Tag: Punjab Assembly

  • Imran confirms Pervaiz Elahi is now President of PTI

    Imran confirms Pervaiz Elahi is now President of PTI

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has confirmed in a speech that his party has “honoured” Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi for standing with the party and appointed him as the President of PTI.

    Addressing his followers through a video link on Thursday, the PTI chief started off by claiming that the establishment pressurised Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). “They even were offered money and were threatened that there is no future for them with PTI”, he said.

    Stating that despite all this, the father and son stayed loyal, Imran Khan appreciated Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi for their efforts, especially for dissolving the Punjab Assembly on Khan’s directives.

    “Despite all the pressure, he agreed to a merger. We told him [Elahi] that we are honouring him by making him the president of the party,” Khan said.

    On Tuesday, Moonis and his father formally joined PTI with ten other former Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

    On the same day, addressing a press conference in Lahore alongside PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, Elahi said he had stood with Khan during “hard and testing times”. Fawad also announced that Pervaiz Elahi will be the President of PTI.

    PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain dismissed Elahi from his party post and terminated his basic membership on Tuesday.

  • When will provincial assemblies elections take place?

    It’s been almost a month now since the dissolution of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies, however, no consensus on the election dates has been reached so far.

    It is to be noted that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had recommended that the elections be held between April 9 and 17.

    On January 27, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) approached the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking an order for the Punjab governor to immediately announce the date for elections in the province.

    Later, the high court directed Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligur Rehman and the ECP — to submit their replies to the court by Feb 10.

    In his reply, the Governor stated that he had not created any obstacle for the ECP to announce the election date.

    “If the governor did not dissolve the assembly on the so-called advice of the chief minister, then it is not the responsibility of the governor to give the date for the polls,” he said.

    No security forces avaible for elections

    Another hindrance in holding the election has come forth now as the government has said that it wouldn’t be able to provide full security during elections due to unavailability of personnel.

    Earlier this week, ECP had written to the federal government, seeking the deployment of troops of civil armed forces for the conduct of general and by-elections in various constituencies of the national and provincial assemblies.

    However, the interior ministry, headed by Rana Sanaullah, informed the ECP that the armed forces would not be able to perform security duties during the provincial assembly elections in Punjab and KP as well as by-elections on 64 National Assembly seats as it was busy conducting census and counter-terror operations.

    According to the ministry, both the armed and civil forces are overwhelmed with work on dealing with the threat of terrorism in the country. In addition, the troops are also required to undertake widespread deployment to achieve secure conduct of the census.

  • ‘Benefit of doubt’ for Gen Asim Munir: Imran Khan

    Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while talking to journalists at his Zaman Park residence, discussed his strained relationship with the establishment and said that he gives the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, the “benefit of doubt”.

    When asked if the incumbent army chief is following the policy of former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa with regards to the PTI, Khan responded that that Munir had been in office for a mere two months and he was willing to give him the “benefit of the doubt”.

    Khan reiterated that a three-year extension given to Bajwa during his tenure as Prime Minister was a “big blunder”. He alleged that his rival Nawaz Sharif had struck a deal with Bajwa in return for endorsing his extension in parliament. In return, Bajwa started securing relief for Nawaz and others in corruption cases.

    “Nawaz had set two conditions for his return — my disqualification and victory in Punjab polls,” Khan claimed.

    He warned: “But let me tell you that my disqualification is not possible in any of the fake cases they have instituted against me if legal procedures are followed.”

    Speaking about the ‘court arrest’ movement, which he announced last week, Imran Khan said he would be at the forefront of the struggle. “I will be leading the Jail Bharo Tehreek — which is a non-violent drive — after recovering from bullet wounds in two weeks or so,” he said, adding that preparations for the movement have already begun.

    Imran Khan has had an estranged relationship with the military since he was removed from power in April 2022 through a Vote of No Confidence. Since being deposed, the former Prime Minister has criticised high-ranking officials in the army, including General (retd) Bajwa.

  • ECP asks finance ministry for additional Rs14 billion for elections

    ECP asks finance ministry for additional Rs14 billion for elections

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has requested the Ministry of Finance for more money for elections on vacant seats in National Assembly (NA), and by-elections in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    According to the electoral body, the expenses of general elections have increased from Rs 47 billion to Rs 61 billion, incurring the need for an additional amount of Rs 14 billion.

