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Tag: Nawaz Sharif

  • NAWAZ IS FREE in Al Azizia Steel Mills Case

    NAWAZ IS FREE in Al Azizia Steel Mills Case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday acquitted former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference, the biggest hurdle in the way of him contesting in the general elections.
    The only obstacle now for the former prime minister to contest an election is his lifetime disqualification as a parliamentarian.

    “It is unfortunate that if a former prime minister is facing such sham cases, then [we can’t imagine] what is happening to a common man,” senior lawyer Irfan Qadir told Geo News, calling upon the judges who convicted Nawaz to apologise to the nation.

    He also stated that, in response to the contentious Panama verdict, the Supreme Court had directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to initiate legal proceedings against Nawaz by filing references.

  • IPP will provide a list of constituencies to PML-N for seat adjustments today

    IPP will provide a list of constituencies to PML-N for seat adjustments today

    The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has made a list of constituencies of national and provincial assembly seats where it wants seat settlement with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as per a report in The News.

    A source revealed to The News that the IPP committee, in which Ishaq Khakwani, Awn Chaudhry, and Nauman Langrial are included, has made a list of candidates which will be provided to PML-N on Monday.

    As the country gears up for general elections, political parties are making alliances with multiple political stakeholders to win the forthcoming polls on February 8 next year.

    PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif met with the IPP’s patron chief, Jahangir Tareen in Lahore a few weeks ago, to discuss the issue of seat adjustment in the upcoming general elections, which are going to be held on February 8, 2024.

    According to multiple media reports, the IPP wants seat adjustments with PML-N on 20 National Assembly (NA) seats and 44 Provincial Assembly (Punjab) seats.

    However, sources in the IPP claimed that the figures reported by different TV channels were exaggerated and that the party will ask for seat adjustments in about eight to 10 NA constituencies and 15 to 20 PA constituencies.

  • Nawaz Sharif wants those who removed him as prime minister to pay the price

    Nawaz Sharif wants those who removed him as prime minister to pay the price

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif repeated that he wants those who removed him as prime minister to be held accountable.

    “The country was thriving from 2013 to 2017 and the economy was better; however, good people were thrown out and Pakistan was handed to clumsy people,” said the PML-N chief while addressing the party’s parliamentary board meeting in Lahore.

    For the second consecutive day, the PML-N leader has emphasised the need for holding accountable those responsible for his removal since his return to the country in October, following a four-year self-imposed exile in London.

    The day before, when addressing PML-N ticket holders, he accused former generals and judges of filing baseless cases against him and causing harm to the country.

    Nawaz started his address today by expressing that, despite being physically distant, he remained deeply connected to the party members emotionally. He emphasised that he consistently kept his friends and companions in his thoughts.

    “During our time, the economy was better and development was at its peak. We still pray that the country is steered out of difficulties,” said the PML-N supremo.

  • Seat adjustment between PML-N and Jahangir Tareen’s party

    Seat adjustment between PML-N and Jahangir Tareen’s party

    As the political parties gear up for the upcoming elections scheduled for February 8, 2024, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) made another political alliance with the Jahangir Tareen-led Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).

    Geo News reported that a significant political development occurred following a meeting between PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and IPP patron-in-chief Tareen on Thursday at Shehbaz Sharif’s residence in Model Town, Lahore.

    At the meeting, which was also attended by PML-N members Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq, and IPP’s Awn Chaudhry, both parties deliberated on the current political situation in the country and explored the possibilities of collaborating on seat adjustments for the forthcoming general elections.

    Sources said that the two parties have agreed on seat adjustments for the February 8 polls.

    However, details regarding the number of seats will be finalised in meetings later, a source claimed.

    The development comes after a political agreement between the PML-N and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), when PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif visited the residence of PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Lahore after a 15 years.

  • Nawaz Sharif meets Chaudhry Shujaat after 15 years

    Nawaz Sharif meets Chaudhry Shujaat after 15 years

    In a significant political development, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif visited Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at his residence after a gap of almost 15 years.

    According to the sources of Geo News, the meeting lasted for almost 40 minutes, with both leaders discussing the possibility of a political alliance for the upcoming general elections on February 8 next year.

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders, including Maryam Nawaz, Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq, and Azam Nazeer Tarar, also attended the huddle.

    PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Salik Hussain and Shafay Hussain were also in the meeting.

