Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) accused Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan of being responible for yesterday’s ruckus in the National Assembly (NA). Khaqan alleged that after the PM was called ‘Donkey King’, he tasked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentarians to heckle the Opposition. Khaqan revealed on Express News‘ talk show, ‘Kal Tak with Javed Chaudhry’ that a PTI member told him this. Khaqan termed the ruckus as an attack on the parliamentary system.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Khaqan asked for Speaker Asad Qaiser’s resignation. He said that ministers were using filthy language in front of the Speaker but he couldn’t do anything. “If the Speaker had any respect he should have resigned in protest if he can’t do anything.”
“The NA Speaker has failed to deliver. He had already lost our trust and now has lost his government’s as well.”
شاہد خاقان عباسی کا کہنا ہے کہ اسپیکر نے خود کہا کہ وہ کچھ نہیں کرسکتے، ان پر دباؤ ہے، احسن اقبال نے کہا :وزیراعظم خفا ہیں جب وزرا ہلڑبازی کر رہے تھے تو اجلاس کیوں مؤخر کیا، لیگی رہنما اسلام آباد میں پریس کانفرنس کر رہے تھے #DunyaUpdates#DunyaVideopic.twitter.com/L9R7EkLZ6b
Khaqan further said the Speaker himself has said he cannot do anything as he is “under pressure”.
https://youtu.be/Hub–QYT7-w
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Express News
PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal also accused the PM of conspiring against the Opposition. “[Asad] Qaiser was asked by the Prime Minister that when our [government] ministers were heckling the Opposition, why did he adjourn the session.”
جوہلڑبازی تحریک انصاف اپوزیشن میں کرتی تھی اسکاہم تصور بھی نہیں کرسکتے۔ اورپچھلے دودن سے ہلڑبازی وزیراعظم کے حکم پرہورہی ہے۔ جتنی سبکی آج خودحکومت نے اسپیکرقومی اسمبلی کی کی ہے اسکے بعدانکے عہدے پررہنے کاکیاجواز رہ گیاہے۔ احسن اقبال
General Secretary of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP) have left PDM. “Now their paths are separate.”
پی ڈی ایم میں 8جماعتیں موجود ہیں وہ اپنا کام جاری رکھیں گی پی ڈی ایم کے دروازے ہر اس جماعت کے لیے کھلے ہیں جو پی ڈی ایم کےمنشور اور فیصلوں پر چل سکتی ہے اتحاد اعتماد سے ہوتے ہیں جب اعتماد نہ رہے تو پھر پی ڈی ایم میں اس جماعت کی جگہ نہیں رہتی.شاہدخاقان عباسی pic.twitter.com/pN2EaqfaIh
“There are eight parties in PDM and they will continue to do their work. The doors of PDM are open for every party that will follow the manifesto and decisions of PDM,” added Abbasi.
Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that leaders of the fragmented anti-government alliance appear to be “confused and divided”.
Bilawal further added that PPP was not part of the meeting held on Saturday, yet PDM is still following the manifesto that was presented by the PPP when PDM was formed.
“We can have positive feelings for each other and wish everybody good luck. Everybody has the right to do Opposition politics in accordance to their own manifesto and ideology,” said the PPP chairman.
He made these remarks while addressing a press conference with ANP leaders in Charsadda on Sunday.
“کل پی ڈی ایم کے اجلاس میں پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی اور اے این پی موجود نہیں تھیں مگر آج بھی وہاں پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کی پالیسی ہی چل رہی ہے۔ وہ آج بھی استعفی نہیں دے رہے اور پارلیمان میں ٹف ٹائیم دینے کی باتیں ہورہی ہیں۔”@BBhuttoZardari 2/3 pic.twitter.com/dUQICtMDI2
PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday said that the PPP and ANP were not discussed in the PDM meeting, as they are not part of the alliance.
“They [PPP] can still contact the PDM leadership and apprise them about their intentions. But it is not something that we will waste time over anymore during PDM meetings,” said Maulana Fazl.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is not Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s personal slave or bonded labour that he can impose his views on the Opposition alliance.
Kaira was talking to anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’.
ہم جواب کیا دیں گے، ہماراجواب یہ ہےکہ شوکازنوٹس غیرسیاسی،غیراخلاقی اورغیرمنطقی ہے اوراسکی بنیاد پرشاہدخاقان عباسی کومعافی مانگنی چاہیے۔ مگرانہوں نےآج نیاگُل کھلادیا۔ قمرزمان کائرہ
— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) May 25, 2021
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had said he would quit PDM if PPP was allowed to rejoin the Opposition alliance unconditionally.
