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Tag: PTI

  • ‘Sari zindagi nappy change kartay rahainge kya, bachay ko neechay utarainge tu seekhe ga’: Pervaiz Elahi

    ‘Sari zindagi nappy change kartay rahainge kya, bachay ko neechay utarainge tu seekhe ga’: Pervaiz Elahi

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that it is important to put the baby down and let him/her learn to walk on its own.

    Without naming any names, the PML-Q leader said that “the work carried out on the government’s behalf never allowed it to learn things for itself.”

    “The child will learn to walk only when you put him down,” he said metaphorically. “Would you keep on changing nappies all his life?”

    Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, while speaking on HUM News programme “Hum Meher Bokhari Kay Sath”, said that PM Khan was “100 per cent” in trouble because of the no-confidence motion against him.

    “The government 100 per cent lacks wisdom and understanding. They are going door to door, this is indication enough how troubled they are.”

    He further went on to share PML-Q’s grievances with the government. He said that all we have been showing is loyalty to the government and in return, all that is coming from their side is “dushmani“.

    The PML-Q leader said that they were still receiving threats and being blackmailed. “A week ago they said to NAB [National Accountability Bureau] to arrest Moonis [Minister for Water Resources and Pervaiz Elahi’s son].”

    Elahi said that he has already been offered Punjab’s chief ministership as well as electoral alliance — including seat-to-seat adjustment — by the Opposition alliance but the government has yet to make that offer.

    Elahi said: “We are waiting to see what the government has to offer. Maybe the government might do the same.”

     “The government 100 per cent lacks wisdom and understanding. The prime minister has a great desire for revenge, which is evident from the fact that he puts everyone in NAB and FIA. This is not how you govern,” he added.

    Elahi said that all that the government has done is ruin its relations with everyone. Without taking the PM’s name, the PML-Q leader said, “He has spoiled his relations with his own people as well. It is because of his own people that they are so worried. Tongue is one thing that can make or break things forever.”

    Elahi said that the Opposition alliance has the support of “more than required” lawmakers to pass the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly, warning that there are “plenty of surprises in store”.

    Talking about establishment, Elahi said, “DG ISPR has said on record that the establishment has nothing to do with politics, we are neutral in this. But did you see how he [PM] defined neutral, and said animals are neutral. Who was he saying this to?”

    He urged the government to move first and call off its planned political gathering for March 27, saying that it would put pressure on the Opposition to do the same.

  • Fear of clash between Govt, Opposition, PCB considering moving T20I, ODIs to Lahore from Pindi

    Fear of clash between Govt, Opposition, PCB considering moving T20I, ODIs to Lahore from Pindi

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering moving the ODI’s and one T20I match to Lahore from Rawalpindi, considering the changing political situation in the capital, reports Geo News. The first ODI is scheduled to be played on March 29.

    The “changing political scenario and chance of a conflict-like situation” is causing PCB to make alternative plans for the series.

    However, PCB has yet to make a decision and has yet to cancel the hotel reservation in Islamabad, where both teams must check-in on March 26, when they come back from the Lahore test match, scheduled to take place this week.

    “All the four white-ball matches will be shifted to Gaddafi Stadium where teams are set to play the final Test of the series starting from March 21 in case the political situation in Islamabad stays the same till March 20,” a PCB official said.

    “If there is a marked change in the volatile political situation in Islamabad, we would stay with our original schedule and that is to organise all white-ball matches (from March 29-April 5) including three One-Dayers and one-off T20 at the Pindi Stadium. Otherwise, these matches will be shifted to Lahore.”

    “We cannot take even one percent risk when it comes to the safety and security of both teams. Though the room booking at a leading hotel in Islamabad is intact, there is a growing possibility that the matches will now be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on the same dates. The hotel where teams stayed for the first Test and would be staying for limited-overs matches falls within the red-zone where political parties are planning all these activities. So, no change in the political situation in Islamabad by March 20 means all the four limited-overs matches will be shifted to Lahore.”

    If the schedule is not changed the matches will be played in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

  • Pakistanis prefer to sink with me than support the ‘three stooges’: PM Khan

    Pakistanis prefer to sink with me than support the ‘three stooges’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday called the Opposition leaders Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari the “three stooges”, referring to a classic American program. He told party members the Opposition’s no-trust move was a “blessing” as it had “lifted” the entire party and now all ready to ready for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally.

    Addressing the Pakistan Overseas Convention in Islamabad he said, “When the people saw the faces of the three stooges — they decided against supporting them and expressed their desire to go down with [me],” PM Khan.

    I challenge media, economists, and Opposition parties to debate with govt over performance

    PM Khan challenged media organisations, economists, and Opposition parties to debate with the government over its performance in the last three and half years, saying that “nobody served Pakistan as we did”.

