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Tag: Nawaz Sharif

  • 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.

  • ‘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.

  • Sheikh Rasheed to appear before anti-corruption department tomorrow

    Sheikh Rasheed to appear before anti-corruption department tomorrow

    The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) summoned former interior minister and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed in a corruption case tomorrow (Friday).

    The accusations against him are that he embezzled millions of rupees on account of fees in the sale of state land to Life Residencia Islamabad Housing Society. In this regard, ACE also summoned the management of the housing society.

    According to Dawn, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader has claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has a personal grudge against Rasheed. The leader didn’t comment on ACE inquiry but he said that “he [Rasheed] is among those the Sharifs are not going to spare as long they are in power”.

    Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) filed a Rs720 million laundering case against Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Moonis Elahi.

    At the time, the PML-Q leader alleged that he was being pressurised by the PML-N. He said, “The PML-N is at a loss to understand that it can pressure me to change my loyalty towards former premier and PTI chairman Imran Khan. We will not abandon Khan, come what may.”

  • ‘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.

  • PM Shehbaz Sharif was about to resign on May 27: report

    PM Shehbaz Sharif was about to resign on May 27: report

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif decided to resign from his position on May 27 due to the tough conditions set up by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reports Noor Aftab for The News.

    “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was not ready to fulfill conditions of the IMF that was mounting pressure on the government to increase prices of the petroleum products to an unprecedented level.”

    It has been reported that at the time PM Shehbaz and the former finance minister Ishaq Dar were supporting the proposal to dissolve the National Assembly and hold fresh elections instead of accepting IMF’s demands.

    However, later Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) realised that if PM Shehbaz resigned, it would be a loss for the PML-N. The party then decided that the coalition government would continue to work and they also needed a finance minister to deal with the economic issues.

    Shahid Khaqan says Dar isn’t coming back

    Former PM and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Dar is not coming back to Pakistan “in the near future”.

    “I don’t think former finance minister Ishaq Dar will return to Pakistan in near future. All decisions are taken by the party leadership in consultation with the senior party members”, said Shahid Khaqan, adding that Finance Minister Miftah Ismail would continue his work in the future as he has been doing exceptional work to restore Pakistan’s fractured economy.

    The debate about Miftah’s replacement escalated soon after speculations about Dar’s return and him confirming the same to BBC Urdu.

    Now, the development has sparked a debate that whether PML-N leaders are divided into two groups over the selection of a finance minister.

    Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique showed his support to Dar while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Abbasi are in favour of Miftah Ismail.

    Meanwhile, according to The Express Tribune, Miftah said that though he has support from the federal cabinet and the PML-N, there are a few party members who are criticising and opposing him.

  • ‘Miftah is facing immense criticism from within PML-N’: Khawaja Asif

    ‘Miftah is facing immense criticism from within PML-N’: Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday tweeted in support of Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail. He further revealed that Ismail was facing immense criticism from within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) because of the continuous increase in petrol prices.

    “FM Miftah is among the hardest working members of PM’s team, accessible to all stakeholders,” tweeted Khawaja Asif.

    “He is performing v. well under difficult circumstances, with immense criticism from vested interests – including, and unfortunately, from within PMLN. Time to show solidarity with Miftah.”

    Miftah Ismail had recently said that he was “not supposed” to appear on national television to announce an increase in the cost of petroleum products, but that he did so in response to a directive from Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    It is pertinent to mention here that PML-N’s supremo Nawaz Sharif’s close aide and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed his return to Pakistan in July. He said that he is coming back on the directions of Nawaz and the decision was taken after the consent of PM Shehbaz.

    There was news circulating of Dar taking the charge of the finance ministry, to which he said he cannot decide this matter. “My party will decide.”

    Ismail is under pressure since the government announced multiple hikes in petroleum products and the delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme.

  • ‘What has my Mum got to do with Pakistani politics?’ Jemima lashes out at PML-N for staging protest again

    ‘What has my Mum got to do with Pakistani politics?’ Jemima lashes out at PML-N for staging protest again

    The ex-wife of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Jemima Goldsmith, lashed out at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for organising a protest outside her 88-year-old mother’s house this weekend.

    In a tweet on Thursday, she said, “What the hell is wrong with these people (PML-N)? Another mass demonstration was announced outside my 88-year-old mother’s house this weekend.”

    She pointed out that this is the third time that such a protest is being organised outside her mother’s home. She called out the ruling party members for dragging her mother into Pakistani politics: “What has my Mum got to do with Pakistani politics? It’s disruptive for her and a total waste of police time.”

    Jemima tweeted after the PML-N announced a protest in response to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) call to gather in Hyde Park on July 2 and then march to Nawaz Sharif’s London residence.

    Since the removal of Imran Khan through a vote of no-confidence, several times PTI protested in London outside PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s residence. Similarly, PML-N workers have protested in front of Goldsmith’s residence and her mother’s in response.

    Back in April, a video shared by Jemima on Twitter showed a man threatening to break into a bedroom in her house. She had stated that her children were being targeted by protesters and that she was facing anti-semitic abuse on social media.

