ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday backtracked from his statement regarding ex-spymaster Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s involvement in bringing no-confidence vote (VONC) against former prime minister Imran Khan, dubbing it a ‘slip of tongue’, ARY News reported.
“I believe Gen [Qamar Javed] Bajwa and Lt Gen Faiz [Hameed] were responsible for rigging the 2018 general polls,” the JUI-F chief had said in an interview with a private TV channel.
Maulana Fazl was among top opposition leaders who spearheaded the efforts to oust the PTI founder under the banner of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
Speaking to a private news channel, he clarified that he took Faiz Hameed’s name by “mistake”. However, he maintained Qamar Bajwa and Faiz were involved in rigging during the 2018 elections.
“This matter should be consigned to history instead of being discussed more,” he remarked.
When asked Qamar Bajwa had asked him to swear on his words, Fazlur Rehman replied these generals had also taken oath no to interfere in politics. “It is wrong to demand an oath on things that happened in front of us”, he added.
Talking about the elections and meeting with the PTI delegation, Fazl said that transparent elections did not take place anywhere including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “Despite our differences, PTI delegation came and held a positive meeting. But we emphasised [with them] that rigging did take place in KP,” he added.
In response to a question, Fazlur Rehman said he was ready to hold dialogue with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP president Asif Ali Zardari. “Negotiations with PTI can end”, he said.
In April 2022, Pakistan saw for the first time in its history the ouster of a prime minister through a no-confidence vote. The efforts for the PTI founder’s removal were led by the then-opposition.
As many as 174 votes were cast in favor of a no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan. This was the first time in the history of Pakistan that a no-confidence motion against an elected prime minister succeeded.
Following the resignation of the NA speaker and deputy speaker, PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq as a panel of the chairman of the house began the proceedings on the matter.
The PTI had accused the country’s then-rulers of colluding with the US and hatching a regime change conspiracy to topple Imran’s government – a claim denied by the United States.
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PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) rejected the results of the General Elections 2024, ARY News reported.
As per details, PTI delegation led by Asad Qaiser and comprising Amir Dogar, Barrister Saif, Fazal Muhammad, and Umair Niazi called on JUI-F chief Moulana Fazalur Rehman at his residence and conveyed the party’s founder message to him.
The sources privy to the development said that both the parties discussed matters related to ‘massive rigging’ in the recently held General Elections 2024. Moulana Fazalur Rehman and the PTI delegation expressed severe reservations about the election results.
Speaking to media after the meeting, JUI-F’s Hafiz Hamdullah and Barrister Saif of PTI said that during the meeting, both parties agreed that the real mandate of the people was ‘snatched’ on February 8.
“Today, we agreed on one point that the elections were not transparent. We will decide further course of action accordingly,” Hafiz Hamdullah added.
The two parties remain staunch rivals in the political field. Political distance between the parties could be ironed out over a one-point agenda of alleged rigging and irregularities in elections.
Earlier in the day, Asad Qaiser said that after a jail meeting with the party founder, said that he has been tasked with contacts with political parties including, the JUI-F, ANP, Aftab Sherpao, and others.
Earlier on February 13, the former prime minister and the PTI founder ruled out the possibility of talks with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) for the formation of the government or joint opposition.
The PTI founder in his informal media talk in Adiala Jail, where he is incarcerated in Toshakhana, Cipher, and illegal nikah case said his party will not negotiate with PML-N, PPP, and MQM-P for the formation of government, however, said that he had directed his party leaders to hold talks with other parties.
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BUREWALA: A murder incident was reported from the Model Town area of Burewala, known as the land of cotton, where a local businessman was shot dead for reportedly refusing to pay extortion money, ARY News reported.
According to the police report, the alleged perpetrator has been identified as Shahzad, also known as Kaba Butt, who is said to have demanded extortion from a businessman, named Malik Akram.
After the victim refused to comply with their demands, the accused along with an accomplice, confronted Malik Akram and shot him dead on the spot, and managed to flee from the scene.
Law enforcement swiftly responded to the incident, and a case was registered at the Model Town police station.
In a statement, the businessman claimed that on the night of December 04, two individuals on a bike approached their shop and indiscriminately opened fire which led to injured his brother.
On the complaint of the individual, the police registered a case under several sections including attempted murder and extortion.
