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Tag: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

  • Nawaz Sharif more popular than PM Khan in provinces: survey

    Nawaz Sharif more popular than PM Khan in provinces: survey

    Former Prime Minister (PM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is ahead of all other party leaders in terms of popularity, reveals Gallup Pakistan’s latest survey, which was conducted from December 22, 2021, to January 31, 2022, and includes 5,000 participants from across the country.

    According to the survey, there is a noticeable drop in PM Imran Khan’s popularity in all the provinces.

    In Punjab, PM Khan’s popularity rate has dropped from 51 per cent in December 2018 to 33 per cent in January 2022 while Nawaz Sharif’s popularity has jumped from 35 per cent in December 2018 to 58 per cent in January 2022.

    The survey has also included the popularity statistics of PML-N President and former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. CM Sharif’s popularity rose from 46 per cent in December 2018 to 58 per cent in January 2022 in Punjab. Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto’s popularity increased in Punjab from 18 per cent back in December 2018 to 24 per cent in January 2022.

    In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), there is a significant increase in the level of satisfaction with PM Khan, which was only five per cent in December 2018 but is now 44 per cent, while Bhutto’s popularity mildly increased from 23 per cent in December 2018 to 24 per cent in January 2022. Nawaz Sharif managed to gain in KP from his 14 per cent approval rating in December 2018 to 46 per cent in January 2022.

    Coming to Sindh, both Sharifs are ahead of the PPP. Nawaz Sharif’s popularity in Sindh increased from 12 per cent in December 2018 to 51 per cent in January 2022. Shehbaz Sharif’s approval rating also went up in Sindh from 12 per cent in December 2018 to 41 per cent in January 2022. Meanwhile, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto’s popularity significantly dropped in Sindh, where the PPP is in power, from 54 per cent in December 2018 to 37 percent in January 2022. PM Khan remained at 33 per cent both in December 2018 and January 2022 but remains the least popular of all four leaders in Sindh.

    According to the survey, this is the first time that the popularity of the former PM has risen after December 2018. Shehbaz Sharif also managed to get similar ratings.


  • ‘Chief Justice should not be deciding samosa or sugar prices’: Bilawal

    ‘Chief Justice should not be deciding samosa or sugar prices’: Bilawal

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in an event organised by the Lahore High Court Bar Association, criticised the former Chief Justices of Pakistan (CJPs).

    Bilawal took a jibe at CJPs Mian Saqib Nisar and Gulzar Ahmed. He stated, “Some judges took it upon themselves to busy themselves, the courts and the legal community on deciding which building should be demolished and which should stay. The judiciary of Pakistan is a place for the battle of legal ideas, it is not a place for us to decide where or where not to build a dam.”

    In 2018, Justice Nisar had launched the initiative of collecting donations for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha. Meanwhile, Justice Gulzar decided on several high-profile cases last year including the demolition of buildings in Karachi i.e. Nasla Tower and Tejori Heights.

    “CJP should be deciding constitutional issues instead of samosa or sugar prices”, said Bilawal. However, he made it clear that despite this, he had the utmost respect for the legal community and judges.

    He also called on the legal community to support his party’s planned anti-government long march on February 27.

    According to him, Pakistan needs a system of accountability that is fair and non-discriminatory instead of the present “witch hunt and persecution” of opponents and those who exposed the government’s failings.

  • PPP announces party’s long march schedule towards the capital

    PPP announces party’s long march schedule towards the capital

    Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) on Tuesday announced the schedule of the party’s long march, which is set to take place on February 27.

    PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will start the long march from Karachi and will reach the capital in 10 days.

    According to the schedule, the long march will start from Karachi’s Mazar-e-Quaid on February 27.

    The marchers’ will reach Multan on March 3, where they will be hosted by former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

    The march will reach Lahore on March 6 . The last stop of the march will be Islamabad on March 8.

    The PPP, however, has not disclosed the final venue where the participants will stay after reaching the capital from all over the country.

    PPP office-bearer, on condition of anonymity, told Dawn that the leadership would decide the duration of the stay in Islamabad after seeing the response of the masses and assessing the situation. However, he said, many party leaders believed that the past history showed that indefinite sit-ins staged by political parties had never remained successful.