    ECP has also proposed April 9 to 13 for the elections in Punjab and April 15 to 17 for elections in KP and asked the Governors of both provinces to select a date within the given timeline.

    The KP Assembly was dissolved on January 18 while the Punjab Assembly was dissolved on January 14 on the directives of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan whose party was in majority in both provinces.

    In Punjab, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi was sworn in as the caretaker Chief Minister (CM) on January 22, while Mohammad Azam Khan has taken oath as the KP chief executive on January 21.

  • PML-Q wants seats from PTI to merge into the party

    PML-Q wants seats from PTI to merge into the party

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi has put forward a set of conditions to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) if they want a merger with his party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

    The chief minister has asked for seat adjustments in Gujrat, Chakwal, and Gujranwala divisions from PTI in the next general elections which are likely to take place within the year.

    Samaa has reported that Elahi has even asked for a written agreement of the deal from PTI chief Imran Khan.

    Elahi has categorically stated that without any significant political benefit, the PML-Q will not unite with the PTI.

    However, senior leaders of PTI have opposed Elahi’s demands for half of the seats in the aforementioned divisions.

    Earlier, Khan had proposed that PML-Q should merge with it as the Elahis showed immense support to him in the Punjab Assembly dissolution process.

    After this, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain suspended Elahi’s party membership, making it difficult for Elahi to merge his party with PTI.

    Subsequently, Elahi clarified that no final decision has been taken yet on a merger, saying that consultations are still underway.

  • Hamza contacts Elahi over appointment of caretaker CM in Punjab

    Hamza contacts Elahi over appointment of caretaker CM in Punjab

    Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shehbaz, has instructed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Malik Ahmed Khan to consult and contact Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi over the appointment of a caretaker setup in Punjab.

    Governor Punjab Baligh Ur Rehman while forwarding the names sent by Pervez Elahi to Hamza Shehbaz tweeted, “I have received three names from Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, which are being forwarded to Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz Sharif. I would like to see both of the leaders jointly agree on any name within the stipulated period.”

    One of Elahi’s nominees, former civil servant Nasir Mehmood Khosa, when contacted by the PML-N, excused himself from accepting the post of caretaker CM.

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif took to Twitter and confirmed that Nasir Khosa excused himself from the offer and declined to take the chair.

    It is pertinent to mention that if both Elahi and Hamza CM fail to reach a consensus, then the Punjab Assembly speaker would constitute a parliamentary committee, finalising the name within three days.

    If the committee also fails to reach an accord then the Election Commission will decide the name for the interim CM from the names forwarded by the government and Opposition.

  • ‘Us ne hmein test kiya, ab us ki bari’: Khan says vote of confidence will be tabled against PM Shehbaz

    ‘Us ne hmein test kiya, ab us ki bari’: Khan says vote of confidence will be tabled against PM Shehbaz

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, in an exclusive interview on Saturday, said that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will be tested through a no-confidence motion.

    Speaking on Hum News’ programme Hum Meher Bokhari Kay Sath, Khan said, “Uss ne humein test keeya, abb uski baari” (He tested us, now it is his turn).

    He said the party would hash out the details of the move in a meeting on Sunday (today) and carry out planning for not only the trust vote but also “other plans to fully thrust them in a testing situation now”.

    When asked about the late-night voting on a confidence vote in Punjab Assembly, Khan said not many people knew this would happen at night, his party kept it secret. According to him, the party completed the numbers first without any bribes and horsetrading and then took the vote of confidence.

    The PTI chief also praised the way Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) stood behind the PTI and supported it. “The way Elahi is standing with us, there was immense appreciation in the party. He was the chief minister and made a real sacrifice. We are recommending he merges the party with ours.”

    About the KP assembly, he said that it will be dissolved within a week.

    During the interview, Khan mentioned that he spent his three and a half years in power in difficulty because his government was a coalition. He said that’s why his party has insisted on a merger between PTI and PML-Q.

    The former prime minister said that PM Shehbaz’s conference in Geneva was equivalent to making fun of Pakistan. He warned that there will be consequences to it in the future.

    Opening up about the extension given to former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, he termed it his “mistake”. He revealed that at the time Bajwa himself sent a message that if he doesn’t get an extension, it will be difficult for him [Bajwa].

