Current Final

Tag: Shehbaz Sharif

  • Punjab, KP governors will be from PPP

    Punjab, KP governors will be from PPP

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) representative Faisal Karim Kundi has confirmed that the party will not be part of the federal government at present, and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has all rights to form a federal cabinet.

    The PPP leader also said that the governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will be from the PPP, while those of Sindh and Balochistan will be from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    He further said that PPP will vote for prime minister and speaker of the National Assembly, adding that PPP will support government legislation.

    The former member of the National Assembly (NA) also confirmed that PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif will be the Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan, adding that the PPP has nothing to do with cabinet formation. 

    “Shehbaz Sharif has to lead, and we hope he will lead in a better way,” he remarked.

  • PML-N to hold parliamentary meeting today to form provincial government   

    PML-N to hold parliamentary meeting today to form provincial government   

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will hold the first meeting of its Punjab parliamentary board today to complete the formation of the provincial government.

    PML-N vice president, Maryam Nawaz, and candidate for chief minister, Punjab, will address the meeting at Jati Umra in Lahore at 2pm today.

    The PML-N scion will talk about her goals and plans as the next chief minister of the province, making her the first female to hold the position. Additionally, she will discuss strategies for electing the speaker and deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

    PML-N nominated the scion of the Sharif family for the Punjab chief minister position after she won in the general elections held on February 8. She won one seat in the National Assembly and another in the provincial assembly—NA-119 and PP-159—both located in Lahore.

    According to insiders of PML-N, party supremo Nawaz Sharif will join the meeting via video link.

  • ‘We will vote for PML-N on our own terms’: Bilawal Bhutto

    ‘We will vote for PML-N on our own terms’: Bilawal Bhutto

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that his party will vote for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) “on our own terms.”
    “Progress [in talks] can only be made if ‘someone’ is willing to change their position […] We stand by our position and will not change it,” Bilawal said without naming PML-N.

    He spoke to the media outside the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday afternoon after attending the hearing of a presidential reference challenging the death sentence of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

    Bilawal’s remarks come as the coordination committees of the PML-N and PPP are set to hold a sixth meeting today to reach an agreement over the formation of the future government after both parties failed to secure National Assembly (NA) seats in sufficient numbers to form their government in the Centre.

  • Maryam Nawaz briefed on Punjab projects even before CM election

    Maryam Nawaz briefed on Punjab projects even before CM election

    The Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Maryam Nawaz, received a briefing on development projects in Punjab. The PML-N nominated Maryam Nawaz as their choice for the province’s chief minister.

    Zahid Akhtar Zaman, the Chief Secretary of Punjab, briefed the PML-N leader after she was nominated for the top provincial position.

    According to sources in Geo News, the provincial chief secretary went to Jatti Umrah on Thursday to brief Maryam and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on the current situation in Punjab.

    During a meeting, Zaman explained the ongoing projects as well as the law and order situation in the province.

    Maryam Nawaz won a National Assembly (NA) and a Provincial Assembly seat in the general elections.

    The party’s stalwart was elected by voters on PP-159 and NA-119, respectively.

  • ‘Nawaz will oversee PML-N-led governments’: Maryam Nawaz

    ‘Nawaz will oversee PML-N-led governments’: Maryam Nawaz

    Maryam Nawaz, the Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), has dismissed speculations suggesting that party head Nawaz Sharif has withdrawn from active politics following his nomination of younger brother Shehbaz Sharif for the prime ministerial post.

    Maryam Nawaz has been nominated as the party’s candidate for Chief Minister of Punjab.

    In a statement shared on X (former Twitter), Maryam emphasized that Nawaz Sharif is poised to remain actively engaged in politics for the next five years. She declared that Nawaz Sharif will not only participate in political affairs but will also oversee the PML-N-led administrations in both Punjab and at the federal level.

    Addressing concerns over Nawaz Sharif’s future role, Maryam pointed out that her party has secured clear mandates in the three previous governments under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership.