Kaira also said that while Shehbaz Sharif is making efforts to unite the Opposition, Shahid Khaqan was tearing it apart.
ن لیگ میں پہلے اندر کھاتے باتیں ہوتی تھی اب وہ کھل کر سامنے آ گئیں٬ رات شہباز شریف نے کچھ کہا اور آج شاہد خاقان نے اسکے متصادم باتیں کہہ دیں، ن لیگ اور پی ٹی آئی کے اندر مختلف دھڑے بن چکے ہیں@QamarKairaPPPpic.twitter.com/oPHcpeu3rT
PPP leadership also urged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to take back his words against the party.
Fazl on Tuesday said the PPP and the Awami National Party (ANP) could rejoin the PDM if they apologie to the Opposition alliance for going against its decisions.
Fazl said both the PPP and ANP had been given sufficient time to get back to the PDM leadership, but they have not done so.
“There are currently no proposals to invite PPP and ANP at the PDM meeting on May 29,” Fazl said. He added that during the upcoming PDM meeting, the Opposition leaders will decide the future of the PPP and ANP in the alliance.
PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said her party president Shehbaz Sharif’s dinner had nothing to do with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). Shehbaz held a dinner on Monday for Opposition leaders, including those from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Awami National Party (ANP).
“He hosted the dinner as the leader of Opposition, as they had to devise a strategy for the budget session,” said Maryam. “Shehbaz Sharif is the Opposition leader [in National Assembly]. He hosted the dinner for parliamentarians. My presence was not needed,” she said when asked about her absence from the dinner.
At the dinner reception last night, leaders from the opposition parties candidly discussed a host of domestic & foreign challenges facing the country. We agreed that there was need for collective solutions to national issues. We will evolve a joint strategy for the budget session
Maryam said PDM had not received any response from the PPP regarding the party’s return to the alliance. She said that when the PPP addresses PDM’s concerns, the alliance will deliberate over the matter.
شاہد خاقان عباسی صاحب نے اسی موقف کو بیان کیا جو مسلم لیگ ن کا موقف ہے جو میرا موقف ہے جو پی ڈی ایم کا موقف ہے پیپلزپارٹی کو جو شوکاز نوٹس جاری ہوا تھا اسکا جواب ابھی نہیں آیا جب جواب آئے گا پھر بیٹھ کے دیکھیں گے.@MaryamNSharifpic.twitter.com/OTeeirh8gU
Meanwhile, PDM Secretary-General Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stated that there was no place for the PPP within the opposition alliance until it restored the trust it had broken.
اگر ملک میں گروتھ 3.94 فیصد ہوتی تو آج بےروزگاری نہ ہوتی آج ملک کی آمدن میں کمی نہ ہوتی ملک میں مہنگائی نہ ہوتی. مولانا فضل الرحمان نے بڑی وضاحت سے پی ڈی ایم میں کہا ہے کہ آپ اپنے فیصلے پہ نظر ثانی کریں جو اعتماد توڑا ہے اسے بحال کریں.شاہدخاقان عباسی pic.twitter.com/nYoGVdk9YM
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, the PML-N leader said that the opposition alliance was formed for a particular purpose. “If you are not committed to the movement, then there is no place for you within the PDM.”
“The PPP can’t just rejoin the movement. They can only do so once they restore their trust in the PDM. The alliance does not have a revolving-door policy that you break its trust, leave the movement and try to come back again when you face difficulties,” added Khaqan.
“The door is closed. The door will only open when you rebuild trust,” he said.
Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said his party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), never had any quarrel with the establishment. Abbasi made this statement in Dawn News programme, ‘Live with Adil Shahzeb.’
صلح ہو گئی؟
ہماری اسٹبلشمنٹ سے کوئی جنگ تھی ہی نہیں۔ جب جھگڑا ہی کوئی نہیں تھا تو صلح کیسے۔ سابق وزیراعظم شاہد خاقان عباسی
بڑا اہم بیان ہے آپکا؟
آپ بتائیں ہمارے تعلقات خراب کب تھے؟ کیا خراب تھا؟ جلسوں میں تو باتیں ہوتی رہتی ہیں۔ شاہد خاقان عباسی pic.twitter.com/3dpXTQi6Ww
“There is no point of distinctive appeasement with the establishment when we are not at war with them.” says Abbasi.
