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[VIDEO] Are General Elections likely in the coming few months?

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Bewal Express

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He has made a bold prediction that he has been told by his sources that there will be an election in 2 months. Lets see if its true but he was very confident when he made it. No to selected imports -Let the people decide
Watch the last few minutes
 
Selectors getting worried. MQM refused to join cabinet as they fear being obliterated in Karachi. Oh dear

 
PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday hinted that his party would not be taking any ministries in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's cabinet — which is yet to be decided since the premier's election on April 11.

"I don't think we are taking any ministries," he told journalists outside the National Assembly after PPP's Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was elected NA speaker unopposed.
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Maybe Zardari will remove support from PDM, to stick it to PML N.
 
It's envitable there is no other way massive gatherings all over Pakistan although it will be another debate whether these elections will be free and fair
 
First make sure shady characters like Bajwa can't tamper with the electoral process, then have all the elections you want.
 
Let the people decide, only then will things calm down. Crooks will never be accepted, something you need to get your head around.
 
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More desperation from the mafia. Blocking people from attending

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">People are reporting traffic being blocked heading towards Mizar-e-Qaid(Jalsa Gah). <a href="https://t.co/Mfb7cMh13e">pic.twitter.com/Mfb7cMh13e</a></p>— Siasat.pk (@siasatpk) <a href="https://twitter.com/siasatpk/status/1515354580107866122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
KingKhanWC said:
You and Zardari were harping on about democracy but are now running away like scared children?

Let the people decide, only then will things calm down. Crooks will never be accepted, something you need to get your head around.
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Constitution says election after 5 years, so after 5 years.

Till than PDM rules the govt. Shebaz is pm.... With no opposition, any bill can be passed and any institute like NAB can be closed down.
 
Election will happen when it is supposed to happen. It cannot be held earlier just because PTI supporters are crying.
 
In 1988 elections were called after 2 years.
In 1990 elections were called after 3 years.
In 1993 elections were called after 4 years.

Most PDM keyboard warriors who are bricking it were not in existence then, let alone understand the constitution of Pakistan.

:)
 
The only way election happens quickly is if the PDM coalition collapses because of a fight between PPP and PML-N.

Actually If PTI MNAs resign then the government can't collapse even if PDM coalition collapses because till the by elections happen which can take months, the size of the house is greatly reduced and the simple majority mark is reduced too
 
Technics 1210 said:
In 1988 elections were called after 2 years.
In 1990 elections were called after 3 years.
In 1993 elections were called after 4 years.

Most PDM keyboard warriors who are bricking it were not in existence then, let alone understand the constitution of Pakistan.

:)
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No point arguing lol, they'll just move the goalposts again, and again and again
 
Two Jalsas so far and two parties decided not to join the government, PPP and MQM.

Now PML-N can have it all, don't have to share
Everyone of their MNA/MPA can become a minister.

Father PM
Son: CM of Punjab
No opposition in national and provincial assembly

Lotas are on sale

Democracy is well and alive.
 
Mamoon said:
Election will happen when it is supposed to happen. It cannot be held earlier just because PTI supporters are crying.
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After 4 uturns in 4 days, all I see is you running from piller to post. Cheeni up, ghee up, electricity up, no wage increases. And AZ is trying to bail.
 
Mamoon said:
Election will happen when it is supposed to happen. It cannot be held earlier just because PTI supporters are crying.
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Its fun watching imran and his fans burn. Well his fans dont really understand things and just follow their cult leader.

Zardari has always been one step ahead.

Imran khan wasnt even aware of NCM rules, he foolishly allowed the speaker to accept the motion insted of resigning and forcing an election. When he figured out that after a motion is accepted you cant take U turns, he gad a regret.

Poor guy, had he been an experienced politician he xould had got an election done. But his 22 years experience is just useless with no knowledge of the constitution.

Now he is literally on the streets begging money and begging for a early election.

Just because you don't know the rules and do an own goal on yourself doesnt mean the other parties should hand it over now.

Watching Imran be regretful and run from one place to anogher for the next 1.8 years would be fun to watch.

Zardari Imran per bhi bharri per gaya :)))
 
Major said:
Its fun watching imran and his fans burn. Well his fans dont really understand things and just follow their cult leader.

Zardari has always been one step ahead.

Imran khan wasnt even aware of NCM rules, he foolishly allowed the speaker to accept the motion insted of resigning and forcing an election. When he figured out that after a motion is accepted you cant take U turns, he gad a regret.

Poor guy, had he been an experienced politician he xould had got an election done. But his 22 years experience is just useless with no knowledge of the constitution.

Now he is literally on the streets begging money and begging for a early election.

Just because you don't know the rules and do an own goal on yourself doesnt mean the other parties should hand it over now.

Watching Imran be regretful and run from one place to anogher for the next 1.8 years would be fun to watch.

Zardari Imran per bhi bharri per gaya :)))
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I wouldn't be surprised if the elections are delayed with backing of establishment beyond 2 years. Establishment certainly isn't backing Imran again.
 