    “[Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana] Fazlur Rehman sold religion for 30 years,” he thundered. “In my 3.5 years, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has said you cannot disrespect Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in the name of freedom of expression. [Canadian Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau has given a statement [against Islamophobia]. This has happened for the first time.”

    The premier said there had been a debate at the United Nations and a resolution would be passed against Islamophobia, adding that it was “because of us” and how the government raised the matter at different forums.

    The premier said that the Opposition parties had been taking turns in governing Pakistan during the last 30 years but the PTI government would “prove” that it had built the nation.

    They cannot defeat us: PM Khan

    The premier said he and his team were always trying to figure out ways to reduce the impact of inflation on the masses, but after the Opposition’s no-confidence motion, the focus shifted to mainstream politics rather than inflation.

    PM Khan said neither of the three parties — PPP, PML-N, and JUI-F — worked at the grass-root levels and did “actual politics”, while the PTI struggled for more than two decades to get to where it is today. “They cannot defeat us.”

    “Nawaz became the chief minister through General Jilani; Shehbaz, who used to give bribes to get his work done, Zardari became the president by ‘showing’ a fake paper; Fazl has been selling the religion from the last 30 years,” he said.

    If they are the ones to save Pakistan, it is better to drown with Imran Khan

    “I was thinking of how the country changed suddenly in 10 days, inflation was forgotten and my entire party was lifted.”

    All the Opposition politicians used to call each other corrupt, he said, thanking them for coming together so the nation could see that “if they are the ones to save Pakistan, it is better to drown with Imran Khan”.

    The premier said that PTI had risen from the grassroots which is why the Opposition parties could not compete with it.

    Fallen into captains trap

    PM Imran Khan said the Opposition leaders were under the “false impression that the people had forgotten their corruption”, but they were wrong as now, they had fallen into the “captain’s trap”.

    “I predict that not only is their no-confidence motion going to fail, but they will taste defeat in the 2023 general elections as well,” he said, foreseeing his party’s triumph in the polls.

    PM Khan said due to the corruption of the politicians, the country had become a “slave” to the foreign powers. “When our then prime minister [Nawaz Sharif] met then US president Barack Obama, his legs were shaking as he was cautious against saying something his ‘master’ might feel bad”.

    “Because they know [those countries] can catch their [corrupt Pakistani politicians’] money laundering whenever they want,” the prime minister said.

    Not anti-US, UK and India

    “You [Nawaz and Zardari] should have at least said that no law in the world allows anyone to play the role of judge, jury, and executioner,” he said, stressing “never have I been anti-American, anti-Britain or anti-India”.

    “I pray that a sensible leadership comes into power in India so that we can hold talks with them after revoking the August 5, 2019, decision on Kashmir.”

    Only an uneducated man would be against a country, he elaborated, adding that he was against their policies. “I was against the war on terror from day one and I will remain so.”

    The premier said 100 drone strikes had been conducted in Pakistan during the governments of Nawaz Sharif and Zardari and PTI leaders had staged sit-ins to protest but “they had no shame”.

    He also mentioned India’s “Hindutva” policy, expressing the wish that a “better government” comes to power in the neighbouring country that would grant rights to Kashmiris.

    Pakistan military was the reason behind the country’s stability

    The Pakistan military was the reason behind the country’s stability, as he gave an example of other Muslim countries — Libya, Syria, and Yemen — where the situation was dismal.

    Noting that despite having differences with former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, PM Imran Khan lauded him and acknowledged that he was a self-reliant leader.

  • ‘Mother of all jalsas will be held in Islamabad’: Fawad

    ‘Mother of all jalsas will be held in Islamabad’: Fawad

    A meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) core committee was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in which ruling party members discussed the ongoing political situation in the country. The meeting took place in the wake of the no-confidence motion which is likely to happen next week.

    After the meeting, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said PTI rejected the Opposition’s “lotacracy” and their efforts to bribe its party lawmakers. He claimed that PTI MPAs are being offered millions of rupees and all party members have strongly condemned this unethical act.

    Fawad said that the “mother of all jalsas” will be held in Islamabad.

    Taking a jibe at Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) “Awaami March”, he said that those who are bringing a limited number of supporters should now know that PTI is the only federal party and PM Khan is the only federal leader and this is the reason why their “kaanpein tang rahi hain.”

    “All party members, including the lawmakers, believe that only Khan can rule the country during these challenging times,” he said, adding that the recent public gatherings held at various locations in the last few days have once again proved that PTI is a “federal party and not a divisional party”.

  • Dosti kar letay hain? Fawad Chaudhry says let’s see what the Opposition gets if they drop no-trust motion

    Dosti kar letay hain? Fawad Chaudhry says let’s see what the Opposition gets if they drop no-trust motion

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry is trying to extend reconciliation offers to the Opposition.