  • Large mob lynches man over alleged blasphemy, PM Khan condemns

    Large mob lynches man over alleged blasphemy, PM Khan condemns

    A man was brutally tortured and killed by a violent mob when accused of allegedly burning pages of the Holy Quran in a village in Khanewal, Punjab on Saturday.

    The incident took place in a village called Mian Channu after Maghrib prayers. Thousands of people gathered after the announcement was made that a man had torn some of the pages of the Holy Quran and set them on fire in a mosque.

    People were not ready to tho listen to the mentally handicapped man who reportedly claimed innocence. People hanged him on a tree and then threw stones and bricks until he took his last breath.

    Local police came to the spot after receiving a call from a villager. They reached to arrest suspects but villagers started stoning them when they tried to release the man. The violent mob grabbed him from police’s custody and continued beating him.

    The victim’s elder brother revealed that the victim had been mentally ill for about 17 to18 years and was living with another brother in Karachi. He also had remained hospitalised for treatment but he could not recover. His wife also divorced him because of his illness. He had two sons and a daughter.

    He further added, “He went to buy some cigarettes and did not turn up till evening and they later learned that he was killed on blasphemy charges.”

    While talking to Dawn News, he claimed that neighbours also knew about his mental condition. He said that the violent mob stoned his brother to death in the presence of police and they did not protect his brother from the mob. He also complained that his brother’s fingers were missing after the frightful incident.

    Police claimed that they have arrested 85 suspects after they conducted more than 120 raids on Sunday.

    The police have registered two First Investigation Reports (FIR) for alleged blasphemy under Section 295-B of Pakistan Penal Code and the second one related to the lynching under Sections 302, 353, 186, 148, 149 of the PPC and Section 7A of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

    Also Read: Sri Lankan factory manager tortured to death in Sialkot over alleged blasphemy

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi soon after arriving at Khanewal Circuit House, condemned the incident and said no one should take the law into their hands.

    He emphasised that there are laws to protect religion and against blasphemy. Such matters should be reported to the police and let them proceed under the law.

    Prime Minister, Imran Khan condemned the tragic incident on his Twitter. He ordered a detailed report from the Punjab police chief. He directed authorities to take strict against the perpetrators of the lynching incident.

    Human Rights Minister, Shireen Mazari also condemned the incident and asked the Punjab government to take strict action against the assailants involved.

    Netizens also criticised Mazari for not taking enough efforts to prevent such tragic incidents. They are saying that tweets are not enough to stop such brutality.

    Some users questioned the appreciation award which was given to Shireen Mazari by Prime Minister Imran Khan last week, and how it wasn’t well deserved.

    https://twitter.com/Shine_Stine/status/1492840169686593539

    https://twitter.com/asadfacts/status/1492828727453093890

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also strongly condemned the incident.

    “The tragedy of Mian Channu has once again humiliated the entire nation,” he said.

    The deceased victim was buried in Mian Channu on Sunday.

  • PDM to table no-trust motion against the government

    PDM to table no-trust motion against the government

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) president Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced on Friday that the Opposition alliance has decided to move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and would contact the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s allies in the Centre for this purpose.

    “All parties in the PDM have agreed on bringing a no-confidence motion against these illegitimate rulers and contacting the government’s allies in this regard,” said Maulana.

    “[We will ask government allies] to have mercy on this country and nation, considering their impoverished condition,” he added. “[We will tell them] that remaining an ally of such a government is not politically and economically beneficial for the country.”

    When asked why the PDM announced the decision to bring about a no-confidence motion against the government without completing the “homework”, Fazl said that the Opposition should be allowed to make preparations first.

    “The PDM has announced the no-confidence motion at this stage because we have a firm intention of doing so. Without preparations, we cannot give a date, so let us do our work,” he said.

    Answering a question about the planned long march, he said that it will take place as per the schedule, while the PDM’s steering committee will chalk out a plan for this purpose.

    When a reporter asked Fazl what the PDM will do if the government’s allied parties refuse to cooperate, he said: “In that case, we will hold talks with them once again and try to convince them.”

