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Tag: Punjab Assembly

  • Imran Khan wins big: PTI bags 6 NA, 2 Punjab Assembly seats

    Imran Khan wins big: PTI bags 6 NA, 2 Punjab Assembly seats

    The Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan — who was contesting from seven constituencies — won the by-elections in six of eight National Assembly (NA) seats across Pakistan on Sunday.

    The PTI chief won seats in Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Faisalabad, and Nankana Sahib after beating the ruling coalition’s candidates, but faced defeat at the hands of Pakistan Poeple’s Party’s (PPP) Abdul Hakeem Baloch and Musa Ali Gillani. PPP managed to clinch two — NA-157 Multan and NA-237 Karachi — which were bagged by the PTI in the 2018 general elections.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) and the Awami National Party (ANP), could not manage to grab any NA seat.

    Details of National Assembly seats

    The constituencies where polling took place included NA-22 Mardan-III, NA-24 Charsadda-II, NA-31 Peshawar-V, NA-108 Faisalabad-VIII, NA-118 Nankana Sahib-II, NA 157 Multan-IV, NA-237 Malir-II, NA-239 Korangi, Karachi-I.

    NA-22 Mardan-III:

    Imran Khan bagged 76,681 votes while the JUI-F’s nominee Muhammad Qasim got 68,181 votes, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said, adding that the voter turnout was 32.9per cent in Mardan.

    NA-24 Charsadda-II

    The PTI chief got a total of 78589 votes against Awami National Party (ANP) Aimal Wali Khan’s 68,356 votes. Khan won the contest by 10,233 votes.

    NA-31 Peshawar-V

    Khan bagged 57,824 to defeat his rival in Peshawar’s NA-31 by-election, according to unofficial results, with ANP’s Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour securing 32,253 votes — allowing the PTI chairman to win by more than 25,000 votes. In Peshawar, the turnout was recorded at 20.28 per cent.

    NA-108 Faisalabad-VIII

    In Faisalabad (NA-108), Imran Khan won after securing 99,841 votes against PML-N leader Abid Sher Ali, who got 75,266 votes.

    NA-118 Nankana Sahib-II

    Khan also won Nankana Sahib (NA-118 ) after getting 90,180 votes against PML-N nominee Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, who got 78,024 votes.

    NA-239 Korangi, Karachi-I

    The PTI chief also won Karachi’s NA-239 by-polls with 50,014 votes, according to unofficial results, as the party retained the seat in Korangi. Khan defeated MQM-P’s Nayyar Raza in an easy contest.

    NA-237 Malir-II

    In Karachi, PPP won the Malir constituency (NA-237), with its candidate Abdul Hakim Baloch securing 32,567 against Imran Khan’s 22,493.

    NA 157 Multan-IV

    In Multan (NA-157), former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani’s son Ali Musa Gillani managed to defeat Meher Bano, daughter of former foreign minister and PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and grabbed the seat for the PPP with a wide margin. Musa Gillani secured 107,327 votes while Meher Bano Qureshi got 82,141. This was the only NA seat where Imran Khan did not contest the by-poll.

    Details of Provincial seats

    By-elections were also held on three Punjab Assembly seats — PP-241 Bahawal­nagar-V, PP-209 Khanewal-VII, and PP-139 Sheikhupura-V.

    PP-209 Khanewal-VII

    In Khanewal (PP-209), PTI’s Faisal Khan Niazi won after securing 71,156 votes against PML-N’s Chaudhry Ziaur Rehman who got 57,630 votes only.

    PP-241 Bahawal­nagar-V

    In Bahawalnagar (PP-241), PTI nominee Malik Muzzaffar Khan got 59,957 against PML-N candidate Amanullah Sattar’s 48,147.

    PP-139 Sheikhupura-V

    PML-N’s Iftikhar Ahmad Bhangoo won PP-139 Sheikhupura seat after getting 40,829 votes against PTI nominee Muhammad Abu Bakar’s 37,712 votes.

  • PTI MNAs using govt residences despite resigning from NA

    PTI MNAs using govt residences despite resigning from NA

    After former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence motion, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Members of National Assembly (MNAs) tendered their resignations together.

    Months have passed but the party’s MNAs still have not evacuated the residences given to them by the government at the parliamentary lodges. It has been reported that not even one MNA has vacated the place.

    Including the lodges, 42 side rooms are also in use by the MNAs.

    When the magistrate was informed, he expressed disappointment and contacted the court in this matter.

    On July 29, National Assembly (NA) Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf accepted 11 resignations of PTI MNAs members under Article 64(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan.

    Additionally, 29 PTI members were still enjoying privileges as Members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs) despite tendering their resignations, reported Dawn earlier in the month.

    According to the news outlet, salaries are being transferred to PTI members’ accounts as their resignations have not yet been formally accepted. Therefore, members are still enjoying the perks.

