Tag: Shehbaz Sharif

  • Palmist told Khan that a big rock fell on Shehbaz instead of him

    Palmist told Khan that a big rock fell on Shehbaz instead of him

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Monday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been told by a palmist that there was a big rock that was going to fall on Khan but it fell on Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif instead.

    He made these revelations on ARY News in Waseem Badami’s programme 11th Hour.

    Rasheed said that everyone is with Imran Khan so it would be a waste for anyone who stands against him in the elections.

    Talking about his audio leak, Rasheed said since childhood, his [Sheikh] messages and tapes have been going viral.

    He said that after the PTI swept Punjab by-polls, he received messages from top bureaucrats for the first time addressing him as ‘respected sir’.

    During the show, he further revealed that Imran Khan has planned to do a tour of Sindh, especially the interior side of the province.

    Rasheed again stressed that he is of the view that they should be friends with the establishment. He said that Imran Khan has said that we will not talk against the establishment anymore and have to focus on the elections.

    Appearing on the same programme on Tuesday, former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry agreed with Rasheed’s statement and said that they will not talk against the establishment. “We will try to normalise things in the future”, he added.

    Moreover, he said that PM Shehbaz Sharif should dissolve the National Assembly. According to him, election date will be announced within 45 days and the elections are likely to be held in October.

  • ‘Kisi aur ka gandd hum kyun saaf karein,’ asks SAPM Hafiz Karim

    ‘Kisi aur ka gandd hum kyun saaf karein,’ asks SAPM Hafiz Karim

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Shehbaz Sharif with the status of Federal Minister, Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim said that it is better to leave the government.

    “It is better to leave the government. We should not have taken the government,” said Karim.

    “Kisi aur ka gandd hum kyun saaf karein? Jo gandd laaye hain, wohi saaf karein.” [Why should we clean up someone else’s mess? They should clean up the mess that they created.]

    “If you want to govern, do not impose conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that burden the people. Believe me, if there is no relief, leave the government and do politics,” said SAPM Karim while speaking with journalist Naeem Ashraf.

    On the other hand, despite the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) disastrous performance in Punjab, the federal government has decided to complete its constitutional tenure till August 2023.

  • What next for the PML-N? Experts weigh in

    What next for the PML-N? Experts weigh in

    On July 17, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) suffered a heavy loss in the by-elections as it only managed to win four seats out of 20 while its rival party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won 75 per cent (15 seats) of the Punjab constituencies.

    Despite the PML-N’s disastrous performance in Punjab, the federal government has decided to complete its constitutional tenure till August 2023. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday (July 19). The coalition partners also agreed that they will give a tough time to Imran Khan.

    The Current reached out to experts to ask their opinion on what the PML-N should do next and what will be PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s next move.

    Here is what they have to say.

    PML-N is no longer popular among the masses: Shafqat Mahmood

    “PML-N is no longer popular among the masses. The people of Pakistan have realised that these people are “bhayaanak” [horrible]. It is because of their history of corruption and bad governance during the last three months that they have been badly defeated,” said PTI leader and former Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood.

    Talking about Khan and his future plans after winning the Punjab by-polls Mahmood said, “PTI only wants fair and free elections. On July 22, PTI will be in power in Punjab once again.”

    PML-N needs to go to the drawing board: Mansoor Ali Khan

    Senior journalist Mansoor Ali Khan said that the PML-N needs to go to the drawing board to fix its problems and start the process all over again.

    “They have to go back to the drawing board and start the process again. The most important thing in the present situation for the PML-N to think about is when can Nawaz Sharif come back to Pakistan. His absence has already caused a lot of damage. The party really needs to take a look at all the mistakes committed by them, which led to its defeat in the Punjab by-polls.”

    “I think this is Imran Khan’s winning moment and he will only want early elections. Khan will keep putting pressure on the government and will only want elections. Since the last two months, we have already witnessed him doing this and the Punjab by-polls result is evidence enough that Khan’s plan is working.”

