Tag: PTI

  • PM Imran Khan forms committee to devise strategy for local government elections

    After a major setback for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the first phase of the 2021 local government (LG) elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has directed the Punjab government and PTI leadership to begin homework for the upcoming local government elections in the province, adding that he would personally oversee the preparations.

    “The government and party leadership should strictly select candidates on merit and avoid dynastic politics, which was exposed after causing damage to the party in KP,” said PM Khan, reports Dawn.

    “The mistakes made in KP must not be repeated in Punjab,” he stressed. With candidates selected on merit, PM Khan said, the PTI would give a tough time to its opponents in the local government elections in Punjab.

    The premier advised that the Punjab leadership should consult with senior leaders to devise a plan of action to perform better in the Punjab LG elections.

    He was presiding over a meeting of PTI members and senior leadership to hold consultations on local body elections in Punjab.

    PM Imran Khan said that he has always respected the views of senior workers and leaders of the party.

  • CM Buzdar cancels overseas convention over differences with Governor Punjab

    Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar has reportedly ordered to cancel the first ‘Overseas Global Convention’ of nearly 1,000 overseas Pakistanis living around the world, reports Murtaza Ali Shah for Geo News.

    The media outlet report states that CM Punjab has said that affairs related to the event were being used for the projection of a “few groups” and that many who had travelled to Pakistan were considered close to Governor Punjab Muhammad Sarwar.

    “The Punjab Chief Minister gets intelligence reports from various sources. Evidence was shown to him that many people who were invited as main guests of the event defamed Buzdar in WhatsApp groups and social media,” revealed the source.

    “They belong to a particular group which doesn’t align ideologically with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and criticises Usman Buzdar’s policies, who has the full trust of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. The governor’s remarks in London about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) taking over Pakistan have not gone down well with the power circles.”

    However, according to the organisers, the convention which has cost tens of thousands of dollars was cancelled due to “security reasons”. On the contrary, a source close to Governor Punjab has rejected the allegations that the event is not an initiative of the Governor House and said, “The Governor House is one of the most secure places in the country, we have no idea what the security issue was. A dinner event at the Governor House will be organised for those who have travelled to Pakistan from overseas as the convention has been cancelled.”

    PM Khan’s involvement:

    According to the details in the report, PM Khan had accepted the invitation by the Overseas Pakistani Commission Punjab Vice Chairman Syed Makhdoom Tariq Ul Hassan. The premier was also expected to address the convention.

    Upon asking, whether PM Khan was aware or not that the convention had been cancelled at the last minute, the Punjab government source said that the CM takes decisions on his own and later takes the premier into confidence when needed.

  • ECP reserves verdict in Faisal Vawda’s disqualification case

    ECP reserves verdict in Faisal Vawda’s disqualification case

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reserved its verdict on a disqualification petition filed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda.

    Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the petition filed against Vawda in Islamabad pertaining to his dual citizenship. Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Qadir Khan Mandokhel and Faisal Vawda appeared before an ECP bench.

    CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja asked Mandokhel whether he wanted to present more documents or give additional arguments.

    Mandokhel said today is the 30th hearing of the case but he could not get the answers to his questions. The PPP leader said, “ECP has been issuing warnings for the last one-and-a-half years.”

    On this, Raja said that the ECP will decide the case whether it gets the answers or not.

    Mandokhel was of the view that Faisal Vawda had held United States (US) nationality at the time of filing his election nomination papers. He said that the concerned RO was not punished as he had rejected his papers instead of disqualifying Vawda.

    The PPP leader said that Vawda had falsely declared in an oath to the ECP that he did not hold any foreign nationality. The PTI leader had concealed his dual nationality during the scrutiny of his nomination papers, said Mandokhel.

    Vawda’s counsel rejected the allegations, saying that his client had never applied for another country’s nationality. He said Vawda was born in the US and that his client had cancelled his American passport.

    As per NADRA’s record, Vawda’s US citizenship had been seized on May 29, 2018, said his counsel.

    The chief election commissioner inquired whether NADRA could issue a certificate that says an individual is a Pakistani citizen and not that of any other country.

    “How can NADRA know this? We will look into this matter,” said the chief election commissioner.

    After hearing the arguments of both sides, the ECP reserved its verdict in Vawda’s disqualification case.

    The ECP had adjourned the hearing till December 23 while directing Vawda to submit his arguments by this date.

  • ‘VIP style’: Governor Sindh attends convocation with dozens armed guards

    The Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail attended a convocation ceremony at the Sindh Madressa-tul-Islam University on Wednesday along with heavily armed guards due to “security concerns”.