Gharib Aadmi said:
Country heading for bankruptcy. The awam will blame Shehbaz

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">https://twitter.com/MiftahIsmail/status/1515223717588127745 </blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">https://twitter.com/MiftahIsmail/status/1515223723288236035</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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They are in a bind. The badniyaat crooks knew perfectly well that inflation was an international issue but told everyone it was IKs fault. So you can't cope with being in govt and your Blaming IK. SS the populist but can't do any drama baazi.

BTW
They created 3 camp offices and 3000 police to protect them. I thought PK was bankrupt
 
Bewal Express said:
They are in a bind. The badniyaat crooks knew perfectly well that inflation was an international issue but told everyone it was IKs fault. So you can't cope with being in govt and your Blaming IK. SS the populist but can't do any drama baazi.

BTW
They created 3 camp offices and 3000 police to protect them. I thought PK was bankrupt
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Cant wait to see PTI talk about "Petrol Bomb" when Shehbaz has to raise prices.
 
Gharib Aadmi said:
Country heading for bankruptcy. The awam will blame Shehbaz

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">https://twitter.com/MiftahIsmail/status/1515223717588127745 </blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">https://twitter.com/MiftahIsmail/status/1515223723288236035</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Yeah....its PTI's fault in 3 years. Not the previous 10 by these robbers.
 
Bewal Express said:
They are in a bind. The badniyaat crooks knew perfectly well that inflation was an international issue but told everyone it was IKs fault. So you can't cope with being in govt and your Blaming IK. SS the populist but can't do any drama baazi.

BTW
They created 3 camp offices and 3000 police to protect them. I thought PK was bankrupt
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When is their next "Mehengai Mukao" march ?
 
Gharib Aadmi said:
Cant wait to see PTI talk about "Petrol Bomb" when Shehbaz has to raise prices.
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This is an incredibly dangerous time for many countries including PK and the govt needed the support of all institutions but instead they chose to take Foreign money and overthrow a govt. As they are the govt, they have to make the decisions, so make them.
 
moghul said:
When is their next "Mehengai Mukao" march ?
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This is the irony, a govt "brought" in is paralysed and can't make the tough decisions. Our establishment wanted IK to make all the hard decisions and the mafia pick up the prize at the end but the oil price has thrown this whole sazish into chaos
 
Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has regretted that the country’s higher judiciary didn’t take suo motu notice of ‘horse-trading’ but opened doors of courts at midnight to ensure that he was ousted from power earlier this month.

Addressing his party’s grand power show at Karachi’s Bagh-e-Jinnah on Saturday, he lamented that the courts started opening because some people feared that he will abrogate the Constitution.

Imran Khan at the start of his much-anticipated address said that he is not against any country or region but wanted relations on basis of equality. "I want friendship with everyone but slavery of none."

He said that a "big international conspiracy" has been hatched against the country. "I am not anti-Indian, anti-European or anti-American... I believe in humanity," he added.

Imran Khan said that the courts started opening because some people feared that he will abrogate the constitution.

"I ask the judiciary a prime minister of a country has been threatened... shouldn't there be any investigation [before issuing the verdict]," he added.

He said that what crime he had committed that the courts were opened at midnight. "What crime had I committed? The person who had named his party on justice... I was the person who stood for judiciary against Musharraf... I am the only politician in Pakistan who was declared sadiq and ameen by courts," he added.

He asked the country’s judges what the Constitution says about those MNA who were elected on PTI's mandate and later “sold their conscious for Rs200 million”.
"I ask the judges with respect that shouldn't you had taken a suo motu action," he said.

He said that many members of parliament became part of an alleged global conspiracy against Pakistan by selling their conscious and became part of ousting PTI government. "Do not forgive such people," he told the masses.

Imran Khan said that if the conspiracy becomes successful then no Pakistani prime minister will be able to take a stand for the nation.

"They (the conspirators) knew if it (no-confidence motion) becomes a success then who is going to come [into power] ... Mir Jaffar had already stitched his sherwani by then."

He said that as soon as the new government came, new orders came to "do more".

The PTI chief alleged that the Americans have imposed Shehbaz Sharif on us and he will take revenge against those officers who had formed cases against him. "The FIA officer who had investigated [a case], he got him suspended... he will take revenge against other such officers as well," he added.

Imran Khan said that he has been told that his life is in danger but added that Pakistan's independence was more important than his life.

He said that when he went to Russia he asked them to give Pakistan oil and wheat on cheaper rates and both our requests were accepted. "They (Russians) were willing to give use oil at 30% cheaper rates and were also willing to give us wheat at cheap rates too," he added.

'Conspiracy or interference?'

Imran Khan said that the conspiracy was not against PTI but Pakistan. "The conspiracy that was hatched against our country... you tell me was it interference or conspiracy," he asked the crowd.

He said that his life was in danger but his life was not more importance than the independence of Pakistan. "This conspiracy is to make you a slave and impose Mir Jaffars on us."

Imran Khan said the ‘conspiracy’ was hatched months ago. "Donald Lu (US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs) meets our ambassador in Washington that if no-confidence motion against Imran Khan did not succeed then there will be problems for Pakistan but if it succeeds then all will be forgiven," he added.

