Current Final

Tag: CM Punjab

  • Punjab Assembly members to take oath today

    Punjab Assembly members to take oath today

    The Punjab Assembly will hold its first session after the February 8 elections today with members poised to take oath.

    The Punjab Assembly is the first assembly out of five provincial houses to hold its first opening session after the general elections in Pakistan on February 8. The assembly meeting is scheduled to begin shortly.

    Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman formally issued a notification calling for the assembly meeting.

    The speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Sabatin Khan, will take the oath of office for the newly elected representatives, welcoming them into the new legislative body.

    Meanwhile, the schedule for the election of new speaker and deputy speaker of the house will also be released. After the induction of independent MPA-elects in the party, PML-N has become the largest party in the Punjab Assembly which has announced to form the government in the province as Maryam Nawaz its head, The News reported.

  • Karachi needs Shehbaz Speed: BBZ

    Karachi needs Shehbaz Speed: BBZ

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that Karachi needs Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s speed.

    Shehbaz Speed was a term popularly used for projects completed in a short duration when Sharif was the Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab.

    While giving a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of K-IV project, Bilawal addressed PM Shehbaz, stating, “We are looking at you, you should form your own team to solve these problems being faced by Sindh including Karachi.”

    He added that the prime minister has the support of the two major parties of Sindh and all partners of the coalition government want to solve the problems of the country together. “When we all continue to work together, all of Pakistan’s problems can be solved,” he said.

    Talking about Karachi, he said that if the government pays attention to the metropolis according to its potential, then not only the IMF could bid farewell, but the whole nation could also stand on its own feet.

    About the May 9 episode, he warned that if serious crimes like setting fire to Jinnah House Lahore, demolishing martyrs’ memorials and attacking military installations are neglected, then running this country will become not only difficult but impossible. He also asked that if the conspiracy of May 9 events had been hatched either in Bilawal House, Raiwand or Nine Zero, what would have been the reaction to it.

    Bilawal said that when the police went to comply with the court notice in March this year, Zaman Park had been turned into a battleground. He added that even during PTI’s long march, participants had arms, but the government did not take action, adding that the Prime Minister could have banned PTI on the basis of foreign funding case and Al-Qadir Trust case if he wanted. “But we didn’t want the impression of political vendetta and setting a bad precedent,” he said.

  • Oh, Punjab walon, Fawad Chaudhry suggests Buzdar can become chief minister again

    Oh, Punjab walon, Fawad Chaudhry suggests Buzdar can become chief minister again

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Fawad Chaudhry has said that he will be surprised to see Usman Buzdar as Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab again, however, he stressed that the decision will be up to the party chairman, Imran Khan.

    Talking to Journalist Kashif Abbasi on ARY News programme ‘Off the Record’, Fawad said: “What can I say,” when asked if Buzdar is the leading candidate for the slot. Chaudhry repeated himself again, saying that the decision will be made by Imran Khan.

    The PTI leader didn’t seem happy when asked that why he didn’t get a Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) party ticket from Imran Khan.

    It was revealed that senior leadership of the party, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Hammad Azhar, and Fawad, didn’t get party tickets for the upcoming Punjab election although it was widely speculated that they wanted one. Meanwhile, according to Fawad, both former CMs of Punjab, Pervaiz Elahi and Usman Buzdar, were given a ticket.

    “We should have gotten them”, Fawad said when asked about tickets. He also agreed that there are many party members who want to apply for the Punjab CM candidacy including Hammad Azhar and Shah Mahmood.

    Shahbaz Gill, who also didn’t get a MPA ticket, said that he and other leaders including Fawad and Hammad submitted papers for the provincial assembly, however, Khan decided not to give them tickets.

    However, he accepted Khan’s decision wholeheartedly, saying “I am not with Khan for the ticket and not for the position.”

    Khan’s social media focal person Azhar Mashwani also came forward to reveal that “many former federal ministers and MNAs of PTI wanted to contest elections on the Punjab Assembly seats as well.”

    However, according to Azhar, Khan decided that the “federal team will remain in the federation.”

  • Moonis bought benami Spanish properties on same day father Pervaiz Elahi became CM

    Chaudhry Moonis Elahi purchased several properties in Spain on the day his father, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, took oath as Chief Minister (CM) Punjab on July 27 last year.

    Writing for The News, Umer Cheema has revealed that this information has been obtained by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from Spanish authorities.

    Moonis confirmed holding benami properties in Spain, which includes an apartment, a Range Rover and a company among the newly made assets apart from a bank account and previously incorporated companies.

    Moonis admitted to their ownership and said he would declare them in his next year’s tax return. He said it was nothing more than a coincidence that the purchase of properties occurred on the day his father took the oath.

    National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore had written a letter to the authorities in Spain for an ongoing investigation of alleged corruption, looting and ill-gotten properties against the family.

    It has been found that Barcelo hotel in Barcelona is also owned by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi family, while another multi-story plaza is also said to be owned by Elahi family—with a person named Saqib Tahir appointed as caretaker, reports Samaa News.

    The Canary Islands in Spain are also said to be home to various historic buildings, plazas and orchards, owned by Eahi family.

    Moonis Elahi has recently started a taxi service in Barcelona by obtaining 250 taxi vehicles on bank lease.

    In Spain, Chaudhary Pervez is known as the frontman of the Elahi Family.

  • Pervaiz Elahi facing arrest for irregular hiring of 200 Punjab Assembly employees

    Pervaiz Elahi facing arrest for irregular hiring of 200 Punjab Assembly employees

    Former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is likely to be arrested for irregular recruitments in the Punjab Assembly without following rules and regulations.

