Tag: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar

  • 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.

  • Punjab CM Usman Buzdar served food with expired masala at inauguration ceremony

    Punjab CM Usman Buzdar served food with expired masala at inauguration ceremony

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar, at a recent gathering, was served food with expired masala, leading to action against the caterer, local media reported Friday.

    According to reports, the incident took place in Tibba Sultanpur town of Vehari where Buzdar, as well as several others, had arrived for the inauguration of a building of Danish School.

    Besides the provincial chief executive, among others served food with expired ground spices were Punjab parliamentarians, including Education Minister Murad Raas and Transport Minister Jahanzeb Khan Khichi; Multan Commissioner Javed Akhtar Mehmood, Vehari Deputy Commissioner Capt (r) Waqas Rasheed and journalists.

    While the incident has raised a question mark on the efficiency of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA), action is reportedly being taken against the caterer and his restaurant without any names being revealed.

    Earlier, speaking to the media, CM Buzdar had said that Danish School is a state of the art institution which has been built at a huge cost.

    “With the establishment of the school, the children of Vehari and nearby districts will be able to seek quality education,” he had said, announcing the construction of new Danish Schools in Bhakkar and Taunsa as well.

    He announced Honihaar Punjab Programme to encourage good performing students and said students will be encouraged to excel in academic, sports, fine arts, science and technology fields.

  • IG Punjab removed after standoff with CCPO Lahore

    IG Punjab removed after standoff with CCPO Lahore

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Shoaib Dastagir has been removed after a standoff with Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh. CCPO Lahore is accused of speaking against the IGP. Shoaib Dastagir will be the fifth IG to be changed in Punjab. Since 2008, Dr Syed Kaleem Imam, Muhammad Tahir, Amjad Javed Saleemi, Capt. (R) Arif Nawaz Khan and Shoaib Dastagir have served at the post of IG Punjab.

    Inam Ghani has been appointed as the new IGP, announced Special Assistant to PM on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill on Twitter. An official notification has also been issued.

    Inam Ghani appointed new IG Punjab

    According to reports, former IGP Dastagir got upset when CCPO Sheikh allegedly told his subordinates that on any sensitive issue, the Lahore police must seek his permission even if they receive directions from the Central Police Office (CPO).

    Also Read: ‘Will reform Punjab police first after assuming power’, vows Imran Khan

    As per a report published in Dawn, Dastagir met Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar on Monday and requested him for a “transfer to any other suitable place”, saying he would not continue as the provincial police chief until the removal of the CCPO. He is also said to have skipped office on Monday and met with the CM in plain clothes, giving the Punjab government the message that he would not accept Mr Sheikh as the CCPO at any cost.

    Shoaib Dastagir has now been posted as Secretary Narcotics Control Division according to an official notification.

    Dastagir transferred as Secretary Narcotics Control Division

    More details about differences between former IGP and CCPO in this video report:

  • Does CM Buzdar consider himself Sher Shah Suri or Wasim Akram? Here’s what he has to say…

    Does CM Buzdar consider himself Sher Shah Suri or Wasim Akram? Here’s what he has to say…

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar, when asked during an interview if he considers himself Wasim Akram or Sher Shah Suri, has said people can see for themselves what he is.

    Buzdar was called “Wasim Akram Plus” by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan when he anointed him, and Suri Empire founder “Sher Shah Suri” by his colleague and Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan amid criticism over “inability to run the province” and “not being the right choice”.

    Speaking to Geo, the provincial chief executive of Punjab also said those spreading rumours about his expulsion from the office want to destabilise the province and the country at large.

    Dismissing the same, he said he enjoys full trust of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, which some people do not like at all.

    When asked why he seems to avoid the media so much, he said that liking for him still existed in the media.

    Replying to a question about the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), he said that fixing anybody on political grounds was quite an inappropriate act.

    CM Buzdar also said that the government was not bothered by the opposition even if it took to streets.