    The gathering occurs amidst heightened political engagement, with parties actively conducting election campaigns and forming electoral alliances to strengthen their position in the polls.

    Nawaz, a three-time former prime minister, came back to the country in October after nearly four years of exile in London. His return was aimed at energising his supporters in preparation for the elections.

    Earlier, the PML-N supremo succeeded in wooing electables from Balochistan to join his party ranks and also forged an electoral alliance with  Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

  • London sy Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif ka mask naak sy neechay kyun?

    London sy Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif ka mask naak sy neechay kyun?

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif has come back to Pakistan from a four year-long stay in United Kingdom, but he has brought a constant with him. And that is his mask, which is always worn in a manner that leaves his nose uncovered.

    Here are some pictures of Nawaz Sharif wearing a mask on his chin.

    In the picture above, the PML-N supremo is talking to journalists in front of Avenfield House in London.

    Nawaz Sharif can be seen in this picture sitting next to his grandson, Junaid Safdar, at his nikah ceremony in London.

    In this above picture, Nawar Sharif can be seen wearing a mask on his chin while visiting a factory in the UK with former finance minister Ishaq Dar.

    Here, Nawaz Sharif is in Jeddah, and his nose is still not covered with a mask.

    In this picture, the former prime minister can be seen with his daughter and PML-N’s senior vice president, Maryam Nawaz, performing Umrah while his mask is still underneath his nose.

    In this picture, Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shehbaz Sharif are together at their Avenfield House in London.

    In this above picture, the PML-N head reaches Pakistan after almost four year, on October 21.

    Oh, surprisingly, Nawaz Sharif can wear a mask properly, as seen in this rare picture taken in London.

  • PML-N says Nawaz hasn’t decided to become PM for fourth time

    PML-N says Nawaz hasn’t decided to become PM for fourth time

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head and former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has not yet decided to become prime minister for the fourth time, if his party wins the forthcoming elections, sources have disclosed to The News.

    A PML-N leader and close friend of Nawaz Sharif told The News that the PML-N supremo has not expressed any intention yet to become a fourth-time prime minister, adding that if the idea is being discussed within the Sharif family, most of PML-N leadership are not aware of it.

    The party itself wants to see Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of Pakistan. According to a source within PML-N, the party has adopted the slogan of making Nawaz Sharif premier for the fourth time.

    “It will be a sweet revenge of democracy from those who removed Nawaz Sharif as prime minister in 2017,” said the source.

    PML-N president and senior vice president, Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, are currently under consideration for the position of prime minister, with some expressing concerns about Maryam’s potential candidature due to her perceived lack of experience and potential unacceptability in certain circles. Maryam may be given an important position in Punjab instead.

    Shehbaz Sharif also has the advantage that he has a good relationship with the establishment and prefers to work with all stakeholders. On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif has a history of bad relations with the establishment.

  • PML-N hits back at Bilawal over ‘mehangai league’ tirade

    PML-N hits back at Bilawal over ‘mehangai league’ tirade

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) responsible for the inflation in the country during the two parties’ coalition government. Political temperature across the spectrum is rising as general election is set to take place on February 8 next year.

    PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been calling the PML-N “mehangai [inflation] league,” alleging that the PML-N is responsible for rising prices in the last 16-months period.

    The term of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which included the PPP, PML-N, and various other parties, concluded in August this year. During this period, there was a significant surge in inflation, unprecedented increases in energy and fuel costs, and a notable decline in foreign reserves.

    In his conversation on Geo News’ programme “Capital Talk”, Musadik Malik — who served as the Minister of State for Petroleum during the PDM government — slammed Bilawal for targeting the PML-N for rising inflation and noted that all decisions in their 16-month stint were collective.

    Musadik Malik also reminded the PPP Chairman that he was a foreign minister of the country in the previous coalition government.

    “So when the minister had the portfolio of Foreign Ministry and I finalised a [oil] deal with Russia, he called it truck ki batti [false hope]. What was that? He should talk about his role as well. Was it my job to secure deals in Azerbaijan Russia? And you, while sitting in the US, said it was truck ki batti. So didn’t we reach our destination while following this truck ki batti?” asked Malik.

  • Nawaz Sharif free in Avenfield apartments reference

    Nawaz Sharif free in Avenfield apartments reference

    In a massive relief for the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield reference on Wednesday.

    The verdict was announced by a two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.