He said that what bigger shame could be for a nation of 220 million that a threat is being given in such a manner. "I am the prime minister who were they addressing," he questioned.

Imran Khan said that after the threat, over 20 of our MNAs betrayed us as well as the allies also turned against us. "Pakistanis, tell me was this a conspiracy or not? Should a country be given such a threat," he added.

All Pakistanis should demand fresh elections

Imran Khan reiterated his demand to form a judicial commission to probe the ‘threat letter’. "We had asked the members of National Assembly to see it for themselves but they did not come," he added.

He said that all Pakistanis should demand fresh elections. "Pakistan is a ‘democracy-friendly’ country and if people elect Mir Jaffars then it is fine… but they will not go for a new election and first designate people at key positions [so they can do rigging] and also seek revenge,"' he added.

Talking about the foreign funding case against his party, he said that foreign funding cases against PPP, PML-N and PTI should be heard simultaneously.

On recent crackdown on PTI's social media team, Imran warned that if they're pushed against the wall then "you" will pay the price and not the country.

"This is our police, our institutions... our movement is peaceful but I want to warn that don't push us that far that the nature of this movement changes into something else... I do not want to see any damage to this country," he warned.

He said that the PTI will never accept the "imported government", adding that they demand fresh elections. "Entire nation is ready [for fresh elections... you have to teach the ones who sold their conscious a lesson during the elections," he added.

Earlier, Imran Khan waved at his supporters after arriving at the venue.


PTI leaders have claimed that it will be one of the “biggest rally in the history of the subcontinent and not just in the history of Pakistan”.

People belonging to various walks of life have gathered at the venue.

Qureshi demands judicial inquiry of lettergate scandal

Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has demanded a judicial commission to probe the issue of ‘threat letter’ “if anyone was in any doubt about its legitimacy”.

"Maryam and Bilawal say the document is fake but the people [coming to the public gathering] have proven that it is not fake and legitimate... if you are in any doubt then you can form a judicial commission and the truth will come out," he added.

Qureshi said that on the same venue not so long ago PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had taken out a rally against inflation and now he's is part of a government which was raising prices of different commodities.

"Rs10 have been increased on sugar, Rs20 on ghee... they have also raised Rs4.85 on electricity and prices of petrol and diesel will also be increased soon."

https://tribune.com.pk/story/235290...stanis-to-come-out-and-demand-fresh-elections
 
Another great speech. We need an election ASAP. The uncertainty is dangerous and one mistake from either side could lead precious, innocent lives being lost.
 
I get the feeling that the establishment that selected these crooks at the behest of the Americans are worried that SS can't make the tough decision to increase the petrol price. If this continues until July, we are quite literally bankrupt. Miftah said as much today. IK must not be the fall guy for their pisss poor decisions. Kaptaan must not compromise
 
Looks like it. Imran is building momentum by the day and the we have the weakest possible coalition in power. Not a good combination.
 
The world economy is on the verge of another recession due to skyrocketing global commodity prices.

Heavy import-dependent economies including Pakistan are facing strong headwinds due to the unsustainable rise in import bills and prices of essential commodities including petrol, diesel and cooking oil. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the PTI government was managing this crisis through extraordinary measures to protect the citizens and businesses.

Due to the measures taken by the PTI government, the economy posted a strong growth of 5.6% in 2021. In the current year, the economic data shows that we are on target to achieve record exports of $30 billion, record remittances $32 billion and highest-ever agricultural farm output in history.

Private sector credit of Rs1.2 trillion in the first nine months of current fiscal year is the highest-ever recorded and shows a growth of 170% from last year. Manufacturing sector (LSM) has posted growth of 7.8% in the current year. Profitability of the top 100 companies listed on PSX recorded growth of 62% in 2021, the highest growth in the last 10 years. The inclusive growth strategy adopted by the PTI government with focus on labour-intensive construction, export industry, SMEs, tourism, and agriculture has led to the creation of 5.5 million jobs in the first three years, the highest by any government on record.

On average 1.84 million jobs per year were created under the PTI, which is significantly higher than PPP (1.4 million) and PML-N (1.1 million).

Current trajectory suggests that we would have achieved the target of 10 million jobs promised by Imran Khan in the 2018 manifesto.

According to the World Bank, Pakistan outperformed all regional economies with the lowest unemployment rate in the South Asia region at 4.3% compared to India 8%, Bangladesh 5.4% and Sri Lanka 5.9%. In line with Imran Khan’s vision of Riyasat-e-Madina, extraordinary measures were taken to scale up Ehsaas spending for the poorest households.

Under the Ehsaas ration scheme, over 20 million households (54% of total population) were provided subsidy on purchase of essential food items including flour, pulses and cooking oil. The landmark universal health insurance programme now covers the entire population of Punjab, K-P, ICT, AJK and districts in Sindh and Balochistan.

