Current Final

Tag: PML-N

  • ‘Govt has 13 months but I may not have that much time’: Miftah Ismail

    ‘Govt has 13 months but I may not have that much time’: Miftah Ismail

    Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Friday, September 2, said that the government has 13 months more of its tenure but he may not have that much time left.

    Addressing a seminar in Karachi, the Finance Minister said, “The government has 13 months but I may not have that much time,” said Ismail, hinting at the increasing criticism and dissatisfaction that his party has expressed over his performance.

    In recent times, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has shown dissatisfaction in how Miftah is handling the country’s economy.

    ‘Misleading and incorrect’: Nawaz Sharif reacts to reports that he is ‘dissatisfied with Shehbaz’

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has distanced himself from statements attributed to him regarding his brother and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said that they are “misleading and incorrect”.

    “I remain hopeful that the sincere and tireless efforts by SS under the most challenging circumstances will bear fruit and he will steer the country out of the mess created by Imran Khan,” tweeted Nawaz Sharif.

    Nawaz Sharif’s tweet came after senior analyst Suhail Warraich revealed that he is not satisfied with the performance of his brother Shehbaz Sharif or Finance Minister Miftah Ismail. Warraich said Nawaz wants Shehbaz to review his policies.

    “Nawaz had already said that they should not take over the government and go towards elections. It seems like he [Nawaz Sharif] has made up his mind that he wants the economic policies reviewed, and he would want Ishaq Dar to manage it. He [Nawaz Sharif] does not trust Miftah Sahib,” said Warraich on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.

    “Mian Sahab repeatedly kept telling me to go and meet Shehbaz Sharif and ask him what are these policies and that he [Shehbaz Shairf] needs to review his policies,” said Warraich.

    Warraich said that Nawaz is not happy with PML-N’s present narrative.

    Warraich further revealed that Nawaz’s next narrative will be directed against the judiciary, not the army. He said Nawaz will write a letter to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to complain about the delay in hearing of his cases.

    The senior analyst said that Nawaz Sharif believes that like Quaid-e-Azam, cases should be faced without being jailed, and added the former premier is of the view that he should return once the jail issue is resolved.

    “Nawaz believes Imran is a fascist who needs to be dealt with first, while matters of democracy can be taken care of later,” Warraich added.

    Suhail Warraich recently met Nawaz Sharif in London.

    This is not the first time Nawaz Sharif has reacted to his brother’s policies and government. Earlier this month, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz tweeted that Nawaz Sharif was unhappy with the government for increasing petrol prices.

    Read more: ‘I am an easy target’: Miftah Ismail reacts to criticism after another petroleum hike

    “Mian Sahib strongly opposed this decision and even said that I cannot burden the people with one more penny. And if there is any compulsion of the government, I am not involved in this decision and he left the meeting,” tweeted Maryam.

  • ‘I am an easy target’: Miftah Ismail reacts to criticism after another petroleum hike

    ‘I am an easy target’: Miftah Ismail reacts to criticism after another petroleum hike

    Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail once again explained how the petrol prices are calculated after receiving criticism for the increase in petroleum prices.

    Responding to senior journalist Hamid Mir on Twitter, he said the government has not imposed any tax on petroleum products.

    Clarifying his position, the minister said that he did not say that the price will not be increased.

    “Mir sahib I said I will not add one penny of new taxes or levies to the price. And I have not. But you know Hamid sahib that the fuel price summary is moved by OGRA and sent to Finance division through the Petroleum division. We get it only a few hours before prices are set.”

    “I am an easy target. Which is fine. But this price change only reflects the change in PSO costs and doesn’t have any new taxes,” said Miftah Ismail.

    The finance minister added that people are welcome to critique or criticise him.

    “I know I am sincere to my country and have saved it from default and working to the best of my ability.”

    Zardari unhappy with govt’s decision to increase petrol prices

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari distanced himself from the recent increase in the petroleum prices by the government.

    Zardari said the PPP is a part of the government and supports it, but there must be consultations on such decisions.

    “We are all here in this government to give relief to the people and that should be our top priority. We are with the prime minister and will meet him soon and talk about the economic team,” he added.