    He added that the PDM will “not contact any PTI member,” adding that if they contact the anti-government alliance themselves, there could be any reason for that.

    “We are neither going to bribe anyone nor lure them [to join us] by offering any seats [political incentives],” Fazl maintained.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif said that the citizens of Pakistan are protesting against inflation and the ensuing poverty.

    “Who else would come forward to rid them of this tyrant government if not us?”

    Reacting to PDM’s announcement of bringing about a no-confidence motion against the PTI government, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the move will serve as a “victory for democracy”.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “It is a victory for democracy that most Opposition parties now agree to bring a no-confidence motion against the government. The PM has lost the confidence of the people, it is about time he lost the confidence of Parliament.”

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi ka dil toot gaya, doesn’t like being placed at 11th spot

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi ka dil toot gaya, doesn’t like being placed at 11th spot

     Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi has questioned the performance evaluation criteria of federal ministries.

    Qureshi, who is also the vice president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), wrote a letter to Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Establishment Arbab Shahzad, expressing serious reservations over placing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the 11th spot.

    In his letter, Qureshi expressed reservations over both the performance of ministers and the distribution of certificates among them.

    Letter written by FM Qureshi
    Letter written by FM Qureshi

    The foreign minister wrote that in the first quarter set in the nine-month performance agreement, the Foreign Ministry achieved 22 out of the 26 targets assigned. Out of the remaining four, one of the targets was completed 99 per cent, and the reasons for delaying the remaining three projects were mentioned in a letter written on Oct 27, 2021, he stated in the document that is also being widely shared on social media.

    The minister claimed that the performance of his ministry in achieving targets in the first quarter – first three months of the fiscal year — remained by 70 per cent, while that of the rest of the ministries was 62 per cent. In the second quarter, the ministry achieved 18 targets out of 24. He raised questions and said no written guidelines were issued for the third quarter.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday, taking a jibe at Qureshi, said that Imran Khan had committed a ‘great injustice’ to Multan for not conferring a certificate on Qureshi while distributing performance certificates.

    Earlier this week, Prime Minister Imran Khan awarded appreciation certificates to the “top 10 best performing federal ministries” under his government, with the communications ministry, planning ministry, and poverty alleviation division getting top honours of first, second and third respectively.

  • Khan admits failure, awards only 10 favourite ministers: Bilawal

    Khan admits failure, awards only 10 favourite ministers: Bilawal

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Thursday said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had himself admitted failure of his entire cabinet by awarding ‘best performance’ certificates to only 10 ‘blue-eyed’ federal ministers.

    Taking a jibe at Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Bilawal said that Imran Khan had committed a ‘great injustice’ to Multan for not conferring a certificate on Qureshi while distributing performance certificates.

    He said PM Imran had given a certificate to the minister who halted the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and also conferred a certificate on another who had promised to create a Seraiki province in 90 days. He gave another certificate to a minister who was removed from one ministry but now held the planning portfolio for “planning the sugar, gas, petrol, medicine and fertiliser crises in the country”.

    PM Khan on Thursday awarded appreciation certificates to the “top 10 best performing federal ministries” under his government, with the communications ministry, planning ministry, and poverty alleviation division getting top honours of first, second and third respectively.

    “When I came [into power], I had very revolutionary ideas to bring sudden changes but I realised our system doesn’t have the capability to absorb sudden shocks [and only by] incentivising will we bring positive changes in our bureaucracy and ministries,” said PM Khan.

    The premier further said that the government and ministries had not given the desired results. “The biggest problem is that there has been no connection between the government and the interest of the country,” he added.

    “Are our ministries performing how to stabilise the country through increasing exports and how the condition of the people can be improved, how poverty can be eliminated?” he asked.

  • PM cannot read his oath correctly in Urdu, PPP responds to PM Khan’s comment on BBZ

    PM cannot read his oath correctly in Urdu, PPP responds to PM Khan’s comment on BBZ

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday mocked Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s Urdu accent without mentioning his name.

    The premier said, “It has been 13 years and you [Bilawal] still cannot speak in Urdu,” he said and repeated Bilawal’s infamous dialogue “barish ata hai tou paani ata hai [more water accumulates when it rains more].”