More than 60% of all households across Pakistan are provided free hospitalisation and healthcare, providing savings of Rs10 lakh to each citizen. These extraordinary measures also included the Rs300 billion relief package. The PTI government reduced taxes on petroleum products to 0% and froze prices at the pump to shield consumers. As a result, the domestic consumers are paying Rs150 per litre on petrol compared to Rs188 in Bangladesh and Rs271 in India. Similarly, households and commercial users were provided relief on their power consumption by a reduction of Rs5 per unit in their bills.

The funding for this relief package was secured through record tax collection by the FBR, higher dividend incomes from state-owned companies and a sharp reduction in expenditures. Difficult steps were taken to reduce imports including raising interest rates, ensuring adequate financing to manage SBP reserves and exchange rate correction. The IMF programme was put back on track and $22 billion of liquid reserves were shored up by the end of February 2022. That’s when the PDM partners jumped in to sabotage the economy and cause unnecessary panic in markets.

The seriousness of PDM leadership to the economic challenges can be gauged from the fact that they still don’t have a finance minister at the helm of affairs. Promises of reducing inflation and giving relief to the masses were all abandoned within the first week. Prices of electricity were hiked by Rs4.85 per unit, whereas prices of essential food items including sugar and cooking oil have increased sharply. Funding for the Panagahs and Langars has been slashed, with daily-wage workers and the most vulnerable citizens deprived of food and shelter.

Miftah Ismail wanted to reduce power tariffs to Rs12 per unit, yet the first step he has taken is to burden consumers by increasing prices by Rs4.85 per unit. Similarly, after threatening to stop overseas Pakistanis from being able to vote in the general elections, the PDM leadership has now publically acknowledged the success of Roshan Digital Account – a key initiative of Imran Khan government and the $4.4 billion investment made by the overseas diaspora. After criticising Imran Khan for providing massive relief to the masses on petrol and diesel, the PDM leadership has now decided to sustain these relief measures.

In the meantime, the economy is tumbling towards an unmitigated financial crisis of a scale we have not seen before. Just look at the events in Sri Lanka to get the perspective. The economy can still be saved despite the difficult global environment if policymakers take tough decisions today. Lacking any form of public legitimacy, the PDM financial wizards are already stumbling in their first week in office. Only a leadership with the political capital can rescue the economy from the abyss. Hence, we demand early fresh elections and request the PDM leadership and their handlers to take the right decision.

The writer is former finance minister of Pakistan

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2353068/early-elections-only-way-to-save-economy
 
Maulana Faz-Ur -Rehman calls for immediate elections

This is strange. I feel he is not getting the presidency.
 
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that he plans on conveying to the new coalition setup his desire for "immediate" elections, just days after an alliance of then opposition parties ousted former prime minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the country's new premier.

Fazl, who had been at the forefront of the former joint opposition's endeavours to end the Khan government, was addressing his party workers in Islamabad when he said that the new government would operate for a year at the most.

"In this new setup, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam has its own identity and we are telling them (coalition partners) that we still want elections immediately," he added.

Referring to Khan but not naming him, Fazl continued: "Even though he is gone and we sent him packing, it is still our responsibility to return to the people the amanat that we struggled for."

Fazl suggested electoral reforms as a solution to any reservations that coalition partners in the new setup may have with regards to the electoral system and possibilities of rigging.

He went on to say that "there is a limit to expediency. Continuing to stay in power unnecessarily would not be the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam's stance".

"And we stick to our stance," he said, adding that the JUI-F would be engaging the new coalition setup on the subject.

Fazl's remarks have come amid reports that newly elected PM Shehbaz would be announcing his cabinet soon.

Yesterday, PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb told Dawn that “members of the federal cabinet are taking oath tomorrow (Monday).” She added all allied parties were being accommodated in the cabinet, including the JUI-F and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

However, a source in the government told Dawn that Fazl was not joining the federal cabinet but assured that he would remain a government ally. It has also been learnt that the JUI-F had demanded the presidential slot and expressed displeasure over giving one ministry each to the Awami National Party (ANP) and independent MNA Mohsin Dawar.

Fazl conveyed his displeasure to PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, another key members in coalition setup, and questioned as to why two ministries were given to those parties or persons who had contested elections against JUI-F, according to the Dawn report. The report said Fazl conveyed to Zardari that the ANP and Dawar would give a dent to his party in the next elections too.

According to the report, Zardari made it clear that he could not back out of his promises made with the allied parties as he was a “guarantor” in the alliance, which was formed against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government.

Zardari said his party did not want to take ministries unless all allied parties were accommodated.

Earlier, he had hinted that his party would not be taking any ministries in PM Shehbaz's cabinet.

"I don't think we are taking any ministries," he told journalists outside the National Assembly after PPP's Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was elected NA speaker on Saturday.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1685610/f...s-immediate-elections-even-after-khans-ouster
 
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Friday said that holding fresh elections was not the real demand of the people, saying that the core issues of the masses were to see poverty being eradicated, reduction in inflation and relief to the salaried class.

He said that it is a difficult task but the government should focus more on the welfare of the people, adding that the businessmen could increase prices but the salaried class can’t increase their salaries by themselves.

“The real problem of the people is not early elections,” Shujaat said in a video message, “the real problems of the people are to eradicate poverty, control prices and provide relief to the salaried class.”