  • ‘Pervaiz Elahi and Punjab government being controlled through remote control from Bani Gala’: Tarar

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Punjab government that “all of you” will be arrested if a single PML-N worker is sent behind bars.

    Tarar, who was speaking to the media, warned Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Pervaiz Elahi’s government that they “will face the consequences of the trend of revenge they had set”.

    “Pervaiz Elahi sahib, you and your son (Moonis Elahi) will face the consequences of this new trend that you have set,” warned Tarar, claiming that Moonis had been issuing instructions for action against PML-N leaders despite not having any official authority.

    “Pervaiz Elahi and his Punjab government are being controlled through remote control from Bani Gala. This is his old habit. For God’s sake, stop this, the country has already borne much loss.”

    He also linked the action against his party’s members to the “promotion of an anti-state narrative”, alluding to PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s remarks against institutions.

    Tarar alleged that CM Elahi had “fully facilitated [former Prime Minister] Imran Khan in promoting this anti-state narrative”, adding that Elahi was “at the forefront of exacting revenge from us”.

    He went on to claim that Elahi and Moonis had directed jail officials not to hand over Gill to Islamabad police even when the court had approved his remand in police custody.

    Court issues arrest warrants for Ata Tarar, 11 other PML-N leaders

    A judicial magistrate Friday, August 19, issued the arrest warrants for a dozen PML-N leaders, including prime minister’s special assistant Atta Tarar, in relation to a ruckus created at the Punjab Assembly.

    A case was registered against the PML-N leaders over the ruckus which took place in April during the chief minister’s election — when Hamza Shehbaz was elected to the top office.

  • After Punjab, KPK assembly also approves motion against ECP chief

    After Punjab, KPK assembly also approves motion against ECP chief

    A day after Punjab Assembly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Monday also approved a motion expressing no-trust in Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

    The development was shared by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) official Twitter handle.

    The resolution demanded immediate general elections in the country and called for the ECP members and CEC to step down.

    Punjab Assembly approves motion for ECP chief’s resignation

    On Sunday, the Punjab Assembly (PA) approved a motion today on Sunday calling for CEC Sikandar’s resignation.

    This development came after PTI candidate Sibtain Khan was elected the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

    The session of the provincial assembly began with newly-elected PA Speaker Khan administering the oath to his deputy, Wasiq Qayyum.

    Later, PTI Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Syed Abbas Shah presented the motion against Sultan. After the motion was approved, the Assembly was adjourned till August 15.

    PTI Information Secretary Farrukh Habib issued a statement on Saturday and said the party had prepared to file a disqualification reference in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against the CEC. He said the CEC met PDM leaders after reserving a judgment in the prohibited funding case.

    “By doing so, the chief election commissioner violated his oath, the code of conduct as well as his constitutional duty,” he added.

    In an address to his supporters, PTI Chairman Imran Khan expressed his complete lack of trust in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and CEC Raja. Khan accused the ECP of supporting former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz.

  • Punjab Assembly session: Who will be the new Speaker?

    Punjab Assembly session: Who will be the new Speaker?

    The Punjab Assembly (PA) session to elect its new Speaker has started today (Friday). Today’s session will be chaired by Panel of Chairman Wasim Badozai.

    The seat fell vacant when the previous Speaker, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, was sworn in as Punjab Chief Minister (CM) after the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict in his favour.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) have the majority in the Assembly, and have nominated Sibtain Khan as their joint candidate while the Opposition parties, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), have nominated Saiful Malook Khokhar as their joint candidate.

    Khan is currently serving as Provincial Minister of Punjab for Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries since 2020.

    Sibtain Khan claimed that the PML-N would “fail to cause any interruption” during the Speaker’s election. He hoped that he would win the contest “effortlessly”.

    PML-N’s Khokhar said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will win. “They [PTI] will know who is better and who is a thief,” he added.

  • Imran Khan will visit Lahore tomorrow as promised

    Imran Khan will visit Lahore tomorrow as promised

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan will visit Lahore tomorrow (Thursday).

    Previously, Khan said that he will not keep away from Lahore.

    Before the Punjab Assembly session of the CM election (July 22), he said, “I will not keep away from Lahore. Next month, I will stay here twice a week.”

    During Lahore’s visit, Khan will take important decisions related to government formation in Punjab, reports Geo News.

    Khan will meet Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and other personalities.

    Earlier this day, Elahi went to Bani Gala where he had a meeting with Khan. The two discussed the formation of the provincial cabinet.

    Elahi, who is currently is in Islamabad, is set to come back to Lahore today (Wednesday). He will go to CM House and will formally take charge.

    On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan removed Hamza Shehbaz as CM Punjab, declaring Elahi as the new CM. In the CM run-off election, Hamza bagged 179 votes against Elahi’s 186 votes.