The PML-N leader said his party always spoke for the country’s betterment, adding that even today, they do not seek power.
Abbasi said the PML-N believes the country is in a miserable condition, thanks to the ‘stolen general elections’.
“Is our country in a better state today than it was on May 2, 2018?” Abbasi asked the show host, “If the country is in a better position, I have no argument to defend my point. But, if the situation is pathetic, I want to ask what is the reason behind the worsening circumstances.”
“The primary reason for the present condition I believe is the diversion from the Constitution,” he said.
Mohammad Zubair, Spokesperson to Mian Nawaz Sharif, and Maryam Nawaz had previously said in a talk show that the PML-N has made peace with Rawalpindi.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that the government will present a resolution in the National Assembly (NA) for the expulsion of the French envoy. This comes in the wake of the successful negotiations between the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and the government earlier today.
The next NA session was scheduled for Thursday (April 22) but it was changed. NA session was called today at 3pm to facilitate the resolution.
قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس کا شیڈول تبدیل،
قومی اسمبلی کا مورخہ 22 اپریل 2021 بروز جمعرات کو دن 2 بجے ہونے والے اجلاس کا شیڈول تبدیل۔
قومی اسمبلی کا اجلاس جمعرات کو دن 2 بجے منعقد ہونے کے بجائے آج مورخہ 20 اپریل بروز منگل سہ پہر 3 بجے پارلیمنٹ ہاؤس میں منعقد ہوگا۔#NASessionpic.twitter.com/TSvQRpWNuH
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari tweeted that the agreement with the banned TLP was not brought to the NA. Government took action against it on the streets and then banned TLP. Bilawal said that the prime minister did not take the NA into confidence at any stage so if the government did not take parliament into confidence, it is the prime minister’s mess. “Clean up or go home,” tweeted Bilawal.
Agreement wasnt brought to NA, Govt took action on streets, then banned, people killed, over 500 policemen injured, closed internet, PM didn’t make statement in NA, didnt take NA into confidence at any stage. Now PTI wants to hide behind NA. It’s your mess PM, clean up or go home
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and its member parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz are attending the NA session. Sources say they will also support the resolution.
Three demands in the resolution ask for a debate on the expulsion of the French ambassador. It also asks that the European Union (EU), especially France, should be told about the sensitivity of this issue. Discussions should be held with all Muslim countries so as to raise it on international forums. The resolution also says that foreign relations will only be decided by the state and not an individual, group or party through any illegal pressure tactics.
The resolution presented before the NA today has been approved for debate. PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi asks for one hour to go over the motion with his party.
Sunday’s clashes between the Punjab Police and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) workers led to reactions from various political parties as well as religious groups. Here is a recap:
Maulana Fazlur Rehman
Addressing the media on Sunday night, Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that this situation should be resolved wisely. He said that if the TLP comes to Islamabad, the JUI-F will support them. He criticised the government for declaring TLP a terrorist party.
اس صورت حال کو عقلمندی سے حل کرنے کی کوشش کی جائے،اگر TLP کے شہداء اسلام آباد کی جانب آئے تو ہم ان کا ساتھ دیں گے، اس وقت ملک بھر میں علماء کو گرفتار کیا جارہا ہے، ہم نے ہمیشہ امن اور نظم ضبط کا مظاہرہ کیا لہذا مذہبی طبقے کو اشتعال نہ دلایا جائے۔ 6/7 pic.twitter.com/dYqQGDxGIa
— Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) April 18, 2021
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the violence in Lahore and other parts of the country. He expressed grief over the loss of lives, including those of policemen and civilians, as the direct result of the PTI government’s inability to handle the situation peacefully.
“The real fight is about fighting against the root of the festering problem, not in just responding to the symptoms. Why has the selected government not bothered to implement the National Action Plan, or even discuss arising challenges in parliament,” said Mr Bhutto. He pointed out that the tendency to foster and coddle pressure groups through instigating ethnic, religious and sectarian hatred had begun during Zia’s regime, to squeeze mainstream national political parties. He added that it was painfully clear that we have failed to understand that no one can consistently play with fire without getting burnt themselves.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi strongly condemned the violence in Lahore. In a statement, Mr Abbasi said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) believes that “Namoos-e-Risalat (sanctity of prophethood) is the foundation of a Muslim’s ideology. No Muslim can compromise on it.” He criticised the government for its failure to establish peace in the country. “PDM stresses that peace and stability will only be established in Pakistan when it is run according to the Constitution and people’s wishes,” added Abbasi.