    ‘I am not involved in this decision’: Nawaz Sharif leaves party meeting over increase in petrol prices

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter and said that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was unhappy with the government increasing the petrol prices and as a result left the meeting.

    “Mian Sahib strongly opposed this decision and even said that I cannot burden the people with one more penny. And if there is any compulsion of the government, I am not involved in this decision and he left the meeting,” tweeted Maryam.

    She further tweeted, “I stand with the people. Cannot support this decision.”

    The government increased the price of petrol by Rs6.72 per litre and decreased the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs0.51 and kerosene oil by Rs1.67 per litre.

    Read more: Govt raises petrol price by Rs6.72 to Rs233.91 per litre

    The price of light diesel oil (LDO) was raised by Rs0.43 per litre by the government.

    Prior to this, the coalition administration had decreased the cost of petrol and LDO starting on August 1 by Rs3.05 and Rs0.12, respectively.

  • The real story behind Imran Khan sitting on CM Punjab seat

    The real story behind Imran Khan sitting on CM Punjab seat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan met Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and former federal minister Moonis Elahi at the Chief Minister’s Office on Sunday in Lahore and discussed matters of mutual interest, the political situation, the administrative affairs of Punjab, and the law and order situation.

    A picture of their meeting was shared by Moonis Elahi on social media where Khan can be seen sitting on the CM’s seat while the chief minister sat opposite him. The picture went viral and was widely criticised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders.

    “No self-respecting, dignified man would sit on someone else’s official seat/chair but this man is hungry for power,” tweeted Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

    “

    “Rude Tosha Fitna Khan sits on the chair of Chief Minister of Punjab,” tweeted PML-N leader Saad Rafique.

    The real story

    However, senior journalist Hamid Mir explained the real reason why Khan was sitting on the CM seat.

    Hamid Mir said that when Khan reached Elahi’s office to congratulate him, Pervaiz Elahi asked the PTI chairman to sit on the CM seat but Khan replied that it is Elahi’s seat.

    Moonis Elahi said to the PTI chairman that they got this seat because of him, so he should sit on it. After Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi’s insistence, finally Imran Khan sat on the chair of the Punjab Chief Minister.

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    PML-Q unanimously decides to remove Chaudhry Shujaat as party head
    
			
    PML-Q unanimously decides to remove Chaudhry Shujaat as party head
    
			
    

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Central Working Committee (CWC) has decided to remove Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema from their party positions.
    




    The decision to remove Shujaat from the party command was taken at a CWC meeting headed by Senator Kamil Ali Agha in the chair at the Muslim League House on Thursday. Shujaat has been the PML-Q president for the last two decades after Mian Azhar. He also served as a prime minister and senator.
    




    “It has become necessary to isolate Chaudhry Shujaat to save the party from destruction,” said Kamil Ali Agha while talking to the media after the CWC meeting. He said that due to a conspiracy hatched by Salik Hussain and Cheema, a letter was used to ask PML-Q MPAs to vote for the PML-N, damaging the party’s reputation.
    




    Chaudhry Shafaat Hussain said that the PML-Q’s central committee meeting cannot be held without the approval of Shujaat as no decision had been taken to convene the meeting of PML-Q’s central committee.
    




    He said that Kamil Ali Agha was the general secretary of PML-Q’s Punjab chapter and he cannot act against the central president. He said that the PML-Q’s central working committee does not exist and there was no central working committee nor an executive committee and there was no information about the party meeting.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Rise to the occasion or fall to the status quo’: Maryam Nawaz
    
			
    ‘Rise to the occasion or fall to the status quo’: Maryam Nawaz
    
			
    

    Ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on the Punjab chief minister election case, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz tweeted that the government must take a firm stand and rise to the occasion.
    




    “The government MUST take a firm stand & rise to the occasion. Rise to the occasion or fall to the status quo. Leaders are made by the situations they are confronted with,” tweeted Maryam Nawaz.
    




    


    




    




    Meeting of heads of the coalition government has been called
    




    A meeting of the heads of the federal government’s coalition parties has been called on the possible decision of the Supreme Court. The meeting will begin shortly at the Prime Minister House.
    






    It is being reported that the political situation, including the decision of the Supreme Court, will be considered.
    




    It is pertinent to mention here that on Monday, July 25, all political parties in the coalition announced that they will boycott court proceedings till a full bench is constituted.
    




