Tag: PPP

  • Shehbaz Sharif thanks those who want him to be PM

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif has said that he is thankful to those who have proposed his name for the slot of prime minister (PM).

     In an interaction with journalists on Friday, Shehbaz Sharif said, “I am thankful to those who have proposed my name for the slot of prime minister… but who says I am taking the office (as premier) for a year or so?”

    “The decision about the new prime minister in the wake of the success of a no-trust move will be finalised by (PML-N Quaid) Nawaz Sharif in consultation with Opposition parties.”

    Shehbaz Sharif, former President Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman met on Wednesday evening at the residence of the PML-N leader.

    After the meeting, it was reported that Shehbaz Sharif wanted someone from within the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as the prime minister while the PPP wanted Shehbaz Sharif to be the next prime minister, a proposal that he was reluctant to accept. They claimed that former president Asif Ali Zardari nominated Shehbaz Sharif as the prime minister while Shehbaz named PPP’s Khursheed Shah for the slot.

    The Opposition parties have also started signing the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan and the united Opposition claimed the support of 24 members of the ruling party.

  • PML-Q demands Punjab Chief Minister seat from the Opposition

    PML-Q demands Punjab Chief Minister seat from the Opposition

    

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the top leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) had a meeting, in which the Chaudhry brothers presented the Charter of Demands to former President Asif Ali Zardari, reports Geo Urdu.
    

    The PML-Q has asked the Opposition for the Chief Ministership in Punjab and stated that no compromise will be made on anything less than that.
    

    In case of getting Chief Ministership, the PML-Q has assured the success of in-house transformation in Punjab and Center. The PML-Q has said that it will fully support the Opposition at the center.
    

    However, the PML-Q, while opposing the immediate new elections in the country, has said that the National Assembly elections should be held if necessary but the term of the Provincial Assemblies should complete their duration.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘PM Khan is a predator of free speech’: Pakistanis denounce PECA Ordinance
    
			
    ‘PM Khan is a predator of free speech’: Pakistanis denounce PECA Ordinance
    
			
    Since the promulgation of the Ordinance amending the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, the law has been receiving a lot of criticism from the Opposition, civil society, journalists and even government allies. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    In a joint statement, the Opposition termed PECA “fascist and dictatorship”. The statement was released after a meeting between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)  and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership, reports Geo News. 
    

    Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter and said, “So-called ‘defamation’ amendment to PECA, promulgated by presidential ordinance, shows the real fascist face of the ruling clique.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto- Zardari said that freedom of expression and press is being muzzled under the guise of preventing false news. “Khan Sahib himself is the biggest leader of fake news mafia in Pakistan,” said Bilawal. 
    

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz was of the view that PECA is going to be used against the government. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    While condemning the Ordinance, PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman said that such laws are unacceptable. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Lawyer Reema Omer tweeted, “With PECA Ordinance, PM Imran Khan has proven yet again that he is a predator of free speech.” 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from making arrests under Section 20 of PECA despite its promulgation by President Arif Alvi on Sunday, reports Dawn. 
    

    Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication Amin Ul Haque has written to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, urging him to either withdraw or review the Ordinance. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Get rid of Khan’: Shehbaz meets Zardari to discuss kicking out PM
    
			
    ‘Get rid of Khan’: Shehbaz meets Zardari to discuss kicking out PM
    
			
    The Opposition has united to oust Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s government.
    

    

    


    

    

    

     Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday (February 22). 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    The meeting was held at Bilawal House, Lahore. In a joint declaration after the meeting, it was announced that all-out efforts would be made to rid the country of the present government.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    The Opposition expressed concern over unrest and lawlessness in the country, as the ruling party failed to meet the basic needs of the people.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    The PML-N delegation that visited the Bilawal House included Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Rana Sanaullah.
    

    PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Parliamentary leader Maulana Asad Mehmood, former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf, former governor Punjab Makhdum Ahmed Mehmood, Rukhsana Bangash, former Chief Minister KP Akram Khan Durrani were also present at the meeting. 
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Senior PPP leader Rehman Malik passes away
    
			
    Senior PPP leader Rehman Malik passes away
    
			
    Senior politician and former Interior Minister Rehman Malik passed away at the age of 70.
    

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senator was hospitalised in Islamabad due to Covid-19-related complications and his lungs had been severely affected.
    

    Riaz Ahmad Turi, Malik’s spokesperson, confirmed his death. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

     PPP Senator Sehar Kamran had announced on Twitter earlier this month that Malik’s condition had deteriorated because of which he was put on a ventilator. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan office tweeted, “May Allah Almighty forgive the deceased and grant patience to the mourners.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said, “When terrorism was on the rise in the country, it was Rehman Malik who played a pivotal role in eradicating terrorism.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to Malik, saying he was a “hardworking and capable interior minister”.
    

    He added that Malik’s services to the country were unforgettable and the PPP leadership and workers shared in his family’s grief.
    

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed expressed his grief and extended condolences to the departed’s family.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “Hudaibiya case was investigated under Rehman Malik’s leadership. Although justice has not been done yet, this investigation showed such modern methods of corruption that people were amazed.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Ahsan Iqbal tweeted, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of former Interior Minister Rehman Malik.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Rehman had a long career as a politician and held many portfolios, including his term as interior minister from 2008 to 2013.
    

    He was also a recipient of the Sitara-i-Shujaat for his services in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Nishan-i-Imtiaz.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Zardari, Bilawal to meet Shehbaz, Maryam as Opposition gears up for no-confidence motion
    
			
    Zardari, Bilawal to meet Shehbaz, Maryam as Opposition gears up for no-confidence motion
    
			
    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari will meet the Leader of the Opposition and the President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif at Bilawal House Lahore.
    