Read more: Fazl calls for early elections after Imran's ouster

Shujaat’s statement comes at a time when the former prime minister, Imran Khan has frequently been calling for fresh general elections in the country following his ouster through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.

Following the defenestration of the former PM, he has been holding rallies in different cities and demanding snap polls. In his rally in Lahore on Thursday, Imran asked people to get ready for his call to gather in Islamabad in the next stage of the “real freedom” movement.

To a question about what advice did he give to his son Chaudhry Salik Hussain and party stalwart Tariq Bashir Cheema, Shujaat said that he has shared the advice that his father had given him.

“There should be no arrogance, no matter what the circumstances are,” Shujaat recalled his father’s advice, adding that “hypocrisy should be avoided and the politics of hypocrites should also be avoided.”

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2353769/early-elections-wont-solve-peoples-problems-shujaat
 
PML Q still playing both sides. They certainly know how to survive
 
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday indicated that holding general elections may not be possible before May 2023 as it outlined the timeline of processes — including the census and delimitation — that it said must be conducted before the country can go to polls.

In a press release issued by the body's Media Coordination and Outreach Wing, the commission said that it had received a letter from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on April 18 stating that the seventh population and housing census would be initiated from August 1.

According to the statement, the ECP would be provided the results of the fresh census on December 31.

In such a scenario, the delimitation of constituencies being conducted by the ECP on the basis of the 2017 census would become "irrelevant" and the electoral watchdog would be bound by the Constitution to start the process anew from January 1, 2023 — which would require at least four months.

"Similarly, electoral lists will also need to be reviewed," the press release added.

The electoral watchdog, constituted under Article 218 of the Constitution, is tasked with delimiting the national and provincial level constituencies. The ECP, per the Election Act 2017, is legally bound to start the delimitation process after every census and at least four months prior to the scheduled polling day.

Earlier this month, the commission had ordered delimitation of National and provincial assembly constituencies on a war-footing, without waiting for the digital census to commence. Subsequently, it had announ*ced the delimitation schedule, freezing the boundaries of administrative units across the country.

The schedule came days after the ECP had the expressed inability to conduct general elections before October, citing legal hitches including absence of delimitation, an essential prerequisite for polls, inviting scathing criticism from the then ruling PTI.

The commission had earlier blamed the PTI government for not cooperating and delaying the finalisation and publication of fresh digital census results, which subsequently led to a delay in delimitation.

Response to criticism

Responding to recent criticism, the ECP said it was a legal institution that carried out its constitutional responsibilities with complete impartiality and would continue to do so in the country's interest without any pressure.

Regarding the delay in the action taken against PTI dissidents, the body said it had issued notices to 46 members of the national and Punjab assemblies and asked them to appear before it on April 28 and May 6 respectively.

Commenting on the foreign funding cases, the ECP "strictly rejected" what it said were "irresponsible statements from some quarters regarding delays in hearing the foreign funding cases".

It said the ECP's scrutiny committee was continuing to work on references against foreign funding allegedly received by the PTI, the PML-N and the PPP. The ECP said the case against the PTI was in its final stages, with final arguments being given.

The commission added that it had given the PTI counsel from April 27 to April 29 for the final arguments in the case. Similarly, it said, the scrutiny committee has fixed May 9 for taking up the cases against the PPP and the PML-N's and summoned the necessary records.

The ECP said it had also summoned a report on case proceedings from the scrutiny committee chairman on April 28. The body blamed the political parties for any delays caused in the hearings and proceedings for the various foreign funding cases.

DAWN
 
Bewal Express said:
Another great speech. We need an election ASAP. The uncertainty is dangerous and one mistake from either side could lead precious, innocent lives being lost.
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There is no “uncertainty”. We have a democratically elected government in power and they will stay in power until the general elections, which will be held on time - not before or after.

Imran and his supporters burning like coal on an Eid barbecue is not a good enough reason to move the general elections to an earlier date.
 
ECP is getting exposed for outright bias and its a shame really given ECP is supposed to be apolitical. There are many ways in which elections can be triggered.

The first and the obvious one that IK is going for is through building pressure on the constituency from his march on Islamabad. People here are rubbing this off as something like 2014 dharna but one thing is for certain this would be a massive test for the Government.

The other ways elections can be triggered are legal ways. First would be when the decision on dissident members come from ECP/Supreme Court. As per law any dissident member should be de-seated whilst for the ones that casted actual votes in the Punjab Assembly might also face some period ban due to floor-crossing. Assuming, the dissident members are de-seated then additional 20odd seats in NA would become empty together with 123 resignations of PTI members already. Also after this verdict comes in favour of PTI they can tend resignations from provincial assemblies that would leave a massive void. No way ECP can conduct a by-elections on so many seats, well ECP is not in a position to do by-election on 123 NA seats of PTI itself they are super scared and hence didn't even issue a notification to secretariat on these resignations. All in all stupid statements again and again from ECP.