    Announcing the decision, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that since the coalition government’s request for the formation of a full court bench was rejected, they have also rejected this decision of the court.
    




    “We will not appear before this bench and will boycott it.”
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    PML-N won’t accept early elections without the return of Nawaz Sharif: report
    
			
    PML-N won’t accept early elections without the return of Nawaz Sharif: report
    
			
    

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is currently reviewing the political situation in Pakistan and it is likely that the PML-N chief may return to Pakistan, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News.  
    




    It is also being reported that Nawaz Sharif should restart his interaction, both with the media and the public.  The PML-N did not want the government and were eager to go for fresh elections in May this year but were told to continue in the best interest of the country, stated the report.
    




    “We won’t accept it without the return of Mian Nawaz Sharif and in the absence of a level-playing field and clear rules of [the] game for all political parties,” revealed a PML-N insider.
    




    The PML-N wants to see the court decide the appeals against Sharif to give him and the party a fair opportunity to contest the elections.
    




    It is pertinent to mention here that Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government will complete it’s constitutional term in August 2023. 
    




    Last week, Ansar Abbasi revealed that the establishment is considering holding elections in October.
    




    Read more: ‘Soft intervention’ by the Establishment due to political crisis: report
    




    “A soft intervention by the establishment between the government and the Opposition has raised the prospect of early talks and general elections in the country in October,” said Abbasi.
    




    Abbasi further said that after the unconditional intervention of the establishment between the government and the Opposition, talks between the political parties are likely to begin soon and the prospect of general elections in October seems imminent.
    




    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Ruling coalition demands full court bench in Punjab CM case
    
			
    Ruling coalition demands full court bench in Punjab CM case
    
			
    

    The ruling coalition has demanded that a full court bench should hear the petitions filed in reference to the election of the Punjab chief minister (CM) election.
    




    In a statement, the coalition parties said it will be fair that a full court bench comprising all the honourable judges of the Supreme Court should review the hear Supreme Court Bar Association’s (SCBA) review request, the present petition, and other related applications together, and schedule them for hearing together and issue a single ruling because these are matters of national, political and constitutional importance.
    




    


    




    Criticising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the joint statement said that he wants to move Pakistan’s democracy and right to governance towards “default”, “just as he did with the economy”.
    




    “Imran Khan’s attitude and thoughts are like a ‘termite’ eating away at  Pakistan […] but the ruling coalition reiterates its commitment that there will be no compromise on the constitution, democracy, and people’s right to rule,” they said.
    




    They added that the coalition parties will move forward on every forum together and they will “fight against the darkness of fascism”.
    




    ‘Enough is enough. Don’t expect us to follow one-sided decisions, says Maryam Nawaz
    




    Reacting to the events of last night, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said that she disapproved of how things were unfolding said that the party will not accept “one-sided” decisions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan,
    




    “Amid pressure due to bullying, threats, misbehaviour and abuses, if the house of justice makes specific decisions via the same bench and negates itself, negate its own decisions, puts its weight behind a single side then do not expect us to bow our heads before such one-sided decisions. Enough is Enough!” tweeted the PML-N leader.
    




    


    




    The PML-N leader said that the current political chaos and instability started with the Supreme Court’s court decision on Article 63A, adding that it made an “arbitrary interpretation” of the constitution to not count the MPAs that voted voluntarily. 
    




    


    




    




    “With utmost respect, I request that a full bench be constituted”: Atta Tarar
    




    PML-N leader Ataullah Tarar demanded that since this is a matter related to the interpretation of the Constitution, a full bench should hear the petition.
    




    The PML-N leader said that court hearings related to constitutional matters that have taken place recently — since the no-confidence motion against ex-prime minister Imran Khan — warrant a full bench.
    




    “Therefore, with the utmost respect, I request that a full bench be constituted to hear this case as well,” the PML-N leader said.
    




    ‘How long will State institutions continue to allow this? We are not far from Sri Lanka moment’: Imran Khan
    




    PTI Chairman Imran Khan, in a series of tweets, said that Pakistan was “not far” from defaulting and the state would soon depict a likeness to Sri Lanka, which has defaulted on its external debt.
    