    She highlighted Nawaz’s explicit stance during election speeches, affirming his intention to refrain from joining any coalition government.
    “… he has made it clear in his election speeches that he will not be a part of any coalition government.”
    She added that those who are aware of Nawaz’s nature know his principled stance.
    “Shehbaz Sharif and I are his soldiers, bound by his orders and will work under his leadership and supervision. May Allah grant us success. Ameen,” Maryam said.
    Maryam Nawaz’s statement comes amid widespread speculation regarding Nawaz Sharif’s political future, with many expressing disappointment over his decision to step back from the prime ministerial race in favor of Shehbaz Sharif.

    Former spokesperson for Nawaz Sharif, Mohammad Zubair, expressed his disappointment saying: “He was the one who inspired me to join politics. Whatever name I made in politics & positions earned were all due to his confidence. Sad to see him go like this. The votes N got were all due to him but the party did not do justice to him. Was this his last political battle?”

  • Zardari might be our next president; Bilawal wants Murad as CM Sindh

    Zardari might be our next president; Bilawal wants Murad as CM Sindh

    In a recent development reported by Geo News, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has expressed his preference for Murad Ali Shah to serve as the Chief Minister of Sindh for the third consecutive term.

    Sources revealed that alongside Shah, other names under consideration for the Sindh CM post include Faryal Talpur, Nasir Hussain Shah, and Sharjeel Memon.

    It’s noted that some leaders within the PPP advocate for Faryal Talpur to potentially become Sindh’s first woman chief minister, adding an intriguing dynamic to the selection process.

    Furthermore, amidst political alliances forming in the country, a six-party coalition consisting of PML-N, PPP, MQMP, PML-Q, IPP, and BAP has been announced.

    This alliance, reminiscent of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), aims to form the next government at the federal level.

    Notably, Asif Ali Zardari, the former president, is expected to lead the country for the second time, pending the coalition’s success.

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari affirmed PPP’s support for PML-N in electing its prime minister, though without direct involvement in the federal government.

    However, discussions surrounding key constitutional posts, including the National Assembly speaker, Senate chairman, and president, have ensued. Bilawal expressed his desire for Asif Ali Zardari to assume the presidency, citing the need for experienced leadership in addressing the country’s challenges.

    In addition to the presidency, PPP is reportedly eyeing the post of Balochistan chief minister, with Sarfraz Bugti briefing the party on the province’s political landscape.

    Sources suggest that PML-N leadership has agreed to support Zardari for the presidency in exchange for PPP’s backing of Shehbaz Sharif for the prime minister’s post, potentially shaping the future political landscape with a PML-N prime minister and a PPP president.

    Meanwhile, PML-N senior leader Rana Sanaullah said PPP did not not demand the top constitutional post of president.
    In a statement, Sanaullah said that Shehbaz had experience of working with allies, while Asif Ali Zardari has the political acumen to take prudent decisions.

    He said that neither the PPP demanded the position of the president nor did they make any commitment. “We hope that [JUI-F chief] Fazlur Rehman will become part of the government,” he added.

  • ‘PTI can talk to all parties to solve country’s problems’; Ali Muhammad Khan offers olive branch

    ‘PTI can talk to all parties to solve country’s problems’; Ali Muhammad Khan offers olive branch

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported independent candidates are currently leading in numbers after the recent general elections. However, the party’s leadership seems unsure about their stance on discussions with other political parties in the context of forming a government in Islamabad.

    A day earlier, former Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his party will not talk to mainstream parties, including, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

    On the other hand, PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan said in an interview with Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ that PTI can talk with all political parties to solve the country’s problems, offering an olive branch as opposed to his party’s hard-line stance.

    “We have no personal fight with these parties,” Ali said pointedly, adding that PTI is ready to sit with other political stakeholders, as soon as “tomorrow morning”.

  • After less than stellar performance, what is PML-N camp thinking?

    After less than stellar performance, what is PML-N camp thinking?

    The general elections of February 8 pulled many surprises, the least of which was Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managing to win the largest number of seats despite not having a symbol or even a party.

    But another surprise was the poor performance of supposed front runners, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Although the party managed to get 79 seats, it still fell way short of expectations.

    So what is the party thinking now? More importantly, what is party head Nawaz Sharif, welcomed back in October 2023 with much fanfare, going to do?

    According to veteran journalist Nusrat Javed, Nawaz is not going to do much. Talking on Public TV, Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz has shut himself off from nearly everyone and can only be enticed to come out for meeting major players, including Asif Ali Zardari. Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz is no longer interested in becoming a Prime Minister once again. “Mujhay kyon bullaya” is the mantra, said Nusrat Javed.