To add further ECP seems to forget that Shahbaz has razor thin majority by just 2 seats. If tomorrow lets say PMLQ or MQM for any reason say they don't want to be associated with Shahbaz then the President can simply ask Shahbaz to take a confidence vote in Parliament which if he fails would dissolve NA.

Overall, there are many ways in which elections can be triggered and by the looks of things this poorly formed PDM won't survive 3 months. PDM will go down as a case study in Pakistan politics history where one managed such a successful political suicide.
 
Elections are not happening any time soon. They will be held next year in August.
 
More excuses from ECP. In SC they said they need 7 months now they pushing another year.

For an institution that's sole job is to hold elections, it is highly incompetent. PTI should take them to court as constitutionally they should be prepared for elections in 90 days.
 
Imran Khan ready to sit with PM Shehbaz on early polls issue: Sheikh Rashid

ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said he is making efforts to clear “misunderstandings” between the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the establishment, claiming that ex-premier Imran Khan is ready to sit with incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the issue of holding early elections if (early polls are) guaranteed by “powerful quarters”.

Mr Rashid, who as the head of the Awami National League-Pakistan remained part of the PTI-led coalition government, said that the PTI would stage a long march to the federal capital by the end of this month and the marchers would stay in Islamabad till the announcement of election date.

He was of the opinion that the PTI should not have confronted any state institutions rather the party should sit with the Election Commi*ssion of Pakistan (ECP) so that it could convince the commission on early polls.

“I have started efforts yesterday to remove misunderstanding between them (PTI and the establishment),” he said in an interview with VOA correspondent Ali Furqan on Monday.

Efforts on to mend ties with establishment

“I am in favour of peace with army, but in case of ‘war’ I will stand by Imran Khan,” Mr Rashid said.

He agreed that there was something wrong [in the last regime] due to which allies like the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) parted ways with the PTI. However, he said, “I was not expecting this from MQM.”

He said Mr Khan was ready to hold talks with the Sharif government for early general elections, but it required the guarantee of “powerful quarters”.

However, he dismissed the impression that PTI’s long march was aimed at inviting martial law. “Imran Khan does not want to shake hands with the leaders of Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, but there can be talks regarding elections if the establishment guarantees,” he added.

When the PTI was in power, Mr Khan had said multiple times that he would never sit with Sharif-like “corrupt” leaders on “any issue”.

After the no-confidence vote against Mr Khan last month, the former opposition parties have formed a coalition government with PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif as its prime minister.

Mr Rashid said the army wanted to maintain the continuity of democracy and the only way to maintain it was to hold early elections, otherwise, neither PTI nor the PML-N-led government would survive.

The AML chief said: “Imran Khan is going to gather millions of people in Islamabad and in that case the country would go into a state of uncertainty which may lead to civil war.”

PTI chief Imran Khan earlier on Saturday announced a march towards Islamabad in the last week of May.

Mr Rashid said that if Mr Khan succeeded in bringing a large number of people to Islamabad, his politics would reign while his only demand was early elections. “The PTI does not want to topple the government, but the marchers will not return from Islamabad without announcement of the date of general elections,” he added.

Talking about the fall of the PTI government, he said there were “some misunderstandings with the institutions” which should not have happened. He said he was against a conflict with the army and still wanted “reconciliation”.

When asked to elaborate specific reasons that had caused differences between Mr Khan and the army, the minister refused to reply. However, he said, he had started making efforts from May 1 to remove the “misunderstanding”.

Mr Rashid said he had nothing to do with the Masjid-i-Nabwi incident, but he was clear that the present rulers would be “welcomed in a similar way wherever they go”.

On cases of incitement to violence at the holy mosque, he said he had spent many years in jail in fake cases in the past and was still ready for arrest. He said he had intended to retire from politics, but in the present circumstances he would take part in the elections at Mr Khan’s behest.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2022
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No Bewal jaani, PDM will never ever hold elections before due time. They need time to do arrangements for election rigging, they want time to once again block overseas Pakistani votes.

Whoever says that elections are coming in two or three months, is just a wish. Its not happening before 10-12 months.
 
'We will decide best time for elections', Sanaullah tells Sheikh Rashid

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah reacted on Tuesday to his predecessor Sheikh Rashid's statement about Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan being ready to sit with Prime Minister Shehbaz on the issue of early elections, questioning why he was "begging the government and institutions now" as he declared that "we will decide what is the best time for the elections."

In a series of tweets, Sanaullah said Imran had the authority to dissolve assemblies and hold new elections while he was the prime minister. He added that now the elections would not be held before "the accountability [is conducted] of looting the national treasury and making the country economically barren".

Rashid, one of Imran's long-time allies who remained a part of the recently ousted PTI government, had said during an interview to Voice of America on Monday that Imran was ready to hold talks with the Sharif government for early general elections, but it required the guarantee of “powerful quarters”.

“Imran Khan does not want to shake hands with the leaders of Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, but there can be talks regarding elections if the establishment guarantees,” the Awami National League-Pakistan had added.

He had further said he was making efforts to clear “misunderstandings” between the PTI and the establishment, and that he was of the opinion that the PTI should not have confronted any state institutions. Rather, the party should have sat with the Election Commi*ssion of Pakistan (ECP) so that it could have convinced the commission on early polls, Rashid had said.