    Khan said in just over three months — from the time he was ousted from power — the “Zardari-Sharifs mafia” has “brought the country to its knees”, politically and economically.
    




    


    




    Khan alleged they had done so “to simply save their illegally accumulated wealth amassed over 30 years of plundering Pakistan”.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Pervaiz Out: Hamza Shehbaz elected as CM again
    
			
    Pervaiz Out: Hamza Shehbaz elected as CM again
    
			
    

    Hamza Shehbaz elected Chief Minister (CM) Punjab again after Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari rejected 10 Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) votes.
    






    10 PML-Q votes will not be counted: Dost Mazari
    




    Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Mazari says 10 PML-Q votes will not be counted because of Chaudhry Shujaat’s letter.
    




    According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Raas, Hamza received 179 votes whereas Elahi got 186 votes. After Mazari rejected 10 PML-Q votes, Elahi was left with 176 votes, which turned the tables in Hamza’s favour.
    




    While announcing the result, Mazari read Shujaat’s letter out loud. “As party head of Pakistan Muslim League, I have issued directions to all my provincial members to cast their votes in favour of Muhammad Hamza Shehbaz Sharif,” Mazari quoted Hussain as saying.
    




    His ruling was countered by PTI MPA Raja Basharat, who said that the law states that the parliamentary party could issue instructions to party members.
    




    “The head of the parliamentary party is Pervaiz Elahi,” he contended.
    




    However, Mazari said that the matter had been clarified by the Supreme Court, subsequently proroguing the session.
    




    Will not support the PTI candidate for the CM slot., confirms Moonis Elahi to Hamid Mir
    




    Moonis Elahi has confirmed to senior journalist Hamid Mir that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has indeed written a letter to the Deputy Speaker. He has said that he will not support the PTI candidate for the CM slot. 
    




    Senior journalist Hamid Mir originally broke the story about Chaudhry Shujaat’s letter, which was later confirmed by Moonis Elahi to him as well.
    




    Asif Ali Zardari to meet Chaudhry Shujaat, again: Hamid Mir
    




    Senior journalist Hamid Mir says that Asif Zardari is about to meet PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
    




    Reports suggest that Moonis Elahi has also left the Punjab Assembly.
    




    ‘Now the rules of the game will be the same for everyone, else PML-N knows how to play it better’: Maryam Nawaz
    




    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has tweeted that the PML-N has not forgotten the treatment meted out to them. “Now the rules of the game will be the same for everyone, else PMLN knows how to play it better. Insha’Allah.”
    




    


    




    PTI to file contempt of court petition against Dost Mazari: Fawad Chaudhry
    




    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has tweeted that the unnecessary delay in starting the Punjab Assembly session is a violation of the Supreme Court’s orders. He said that the party has directed its lawyers to file a contempt of court petition against Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari.
    




    


    




    ‘Allah ko manzoor huva tau jeeteinge’: Hamza Shehbaz
    




    Hamza Shehbaz has reached the Punjab Assembly. Talking to the media, Hamza seemed quite happy and hoped for a victory.
    




     




    ‘Hammad Azhar will be the new PTI Punjab President’: Imran Khan
    




    According to media reports, Chairman PTI Imran Khan said that Hammad Azhar will be the new PTI Punjab President.
    




    Last month, Shafqat Mahmood stepped down from this post. Hammad Azhar was made PTI Central Punjab General Secretary.
    




    However, Azhar took to Twitter and said that “No changes are being in punjab chapter’s organisation.”
    




    


    




    ‘I was there’: Buzdar denies he was absent from PTI jalsas in Punjab
    




    Former CM Punjab Usman Buzdar was asked about his absence from the PTI jalsas being held in Punjab.
    




    He responded by saying, “I was present at every jalsa.” 
    




     




    ‘Sari raat saaray duaein kartay rahay hain’: Pervaiz Elahi
    




    The PTI candidate for the CM slot, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, is currently in the House. Talking to the media, he seemed really hopeful of a win.
    




     




    Today, the Punjab Assembly will vote in the runoff election and decide who gets to be the next chief minister of the province: Hamza Shehbaz or Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. The Punjab Assembly session started at 4pm today as per the Supreme Court’s orders. 
    