    Sources said the meeting between the two party leaders will first propose a no-confidence motion in Punjab in the meeting.
    

    Moreover, the two leaders will make a final decision on the date of the in-house change and will also consider a new offer from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
    

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz will also join the meeting. However, it has not been confirmed yet.
    

    Zardari has also summoned PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari from Mardan to Lahore.
    

    Earlier this week, Zardari held an exclusive meeting with Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) cheif Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Fazl to host dinner for Zardari to discuss no-confidence motion today
    
			
    Fazl to host dinner for Zardari to discuss no-confidence motion today
    
			
    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari will meet Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad to discuss the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, reports Geo News. 
    

    According to the media outlet’s sources, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief will also host a dinner in honour of the former president.
    

    The two leaders are also likely to discuss a plan of action regarding the no-confidence motion, which will be tabled by Opposition parties to oust PM Khan’s government.
    

    Zardari has been staying in the capital for a couple of days and holding low-profile meetings. 
    

    It is pertinent to mention that the meeting of the two leaders will be the first since PPP’s exit from PDM. 
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Nawaz Sharif more popular than PM Khan in provinces: survey
    
			
    Nawaz Sharif more popular than PM Khan in provinces: survey
    
			
    Former Prime Minister (PM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is ahead of all other party leaders in terms of popularity, reveals Gallup Pakistan’s latest survey, which was conducted from December 22, 2021, to January 31, 2022, and includes 5,000 participants from across the country. 
    

    According to the survey, there is a noticeable drop in PM Imran Khan’s popularity in all the provinces. 
    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    In Punjab, PM Khan’s popularity rate has dropped from 51 per cent in December 2018 to 33 per cent in January 2022 while Nawaz Sharif’s popularity has jumped from 35 per cent in December 2018 to 58 per cent in January 2022. 
    

    The survey has also included the popularity statistics of PML-N President and former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. CM Sharif’s popularity rose from 46 per cent in December 2018 to 58 per cent in January 2022 in Punjab. Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto’s popularity increased in Punjab from 18 per cent back in December 2018 to 24 per cent in January 2022. 
    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), there is a significant increase in the level of satisfaction with PM Khan, which was only five per cent in December 2018 but is now 44 per cent, while Bhutto’s popularity mildly increased from 23 per cent in December 2018 to 24 per cent in January 2022. Nawaz Sharif managed to gain in KP from his 14 per cent approval rating in December 2018 to 46 per cent in January 2022. 
    

    Coming to Sindh, both Sharifs are ahead of the PPP.  Nawaz Sharif’s popularity in Sindh increased from 12 per cent in December 2018 to 51 per cent in January 2022. Shehbaz Sharif’s approval rating also went up in Sindh from 12 per cent in December 2018 to 41 per cent in January 2022. Meanwhile, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto’s popularity significantly dropped in Sindh, where the PPP is in power, from 54 per cent in December 2018 to 37 percent in January 2022.  PM Khan remained at 33 per cent both in December 2018 and January 2022 but remains the least popular of all four leaders in Sindh.
    

    According to the survey, this is the first time that the popularity of the former PM has risen after December 2018. Shehbaz Sharif also managed to get similar ratings. 
    

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Chief Justice should not be deciding samosa or sugar prices’: Bilawal
    
			
    ‘Chief Justice should not be deciding samosa or sugar prices’: Bilawal
    
			
    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in an event organised by the Lahore High Court Bar Association, criticised the former Chief Justices of Pakistan (CJPs).
    

    Bilawal took a jibe at CJPs Mian Saqib Nisar and Gulzar Ahmed. He stated, “Some judges took it upon themselves to busy themselves, the courts and the legal community on deciding which building should be demolished and which should stay. The judiciary of Pakistan is a place for the battle of legal ideas, it is not a place for us to decide where or where not to build a dam.”
    

    In 2018, Justice Nisar had launched the initiative of collecting donations for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha. Meanwhile, Justice Gulzar decided on several high-profile cases last year including the demolition of buildings in Karachi i.e. Nasla Tower and Tejori Heights.
    

    “CJP should be deciding constitutional issues instead of samosa or sugar prices”, said Bilawal. However, he made it clear that despite this, he had the utmost respect for the legal community and judges.
    

    He also called on the legal community to support his party’s planned anti-government long march on February 27.
    

    According to him, Pakistan needs a system of accountability that is fair and non-discriminatory instead of the present “witch hunt and persecution” of opponents and those who exposed the government’s failings.
    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Shehbaz visits Chaudhry brothers after 14 years
    
			
    Shehbaz visits Chaudhry brothers after 14 years
    
			
    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and senior party leaders visited Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi yesterday (February 13, Sunday). 
    

    Shehbaz went to their residence where the leaders of the two rival parties met each other for a formal political meeting after a gap of about 14 years. 
    

    

    


    

    

    

    The meeting lasted over an hour, where both sides discussed the current political situation in the country in detail. Sources say that Shehbaz Sharif asked the Chaudhries of Gujrat to support the Opposition in its planned no-confidence move against Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the Chaudhry brothers told the PML-N leadership that they would adopt a strategy after consultations with their party leaders. 
    

    The News reported that the Chaudhry brothers have asked for the slot of Chief Minister Punjab from 2023 to 2028. Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly conveyed details of the meeting to Mian Nawaz Sharif, who will make the final decision. Currently, the PML-Q is a key ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in both Punjab and the Centre.
    

    On Saturday (February 12), Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who also heads the Opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), called on the Chaudhry brothers in Lahore. Maulana also asked them for their support against the sitting government.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Earlier on Monday (February 7), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari also paid a visit to the Chaudhry brothers in Lahore to ask for PML-Q support in ousting the government.
    

    Last year in December, Nawaz Sharif called Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to ask about the health of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and also invited them to meet him in London.