  • KYA BOLA? (Aug 24): ‘Media ka Usman Buzdar se pyar’ to ‘Jahangir Tareen se Ch Sarwar tak sab wazire aala ban’nay k khuwahishmand’

    KYA BOLA? (Aug 24): ‘Media ka Usman Buzdar se pyar’ to ‘Jahangir Tareen se Ch Sarwar tak sab wazire aala ban’nay k khuwahishmand’

    Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on August 24, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    ‘Media Ka Usman Buzdar se Pyar’

    It has been reported by Daily Jang that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar was asked why he is so reluctant to interact with media, to which he said“Taa k media ka hum se pyaar barqaraar rahay.”

    ‘Usman Buzdar Aur Phone’

     Senior journalist and analyst Irshad Bhatti, in his column for Daily Jang, has stated that he asked Usman Buzdar how did he feel after becoming the chief minister, to which he said “Allah ka shukar adaa kr rha tha… mein 5 saal har maah Shehbaz Sharif ko fax krta aur milnay ki darkhuwast krta magar woh 5 saal mujhe nahi milay. Soch raha tha ab Allah ne mujhe wazire aala bana dia.”

    To another question he said, “Yeh sach hai mujhe mobile phone k baray mein zayda nahi pata… call krna, call sun’na aur kabhi kabaar WhatsApp messages bus.”

    ‘Jahangir Tareen se Ch Sarwar Tak Sab Wazire Aala Ban’nay K Khuwahishmand Thay‘

    It has been reported by Daily Dunya that Punjab Governor Chaudhary Sarwar has said, “Mujh samait Shah Mahmood Qureshi aur Jahangir Tareen sab wazire aala ban’nay k khuwahishmand thay lekin Imran Khan ne Usman Buzdar ko chuna. Pervaiz Elahi ney wazire aala ban’ny ki khuwahish zahir nahi ki.”

  • NAB summons Buzdar for ‘issuing illegal liquor licences’

    NAB summons Buzdar for ‘issuing illegal liquor licences’

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar on August 12 for what it says was illegal issuance of liquor licences.

    The anti-graft watchdog has accused the provincial chief executive of illegally using powers of Excise director general (DG) and issuing liquor permits to a private hotel in Lahore.

    The hotel in question is the same as the one in regard to which reports had falsely claimed that a local company was setting up a “liquor bar” at the Allama Iqbal International Airport after approval from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led Punjab government.

    “A section of local media wrongly reported that the provincial government has granted a license to a company to sell liquor at the airport,” then spokesperson to the CM, Dr Shahbaz Gill, had said in a video message in January last year.

    He had further said that an under-construction five-star hotel near the airport had sought permission, which was duly granted after all the legal requirements were fulfilled.

    “This is not something new and all the major hotels in the country are permitted under the laws,” Gill said.

    However, the issuance has reportedly landed the Punjab CM in hot water.

    Earlier, on May 24, in view of the threat of sale of poisonous liquor on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, Punjab Excise and Taxation DG Hafiz Ziaul Mustafa issued a letter to stop the sale of illegal liquor and take necessary steps, The Express Tribune reported.

    Some unscrupulous elements use clinical alcohol, sedative tablets and juices of rotten fruits to brew liquor which is then sold in bottles of local and foreign brands. In the past scores of people have died and many more have gone blind from this locally brewed concoction.

    The DG also directed to pay special attention to liquor license holders on the occasion of Eid. A letter issued from the office of the DG said that several people have been affected by drinking toxic liquor in recent years which has embarrassed the government.

    Bootleggers making this toxic moonshine were likely to bring out their product on the festive occasion of Eid to grab the merriment mood of poor people who could not afford a pint of legally sold liquor available from licenced excise shops.

  • Govt mouthpieces jump in to defend Buzdar amid rumours of his removal

    Govt mouthpieces jump in to defend Buzdar amid rumours of his removal

    With rumours of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar’s removal going rife, information ministries of both Centre and Punjab have jumped in to defend the chief executive of Pakistan’s most populous province.

