Tag: Punjab Assembly

  • Shehbaz Sharif invites Bilawal Bhutto for lunch, meeting arranged on directives of Nawaz Sharif

    Shehbaz Sharif invites Bilawal Bhutto for lunch, meeting arranged on directives of Nawaz Sharif

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif contacted Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday and invited him for a luncheon meeting on Saturday, reports Dawn.

    Bilawal accepted the invitation. The PPP chairman arrived in the city along with his father Asif Ali Zardari earlier in the day for the luncheon meeting on Saturday.

    Officials privy to the matter have told the news outlet that the meeting is being arranged on the directives of party supremo Nawaz Sharif who, they claim, has been contacted multiple times by the PPP.

    It is being reported that in-house change, both in the National and in Punjab Assembly, will be on top of the agenda of the meeting.

    PML-N leaders say the PPP wishes to start the no-confidence or in-house change process from Punjab, while they wish to see a change in the federal setup.

  • ‘Nice to see them singing, this is normal Pakistan’: Fawad on Maryam Nawaz, Hamza singing

    ‘Nice to see them singing, this is normal Pakistan’: Fawad on Maryam Nawaz, Hamza singing

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while addressing the media, praised the signing skills of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz and Leader of the Opposition in the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, Hamza Shehbaz.

    Fawad’s comments come in connection to the viral video of both Hamza and Maryam where they were singing at an event for Maryam’s son Junaid Safdar’s wedding.

    Maryam Nawaz sang ‘Chura Liya‘ in a melodious voice and Hamza too sang at the same event.

    Fawad, praising the singing skills of the Sharif family, said, “I really appreciate Hamza Shehbaz and Maryam Nawaz [for their singing skills].”

    “In our personal gatherings, we sing songs and we celebrate. It was nice to see them singing,” said Fawad.

    “It was nice to see this because normal Pakistan is exactly like this,” added Fawad.

    Fawad further said, “We have political differences with them, not personal ones.”

  • Resolution passed to include ‘finality of Prophethood’ in Nikkahnama

    Resolution passed to include ‘finality of Prophethood’ in Nikkahnama

    The Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to include ‘finality of Prophethood’ in the Nikkahnama ( Marriage Certificate), reports Geo News.

    The resolution was jointly tabled by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Khadija Omar, Bismillah Chaudhry, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Maulana Ilyas Chinioti.

    Besides this, the University of Lahore (UOL) Amendment Bill, Rashid Latif University were introduced in the Assembly to the concerned committees.

  • ‘I had already sent you with great difficulty’: PM Khan gets direct with Firdous Awan

    ‘I had already sent you with great difficulty’: PM Khan gets direct with Firdous Awan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (CM) Punjab on information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan made an all-out attempt to have a formal meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan but didn’t get a chance for it, reports Geo News.

    As per the sources of Geo News, Awan kept waiting for the PM at the waiting room of Governor House in Punjab to hold a formal talk with the premier. When PM Khan made an appearance, Awan tried to meet him, however, security personnel stopped her.

    Awan managed to get a chance for a walking chat with PM Imran Khan as he headed toward a helicopter to leave the Governor House. The PM heard her while walking, reported Geo News.

    “What is all this that happened to me in Punjab?” Awan complained to PM Khan, sources said. “You must know better, I had already sent you with great difficulty,” was the premier’s response.

    Addressing the media, Awan rejected reports of her being snubbed. Instead, she said had a rather pleasant meeting with the prime minister.

    She also said some people who are jealous are spreading rumours. “No meeting can take place with the prime minister without a scheduled appointment.”

    “Some mischievous elements aren’t able to digest my meeting with the PM,” said Awan. “Hence, they are disseminating false and baseless propaganda.”

    Earlier on Monday, the former CM adviser went to the premises of the Punjab Assembly to attend the oath-taking ceremony of PTI MPA Ahsan Saleem Baryar, but she was stopped from entering the ceremony.

    https://twitter.com/MurtazaViews/status/1424732341105303554
  • PTI: Party within a party?

    PTI: Party within a party?

    A rift between the pro-Tareen faction within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is creating issues for the ruling party.

    On July 24, Lahore police lodged a first information report (FIR) against PTI’s MPA in Punjab, Nazir Chohan. He is a prominent member of the disgruntled Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) group. The FIR against Chohan was registered at the request of Adviser to the Prime Minister Imran Khan on Interior and Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar.

    Bail was granted to Nazir Chohan on July 27 after police arrested him from Johar Town area in Lahore.

    A statement issued by JKT spokesperson said that the group members wouldn’t be scared by such tactics.

    “An individual present in Islamabad is using the institutions for personal interests but we will not let anyone achieve their ill-intentions,” said the spokesperson on JKT’s behalf.