    The minister said, “If the Opposition withdraws the no-confidence motion, let’s see what can be given to them in return.”

    Fawad said that the Opposition should withdraw the no-trust motion as it had caused bitterness in politics. He feared that the soaring political situation could harm the country.

    The minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) upcoming public gathering at Islamabad D-Chowk will turn out to be a “mini referendum” over the no-trust motion.

    He hoped that over one million people will attend the public meeting on the call of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

  • Didn’t join politics to know prices of ‘aaloo, tamatar’ but for country’s youth: PM Khan

    Didn’t join politics to know prices of ‘aaloo, tamatar’ but for country’s youth: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Sunday said that he did not join politics to know the prices of aaloo and tamatar (potatoes and tomatoes) but decided to become a politician for the sake of the country’s youth. 

    Addressing a rally in Hafizabad, the premier promised the people of Punjab that his government will work on the development of the province, something which he claimed would be “unprecedented” in the history of the country.

    I joined politics for the sake of the country’s youth: Khan

    “I didn’t join politics to know the prices of potatoes and tomatoes. I joined it for the sake of the country’s youth,” the premier said. “If we want to become a great nation, we will have to support the truth, and this is what I have been preaching for the last 25 years.”

    The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan wanted equal ties with all the countries. “But as a prime minister of a country with a 220 million population, it is my first and foremost duty to protect people’s rights and interests of the country. I will not allow any policy that harms our motherland. I will not compromise on the national interests just for seeking the pleasure of any country,” he stressed.

    Past PMs of Pakistan used to “shiver with fear” whenever they met a United States president

    Taking a dig at the Opposition and how leaders of different parties criticised him for issuing statements against the European Union (EU) envoys, the premier said that in the past, prime ministers of Pakistan used to “shiver with fear” whenever they met a United States president and used Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal’s slip of the tongue “kaanpein taang rahi hoti thein” as an example. 

    The premier went on to say that when he rebuked the envoys of European countries for asking Pakistan to explicitly condemn Russia for attacking Ukraine, Shehbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari were “trembling”.

    “My criticism of EU was justified,” the premier said, adding that Opposition leaders, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Shehbaz Sharif, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari thought it was “grave injustice” to chide EU envoys.

    The prime minister said that whenever a foreign diplomat came to meet Shehbaz Sharif, he would quickly change into a suit and a tie.

    “Since I know the West better than everyone else, I can assure that they do not respect people who polish their boots,” he said. “They respect nations who stand up for themselves.” 

    On the ‘terrorist’ living in London

    PM Imran Khan also spoke about the US War on Terror and the ensuing drone attacks in Pakistan, calling it a “violation of human rights”. He also talked about a “terrorist” living in London for the last 30 years, saying that this terrorist was responsible for the killing of more people than those killed by US drones. 

    He said he once told a group of European representatives whether they would allow the use of drones against a terrorist and criminal sitting in London who had killed scores of people in Karachi. The premier was apparently referring to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain.

    PM Imran further said the United States carried out 400 drone strikes inside Pakistan from 2008 to 2013 but governments led by PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) never opposed them.

    “We want cordial relations with all countries but will not compromise on national interest… I would not bow down to anyone nor would I allow the nation to give in before anyone.”

    On the contrary, the prime minister said, he had always opposed those attacks, staged sit-ins, and gave statements in the United States and the United Kingdom, calling these attacks a grave violation of basic human rights and global principles.

    ‘One-million-strong’ power show at D-Chowk

    The premier then talked about transforming Pakistan into an exemplary welfare society, based on the model of the State of Madinah.

    “I formed Rehmatul-Lil-Alameen Authority in the country so that every Pakistani child becomes aware of the life and teaching of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and stay on the path of the truth.”

    As part of the PTI-led government’s strategy to thwart the Opposition’s no-trust bid, it was decided during the meeting that a one-million strong rally would be staged at Islamabad’s D-Chowk ahead of the no-confidence motion in the lower house of parliament.

  • PTI ministers confirm PM Khan to replace CM Buzdar: PML-Q

    PTI ministers confirm PM Khan to replace CM Buzdar: PML-Q

    Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) Secretary-General Tariq Basheer Cheema, in Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath” revealed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ministers [didn’t mention any name] have told him that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has given the approval to remove Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.

    Previously, it was reported that Buzdar handed over his resignation to the premier, which he declined. There are also several media reports that suggested that the Tareen group isn’t happy with Buzdar’s position as CM.

    During the show, Cheema also lashed out at Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry. While referring to the meeting between the Chaudhry brothers and Fawad on Friday, Cheema said that the no-confidence motion against PM Khan was not discussed in the meeting.

