 years to attain its current position.

    Imran Khan remarked that recent decisions by decision-makers fail to accurately gauge public sentiment.

    He predicted significant repercussions for those involved and emphasized the power of social media in bringing transparency to such issues.

    Talking about the upcoming elections, Imran Khan claimed that PTI candidates are not being allowed to run their campaign properly, but he anticipates that the people’s dissatisfaction will become evident on February 8th.

    Despite facing various challenges, Imran Khan stated that PTI has not been entirely eradicated as the people continue to support the party. However, he voiced concerns about the electoral process, stating that PTI intended to give tickets to 850 candidates for the national and provincial assemblies in the general elections but were allegedly not allowed to consult with registered members in jail.

    In response to a question, Imran Khan ruled out the possibility of an electoral alliance with Bilawal Bhutto’s party.

    He also reiterated his claims about biased umpires in the political arena, asserting that Nawaz Sharif has never played a match without favoritism.

    In a related development, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced that the party’s candidates would contest the upcoming elections as independent candidates. Qureshi, while referring to the SC verdict, commented on the perceived lack of a level playing field for the PTI and criticized the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for its stance on intra-party elections.

    He further said that his daughter’s nomination papers were snatched when she went for scrutiny. She was compelled to leave her native city, Qureshi added.
    “We accept the court’s verdict. History will certainly write its judgment on the SC’s verdict [on PTI election symbol]”

    Jail Trials Challenged

    Former Prime Minister and Founder Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has taken legal action by challenging the jail trial notifications related to the Toshakhana and Al-Qadir Trust cases at the Islamabad High Court.

    Both notifications, about the jail trial, have been contested by Imran Khan in the Islamabad High Court.

    Notably, the notification for the jail trial in the Al-Qadir Trust case was issued on November 14, while in the Toshakhana case, it was issued on November 28, as per the petitions filed on behalf of the PTI leader.

    The legal challenges assert that the notifications for the jail trial are deemed illegal and are allegedly motivated by malice.

    Imran Khan’s legal team has requested the court to declare the jail trial notifications null and void.

    Additionally, they seek a halt in the proceedings of the trial court until a resolution is reached on this matter.

    Imran Khan has named Chairman NAB (National Accountability Bureau) and others as respondents in both petitions, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the Toshakhana and Al-Qadir Trust cases.

  • A complete list of women taking part in elections on February 8

    A complete list of women taking part in elections on February 8

    The 2024 elections are approaching in Pakistan, and political parties have nominated candidates from different constituencies to contest the polls. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has allotted election symbols to all the candidates. Female candidates are also taking part in the elections set to take place on February 8, 2024, SAMAA has reported.

    After the 2018 general elections, there were 11.74 million more women than men on the voter rolls, bringing the overall number of registered voters in the country to 127 million from the previous 106 million.

    Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) has approved six general seat tickets for female candidates, including PML-N chief organiser Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Saira Afzal Tarar, Nosheen Iftikhar, Shazra Mansab Ali, Tehmina Doultana, and Syeda Shehrbanu Bukhari.

    On the other hand, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) allotted its ticket to Shazia Marri, Dr Sawera Prakash for PK-25 in Buner, Sajida Tabassum for PK-39 in Mansehra, Shaista Raza for PK-48 in Haripur, Dr Ghazala Atta for PK-49 in Swabi-I, Aneela Shahzad for PK-54 in Mardan. The PPP candidate Shazia Tehmas for NA-24 in Charsadda, Mehr Sultana for NA-38 in Karak, and Farzana Shireen for NA-39 in Bannu to contest the election for a National Assembly (NA) seat.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) allotted tickets to 21 women to take part in the upcoming general election.

    In Punjab, former MNA Iman Tahir Sadiq from Attock, former MPA Seemabia Tahir from Rawalpindi, former adviser to Prime Minister Usman Dar from Sialkot Rehana Imtiaz Dar, former MNA from Lahore Alia Hamza Malik, former provincial minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Sidra Faisal from Kasur, Mehr Bano Qureshi daughter of Shah Mahmood Qureshi from Multan, Ayesha Nazir Jatt daughter of former MNA Nazir Jatt from Vahari, Mrs. Talat Basra wife of Shaukat Basra from Bahawalnagar, and former MNA Kanwal Shuzab from Bahawalpur will contest.