According to police officials, the businessman operates a gas cylinder shop in Karachi’s Korangi area and is receiving multiple life threats if he fails to provide extortion money.
However, the police filed a case on the complaint of the citizen meanwhile a probe is underway to apprehend the culprits.
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JAMSHORO: In a bizarre incident, the Sehwan police locked up two roosters seized from the cockfighting, ARY News reported.
According to details, two persons were arrested from Sehwan on charges of holding rooster fight. Moreover, the police also seized the roosters and locked them up.
Senior House Officer (SHO) Sehwan police station Muhammad Ali Abbasi said that the suspects later obtained bail from the local court. He said that the roosters however are still behind the bars.
The SHO said that the owners could get their roosters back after permission of the court. Muhammad Ali Abbasi said that the roosters owners are not willing to get them, fearing to be found guilty.
“We are tired of feeding the roosters. The owners should approach the court to get the roosters back,” the SHO added.
He said that the roosters are court property and the police would land in hot water, if they die.
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday hinted at what he termed “another wide-ranging consensus” among Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), PML-Q and MQM to form a PDM-like coalition government in the Centre, ARY News reported.
A significant joint press conference was held featuring leaders from major political parties in Pakistan, including PML-N, PML-Q, PPP, and MQM-P, along with Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani and Aleem Khan of IPP.
In a statement, Asif Ali Zardari expressed the collective commitment of the parties to work together to navigate Pakistan out of its challenges.
“As a united front, we pledge to address all issues, including the economy and terrorism,” stated Asif Zardari, emphasizing the resolution to find solutions through consensus, with even the inclusion of PTI.
Acknowledging the financial challenges faced by Pakistan, Zardari stated, “We are aware of the numerous installments of Pakistan’s debts that need to be fulfilled.”
Despite acknowledging the possibility of facing each other in elections, Zardari urged for collaborative efforts in managing the country effectively.
Zardari emphasized the importance of accepting election results during the press conference, asserting that their presence here in Islamabad is a testament to the transparency of the electoral process, underlining that, “Our [politicians present in the press conference] presence here, guiding the way forward, is a direct outcome of transparent elections. Without transparency, we would not be in this position.”
‘Maryam Nawaz will be PML-N’s candidate for CM Punjab’
Taking over the presser, Shehbaz Sharif requested his brother Nawaz Sharif to accept the office of the prime minister. He also said that PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz will be the Punjab chief minister (CM) candidate after the party’s consultations.
He thanked PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain for inviting different political parties, adding that the purpose of the meeting is to tell the nation that ‘we are united’.
The PML-N president said that the election process is over, and now the new parliament is about to come into existence.
“Now our war is against the country’s challenges. The first challenge is the economy. We have to stabilise it which is a tall task. Nations move forward when their leadership unites and decides to end conflicts and take the nation forward to eliminate problems,” he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the parties that attended the meeting have the two-third majority of the National Assembly.
He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed independents have a majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We also respect whosoever is PTI nominee for chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa slot,” he added.
When asked if Asif Ali Zardari is the presidential nominee, Shehbaz Sharif replied, “We will not disappoint you.”
Moreover, the former premier called for an end to ‘issues of ego’, adding that the need is for ‘revolutionary steps’ to rescue the country’s economy.
“I again invite the Charter of Economy to everyone. Come, move forward and let’s together promote the Charter of Democracy and end the things we said against one another,” he urged all the political stakeholders.
MQM-P pledges ‘full support’ to Shehbaz
For his part, MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the party would support Shehbaz Sharif to strengthen the democracy.
“With mutual cooperation, we will strengthen democracy and support Mian Shehbaz Sharif. We have supported him before and will do so in future,” he said.
Khalid Maqbool noted that no interest could be greater than serving Pakistan for any party at the moment. “Everyone must put aside their political interests and move ahead with a common approach to serve the country,” he noted.
“The PPP has decided that we are unable or not in a position to join federal government ourselves, nor are we interested in taking ministries in such a setup,” the party chairman said while addressing a press conference following a two-day long Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting.
Bilawal Bhutto acknowledged that the reality was that his party does not have a mandate to form a government in the Centre. “Due to this, I will not be putting myself forward for the candidacy of the prime minister of Pakistan,” he said, noting that PML-N and the independents have greater numbers.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had refused to form a coalition with the PPP which left the PML-N as the only party that had invited the PPP to join the government.