    Nawaz Sharif was facing a 10-year jail sentence in the Avenfield properties corruption reference since July 2018, charged with owning assets beyond known income. An additional one-year sentence was imposed for non-cooperation with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), both to be served concurrently.

    Having been declared a proclaimed offender in two cases, Al-Azizia and Avenfield, in December 2020, Nawaz Sharif spent nearly four years in London on medical grounds before returning to Pakistan last month. Upon his return, he sought the restoration of appeals against his convictions, which had been dismissed for non-prosecution during his medical stay abroad.

    The second case against Nawaz was the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, for which Nawaz Sharif received a seven-year jail term on December 24, 2018, accompanied by a fine of Rs1.5 billion and US$25 million. The decision for this case is yet to be taken. 

    The IHC restored these appeals in a decision last month, leading to today’s pivotal hearing. Nawaz Sharif’s legal counsel, Amjad Pervaiz, argued before the court, pointing out perceived loopholes in the Avenfield reference.

    Nawaz’s lawyer Amjad Pervaiz questioned the ownership of the properties, arguing that there was neither verbal nor documented evidence indicating Nawaz’s ownership. The defense emphasized the lack of evidence proving that Maryam Nawaz and other family members were under Nawaz’s patronage.

    Pervez argued that the NAB failed to prove any of the allegations against Nawaz Sharif. “The properties in question were acquired at different times, with some being acquired between 1993 and 1996. The appellant had no connection to these properties, and the prosecution did not clarify their relation to the properties in the reference.”

    He said that Wajid Zia, former DG FIA, admitted that there was no evidence to establish Nawaz Sharif’s connection to the properties. The charge sheet stated that the assets were not in accordance with declared assets.

    The court based the sentence on assumptions, and the decision was generally written without specific evidence. It was written that children are generally under the guardianship of their father, he said.

  • PPP and PMLN want timely elections

    PPP and PMLN want timely elections

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the importance of conducting the scheduled general elections on February 8 next year.

    Speaking to reporters after his appearance before an accountability court in Lahore regarding the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Shehbaz said, “[Holding the elections on time] is the requirement of law and democracy.”

    The NAB reference alleges that Shehbaz, the former chief minister of Punjab, misused his authority by utilizing public funds to construct a bridge to benefit mills owned by his sons.

    Despite the legal challenges, Shehbaz expressed confidence in the PML-N’s upcoming election campaign, announcing that party leader Nawaz Sharif will unveil the manifesto during the electoral activities.

    Addressing concerns raised by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regarding equal opportunities in the polls, Shehbaz cited, “I went to court today and this is called the level-playing field and Nawaz Sharif will also produce himself in an Islamabad court today.”

    Shehbaz also delved into recent events, including the May 9 incidents and the subsequent arrest of Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case. “A conspiracy to overthrow the army was hatched on May 9 and any democratic government will not tolerate treason,” he stressed.

    During the court hearing, Shehbaz clarified the charges against him, referring to his summoning in the clean water case and subsequent arrest in the Ashiana reference

    “I will not discuss the merits of the case, my lawyer will do it,” he told the court, adding that the court gave him justice in the Ashiana case.

    “After that, NAB arrested me in the sewer case. I was told that I had issued a directive for the construction of a drain which was built by an MPA,” he said.

    The PML-N president told the court that they have installed thousands of clean water projects during his tenure.

    Shehbaz said that he transferred their inherited sugar mill to his son and the government did not give subsidies to sugar mills in his tenure.

    PPP hopeful about timely elections

    Meanwhile, PPP expressed optimism that Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa would ensure the timely holding of the next general elections on February 8.

    “We are hopeful that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa will not let the elections be delayed,” PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi told in a press conference.

    Echoing concerns about a level playing field previously voiced by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Kundi asserted that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is poised to become the next prime minister.

    Mr Kundi claimed that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be the next prime minister of the country and he would announce the party’s future line of action about the next elections at a public meeting in Quetta on Nov 30 on the occasion of the 56th foundation day of the PPP.

    “Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari will both address the public meeting,” he said, adding that Bilawal’s sister Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari would conduct the election campaign of his brother.

    Additionally, PPP leader Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari was appointed as the secretary general of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP).

    Before Mr Bukhari’s appointment, seasoned party leader Farhatullah Babar was serving as the secretary general of the party’s parliamentary chapter.