The former interior minister had spoken about the the PTI's planned march on Islamabad to demand early elections.

“Imran Khan is going to gather millions of people in Islamabad and in that case the country would go into a state of uncertainty which may lead to civil war,” he had warned.

Rashid had expressed similar fears earlier today, when he said while speaking to the media that the PTI's Islamabad march could turn "bloody" and urged the powers that be to "find a solution before the long march", by May 31.

He said he was pre-empting that the "long march" could turn "bloody" as part of a "conspiracy", and that the marchers may commit self-immolation.

Reacting to these statements, Sanaullah said on Twitter that "people like Sheikh Rashid wanted to create a a situation of a ... civil war."

But his "wish for a civil war will never be fulfilled ... people will not be misled by ridiculous statements", Sanaullah added.

The interior minister also alleged that Rashid was the "mastermind" behind the recent incident at Masjid-i-Nabwi, during which a group of pilgrims had converged on PM Shehbaz and his delegation and shouted slogans against them at the mosque.

A first information report has been registered against PTI leaders, Rashid and several others, including the former interior minister's nephew MNA Rashid Shafique — who has been arrested — under blasphemy laws over the incident.

Sanaullah said alleged in his tweets that Sheikh and other PTI leaders had hatched a conspiracy during the first 10 days of Ramazan at a hotel in Jeddah that led to the incident at the Prophet's Mosque.

"Driven by your selfishness and desperation, you have not even spared your nephew. You are celebrating Eid in Rawalpindi and your nephew is in jail because of your conspiracy," Sanaullah remarked.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1688068/w...e-for-elections-sanaullah-tells-sheikh-rashid
 
daytrader said:
'We will decide best time for elections', Sanaullah tells Sheikh Rashid

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah reacted on Tuesday to his predecessor Sheikh Rashid's statement about Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan being ready to sit with Prime Minister Shehbaz on the issue of early elections, questioning why he was "begging the government and institutions now" as he declared that "we will decide what is the best time for the elections."

In a series of tweets, Sanaullah said Imran had the authority to dissolve assemblies and hold new elections while he was the prime minister. He added that now the elections would not be held before "the accountability [is conducted] of looting the national treasury and making the country economically barren".

Rashid, one of Imran's long-time allies who remained a part of the recently ousted PTI government, had said during an interview to Voice of America on Monday that Imran was ready to hold talks with the Sharif government for early general elections, but it required the guarantee of “powerful quarters”.

“Imran Khan does not want to shake hands with the leaders of Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, but there can be talks regarding elections if the establishment guarantees,” the Awami National League-Pakistan had added.

He had further said he was making efforts to clear “misunderstandings” between the PTI and the establishment, and that he was of the opinion that the PTI should not have confronted any state institutions. Rather, the party should have sat with the Election Commi*ssion of Pakistan (ECP) so that it could have convinced the commission on early polls, Rashid had said.

The former interior minister had spoken about the the PTI's planned march on Islamabad to demand early elections.

“Imran Khan is going to gather millions of people in Islamabad and in that case the country would go into a state of uncertainty which may lead to civil war,” he had warned.

Rashid had expressed similar fears earlier today, when he said while speaking to the media that the PTI's Islamabad march could turn "bloody" and urged the powers that be to "find a solution before the long march", by May 31.

He said he was pre-empting that the "long march" could turn "bloody" as part of a "conspiracy", and that the marchers may commit self-immolation.

Reacting to these statements, Sanaullah said on Twitter that "people like Sheikh Rashid wanted to create a a situation of a ... civil war."

But his "wish for a civil war will never be fulfilled ... people will not be misled by ridiculous statements", Sanaullah added.

The interior minister also alleged that Rashid was the "mastermind" behind the recent incident at Masjid-i-Nabwi, during which a group of pilgrims had converged on PM Shehbaz and his delegation and shouted slogans against them at the mosque.

A first information report has been registered against PTI leaders, Rashid and several others, including the former interior minister's nephew MNA Rashid Shafique — who has been arrested — under blasphemy laws over the incident.

Sanaullah said alleged in his tweets that Sheikh and other PTI leaders had hatched a conspiracy during the first 10 days of Ramazan at a hotel in Jeddah that led to the incident at the Prophet's Mosque.

"Driven by your selfishness and desperation, you have not even spared your nephew. You are celebrating Eid in Rawalpindi and your nephew is in jail because of your conspiracy," Sanaullah remarked.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1688068/w...e-for-elections-sanaullah-tells-sheikh-rashid
Click to expand...

Let's see , when the whole country is on the road this murderer will be unable to stop it, early and immediate elections are the only solution, no one accept the government of thugs.
 
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the possibility of holding general elections prior to the appointment of a new army chief cannot be ruled out.

In an interview with BBC Urdu, he said, "It is possible that we hold elections before the [new] army chief's appointment, before November. There will be a caretaker government at that time. It is also possible that the caretaker government is gone and the new government is [in power] before November."

Asif was responding to the interviewer after she brought up the impression that former prime minister Imran Khan was ousted over the new army chief's appointment.