    Previously, Fawad, after his meeting, had said that PML-Q would formally announce full confidence in PM before the National Assembly (NA) session for the motion.

    “I don’t know why Fawad is giving a false statement about the settlement with PML-Q on the no-trust move”, he said while adding that if he [Fawad] has to take decisions of PML-Q then the Chaudhry brothers should leave politics.

    Moreover, the PML-Q Secretary-General said that the party will make a final decision on the no-confidence matter in the next 24 to 48 hours.

  • Election Commission summons PM Khan for violating code of conduct in Dir

    Election Commission summons PM Khan for violating code of conduct in Dir

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued notices to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) officials on Friday for attending an election rally in Lower Dir in violation of the ECP code of conduct.

    The ECP Lower Dir district monitoring officer (DMO) issued notices to PTI  officials for speaking at a public rally in transgression of the amended code of conduct.

    In the notice, DMO Hamidullah recommended that PM Khan cancels his plans, and now he has summoned him to appear before him on March 14 in person or through counsel, along with a written declaration in his defence.

    “It was conveyed to you that public office holder including prime minister cannot participate in election campaign or canvass in any local council or announce any development scheme after issuance of election schedule,” read the notice served to the prime minister.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Shah Farman, Chief Minister (CM) Mehmood Khan, federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Pervez Khattak, and Murad Saeed were among those who received notices from the ECP.

  • Govt decides to call National Assembly session soon for no-confidence motion

    Govt decides to call National Assembly session soon for no-confidence motion

    The government has decided to convene the National Assembly (NA) session very soon after the Opposition submitted the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, reports Jang.

    According to media reports, only one member of the government will be allowed to sit in NA on the day, when NA members will cast votes on the no-confidence motion.

    The government will issue a notification in which government members will not be permitted to attend the meeting and cast a vote for the no-confidence motion on the basis of Article 63-A of the Constitution.

    As per media reports, if any member of the government attends the meeting or casts a vote, PM Imran Khan — who is also chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — will write a letter regarding a reference against that member. The letter will be addressed to the NA Speaker.

    In a press conference yesterday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the Speaker of the National Assembly should call the session for the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan.

    He said that the no-confidence motion should not be delayed as the country cannot afford such situations for a longer period of time.

  • ‘Asif Zardari tumhara waqt agaya hai,’ PM Khan roars at the Opposition in the face of no-confidence motion

    ‘Asif Zardari tumhara waqt agaya hai,’ PM Khan roars at the Opposition in the face of no-confidence motion

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday delivered a fiery speech in Karachi against the Opposition. He said that the submission of the no-confidence motion is the “political death” of the Opposition.

    The prime minister said, “I was thinking that somehow if only I could get a hold of their neck, and God listened to my prayers and they submitted a no-trust move. Now they have been trapped and their no-confidence move is going to backfire.”

    The prime minister announced he was going to tour interior Sindh soon and that it was his mission to rid the region of the injustices done to it.

    “I won’t stop when we hopefully win [against] the no-confidence motion. I will go after them (the Opposition) and won’t spare them. My hands, which had been chained, will now be untied,” the PM thundered.

    “Now my first target, who has been under my radar for a long time, is Asif Ali Zardari,” the prime minister said.

    The premier also accused the former president of using “police and thugs to get people killed”, engaging in theft and corruption, and laundering money abroad.

    “Asif Zardari your time is near,” he warned.

    He alleged that the former president roams around with “buckets of money” and has kept Rs200 million to buy PTI parliamentarians.

    The premier alleged that when one of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNAs informed him that he was offered Rs200 million, he told the lawmaker to take the money and open a panahgaah or orphanage with it.

    Turning his guns on the leader of Opposition in National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif, PM Khan called the former a “boot polisher” and said, “Your time has come as well. You know that after the next three months, you will be behind the bars,” the premier said.

    He said Shehbaz had laundered billions of rupees to his son abroad, adding “I will further reduce electricity prices by retrieving public money from his son and son-in-law.”

    Talking about Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, “I thank my countrymen for giving record taxes this year. It is because of these taxes that I was able to reduce the price of petrol and Fazlur Rehman [taking a jibe at Maulana by calling his name instead of diesel].”

    Talking about Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PM Khan said, ” I request to you Zardari, for god’s sake teach your son Urdu.”

    Talking about European Union (EU) and the criticism hurled at PM Khan for his recent speech questioning the EU envoys in Pakistan, the premier said, “I have not said anything to EU, I was only reminding them of the sacrifices we had made in the past.”

    The premier said that Pakistan should pursue friendships with every country and wasn’t against anyone but “I will never allow any country to take action against my nation’s interests.”

    “I am a supporter of peace and will not take part in any war,” said PM Khan.