    PTI allotted National Assembly tickets to Mrs. Qamar Javed Waraich from Rahim Yar Khan (RYK), Mrs. Humira Ahmad Khan from Muzaffargarh, Mrs. Anbar Majeed Niazi, wife of ex-MNA Majeed Niazi from Layyah, and former minister Zartaj Gul Wazir from Dera Ghazi Khan (D.I. Khan).

    PTI also approved National Assembly tickets for Umbreen Malik from Khairpur, Hamida Masood Shah from Sanghar, Maherul Nasa Baloch from Tharparkar, Nazish Fatima Bhatti from Matiari, Rozeena Bhutto from Tando Ulyar, Shabana Nawab Bajarani from Dadu, and former MNA Shandana Gulzar from Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa NA-30 Peshawar.

  • ECP allots election symbols to 150 parties for February 8 elections

    ECP allots election symbols to 150 parties for February 8 elections

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has on Monday allotted election symbols to 150 political parties that are contesting seats in the National Assembly (NA) and provincial assemblies for the upcoming general election set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    After the Supreme Court’s ‘bat’ symbol verdict announced late on Saturday, former ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was missing from the list of published on the ECP website.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has been allotted ‘tiger’ symbol, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) ‘arrow’, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ‘sword’, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Nazriati (PTI-N) ‘batsman’, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) ‘eagle’, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) ‘kite’, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) ‘book’, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI) ‘scale’, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P) ‘turban’, Balochistan National Party (BNP) ‘axe’, Awami National Party (ANP) ‘lantern’, Balochistan National Party Awami ‘camel’ and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) ‘cow’.

    Last week on Saturday, the ECP issued a notice to returning officers to not allot an election symbol to any election candidate who belongs to another political party.

    The five-member bench of the commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, issued the order, which said: “Therefore, in exercise of powers, conferred upon the commission under Section 4 of the Elections Act, 2017, the commission hereby, directs that no symbol of any political party be allowed to any such candidate who is member of another political party and seeks allocation of symbol of other political party.”

    Electoral authorities had already allotted poll symbols to 117 independent candidates.

  • ‘Crime of Kings is King of Crime’; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Nazriati (PTI-N) leader Akhtar Iqbal Dar accuses Imran Khan of corruption

    ‘Crime of Kings is King of Crime’; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Nazriati (PTI-N) leader Akhtar Iqbal Dar accuses Imran Khan of corruption

    The leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Nazriati (PTI-N), Akhtar Iqbal Dar, has leveled serious accusations against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging the submission of fake tickets by PTI candidates under the banner of PTI-N.

    Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Dar expressed bewilderment at the emergence of PTI candidates allegedly utilizing PTI-N tickets.

    He adamantly declared, “I do not know from where the PTI candidates got our tickets. PTI submitted our fake tickets; I issued tickets to PTI Nazriati candidates.”

    Accusing PTI of forgery, Dar underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that candidates from one political party cannot exploit the platform of another. He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and take appropriate action against instances of electoral forgery.

    Dar asserted the distinct identity of PTI-N, stating, “PTI-N has its own manifesto, its own constitution; our slogan is the death penalty for corruption.” He called for transparency in the electoral process and adherence to ethical standards.

    Responding to rumors circulating since midnight, Dar revealed that the distinguishing mark on PTI-N tickets is the unmistakable ‘batsman’ symbol. He claimed that Returning Officers (ROs) had inquired about their tickets, and PTI-N clarified that their tickets bear the clear mark of the regular ‘batsman,’ a symbol consistent with their 2018 election tickets.

    Journalist Murtaza Ali Shah took to X (former Twitter) and said, “ECP has stopped the retuning officers not to allow the candidates to get the Batman symbol while deceiving to be the members of an other party – after PTI decides to get Batman symbol of PTI-N”

    Displaying a PTI-N ticket to the media, Dar said, “This is our ticket. PTI has submitted our fake tickets. The ECP has issued a clear and blunt order that no candidate of any party can use the ticket of any other party.”