    Reports, after a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa among others, had earlier this week claimed that Buzdar’s removal was on cards.

    While it wasn’t the first time such claims were made regarding the fate of CM Buzdar, the rumour has been shot down by Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz as well as Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan.

    In a tweet, the federal minister said the Punjab CM wasn’t going anywhere.

    Meanwhile, Chohan, who has been vocal even against senior leaders of his own party for criticising Buzdar, said that the Punjab CM would complete his tenure.

    In a statement, he said that Buzdar was not going anywhere and those involved in looting people were spreading such rumours in failed attempts to affect the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Defending his boss, who has recently come under criticism for his “below-par” performance, Chohan said that Buzdar had been delivering on his responsibilities with ease.

    “Usman Buzdar is serving the people at his own pace without making any decisions in a hasty manner,” he was quoted as saying.

    Earlier, a few members of the opposition had claimed that the Punjab government had failed in fulfilling its promises to the people and that PM Imran was looking for Buzdar’s replacement.

    Senior journalists had also claimed that Punjab was on the verge of “getting a new CM”.

    However, the information ministers’ statements suggest that the premier’s faith in Buzdar has restored if it had ever taken a blow at all.

  • Kamran Khan claims Punjab CM Buzdar ‘skipped interview to avoid tough questions’

    Kamran Khan claims Punjab CM Buzdar ‘skipped interview to avoid tough questions’

    Senior journalist and analyst Kamran Khan has claimed that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar “skipped a scheduled interview with him after some tough questions were shared with Buzdar’s team beforehand”, drawing a strong reaction from the government as officials explained the “real story” behind the postponement.

    “CM Usman Buzdar wanted me to interview him and it was scheduled for today. Moments before the recording, he and his team disappeared. They had sought the topics [to be discussed during the interview] beforehand, which were shared, and we even told them the questions,” the journalist tweeted while also sharing the questions that he said Buzdar “couldn’t deal with”.

    Kamran, who is visibly irritated ever since he was ditched, also tweeted a video likening Buzdar to “the student with whom all questions are shared before the exam and is even promised grace marks for every right answer but still cuts and runs from the examination hall”.

    But the journalist’s claims did not sit very well with officials of the Punjab government.

    “Both you and your producer were called at 5:40 pm today and requested to reschedule the interview because CM Buzdar had to chair an emergency law and order meeting. Rescheduling an interview is not that big a deal,” Focal Person to Punjab CM on Digital Media Azhar Mashwani tweeted in response to Kamran’s claims on Monday.

    He went on to say that CM Buzdar had addressed dozens of press conferences wherein he had dealt with all sorts of difficult questions. “This overreaction on a rescheduling request is beyond my understanding.”

    Mashwani on Tuesday also tweeted a video of Buzdar chairing a similar meeting a day later as well:

    Kamran, however, hit back with the screenshot of a message that was sent to Buzdar’s team around 6:30 pm on Monday.

    While Twitterati are divided on claims made by both sides, what is that you think? Let The Current know in the comments.

  • Punjab Govt vows to make an example of perpetrators in school harassment case

    The Punjab government has said that they will hand exemplary punishments to the perpetrators of the Lahore private school harassment incident and make an example of them.

    According to Geo News, Punjab Government Spokesperson Musarrat Cheema said that the government, including Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar and Education Minister Dr Murad Raas, has taken action against the harassment case reported in the private school. She said that an inquiry committee has also been formed to investigate the incident. On Wednesday, CM Buzdar had taken notice of the matter and had directed CCPO Lahore to carry out an impartial inquiry into the incident and had said that harassment of students will not be tolerated at any cost.

    Cheema asserted that the government will use this incident to send a stern message across the board.

    “These culprits will not only have to let go of their jobs but they will also be punished according to the circumstances,” assured Cheema.