    Shahzad Akbar on Thursday said that Member of Punjab Assembly Nazir Chohan “falsely accused” him and then “continued to voice his claims openly”.

    The PM’s aide asserted that Chohan ran a “fake campaign” against him, “putting his life, as well as those of his family at risk”.

    “I lodged a complaint to the police and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as a common citizen,” said Akbar.

    According to the police, Chohan had been initially arrested for his comments against Akbar during a private TV channel’s show and was to be shifted to the FIA’s cybercrime office. Whereas, the recent arrest was made over a separate complaint against Chohan, filed by Akbar for remarking on the latter’s religious beliefs.

  • ‘The proposed budget has measures to give relief to the common man’: CM Buzdar

    ‘The proposed budget has measures to give relief to the common man’: CM Buzdar

    The Punjab government on Monday approved the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 today with an estimated total budget outlay of Rs2.653 trillion, including an Annual Development Programme (ADP) worth Rs560 billion.

    The budget session was the first one in the newly-constructed building of the Punjab Assembly. The total outlay of the budget has increased by more than 18% and the development budget has gained 66% compared with the current fiscal year.

    The Punjab Cabinet also approved the much-anticipated 10% increase in salaries and pension of provincial employees and also green-lighted the decision to increase the minimum wage of workers from Rs17,500 to Rs20,000.

    The Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar said that the budget is not a “magic of statistics” but is a document based on development.

    Taking a jibe at the Opposition, Buzdar said: “The job of the incompetent and failed Opposition is just to make noise. Criticising the government’s positive policies only for the sake of criticising make them look bad.”

    In the cabinet meeting, the Board of Revenue proposed to increase the agricultural tax. However, CM Buzdar and the Punjab Cabinet unanimously rejected the suggestion.

    “The proposed budget has measures to give relief to the common man,” CM Buzdar. “All targets are realistic and all priorities have been set in accordance with the needs of the masses.”

  • Fayyaz ul Hassan offers to hold a joint press conference with Azma Bokhari

    Fayyaz ul Hassan offers to hold a joint press conference with Azma Bokhari

    Punjab’s Provincial Minister for Prisons Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and Secretary Information Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azma Bokhari had an interesting exchange outside the Punjab Assembly earlier today.

    Fayyaz Chohan offered to hold a joint press conference in the Punjab Assembly with Azma Bokhari.

    “Azma sahiba can talk openly against our government and then it shall be my turn to comment on her party [PML-N],” said Fayyaz laughingly.

    https://twitter.com/arifawan779/status/1400038584984518667

    Azma Bokhari said she should be allowed to answer him point-by-point. Chohan Fayyaz said it would not be possible.

    On being asked by a reporter as to why the two individuals weren’t ready to do a joint press conference, Azma said, ” He [Fayyaz] should resign from his ministry, and stand beside me and hold a press conference as today’s presser is the Opposition’s.” Azma further added that she would happily welcome him [Fayyaz] and present him with a garland if he resigns and joins the Opposition.

    “I offered her [Azma] to speak first because I personally respect her,” said Fayyaz.

    Fayyaz Chohan later took to Twitter and said, “I offered Azma Bokhari to hold a joint press conference today, I was ready to give her the first turn but Azma did not dare accept.”

    To which Azma tweeted, “I asked you to resign. You are not destined to stand beside me.”

  • Did you know Usman Buzdar is a crorepati?

    Did you know Usman Buzdar is a crorepati?

    After both the upper and lower houses of the parliament, details of assets and liabilities of Punjab Assembly members have also been released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), according to which, Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar is a millionaire or crorepati with his 10 immovable properties alone amounting to Rs35 million (Rs3.5 crores).

    According to details, while some members of the provincial assembly also own offshore properties, others run businesses besides owning agricultural lands.

    It has also emerged that CM Buzdar, on top of his 10 immovable properties, also has a 14-kanal bungalow in Taunsa Sharif and four kanals in Dera Ghazi Khan. His spouse, on the other hand, owns three pieces of land, whereas Buzdar himself also owns agricultural land in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan besides three tractors, two vehicles and Rs7.7 million (Rs77 lacs) in his bank account.

    Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi owns three properties worth Rs69.4 million (6.94 crores). He also has shares in three properties and owns a house each in both Lahore and Islamabad. The former CM also has shares in the Zahoor Palace Gujarat, has Rs9.9 million (Rs99 lacs) capital in a flour mill and Rs13.5 million (Rs1.35 crores) unsecured debt.

    On top of this, he has Rs12.7 million in his bank account while his wife has assets worth Rs93.1 million in her name, including jewelry worth Rs2.1 million.