    However, a party insider told DAWN that Nawaz is still very much in the running for become the Prime Minister for a fourth term. “As of now, Nawaz Sharif has not been ruled out as a candidate for the PM’s slot. Since the PML-N has to lead the federal coalition, many within the Maryam Nawaz camp feel why shouldn’t [the elder Sharif] take the driving seat,” the insider told DAWN.

    The party’s senior leader and one of Nawaz’s close aided, Khwaja Asif, has said that the former Premier is not disappointed with the results of the election in which PML-N did not manage to get a simple majority, leaving it at the mercy of a buoyant PPP for forming the government.

    Talking on Geo News, Asif said, “We are aware of the shortcomings but will fulfil our promise of giving relief to the masses after coming into government.”

    He also expressed caution about the power-sharing formula that is being talked about, with PML-N ruling for three years and then PPP taking over for the remaining two.
    “It would be unwise to hand over the government to another party after bringing stability,” he remarked.

    So there you have it. What the PML-N ultimately decides to do is still unclear. Perhaps we will know more as the days unfold.

  • Party number game: what’s going on right now

    Party number game: what’s going on right now

    PTI will form a government in centre, says Barrister Gohar Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) acting chairman, Barrister Gohar Khan, has said that PTI will form the government in the centre. He also said that PTI-backed candidates are leading in the 2024 election, adding that according to Form 45 received by the party, PTI-supported candidates have won 170 National Assembly seats so far.

    He rejected the possibility of accepting PML-N head Nawaz Sharif’s offer to all parties to get together to form a government.

    MQM wants Shehbaz to come to Karachi to ‘manao’ them

    Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khalid Maqbool Siddique has asked former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif to come to Karachi to discuss the post-election situation and the possibility of forming a coalition.
    According to the results of the 2024 elections, MQM-P has won 17 National Assembly (NA) seats, making it an important stakeholder in forming a government.

    Not in touch with the PTI Independents, waiting for all votes to be counted: Bilawal BhuttoPakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal avoided questions about forming an alliance with the PMLN or PTI-backed Independents, hinting that it isn’t going to be an easy process to make a PDM.

    The former Foreign Minister avoided questions about forming an alliance with the PMLN or PTI-backed Independents, hinting that it isn’t going to be an easy process to make a PDM version 2.0.

    Bilawal Bhutto said that the PPP is not in touch with the PTI-backed candidates but is waiting for all election results before it takes any decision, adding that PPP is not in the position right now to announce anything.

    The PPP chairman said that it is also important to see what independent candidates decide before making any major decision.

    PTI has not decided who will be its candidate for Prime Minister, although it should be Khan: Waleed IqbalPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Waleed Iqbal said, while talking to Geo News that PTI has not yet finalised its candidate for Prime Minister. He also said that, while he believes the candidate should be Imran Khan, the decision will be taken after consulting with the former prime minister.

    However, Khan cannot be a candidate for Prime Minister since he has been disqualified, did not run for election, and is currently serving a jail sentence in three cases.

    MQM heading to Lahore to meet NawazMuttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) delegation is heading to Lahore on the invitation of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for a post-election meeting.

    The delegation includes Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and Farooq Sattar.

    Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari also met Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mariam Aurangzeb said that PML-N has no intention to talk to PTI-backed candidates to form a government.

  • The Current’s Election Handbook: Your candidate, their views on issues that matter to you

    The Current’s Election Handbook: Your candidate, their views on issues that matter to you

    Our Election Handbook is finally here.

    It’s been a long journey filled with tears, sweat, and countless sleepless nights (quite literally) as we meticulously researched your candidate.

    Do you know what your candidate thinks about women’s rights, transgender rights, climate change, and minority issues? We looked through official government and party websites, news articles, news videos to find information on what your candidate thinks about issues that matter to you. We only had the manpower to do 50 candidates and hope it helps you make the decision on who to vote for in your city. The handbook is added, page by page, below but if you rather download it, here is the link:


    Download PDF File:

    Download Election Handbook 2024

    Download General Elections Handbook 2024

    Download Election Handbook 2024