    Dar explained the genesis of PTI-N, stating, “In 2007, I felt the need to discourage rigging, hooliganism, money politics, electorate politics, and promote transparency. That’s why PTI-N was formed, and I must be a part of PTI-N.”
    PTI-Nazriati was formed by Akhtar Iqbal Dar in 2012 after differences with PTI founder Imran Khan. Like many past members, he alleged that the party established in the name of justice had become a party of turncoats with the inclusion of politicians from other parties.

    PTI-N was registered with the country’s top electoral authority in 2016 after accepting an application from Dar. At that time, the Khan-led party had filed an application in the Lahore High Court against the decision which was rejected.

    The PTI-N fielded 35 candidates in the 2018 elections. Although, they did not win any seats they secured over 21,000 votes from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The party has a base in Punjab.

    It’s not just the symbol and name; both parties also have the same flags.

    In June 2022, PTI had urged the ECP not to grant the symbol to PTI-Nazriati, citing potential confusion among voters. However, the ECP did not entertain PTI’s request.

    Earlier today, PTI initiated a “plan B” by aligning with its splinter group, PTI-Nazriati, to secure the “batsman” symbol for its candidates, as the fate of its long-held “bat” symbol hangs in the balance pending a Supreme Court hearing.

    Amidst the Supreme Court’s deliberations on the Election Commission of Pakistan’s petition challenging the restoration of PTI’s “bat” symbol by the Peshawar High Court, PTI instructed its candidates to submit PTI-Nazriati tickets to Returning Officers. The move comes as a backup plan in case the iconic “bat” symbol is denied.

    The official PTI account posted on X, stating, “Whoever has PTI-Nazriati tickets should immediately submit them and take any kind of hindrance to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and high courts.”

    The move to secure an alternative symbol gained traction following Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa’s remarks during a recent hearing.

    While the Supreme Court’s decision is pending, tensions rise within the political landscape. PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen submitted a plea to the ECP, requesting acceptance of PTI Nazriati tickets for candidates. However, the ECP issued a statement warning against attempts to deceive the commission through such requests.

    The evolving situation poses challenges for PTI-Nazriati candidates who have already received tickets in constituencies where PTI is fielding its candidates. The uncertainty surrounding the electoral symbol deadline adds further complexity to the political landscape, with the Supreme Court expected to announce its decision soon.

  • PPP, PTI field minority candidates on general seats

    PPP, PTI field minority candidates on general seats

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has awarded four party tickets for general seats in provincial and national assemblies to minority candidates.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has given one party ticket to minority candidate Lalchand Malhi from NA-213 Umerkot Sindh.

    The PPP nominated Sakhawat Masih, a ground worker from Narowal, for NA-76 Narowal, along with giving tickets to Doctor Mahesh Kumar Malani from Tharparkar for NA-215 Mithi/Tharparkar.

    Malani was the only Hindu MNA on general seat in the National Assembly from 2018–2023.

    PPP is also fielding Seth Hari Ram Kishori Lal from Mirpurkhas, for P.S-45 Mirpurkhas-I.

    He was also the only Hindu member of the provincial assembly (MPA) on a general seat from 2018–2023.

    Dr. Saveera Parkash from PK-25 Buner is also a PPP candidate, the first female Hindu candidate from the region.

  • Senate receives another proposal for postponement of February 8 polls

    Independent Senator Hidayatullah presented a new resolution on Friday calling for the postponement of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8. He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to consider delaying the polls by three months.

    The resolution was formally submitted to the Senate Secretariat by Hidayatullah, representing the Independent Parliamentary Group.

    Senator Hidayatullah’s resolution also highlights the recent surge in violent attacks within the country, along with an increase in incidents targeting election candidates.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Thursday requested a senate session to ensure that general elections, scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024, proceed in a timely fashion, The News has reported.

    PTI senator Ali Zafar took signatures of senate members on a requisition to conduct a session to discuss the matter of holding elections on time. PPP and Jamaat-e-Islami supported the initiative.

    According to the requisition, Pakistan can’t afford political instability. To strengthen democracy, polls should be conducted on time.

    On January 5, the sparsely attended senate passed a resolution in favour of a postponement of the general elections.

    Majority of the lawmakers present in the legislature had approved the resolution — seeking polls delay in the light of extreme weather in hilly areas and deteriorating security situation — moved by independent lawmaker Senator Dilawar Khan.