    Federal capital without Punjab is nothing: Kashif Abbasi

    Senior journalist Kashif Abbasi said that the federal capital without Punjab is nothing.

    “The PML-N should talk to the PTI and find a way to work towards early elections. There is no point in running the federal capital without Punjab.”

    Abbasi said that Khan has all the cards at the moment while the PML-N is in trouble.

    “Early elections will possibly favour the PTI as well. So at present, early elections are the solution both for the PTI and PML-N.”

    Early elections should be called: Absa Komal

    Journalist Absa Komal said that the PTI secured a clear mandate in Punjab by sweeping the by-polls in PML-N’s home ground.

    “Ideally, sanity should prevail within the PML-N and early elections should be called.”

    “Khan sahib will keep on resisting, especially if the government creates problems in making Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi chief minister. Meanwhile, he will continue to build a narrative about the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Khan will continue to use his victory in Punjab for building his future narrative,” said Komal.

    PML-N reaction

    Meanwhile, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that these by-elections cannot measure the popularity or unpopularity of the PML-N. 

    Finance Minister Miftah Ismail stated in an interview that the government would keep making difficult choices in an effort to save the economy and keep the nation from going bankrupt.

    The finance minister also noted that it was crucial for the government to take unpopular measures, which also resulted in political setbacks. “But if need be, we will take more tough decisions,” he said.

  • PML-N decides not to hold early elections

    PML-N decides not to hold early elections

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided not to hold early general elections in the country and to complete its constitutional term, reports Geo News.

    In a meeting on Monday under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, the PML-N’s defeat in Punjab by-polls and other political matters were discussed.

    On July 17, the ruling party suffered a heavy loss as it only managed to win four seats out of 20 while its rival party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won 75 per cent (15 seats) of the Punjab constituencies.

    The decision regarding elections has been taken by the PML-N. The party is yet to discuss the matter with its coalition partners and for that, a meeting is scheduled for today (Tuesday).

    A day earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressed the nation after his party’s landslide victory in Punjab. He highlighted that the only way out of the current political crisis is free and fair elections.

  • PM Shehbaz urges ECP to announce ruling on PTI foreign funding case

    PM Shehbaz urges ECP to announce ruling on PTI foreign funding case

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the “long-delayed judgment” in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) foreign funding case.

    The premier took to Twitter today, urging the ECP to give the verdict in PTI’s foreign funding case, which was reserved on June 21.

    “I urge the Election Commission of Pakistan to announce the long-delayed judgment on PTI foreign funding case,” said the PM.

    The prime minister said that for long, Imran Khan has been given a free pass despite his “repeated & shameless attacks on state institutions”.

    “Impunity given to him has hurt the country,” added PM Shehbaz.

    The ECP reserved the verdict in the case nearly a month ago on June 21, following a hearing by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.

    On Monday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan criticised the ECP for being biased and demanded CEC Sultan Raja’s resignation over his alleged favouring of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    “We have no confidence in this Chief Election Commissioner, he should resign. He conducted the Senate election, the Supreme Court allowed him to verify the Senate vote, the Election Commission and all political parties know that money runs in the secret Senate polls but this Election Commissioner did not follow it,” said Khan.

    “The biggest regret I have in the Punjab by-elections is on the Chief Election Commissioner as he has done dishonesty, there is no merit in him, it was found that typing mistake took place and four million people were shown dead. Had this happened elsewhere in the world, he would have resigned. We had eight cases with which we went to the Election Commission and it rejected them while the courts gave verdicts against it, which means the ECP deliberately gave decisions against us,” claimed Khan.

  • ‘Coalition government lost support of the people’: Politicians react to PTI’s win in Punjab by-polls

    ‘Coalition government lost support of the people’: Politicians react to PTI’s win in Punjab by-polls

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that the by-elections have made it clear that the coalition government has lost the support of the people.

    Khokhar was of the opinion that instead of forming the government, elections should have been held immediately. He also said that the deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should have been done by a government with a fresh mandate.

    “Difficult decisions should be made by a government that has a mandate of five years, it is not possible that we have sky-rocketing inflation and people shower us with flowers,” said Khokhar.