    Reportedly, the anti-corruption department is keeping an eye on the case while the government has completed an inquiry against him.

    The former Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader is alleged to have recruited 200 people in the assembly when he was the speaker of the House and when he became CM.

    On January 12, Elahi, as CM Punjab, signed a summary for the dissolution of the provincial assembly on the directives of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Later, he and his son Moonis Elahi joined Khan’s party following a fallout with his cousin and PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

  • Hamza contacts Elahi over appointment of caretaker CM in Punjab

    Hamza contacts Elahi over appointment of caretaker CM in Punjab

    Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shehbaz, has instructed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Malik Ahmed Khan to consult and contact Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi over the appointment of a caretaker setup in Punjab.

    Governor Punjab Baligh Ur Rehman while forwarding the names sent by Pervez Elahi to Hamza Shehbaz tweeted, “I have received three names from Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, which are being forwarded to Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz Sharif. I would like to see both of the leaders jointly agree on any name within the stipulated period.”

    One of Elahi’s nominees, former civil servant Nasir Mehmood Khosa, when contacted by the PML-N, excused himself from accepting the post of caretaker CM.

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif took to Twitter and confirmed that Nasir Khosa excused himself from the offer and declined to take the chair.

    It is pertinent to mention that if both Elahi and Hamza CM fail to reach a consensus, then the Punjab Assembly speaker would constitute a parliamentary committee, finalising the name within three days.

    If the committee also fails to reach an accord then the Election Commission will decide the name for the interim CM from the names forwarded by the government and Opposition.

  • Elahi gives names for caretaker Punjab CM

    Elahi gives names for caretaker Punjab CM

    Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday said that three names for the caretaker CM have been agreed upon after the consultation with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    Elahi revealed the three names – Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera, Naseer Ahmed Khan and Nasir Saeed Khosa- and said that one of the three would be finalised.

    “We are sending these names to the [Punjab] governor and if the opposition thinks broadly, the agreement upon the suggested names seems likely,” tweeted Elahi.

    Punjab Assembly got dissolved after 48 hours after the governor didn’t sign the summary sent by the former.

    Elahi will remain serving as the Punjab CM until the name for the caretaker CM is finalised.

  • Khan will share all information with Elahi, Moonis says they have become best friends

    Khan will share all information with Elahi, Moonis says they have become best friends

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader, Moonis Elahi has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has assured his father, Chief Minister (CM) Punjab, Pervaiz Elahi, that he would share whatever information he gets with the CM first, reports Dawn.

    Offering details on his father’s meeting with Khan, Moonis said, “Instead of any ill feelings, they have become best of friends today.”

    Pervaiz Elahi assured Imran Khan that the former prime minister was his leader and he would stand by him. “Our alliance is stronger than before,” Moonis asserted.

    It was reported in the media that Khan on Monday expressed distrust in Elahi, saying allegations of corruption worth billions against the PML-Q leader were affecting his popularity.

    According to the news report, Khan in a meeting with the party’s senior leaders said, “I cannot bear to have such allegations against my coalition government in Punjab.”

    Reports said that the former premier insisted that all PTI legislators in the Punjab Assembly should persuade Elahi to take a vote of confidence and dissolve the assembly.

    According to media reports, Khan and his party leaders were trying to convince Elahi to take the trust vote before the next hearing at the Lahore High Court on January 11.

  • Despite giving assurance to court, Elahi insists assembly ‘will be dissolved’

    Despite giving assurance to court, Elahi insists assembly ‘will be dissolved’

    Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi has said on Friday that the Punjab Assembly will be dissolved in line with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s directives, moments after he assured a high court that he would not dissolve the legislative.

    “The decision to dissolve the assemblies is final; Imran Khan’s decision will be implemented,” the chief minister wrote on his official Twitter handle.

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) restored Elahi as the chief minister on Friday evening, December 23, following an undertaking submitted by him stating that he would not dissolve the provincial assembly.

    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has also emphasized that provincial assemblies will be dissolved “in any case”.

    “The undertaking that Pervaiz Elahi has given is technical. However, the PTI does not agree with the undertaking that was given to the court.

    Assemblies will be dissolved in any case,” Fawad told journalists in Lahore.

  • ‘Ineffective after removal as CM’: PML-N, PPP withdraw no-trust motion against Elahi

    ‘Ineffective after removal as CM’: PML-N, PPP withdraw no-trust motion against Elahi

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Friday withdrew the no-confidence motion against Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, terming it unnecessary and ineffective after his de-notification as Chief Minister by the Governor of Punjab.

    PML-N leader Khalil Tahir Sandhu said , “The no-trust move became ineffective as the governor has denotified the CM.” He added that PML-N had withdrawn only the motion against the chief minister, and the ones against Speaker Sibtain Khan and the deputy speaker are still pending.

    On the other hand, Elahi and other MPAs of the PML-N and PML-Q started arriving at the Punjab Assembly on Friday afternoon.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the provincial assembly’s ongoing session will be held today following the speaker’s disposal on Tuesday of the governor’s order for Elahi to obtain a vote of confidence from the house, terming it “against the Constitution and Rules of Procedure”.

    Elahi on Friday filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging Governor Balighur Rehman’s de-notification from the chief minister’s office.

    Governor Rehman de-notified Elahi in the late hours of Friday, citing a failure to take the vote of confidence from the provincial assembly as political turmoil in Pakistan’s largest province reached breaking point.