    “He (Bilawal) claims that his government will spend money on hospitals and not on health insurance,” the premier said. “You have been in power for the 13 years in your province, so who is stopping you from visiting villages and seeing people’s living conditions?”

    Responding to PM Khan, PPP leader Manzoor Ahmed while speaking on Dawn News programme, ‘News Eye with Absa Komal’ said, “I have never commented on someone personally but I am disappointed today. He [PM Khan] is making fun of Bilawal Bhutto and he himself does not know how to pronounce ‘roohaniyat [spirituality]’, he does not know how to pronounce ‘Khatam-an-Nabiyyin [Seal of the Prophets]’.”

    “He [PM Khan] does not know how to read his own oath in Urdu. He cannot pronounce ‘khatarnak [dangerous]’ correctly in Urdu, and he is mocking others for speaking in Urdu,” said Manzoor.

    “I can take several words which he [PM Imran Khan] speaks incorrectly every day. He should at least have some mercy on himself. When he will talk about others, people will talk about his wrongdoings as well,” said Manzoor

  • ‘Maryam jhooti, Bilawal prisoner’: Veena Malik slams Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto

    ‘Maryam jhooti, Bilawal prisoner’: Veena Malik slams Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto

    Actor Veena Malik appeared on Naumaan Ijaz’s chat show, G Sarkar on which she got candid about her professional and personal life apart from sociopolitical personalities.

    On being asked about her opinion on some mainstream politicians, Veena stated that Maryam Nawaz is a liar. For Bilawal, she said that he is a prisoner, elaborating further the Hum Sub Umeed Se Hain star added that he looks like he is in prison and needs to come out as what he actually is, in terms of his real personality.

    Earlier at ARY’s Hamarey Mehman, the Bigg Boss diva also chose alternate career paths for mainstream politicians, while she thinks that Maryam Nawaz can become a make-up artist, she believes that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif can be a great actor, citing that he faked his blood platelets to get away from the legal mess.

    On being asked about Firdous Ashiq Awan, the Sachiyan Mohabtaan star mentioned that she loves her sense of style, especially her choice of prints and hence she should become a fashion designer.

    The actress credited PM Imran Khan to be the most good looking political leader in Pakistan.

    Have Faced...

    In a recent interview with Samaa, revealed her plans for her second marriage. “If at all, I’ll marry again and I would like to marry a religious person because one who has a fear of God does not hurt others,” she said while answering a question about her marriage.

    She also said, “I would like to marry a guy who is good looking also with whom i can carry forward my relationship from this world to Jannat”.

    To which the anchor asked, “Veena, is there someone in your life?” to which she said, “No, right now there is no one, but InshAllah there must be somebody, somewhere.”

    The host further asked if she is looking for someone to which Veena jokingly said, “No he will come himself.”

    Veena Malik got married to Asad Khattak in December 2013, the two divorced in 2017, which they confirmed in 2018.

    Earlier this year, in September, the actor, in an interview with a news media publication, said, “Burqa is part of my life since i was 13 years old, and still whenever I go outside I wear burqa, not because someone has imposed it over me but because it’s my own choice, I feel very secure and safe.”

  • ‘Broken hearts not united’, Khaqan says PML-N will give PPP tough time in elections

    ‘Broken hearts not united’, Khaqan says PML-N will give PPP tough time in elections

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday said that his party and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) are on the same page to send the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government packing despite being political rivals.

    Khaqan further added that the PML-N will contest the elections in Sindh against the PPP. He said the PML-N is focusing on Sindh and will give a tough time to the opponents in the local bodies as well as general elections.

    Khaqan said that the political strategy of the PPP and PML-N was separate. He said the PML-N will contest the elections in Jhol and Sanghar.

    Khaqan’s statement comes a day after PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif hosted PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari at his Lahore residence on Saturday to discuss the present political situation.

    Speaking after the lunch, Shehbaz said, “Broken hearts can be united again. Both PPP and PML-N are united to take Prime Minister (PM), Imran Khan, out.”

    Whereas Bilawal said, “The government is incompetent and the more the Opposition unites and works in coordination, the more we will be able to pressurise the government.”