    “Political parties are still stuck in the 90s, the by-elections made it clear that the coalition government has lost the support of the people, political stability will be further eroded, and governance will become difficult. The country and economy need stabilisation, which is possible only through general elections,” said Khokhar.

    If they have won seats through people’s mandate, CM should step down: Malik Ahmad

    “In all fairness, if they have won seats through the people’s mandate, then the CM [Hamza Shehbaz] should step down and let them form a government,” said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan to The News.

    “Once the people have spoken, they are the sovereign and if they have spoken in favour of Imran’s narrative for general elections, then they have spoken. Then let there be a fresh mandate. Otherwise, every day there will be a new crisis,” added Malik Ahmad.

    Imran Khan to decide when Shehbaz Sharif will be removed: Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry said that Imran Khan would decide when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be removed.

    Speaking to Geo News, Fawad Chaudhry said that all the political parties need to end the ongoing political crisis and show maturity.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept the Punjab by-elections by bagging a total of 15 out of 20 Punjab Asse­mbly seats while the ruling PML-N only managed to win four seats. An independent candidate won one seat.

  • ‘Defeat should be accepted with an open heart’: PTI sweeps Punjab by-polls

    ‘Defeat should be accepted with an open heart’: PTI sweeps Punjab by-polls

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept the Punjab by-elections by bagging a total of 15 out of 20 Punjab Asse­mbly seats while the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) only managed to win four seats. An independent candidate won one seat.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday thanked the PML-N workers for their tireless efforts and said that Maryam Nawaz ran a great election campaign. “I would like to thank Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz for conducting peaceful elections in Punjab.”

    Congratulating PTI for the big win, Chairman Imran Khan thanked his party workers and supporters of Punjab for what he called not just defeating the PML-N but the entire state machinery.

    “The only way forward from here is to hold free and fair polls under a credible Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The PTI chairman said that now decisions would be taken by masses not in closed rooms,” said Khan.

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, on the other hand, called for introspection following the defeat of the ruling PML-N in its political heartland.

    Maryam took to Twitter and said that the “defeat should be accepted with an open heart”.

    “The PML-N should accept the results of the by-polls with an open heart as it is the decision of the masses,” Maryam Nawaz tweeted. She added that winning and losing were part of politics; therefore, the party should now focus on its weaknesses, identify them, and then overcome them. “God willing, everything will be fine,” said Maryam.

    PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif blamed the “difficult decisions” taken by the Centre for its failure, according to a Daily Jang report.

    PTI’s Secretary General Asad Umar termed PTI victory in the high-voltage Punjab by-elections as a milestone in Pakistan’s political history. 

    Asad Umar also stated that PTI’s core committee meeting would be held today (Monday) with Imran Khan in the chair, where the PTI would take a future course of action.

    Asad Umar also said that Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi would be elected as chief minister of Punjab on July 22, adding that Shehbaz Sharif is now only the “Prime Minister of Islamabad”. 

    Speaker Punjab Assembly and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that if Imran Khan asks him to dissolve the Punjab Assembly, then he will dissolve the assembly in two seconds without thinking.

    Elahi further said that Imran Khan worked the hardest, and he [Elahi] had won many by-elections, but the strategy Khan made was perfect and he [Khan] used his energy to the fullest.

  • ‘A reminder of sacrifices’: Pakistan observes Kashmir Martyrs’ Day

    ‘A reminder of sacrifices’: Pakistan observes Kashmir Martyrs’ Day

    On the occasion of Kashmir Martyrs’ Day today (Wednesday), Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has said it is a reminder of the sacrifices that Kashmiris have rendered for their inalienable and UN-sanctioned right to self-determination.

    In a tweet, he further said, “The flame of freedom from the Indian yoke has been kept alive by the generations of Kashmiris in the face of Indian tyranny and oppression.”

    In a statement, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the government and Pakistanis are solemnly observing the 91st Kashmir Martyrs’ Day.