    He said that after securing the extension Bajwa changed as he begun asking Khan to give NROs to the Opposition.

  • ‘Kacha kaam nahin karna chaahiye tha’: Nawaz Sharif called Rana Sanaullah 3 times

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif called Interior Minister President Rana Sanaullah three times to discuss the Vote of Confidence that his party initiated in the Punjab Assembly.

    According to a news report, Nawaz said to Sanaullah that the Punjab Parliamentary Committee should have shown responsibility, those who took responsibility should not have done a poor job.

    The report further states that Rana Sanaullah said that on the assurance of the members of the parliamentary committee, the party changed their position, and was adamant about its position that the Punjab assembly should be dissolved.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi took a vote of confidence from the House, after which Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman withdrew the notification to suspend Elahi.

    Last night, Elahi signed the summary for the dissolution of the provincial assembly. He advised Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman to dissolve the assembly.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry announced the CM’s decision and said that if governor Punjab fails to dissolve the assembly within 48 hours, it will be dissolved automatically.

    Fawad also said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly would be dissolved “day after tomorrow”.

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    CM KP has prepared summary for dissolution of assembly: Fawad Chaudhry
    
			
    CM KP has prepared summary for dissolution of assembly: Fawad Chaudhry
    
			
    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice-President Fawad Chaudhry said on Friday that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has prepared a summary for the dissolution of the provincial assembly..
    

    Talking to the media, Fawad revealed that Khan and his cabinet were scheduled to visit the PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Lahore but were unable to do so due to bad weather
    

    “We spoke to them on the phone,” he said. “They have prepared the advice to dissolve the KP assembly”.
    

    About the dissolution matter of the Punjab Assembly, the PTI leader asked the Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman not to wait for “48 hours” and urged him to dissolve the assembly immediately so that the process for the formation of an interim set up in Punjab be initiated.
    

    Earlier, it was reported that CM KP is expected to meet Khan today (Friday) in Lahore.
    

    The chief minister along with his cabinet was set to arrive in Lahore at the directions of his party chief.
    

    According to ARY News, Imran Khan would announce that the assembly will be dissolved by tonight. 
    

    However, Special Assistant to CM Mahmood Khan on Information Barrister, Muhammad Ali Saif, said that the dissolution of the KP Assembly will take place after the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly.
    

    He said that a summary will be sent to KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali to dissolve the assembly. According to him, there is no problem in KP, but they would wait for the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly first.
    

    He added that after the dissolution of the KP Assembly, a letter will also be written to the Leader of the Opposition— Akram Khan Durrani— for the appointment of a caretaker chief minister.
    

    On the other hand, KP Governor Ali has said that he still stood by his stance that assemblies should not be broken.
    

    On Thursday, Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi signed the summary for the dissolution of the provincial assembly.
    

    In a brief one-line advice addressed to Governor Rehman, Elahi said: “I Pervaiz Elahi, chief minister of Punjab, hereby advise you to dissolve the provincial assembly.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Speaking to the media after Elahi’s meeting with Imran, PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry said that “if the governor does not accept the advice then, the assembly is automatically dissolved after 48 hours.”
    

    He said that a letter would be sent to former Punjab CM and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Hamza Shehbaz in the next two days for finalising an interim government in Punjab, adding that elections would take place in the next 90 days.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Schoolboy level trolling’: Twitter hits back at Moonis Elahi for his comment on PML-N’s Hina Parvez
    
			
    In the early hours of Thursday morning when Punjab Assembly was in chaos over the Vote of Confidence, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader and former federal minister Moonis Elahi found time to take a jibe at his rival party Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Hina Parvez Butt.
    

    Moonis posted a picture of Hina sitting in the House while the session was underway on Twitter. In the photo, Hina has a scarf over her head and her hands on her cheeks. Moonis Elahi wrote, “Oh God, what happened!! This is the condition of the entire PML-N.” He also tagged Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in the tweet.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Shortly thereafter, many users reacted, taking Moonis to task for his tweet. One user called it “schoolboy level trolling”.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    

    
https://twitter.com/s_4_g_/status/1613279991030059008?s=20&t=FQhaxIYP2boIKGgGLigKDQ

    

    

    

    


    

    

    

    After the picture went viral on social media, Hina also hit back at the trolls. Issuing a clarification on Twitter, she said that the picture was taken during Azaan.