Mufti Muneebur Rehman
On Sunday night, former Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairperson Mufti Muneebur Rehman called for a countrywide strike the next day (Monday). Several otherst religious leaders have supported Mufti Muneeb’s strike call, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar:
PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar called Maulana Fazl’s statement “irresponsible”. He said that it is not right to use what happened in Lahore for political point-scoring. Khokhar also said that Mufti Muneeb is also settling a score with the government after he was removed from his post as the chairperson of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. Khokhar asked why the government had signed an illegal and unconstitutional agreement with the TLP back in November.
Agreement signed between PTI govt and TLP in Nov 2020
Sindh High Court Bar Association
The Sindh High Court Bar Association condemned the utter failure of the PTI government to peacefully resolve this crisis. “The government’s reaction has swung from willful blindness to disproportionate and lethal force.” It also condemned the “unconstitutional gagging of electronic media in relation to the protests”.
Meanwhile, Geo News reported that a delegation of ulema led by Sahibzada Hamid Raza met the banned TLP chief Saad Rizvi in jail on Monday and urged him to end the protests taking place in the country by releasing a video message.
Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) protesters and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters engaged in a short brawl and shouted slogans against each other outside the Parliament in the red zone, the day Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan sought a vote of confidence in the National Assembly.
As per details, the law and order situation erupted as the parliament geared for PM Khan’s vote of confidence amid joint opposition’s boycott of the session.
PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal and Musadiq Malik were among the PML-N leaders present at the scene.
The incident reportedly occurred when PML-N leaders tried to address the media and PTI workers surrounded the PML-N leaders and a scuffle broke out. A large crowd has now gathered at D-Chowk and some political workers have entered the Parliament Lodges.
While many reports have suggested that PTI supporters instigated the violence, Focal Person to PM Imran on Digital Media Dr Arsalan Khalid and Focal Person to Chief Minister Punjab on Digital Punjab Azhar Mashwani have alleged that Abbasi and Malik attacked PTI supporters when they chanted slogans against PML-N.
Later, a large contingent of law enforcers arrived at the scene and managed to separate the political workers of the two parties.
The 30th NA session – on a single point agenda – will make it clear whether PM Imran commands the trust of the house and whether the lawmakers who allegedly ditched the ruling candidate on the general seat in the recently-held Senate election stick to their stand.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday approved former prime minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gillani’s application to transfer his vote to Islamabad; after he arrived at the election watchdog’s office with two other former premiers.
Gillani is reportedly being fielded for the federal capital seat in the upper house of the parliament by the join opposition, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
The former premier’s vote has been registered at his address of Sector F-8 in Islamabad, making him eligible to contest the Senate elections from the federal capital.
He had moved the ECP on Friday and arrived at the election watchdog’s office on Saturday with his successor Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi has drawn the ire of hundreds of social media users for badmouthing the late father of former prime minister (PM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Khaqan Abbasi, who was an air commodore in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) until his removal by former premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, served as the federal minister for production in ex-PM Muhammad Khan Junejo’s cabinet. He died on April 10, 1988, after his car was hit by a missile in the Ojhri Camp disaster.
“Huge secrets lie behind these huge businesses,” Federal Minister Zaidi wrote as he tweeted a 1991 report against the late Abbasi.
ان بڑے بڑے دھندوں کے پیچھے بڑے بڑے راز پوشیدہ ہیں۔ پیسہ بولتا یے اور ضمیر مست ہو کر سو رہتا ہے۔ شاہد خاقان صاحب کے مرحوم والد کی کرتوت ملاحظہ کیجئے! یہ رپوٹ ۱۹۹۱ میں شائع ہوئ تھی! pic.twitter.com/4xSxzlSc7J
His tweet, however, did not sit very well with a majority of Twitter users who said:
Jo is dunia sy chla gya h usko bukhush dain. R intkam ki politics ko khtm krain. Awam ab in lolypops sy tng aa chuki h. Jb ap log deliver krain gy awam apko e vote dy gi. Agr yeh situation rhi tou awam ki support khtm ho jaye gi.