    The spokesperson also encouraged victims and their parents to come forward and share their experiences, adding that action can only be taken if the government is aware of any such incident. She also advised parents to educate their children on the matter and encourage them to speak up.

    “If their kids go through such an incident, they should inform the administration and also tell the government so that we can remove those evil humans, who are in the form of teachers,” said the spokesperson.

    Punjab Education Minister Dr Murad Raas says that he will personally be dealing with the case.

    Later, in a press conference, the minister announced that the provincial government would bring a new act for private institutions.

    Lauding the students for their courage, Dr Raas said that the students who reported sexual harassment had gone through considerable mental anguish. He shared that more than 20 students spoke to him and broke down while narrating their ordeals.

    “A written complaint of the incidents is required, without which action cannot be taken,” he said. “We are going to bring a new act for private schools [and] we are adding legislation on harassment to our laws.”

    The Punjab minister said the government could only help people when written requests were submitted.

    Meanwhile, Chairperson Child Protection & Welfare Bureau Punjab Sarah Ahmad shared that the school did not respond when officers from the bureau went to the school.

    Earlier, Federal Minister for Human Right Dr Shireen Mazari also took notice of the allegations and said that the regional offices have been alerted on the matter.

    Principal, administrator and coordinator suspended

    Director of the institute Nighat Ali said that all five employees who were accused of harassing female students were fired from their jobs, while the principal, administrator and coordinator, who were accused of covering up the incidents, have also been suspended.

    She added that an inquiry committee has been constituted to probe further into the matter.

    “The school has full authority to take legal action against the culprits and if the charges against the dismissed employees are proven, an action will be taken against them,” Ali said.

    The allegations

    On June 28, dozens of girls came forward with accounts of harassment and inappropriate behaviour by teachers at Lahore Grammar School (LGS) 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch. The management of the school, including female teachers, also came under fire for brushing the matter under the carpet for years. It is pertinent to mention here that most of the girls studying at the school were minors at the time.

    Such incidents had reportedly been going on for the past four or five years and the victims had been reporting the matter to the admin and their teachers. However, they took no action and resorted to victim-blaming. Strict and immediate action was only taken after the girls shared their ordeal on social media and the matter became public.

    According to details, students have come forward and shared their experiences of being harassed by three teachers namely Aitezaz Rehman Sheikh, Umer Shareef and Zahid Iqbal Warraich. All three teachers were fired hours after the allegations surfaced.

  • Punjab spends Rs8,600,000 on Buzdar’s helicopter trips

    Punjab spends Rs8,600,000 on Buzdar’s helicopter trips

    The Punjab government has spent Rs8.6 million in 16 months — from August 2018 till November 2019 — on the helicopter flights of Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar, including 14 flights to his hometown and constituency, Punjab Information Commission has revealed.

    According to data released by the commission, CM Buzdar made his first visit to Mian Channu and Pakpattan from Lahore on August 28, 2018, on his official helicopter soon after assuming the office.

    In September 2018, the helicopter was used twice for local flying in Lahore. Interestingly, the helicopter was used five times in October out of which Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan used it thrice to visit Punjab Governor’s House during his visits to the provincial capital.

    In November 2018, the official helicopter was used 14 times — thrice to Dera Ghazi Khan, which is also the constituency of the Punjab CM. The official chopper was used to visit Taunsa Sharif, the hometown of the provincial chief executive, during the same month.

    In February 2019, Buzdar paid a visit to Multan, Rajanpur and DG Khan while in the same month he also went to Taunsa via helicopter.

    In April 2019, the Punjab CM made 28 trips on his official helicopter of which five were made to Taunsa. In May 2019, he made 27 visits, eight in July, 13 in August, 10 in September, 14 in October, and 11 in November, of which two trips were to DG Khan.

    He also made several visits to Pakpattan on board his official helicopter during this period.

    The Punjab government helicopter made a total of 164 flights and remained air borne for 119 hours and 30 minutes during this period.