    Hamza Shehbaz is the incumbent chief minister and CM candidate of the PML-N and its coalition partners, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The total number game of the PML-N-led ruling coalition is179. 
    




    Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi of the PML-Q is the CM candidate of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). PTI and PML-Q have a total of 187 members on their side.
    




    Pakistan will become another Sri Lanka if Elahi not allowed to become CM Punjab: Imran Khan
    




    Yesterday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said yesterday that if Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is not allowed to become CM Punjab, Pakistan will become another Sri Lanka.
    




    “I will never forget what happened to us on May 25. We will never forget,” added Khan.
    




    


    




    Credit goes to Zardari for first destroying the PPP and now the PML-N: Fawad Chaudhry
    




    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the Maryam Nawaz group’s gesture by accepting the results of the Punjab by-polls was good but the Shehbaz Sharif group is most probably working under the influence of Asif Ali Zardari.  He alleged that Shehbaz Sharif is consulting Zardari these days for major decisions.
    




    “Credit goes to Zardari for destroying two parties, first the PPP and now the PML-N,” added Fawad Chaudhry.
    




    
https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1550107633423720448

    




    Read more: What next for the PML-N? Experts weigh in
    




    Asif Zardari meets Chaudhry Shujaat, again
    




    PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari met PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain once again last night. Zardari had already held two meetings with Chaudhry Shujaat earlier in an effort to get his support for Hamza Shehbaz.
    




    The former president had sent a message for a meeting with Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi. However, they both refused to meet him according to The News.
    




    Moonis Elahi said that it’s “game over” for the government.
    




    “They can do whatever they want, they have lost the game,” said Moonis Elahi.
    




    50 PTI MPAs can vote for Hamza Shehbaz: Rana Sanaullah
    




    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has claimed that 50 PTI MPAs can vote for Hamza Shehbaz in the CM Punjab election today.
    




    “Not five, but 50 PTI MPAs can either use their right to vote or abstain from casting their votes,” said Rana Sanaullah.
    




    
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4rp6vIz_Y&list=PLJPlBvZludM6d1v4NDLoZtayNsf8Metlh&index=54&ab_channel=TheCurrent

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    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.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Kaptaan smashes Noon at Shehbaz Speed
    
			
    Kaptaan smashes Noon at Shehbaz Speed
    
			
    

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept the Punjab by-elections held on July 17 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. The unexpected and sweeping victory of PTI in the all-important Punjab by-polls is set to influence the political as well as economic future of the country. The outcome of the by-elections has not just sealed the fate of Hamza Shehbaz’s government in Punjab but also sent alarm bells ringing for Shehbaz Sharif’s federal government.
    




    The million dollar question is, what happened in Punjab that the kaptaan was able to pull this off in the heart of PML-N? PTI Chairman Imran Khan led a vigorous campaign against those who had ditched the party during the first poll for the chief minister on April 16 and voted for Hamza. Even the PML-N’s voters did not vote for the ‘lotas’ or turncoats. Khan continuously targeted the ‘neutrals’ for not siding with him in foiling the so-called ‘conspiracy’ the PML-N, PPP, and other parties had allegedly hatched “with the help of the United States” to oust him from power. That his foreign conspiracy mantra sold like hot cakes shows that Pakistanis love conspiracy theories.
    




    The Punjab by-elections have brought to the limelight further questions: what is next for the PML-N? The ruling PML-N really needs to ‘introspect’ its shortcomings and need to go back to the drawing board and check every possible situation that led the party to its failure in Punjab. Was the vote of no-confidence the right move? Was the PML-N really thinking that a father-son duo as prime minister and the chief minister can turn out to be successful? At present, the most important question is, when is Nawaz Sharif coming back? The party has faced a lot of damage in his absence. Within the PML-N, a lot of people are of the view that Hamza should accept defeat and immediately resign as chief minister, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should call the next general elections as soon as possible. What the PML-N will do next can shape the future of Pakistan. Will Shehbaz Sharif announce the general elections or stick to power? Will a caretaker government be formed that can also take care of the economy for three months given how crucial the IMF deal is?
    






    Whatever happens, Pakistan is in need of massive reforms. With the pertaining economic crisis and inflation, major political, as well as economic stability, is required. The country needs stability more than ever.