“We don’t want to see chaos in the country or perpetual crisis in the country,” the PPP chairman said, adding that his party decided to support the PML-N’s candidate for the premiership to ensure political instability.
Bilawal Bhutto said that his party has accepted the election results, despite concerns, in the larger interest of the country. He urged all political parties to address the shortcomings so that “no one can point fingers at elections the next time”.
“The PPP has made the decision that we may not be a part of the government but we will engage with political parties on the issue of votes and the election of prime minister,” he added, assuring the public that the Parliament will be formed.
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KARACHI: The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has issued a threat alert for Sindh’s capital Karachi, warning of possible terrorist attacks at major places, ARY News reported on Monday.
The handout issued by the internal security watchdog read that key government buildings or installations could be targeted in the attack by terror elements.
According to the notification titled Terrorist Activities in Karachi – a copy of which is available with ARY News, four unknown terrorists prepared a suicide bomber most probably for suicide bombing in different places in Karachi.
The notification also mentioned the names of the terrorists – Arsalan, Mushtaq, Abid and Ghazanfar – who are planning for suicide bombing in port city.
It mentioned that key installations and Sindh Assembly, CM House Sindh, Press Club Karachi and Sindh High Court, hospitals and schools may be kept under strict vigilance.
NACTA warned that extreme vigilance and heightened security measures are suggested to avoid any untoward incidents.
The alert was issued amid a surge in terrorist activities across the country, especially in KP and Balochistan, since the outlawed militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.
ISLAMABAD: Senior leadership of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has advised party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari against forming a coalition government with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and sitting in opposition, ARY News reported on Monday, citing sources.
The PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting was held in Islamabad under the leadership of Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, a party statement said.
According to the statement, the participants of the meeting expressed their confidence in the leadership of the party and discussed a myriad of topics including the general elections and the way forward.
اسلام آباد: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی پارلیمنٹرینز کے صدر آصف علی زرداری اور چیئرمین پی پی پی بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی سربراہی میں سینٹرل ایگزیکٹو کمیٹی کا اجلاس
اسلام آباد: اجلاس میں پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کی سینٹرل ایگزیکٹو کمیٹی کے تمام اراکین موجود
Senior PPP leadership advises Bilawal, Zardari to ‘sit in opposition’
Sources told ARY News that majority of the committee members proposed to sit in opposition, rather than forming a coalition government. Ostensibly, a strong coalition government will not be formed, the participants suggested.
The CEC members were of the view that PPP should sit in the opposition by respecting the mandate of independent candidates – who according to ECP election 2024 results were in lead in National Assembly (NA).
The participants dubbed making PPP’s prime minister a ‘political loss’, sources claimed, adding that some also proposed to hold talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) instead of PML-N.
Meanwhile, some CEC members suggested to become part of the government on getting important positions including the premiership. If Bilawal becomes prime ministership and PPP secures important ministries, the party can show his ability to deliver, sources quoted meeting participants as saying.
Separately, PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan proposed to sit with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), rather than joining PML-N. “We should sit with the party which secured the real mandate”, he said.
A day earlier, it was reported that PML-N and PPP discussed a ‘power-sharing formula’ to bifurcate the prime minister’s tenure between the two parties for the next five years.
The PML-N delegation led by Shehbaz Sharif met PPP’s leadership including Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari.
Sources revealed that during the meeting a suggestion was put forward that the PML-N and the PPP might get their respective nominee elected as the prime minister for two and a half years each.
“One party’s nominee would be the prime minister for the first two and half years while another party’s nominated member could get the prime minister slot for the next two and half years,” as per the suggestion, sources claimed.
The sources said that no final decision was made during the meeting as both parties sought time to consult with their respective executive boards or committees.
Earlier, PML-N ‘offered’ presidency, NA speakership and Senate chairmanship to Pakistan People’s Party, to get support for the formation of governments in the centre and Punjab, ARY News reported, citing sources.
Sources claimed that PML-N has offered three constitutional positions to the PPP to gain its support in the centre and Punjab. PPP was offered positions of president, speaker National Assembly and Senate chairman, while PML-N also agreed to give Balochistan CM ship to the Bilawal-led party.
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