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader reached the venue late and the degree-awarding ceremony had to start without him.

    Upon his arrival, guards stood around the stage and directed the teachers and students present there to maintain a certain distance. They told a teacher and a gold-medal student to step down from the stage.

    The Provincial Minister for Universities and Boards Ismail Rahoo also attended the ceremony.

    The university awarded 528 degrees this year. A total of 32 students were awarded Master of Science (MS) degrees, while 37 students were awarded Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees.

  • ‘PTI tickets are a sign of disgrace’ says Maryam Nawaz, PTI’s Gill fires back

    Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has suffered a dreadful defeat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Local Government (LG) elections.

    Maryam, while talking to the media outside of Islamabad High Court (IHC) stated that “In the future, nobody wants to get the PTI party ticket. Their tickets are a sign of disgrace. If anybody gets it, I would suggest that they wear a helmet.”

    “When a government performs so badly not only the public but your own party’s Member of National Assembly (MNA) and Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) criticise you”, she added.

    “This is the first government in history that has one after the other faced defeat in the by-elections,” PML-N leader said.

    Moreover, she said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan should resign and accept the wrong-doings he did to the public.

    When asked about PML-N’s performance in KP LG elections she congratulated Maulana Fazlur Rehman and stated that PML-N considers Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) win as their win while claiming that her party has a big vote bank in the province, they just need to focus on it.

    While answering about the PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s nomination for the seat of PM she said that the decision is yet to be finalised by Nawaz Sharif.

    About her hearing, Maryam revealed that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) asked for an adjournment as they had no answers and evidence against her. The hearing is adjourned till January 18.

    In response to PML-N vice president’s statement, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill said that Maryam is talking just like Indian PM Narendra Modi.

    Talking about the loss in KP local elections, he claimed that “Once official results will be out you will see that PTI is still the biggest party in the province,” while admitting that it was PTI vs PTI.

    Gill said,” Unlike you [PML-N] we learn from past mistakes. We don’t abuse the establishment and the institutions like you,” while saying that party gives tickets to people whom their workers like.

    Gill also took a jibe at Junaid Safdar’s wedding and claimed that it was a campaign by PML-N as they hijacked all the media because of it.

  • ‘I am requesting Khan Saab to see how his ministers are making money’: PTI MNA

    ‘I am requesting Khan Saab to see how his ministers are making money’: PTI MNA

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Noor Alam Khan heavily criticised his government while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’. Alam said, “I have to raise the voice for the people of Pakistan. I don’t care about the political seats, they are temporary.”

    Noor Alam Khan further said that he made certain promises to the people of Pakistan. He reiterated the party manifesto of providing sufficient gas, combating load shedding, and said that people voted for the party for the promises it had made in the past.

    Talking about competence, Noor Khan said, “You have to deliver, people will reject you if you don’t perform. The people who vote for us require good performance and if we don’t deliver, we are the ones to blame. I am sorry if it’s our incompetence, then we will blame Noor Alam, Shahzeb, or some institution for the shortcomings but not ourselves.”

    “The fault and blame will always be directed towards the government, we are the ones who make the policy. [Government] is the provider. Do not pat the ones who curse others and say you did well, pat the ones who serve your people,” said Noor Khan.

    “[PM] Imran Khan should look at the people on his right and left to know about their assets and how they grew their assets,” said the PTI MNA.

    “If he closes his eyes [and condones what is happening around him], it will not set the affairs in order. He will have to solve the problems of inflation, power outages, and gas shortage.”

    “The people around PM Khan report ‘all is good’ to him. But, all is not well today,” he stressed, urging the PM to shove away those who are corrupt.

    “Who says there is no corruption in the country at present? You can deceive [the] masses once or twice. However, when it is the third time, people will reject you,” said Noor Khan.

    “If I vote and forget the people, will I blame others? No one in the party speaks clearly. Everyone is scared.”

    “I am requesting Khan Saab to look around and see how his ministers are making money and assets. How did a person shift from car to land cruiser to later a helicopter? How did one person make additional houses and sugar mills?” questioned Noor Alam.

    Replying to a query about the party tickets, Noor Alam said the PTI did not take anyone on board for tickets and doled them out to the members of the family. “So, what happened [in the LG elections] was an evident outcome,” he said.

    Commenting on a way out for the PTI from its absolute defeat in the LG elections, the PTI leader said the PTI-led government will have to push down the prices of commodities and utilities.