    After the incident, the act was widely condemned on social media as people were of the view that Jemima is not related to Pakistani politics anymore and she shouldn’t be dragged into this matter.

    It is pertinent to mention that after her divorce from Khan, Jemima moved to London and since then she has been living there with her sons.

  • ‘Don’t need permission of any League leader, Nawaz Sharif’s orders are enough’: Ishaq Dar

    ‘Don’t need permission of any League leader, Nawaz Sharif’s orders are enough’: Ishaq Dar

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s close aide and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed his return to Pakistan in July. He said that he is coming back on the directions of Nawaz and the decision was taken after the consent of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, reports The News.

    “I don’t need the permission of any League leader to return to Pakistan, as Nawaz Sharif’s orders are enough,” he added.

    The former finance minister further revealed that he has received his new passport and his doctor has also given permission to travel. 

    While talking to BBC Urdu on Tuesday, he said that his medical treatment is expected to be completed in the next 10 to 12 days.

    When asked about taking the charge of the finance ministry, Dar said he cannot decide this matter. “My party will decide.”

    Dar confirmed that he will take oath as Senator once he is back in Pakistan.

    It is pertinent to mention that the incumbent finance minister Miftah Ismail is an unelected member and he cannot continue in the office for more than six months. He took charge of the ministry in April.

    When asked by BBC Urdu about the cases against him in Pakistan and his bail, Dar said that he is facing only one “fake case which was filed by [former prime minister] Imran Niazi”.

    The PML-N leader also said that the “baseless” case against him was based on his tax return and added that he always filed his income tax return on time.

    “That is why when Imran Khan’s government approached Interpol to bring me to Pakistan, the documents given to Interpol had no credence, so they gave me a clean chit,” he added.

    Earlier, Samaa News reported that Dar would be back to face his court cases and assume his responsibilities as Senator. After winning the cases, he will decide on joining the federal cabinet.

    In 2017, an accountability court declared Ishaq Dar a proclaimed offender in assets beyond means case.

    Dar has been living in London since 2017 on account of his medical treatment. He has served as a federal minister of finance four times between 1998 and 2017.

    Earlier this year, Dar was re-instated to the Senate by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

  • ‘Below my dignity to respond to such a liar’: Ex-brigadier to Imran Khan

    ‘Below my dignity to respond to such a liar’: Ex-brigadier to Imran Khan

    Former Director-General (DG) of the Anti-Corruption Establishment, Punjab, Brigadier (retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha responded to the allegations made by former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan that Ranjha manipulated the 2013 general elections in favour of Nawaz Sharif.

    In an interview with Lahore Rang, the retired brigadier called Khan a compulsive liar, saying: “These are baseless allegations from a liar. But since he has publicly made these allegations, I am compelled to respond.”

    “He [Imran Khan] is a morally, financially, intellectually, and socially corrupt person. I am a respectable person. It’s below my dignity to respond to such a pathological liar,” he added.

    While replying to the question that why is Khan bringing up this issue, Ranjha said that he believes that Khan has lost his mind after losing power.

    “This man [Khan] has never been in favour of the armed forces. He only flirted with the military. Now, since the military has detached itself from politics, he is randomly hurling allegations.”

    “If he [Imran] opens his mouth again, then I’ll go to a public forum and spill the beans”, Ranjha said, adding that Imran should know that he knows everything about him as he has also served as an intelligence officer.

    During the interview, Ranjha offered Imran to agree to the formation of a commission that should investigate the vote-manipulation charges.

    The former DG also challenged Khan to contest elections against him.

    It is pertinent to mention that Ranjha was removed from his office by the Punjab interim government just before the 2018 elections.

  • ‘All pending cases would have been solved by December 2022’: former special assistant to Khan

    Former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Accountability Brigadier (Retd) Musaddiq Abbasi said that all the pending cases of politicians would have been solved by December 2022. Abbasi was SAPM to Imran Khan.

    Speaking on Express News‘ political programme‘ Kal Tak‘ with anchorperson Javed Chaudhry, the former special assistant revealed that he was working to make amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) 1898 so that all the cases could be streamlined. According to him, when he took over the office as SAPM, he discussed it with Khan and he agreed.

    Moreover, talking about pending cases of Nawaz Sharif and other politicians, he clarified that all the cases would have been decided either in their favour or against them.

    On the show, Abbasi who is also the former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) director-general, talked about the recent amendments to NAB law. He said that the bureau is almost closed. It is pertinent to mention that the incumbent government through the new amendments has limited the powers of NAB.

    Abbasi also termed the allegations by Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir’s revelations as baseless. Dastagir alleged that in November when a new army chief would have been appointed by Imran Khan, the new chief would have violated the Constitution and would have helped Imran Khan make false cases against his opponents in order to disqualify them.

    Earlier, Dastgir said, “This is based on information. Imran Khan and his followers would have stayed in power for 15 years. The entire Opposition would have been disqualified. He [Imran Khan] was of the point of view that he will remove everyone and will not spare anyone.”

    Replying to Dastagir, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar said that he believes that Dastagir is lying but is still waiting for Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations’ (ISPR) statement because these are very serious allegations and the military spokesperson should respond to them.