    Only 14 senate members were present on the day when the resolution passed. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Afnanullah Khan and caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi had opposed the resolution, while PPP’s Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi and PTI’s Senator Gurdeep Singh remained silent.

    Senator Dilawar had also said that COVID-19 is still present, so elections should be postponed.

  • Bilawal predicts a ‘coalition government’, addresses rumoured rift with father

    Bilawal predicts a ‘coalition government’, addresses rumoured rift with father

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto on Monday predicted the formation of a coalition government after the upcoming election set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    In an interview with Kashif Abbasi of ARY News, the former Foreign Minister said: “Whether it is led by PML-N [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz] or any other party, the next government will be a coalition [regime].”

    Last year, in November, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari also anticipated the formation of a “national unity government” after elections. He believed that no single party will be able to get a two-thirds majority in the upcoming polls.

    When asked by Abbasi about the rumoured rift with his father, Bilawal Bhutto said that he is not angry and has no disagreements with his father. “I am not contesting elections against Zardari Sahib,” he said, smiling.

    The former foreign minister also said that every father including politicians, train their sons, stressing that he will never speak against his father.

    “The PPP and my father himself nominated me as a candidate for the slot of prime minister,” Bilawal added.

    He also said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will take revenge on those who ousted him from government, if he returns to power.

  • ‘Sky will not fall if polls are deferred’: Maulana Fazlur Rehman 

    ‘Sky will not fall if polls are deferred’: Maulana Fazlur Rehman 

    Amid the ongoing controversy about the general elections scheduled for February 8, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the Senate’s resolution advocating the postponement of the electoral process aligns with his party’s stance.

    The resolution, proposed by an independent lawmaker in the upper house of parliament on Friday amid concerns about extreme weather conditions and the security situation in the country.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on Geo News‘ program ‘Jirga’ before embarking on his visit to Afghanistan on Sunday, emphasised the need for a deferral of polls for the betterment of the security situation. 

    “Sky will not fall if polls are deferred for the betterment of the [security] situation,” Fazl said. He has continued to raise concerns about the security situation in the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.

    The JUI-F chief’s visit to Kabul comes at a delicate juncture, marked by strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan due to a surge in terror incidents, primarily attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned outfit.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman has consistently asserted that the current situation in the country is not conducive to holding elections, citing multiple attacks on his party in the last six months. The most recent incident was a gun attack on the JUI-F’s convoy in Dera Ismail Khan, where fortunately, he remained unharmed.

    The controversy surrounding the postponement of elections, which have already been delayed, intensified following the Senate’s approval of a resolution seeking to defer polls.

    However, a fresh resolution was tabled on Saturday in favour of conducting elections on February 8 as originally scheduled, leading to the initiation of contempt proceedings against senators involved in the delay resolution.

    Speaking about the motion to postpone polls, Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated in an interview that the Senate resolution supported the JUI-F’s stance on the threats of terrorism, although he claimed to have no prior information about the resolution.

    Expressing concerns about the electoral environment, especially in KP and Balochistan, the seasoned politician urged stakeholders to grasp the gravity of the situation. “People are being threatened through pamphlets warning them against attending JUI-F rallies.”

    Despite the challenging circumstances, Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed hope for improvement and emphasised that his party would participate in elections. He stated, “We are not the ones running away from the elections,” underscoring the importance of talks and mediation while assessing ground realities for discussions with the TTP.

    Addressing the issue of a level-playing field, the JUI-F leader criticised the use of the term for a single party, alluding to shifts in political support. 

    “Yesterday’s blue-eyed boy is also being supported today,” he said without naming anyone.

    The year 2023 witnessed Pakistan grappling with terrorism, internal conflicts, socioeconomic disparities, regional instability and heightened tensions with militant groups along the Afghanistan border.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman, consistently voicing grave concerns over the peace and security situation, recalled previous attacks on his party members. Notably, in September, a blast in Mastung injured senior JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah, while in July, a suicide blast targeted a JUI-F workers’ convention in Bajaur’s Khar, resulting in the death of at least 40 party workers.

    In contrast to the JUI-F’s position, almost all major political parties have rejected the resolution to defer polls, insisting that the general elections must proceed as scheduled on February 8.