  • KP LG polls: Ruling PTI loses mayors to Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F

    KP LG polls: Ruling PTI loses mayors to Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F

    The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)  faced a major upset on multiple seats in the first phase of local government (LG) elections held in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa (KP) at the hands of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

    Mayor seat elections:

    Peshawar:

    JUI-F’s Zubair Ali won the race with 62,388 votes while PTI’s Rizwan Bangash was second with 50,659 votes.

    JUI-F’s Zubair Ali
    Mardan:

    In Mardan, Awami National Party’s (ANP) Himayatullah Mayar won the seat with 56,458 votes while JUI-F’s Amanat Shah Haqqani was in second place with 49,938 votes.

    ANP’s Himayatullah Mayar
    Kohat:

    Sher Zaman of JUI-F won the mayor seat with 34,434 votes and independent candidate Shafiullah Jan was in second place with 25,793 votes.

    Sher Zaman of JUI-F
    Bannu:

    JUI-F’s Irfanullah Durrani has been declared the winner with 59,844 votes and PTI’s Iqbal Jadoon Khan was second with 47,398 votes.

    JUI-F’s Irfanullah Durrani

    JUI-F emerges victorious in 16 tehsil council seats, PTI wins 14, as per unofficial results, reports Geo News.

  • ‘Will personally oversee PTI’s LG election strategy’: PM Khan blames loss on wrong candidate selection in KP

    ‘Will personally oversee PTI’s LG election strategy’: PM Khan blames loss on wrong candidate selection in KP

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday said his party “made mistakes” as he pinned the blame of the poor performance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on “wrong candidate selection” for the first phase of local government (LG) elections held in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa (KP).

    PM Khan tweeted, “PTI made mistakes in 1st phase of KP LG elections & paid the price. Wrong candidate selection was a major cause.”

    Making sure that the same mistake is not repeated, the premier added, “From now on I will personally be overseeing PTI’s LG election strategy in 2nd phase of KP LG elections & LG elections across Pak.”

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif said that the people residing in the KP districts have rejected the ruling party.

    “The ruling party’s defeat is an expression of people’s anger over the back-breaking inflation, crushing price hike & the meltdown of governance,” said Shehbaz Sharif in a tweet.

    “It is the beginning of the end of an experiment that has cost the nation dearly.”

    PM’s remarks come after the Opposition parties have had a combined lead over the ruling PTI in the local body elections.

  • KP LG polls: PTI loses, Shibli Faraz says party lost because of ‘PTI vs PTI’

    In the first phase of local government elections held in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa (KP), Opposition parties have had a combined lead over the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to unofficial results.

    Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz said that the ruling party lost because “PTI was contesting against PTI”.

    “If it was not PTI vs PTI, we would have really won the elections. The results are still being announced. It was a crucial election but our performance has been really good,” said Shibli.

    The PTI is ahead on 15 seats followed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) 13, Awami National Party (ANP) nine, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) two, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) one each — which totals up to 26 seats for the Opposition parties as per unofficial and unverified results. Meanwhile, independent candidates are in the lead on 13 seats, reports Dawn.

    In all, 12.668 million voters — seven million male and five and a half million female — were registered for the polls in the 17 KP districts.

    In the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), local government elections were held for the first time in Khyber, Mohmand and Bajaur districts.

  • PML-N retains PP-206 Khanewal seat

    PML-N retains PP-206 Khanewal seat

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) retained Khanewal district’s PP-206 constituency.

    PML-N’s candidate Rana Muhammad Saleem emerged victorious, according to unofficial results. Saleem bagged 47,649 votes, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s (PTI) Noreen Nishat Daha got 34,030 votes, while Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Syed Wisaq was able to gain 15,059, according to unofficial results from all the 183 polling stations.

    The voting count ended at 5pm after polling began at 8am as the seat fell vacant due to the death of PML-N leader Nishat Ahmed Daha. However, his wife Noreen was contesting on PTI’s ticket.

    PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, congratulating the winner, tweeted, “Congratulations to the lions of Khanewal. Nawaz Sharif’s name is enough.”

    Taking to Twitter, Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President of Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat), shared a few statistics in relevance to the election in Khanewal.

    Mehboob tweeted, “PP206, Khanewal4 is a second by-election in Punjab in a row where PPP vote share significantly went up, from 5.86 per cent in 2018 to 13.53 per cent yesterday.”

    “Winner PMLN vote slightly decreased from 45 to 42.8 per cent. PTI vote slipped significantly from 41.9 to 30.58 per cent. TLP vote went up from 5 to 8.64 per cent.”

    PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari too congratulated the party candidate contesting in the elections. Taking to Twitter Bilawal wrote, “Good work south Punjab team #PPP.”