  • ‘Elahi will remain my candidate for CM slot,’ reveals Chaudhry Shujaat

    ‘Elahi will remain my candidate for CM slot,’ reveals Chaudhry Shujaat

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has come forward and clarified why he backed out at the last moment and opposed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Minister (CM) slot nominee — his cousin and party leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    The PML-Q chief said that he could not support “anyone who criticised state institutions”, adding that he has had relations with institutions for the last 30 to 40 years, which is why Pervaiz Elahi could not be PTI’s candidate.

    The PML-Q leader said that there is stability in Pakistan until there are institutions. He is of the view that using abusive language against institutions cannot be tolerated as institutions consider the integrity of the country their duty.

    He also clarified that Elahi “was, is and would remain” his candidate for the office of the chief minister, however, he [Shujaat] could not allow him to become “the nominee of PTI”.

    In a series of tweets, Hussain made these revelations. According to PML-Q leader and Elahi’s son Moonis, the Twitter account does indeed belong to the PML-Q chief and is operated by his son, Chaudhry Salik Hussain.

    In his tweets, Shujaat Hussain suggested that “all political leaders’ personal interests should be subordinate to national interests so that the country could come out of this quagmire”.

    Moonis Elahi also claimed that Shujaat was under “immense pressure” and that’s why refused to support Pervaiz Elahi as a candidate for Imran Khan. Talking to the media, Moonis said he had gone to see Shujaat Hussain and asked whether he had written the letter to which he replied that he did.

    According to Moonis, Shujaat told him that he has instructed the PML-Q MPAs not to vote for anyone in the chief minister’s election.

  • ’Aik Zardari sab pe bhari’: Twitter filled with memes after Zardari-Shujaat meeting

    ’Aik Zardari sab pe bhari’: Twitter filled with memes after Zardari-Shujaat meeting

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari met Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain last night (Thursday).

    The two leaders held a meeting for hours but it is not known what they discussed. However, it is being speculated that Zardari met Shujaat to convince him to be on Hamza Shehbaz’s side for the election of Chief Minister (CM) Punjab today (Friday). Shujaat had already announced his support for Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi who is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate for the CM seat.

    The Punjab Assembly (PA) session for the CM election is scheduled to take place at 4pm today.

    Zardari and Shujaat’s meeting spread like fire on social media and this is what Twitter had to say about the duo.


    https://twitter.com/MrMiRzaPAK/status/1550195491429834752?s=20&t=1vY8JBvQjG0ruSYl5Oc_fQ
  • Numbers: Does Hamza have a chance to be CM Punjab?

    Numbers: Does Hamza have a chance to be CM Punjab?

    The result of the Punjab by-elections has come as a shock for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its supporters while it has proved to be a ray of light for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) future in upcoming elections.

    According to the results (as of now), PML-N managed to win only four seats in its popular province. PTI swept the by-elections by bagging almost 75 per cent of Punjab constituencies (15 seats) and one independent candidate won the seat.

    It is pertinent to mention that before the by-polls, PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) jointly had the strength of 173 members. Now, with 15 additional seats, the parties have achieved 188 seats in Punjab Assembly (PA) whereas they only needed 186. One independent MPA who has won is likely to be a part of the new ruling coalition.

    On the contrary, the current ruling coalition (PML-N, PPP and others) has 179 members.

    Two MPAs of PML-N including Mian Jaleel Sharaqpuri and Faisal Niazi had resigned so their seats are vacant. MPA Chaudhry Nisar is unlikely to vote for any of the candidates

    Great voter turnout

    In this election, a great voter turnout has been noted.

    In Sahiwal, the voter turnout was almost 56 per cent. While in Khushab, the turnout was 47.84 per cent.

    In the constituency of Multan, the turnout remained at 42 per cent where former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s son Zain Hussain Qureshi won.

    In the largest city of Punjab, the lowest turnout was recorded while the highest turnout was in Bakkhar where PTI’s Irfan Ullah Niazi won.

  • Punjab by-election: Where is CM candidate Pervaiz Elahi?

    Punjab by-election: Where is CM candidate Pervaiz Elahi?

    Punjab by-elections are all set to take place tomorrow in 20 constituencies across the province. Many observers have pointed out that the chief minister candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, has not been seen in any campaigns.

    Talking exclusively to The Current, sources close to Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that the efforts being made by the PML-Q leader for these by-polls are more than what the PTI has done.

    “We have assigned 800 of our own people to help in the PTI in the four constituencies in Lahore apart from 400 female workers who are campaigning and helping with election preparations in these constituencies. In total, we have 1,200 people on the ground who will be working alongside PTI tomorrow in Lahore only.”

    The Current’s sources further revealed that the PML-Q leader is also in touch with the “powerful quarters” and have asked them to remain neutral. “If they don’t give any undue help to PML-N, the PTI will win 13-14 seats.” The sources further said that if they are not neutral, then the results will be vice versa.

    The sources told The Current that since Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is the Speaker, he cannot participate openly in the campaign due to the rules set by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).