    Moreover, Ahmad said Kashmiris are still struggling against India’s illegal occupation. He urged India to immediately halt its state-terrorism in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), cease all human rights violations, release all political prisoners, lift the in-human military siege, stop its attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory, and let the Kashmiri people exercise their legitimate right to self-determination.

    Ambassador of Pakistan to Germany Dr Mohammad Faisal paid homage to the Kashmiri martyrs. He said, “We observe 91st Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Martyrs’ Day) paying homage to 22 Kashmiri martyrs, who rendered the ultimate sacrifice, braving the indiscriminate force unleashed on them in 1931 by the Dogra forces. We stand with our Kashmiri brethren.”

    People all over the world are observing Kashmir Martyrs’ Day to pay homage to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 and all other Kashmiri martyrs.

    According to Radio Pakistan, IIOJK is in complete shutdown today. The Indian authorities did not allow people to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard to pay their tributes.

  • ‘Where are all the funds going? 34 billion was allotted for drainage in Karachi’: Ahsan Mohsin grills government

    ‘Where are all the funds going? 34 billion was allotted for drainage in Karachi’: Ahsan Mohsin grills government

    Actor Ahsan Mohsin Ikram took to his Instagram stories to grill the government for its negligence over the drainage system of Karachi despite there being a hefty budget allotted for the concerning situation.

    The Pyar Ke Sadqay star also posted a video showcasing the condition post heavy rainfall in the largest city of Pakistan.

    Recently Ahsan shared his stance on the ongoing political scenario in the country.

    The Thora Jee Le hero took to his Twitter handle to state that former politician Asif Ali Zardari has played a masterstroke by letting PML-N come in power so that they get all the negative publicity.

    Ahsan also took a dig at Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto.

    His sister in law Aiman Khan was quick to repost his stance on her Instagram stories.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WhatsApp-Image-2022-05-26-at-12.10.51-AM.jpeg

    He also wanted PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah to be behind the bars.

  • How did Imran, Shehbaz, Bilawal, and Alvi celebrate Eid?

    How did Imran, Shehbaz, Bilawal, and Alvi celebrate Eid?

    Pakistan celebrates Eid-ul-Azha under tough circumstances with Covid on the rise yet again. With the country’s crucial economic conditions, political leaders urged the nation to revive the spirit of sacrifice and help the poor.

    President Dr Arif Alvi offered Eid prayers in his Karachi hometown at the Tooba Masjid.

    “I pray to Allah Almighty to accept the Ibadah, Haj and sacrifices of the Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah. Amen!”

    “Eidul Azha reminds us of the submission and obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) before the command of Allah Almighty,” said President Alvi.

    “Sacrifice is not merely an act of animal slaughter, but its real goal is to sacrifice personal desires for accomplishing a higher purpose. This spirit of sacrifice grants such an ability to human beings that they keep following the righteous path despite the most trying circumstances,” he added.

    Alvi said: “As our dear country faces economic challenges, there is a dire need to effectively utilise this spirit of sacrifice.”

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, along with his son and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, offered Eid prayers at his family residence at Jati Umra in Lahore.

    Shehbaz said: “Allah Almighty made sacrifice an extraordinary ritual to show immense admiration for the obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS). The real meaning of sacrifice is obedience and submission to Allah. Allah sees the intention of His obedient men and on that basis gives the reward.”

    According to the government’s official Twitter account, the prime minister telephoned the president and congratulated him on Eid-ul-Azha. Alvi also congratulated Shehbaz and “the two leaders expressed goodwill towards each other”.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan offered Eid prayers at Bani Gala.

    “As we celebrate and thank Allah for his blessings this Eid that commemorates sacrifice, let us remember and pray for those who are without their loved ones & for the people of IIOJK and Palestine suffering oppression under brutal occupation,” said Khan.

    In another video shared on Khan’s Instagram handle, he can be seen distributing bags to people.

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, meanwhile, offered Eid namaz in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

    Bilawal said: “Eidul Azha reminds us that determination and sacrifice for the greater good pave the way for success.”