    The assets of Hamza Shehbaz, who is the leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, are worth Rs414 million (Rs41.4 crores). He owns Rs30 million (Rs3 crores) of agricultural land given by his brother Suleman Shehbaz, and has invested Rs130 million (Rs13 crores) in the country.

    Hamza also has Rs10 million (Rs1 crore) in his bank account.

    Provincial Minister Aleem Khan and his wife have properties worth Rs159.2 million (Rs15.9 crores). His daughter and wife have assets worth Rs7.8 million (Rs78 lacs) in England and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and stock shares worth Rs117.7 million (Rs11.77 crores).

    Aleem also has an unsecured loan of Rs1.21 billion and owns three luxury cars worth Rs32.1 million (Rs3.21 crores) in addition to 65 tolas of gold. He also has Rs10 million (Rs1 crore) cash and Rs139.1 million (Rs13.91 crores) in his bank account.

    Punjab Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan owns two properties worth Rs8.5 million (Rs85 lacs) while he and his spouse have a total of Rs7.9 million (Rs79 lacs) in their bank account.

    Provincial Minister Raja Basharat owns more than Rs29.3 million (Rs2.93 crores) assets, while Provincial Minister Raja Rashid Hafeez owns more than Rs111 million (Rs11.1 crores) assets.

    The documents also state that Ejaz Khan of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has total assets of only Rs274,000 (Rs0.27 million) and no car or jewelry or businesses at home or abroad. The lawmaker with the least assets and liabilities is Sajida Yousuf, who has only Rs217 in her bank account. She has no car, no jewelry and no property at home or abroad.

  • KYA BOLA? (Aug 17): ‘Punjab chief minister k liye 300 se zaid umeedwaar’ to ‘Opposition ka flop drama’

    KYA BOLA? (Aug 17): ‘Punjab chief minister k liye 300 se zaid umeedwaar’ to ‘Opposition ka flop drama’

    Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on August 17, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    ‘Punjab Chief Minister K Liye 300 Se Zaid Umeedwaar’

    Daily Jang has quoted Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry as saying, “Punjab mein tabdeali aayi tou phri poori assembly hi wazire aala ki umeedwaar hai.”

    His statement comes amid rumours that Punjab might soon get a new chief executive.

    ‘Ghulami Kya Hoti Hai’

    Prominent Journalist Hamid Mir, in his column for Daily Jang, has written, “Mein 2009 mein Gaza mein tha. Mujhe Falasteeni currency chaheye thi tou mein aik bank gya jahaan local currency jo mujhe mili woh Israeli Shekel. Mein hairaan reh gya k aik Falasteeni bank k paas Falasteeni currency nahi thi aur pehli bar ehsaas hua ghulami kya hoti hai.”

    ‘Opposition Ka Flop Drama’

    It was reported by Daily Jang that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar has said, ”Opposition jamaato ki jaanib se APC ka drama lagny se pehle he flop ho gya. Opposition rehnumao ne sirf zati mufaad k liye APC ka shosha chora.”

    CM Buzdar was referring to opposition parties’ plan of holding a joint moot to decide on the fate of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

  • Punjab passes bill to protect Islam; crackdown on printing presses, publishers, book stores to follow

    The Punjab Assembly has passed the Punjab Tahaffuze Bunyade Islam Bill 2020, which Law Minister Raja Basharat says will prevent blasphemy of Holy Prophets (AS), Companions (RA) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Ahle Bait (RA) and Umhatul Momineen (RA).

    According to the minister, it will also prevent blasphemy of holy figures of other religions and the holy personalities of all religions beside helping to eradicate sectarianism and religious hatred.

    The printing and publication of objectionable material have been prohibited under the bill that also bars publishers, editors or translators from printing or publishing any books and material that consists of photographs or pictures of suicide bombers, terrorists, except as required by law enforcing agencies for purposes of investigation.

    Moreover, the new law has also made it mandatory that “the blessed name of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) be preceded by the title Khataman Nabiyyin or Khatamun Nabiyyin followed by ‘Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam’ in Arabic text”.

    The law has also empowered Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) to visit and inspect the premises of printing presses, offices of publication houses and book stores.

    After the passage of the bill in the Punjab Assembly, Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said it was a historic one. “I am highly thankful to Almighty Allah on its passage. This bill will prove a milestone in the protection of Islam and its supremacy. The federation and provinces should follow us in this regard. A similar one should also be passed by Centre and all provinces, and enforced all over Pakistan. The Section Number 3/F of this bill should be Article 295 of Pakistan Penal Code 1860,” the speaker said.

    He also thanked National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser for taking personal interest in this matter while praising Hafiz Ammar Yasir as well as Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz among other provincial lawmakers who played their full role in the passage of the bill.