"Imran Khan wanted to do things his own way on the matter of the new army chief's appointment. He wanted to ensure the protection of his political interests and the continuity of his rule.

Incumbent Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa will remain in office till November 29 this year, when his second three-year tenure will end.

Gen Bajwa was given an extension by the previous PTI government in 2019.

In response to a question about whether the PML-N-led coalition government could give the incumbent COAS another extension, Asif said Bajwa had already announced that he does not want his tenure to be extended.

The defence minister said he welcomed the announcement because it had "closed the doors of speculation" and noted that the previous army chief, General (retd) Raheel Sharif, too, had not "directly or indirectly demanded an extension".

'PM's prerogative to choose army chief'
He was then asked whether the entire process for Imran's removal was because of the former premier's "desire to do things his way". Denying that this was the case, Asif said it was the prime minister's prerogative to choose who he wanted from the list of names recommended to him by the army.

He noted that army chiefs had been appointed in 2013 and 2016 and the premier at the time had taken the decisions on merit and respected the army's recommendations.

"[Former premier] Nawaz Sharif did not know general Raheel Sharif. He knew General Qamar Javed Bajwa because he had served as the Rawalpindi core commander. But the institution's recommendations were respected both times. The [new] appointment will be made on merit in the same way."

Asif said he believed the process for appointing an army chief should be "institutionalised" similar to the judiciary. "There is no speculation about [a chief justice]. I know who will become the chief justice in 2028."

"In my personal opinion, instead of discussing the matter of the army chief's appointment, the process should 100 per cent be based on merit. This is a big and very important issue, it should never be the subject of political debate," BBC Urdu quoted him as saying.

Consideration of Faiz Hameed's name
When asked whether the PML-N-led government, which has previously criticised former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, would consider him for the army chief's post, Asif replied, "If his name is on the seniority list, it will definitely be considered.

"All names on the list will be considered.

"If the defence minister brings the names of five officers to the prime minister, and the army recommends Lt Gen Faiz Hameed's name as well, then I don't think the defence ministry or the prime minister have the space left to say, 'send three or eight names instead of five'."

When asked to comment about the PML-N's past statements claiming the security establishment, especially Hameed, was behind Nawaz's ouster, Asif said it was unfortunate that the party's politics were "dragged into this thing or red lines were mixed in our past experiences".

Referring to the no-trust vote's success, the minister said that whatever had happened in the last month gave the opportunity to turn a new leaf and adhere to the limits set by the Constitution. "Pakistan's security lies in this," he added.

The army should not become a topic of discussion in the public domain, he said, adding that "they say names should not be taken at the party level."

Dawn
 
And now this....

==

Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif Wednesday clarified his statement regarding general elections in November and said that it was taken out of context.

Speaking on a Geo News programme, Asif said he agrees with PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari's statement that elections should be held before National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and electoral reforms.

The defence minister said that there is no disagreement regarding the reforms among the coalition parties and the government would hold elections after consultations with the allies.

He went on to say that the elections will be held after legislation.

Asif said that important decisions regarding the economic situation would be taken in the next 24 hours, adding that there is time for political decisions but not for economic decisions. "There is an emergency situation on the economic front at the moment," he added.

The PML-N leader said that the government is ready to make difficult decisions, adding that the government will decide when to hold the elections once matters on the economic front are taken care of.

Criticising the PTI government, Asif said why should the government bear the brunt of Imran Khan's wrongdoings.

"We will tell the nation the PTI is responsible for these difficult decisions," he added.

While talking on another Geo News programme earlier, Asif had said that he was asked about the appointment of the chief of army staff during his BBC interview, to which he said the government would decide his appointment.

GEO
 
PML-N’s London huddle agrees on not holding early elections

  • Meeting agrees govt would focus on providing economic relief to masses.
  • Govt would take tough but long-term economic decisions.
  • Sources say meeting decided to announce next elections after consultation with coalition partners

LONDON: Amid confusion within the coalition government over the time of the next general elections, the PML-N's London huddle decided that there will be no early polls, The News reported.

The prime minister, along with his key cabinet members and party leaders, flew to London to meet PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday where detailed discussions were held on the prevailing economic and political situation in the country.

The insiders of the meeting said that the incumbent government would focus on providing economic relief to the masses and take tough economic decisions which would serve in the long term.

Sources said that Nawaz sought suggestions on early elections and various other affairs during the meeting that continued for over six hours at an undisclosed location in London. "Everyone agreed on implementing the economic agenda first and then announcing the time of elections after consultation with coalition partners," they shared.

Speaking to The News after the meeting, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb told that PM Shehbaz and ministers in his delegation presented a full report on Pakistan’s socio-economic and political situation to Nawaz Sharif.

Moreover, the meeting briefed the party chief on the government's agenda and planning, she added.

Aurangzeb further stated that the PML-N and its coalition partners had inherited the worst kind of economic situation from the PTI government and the meeting reviewed the huge suffering of people as a result of the policies of the previous government. She said the meeting deliberated upon the IMF conditions and how the people of Pakistan were affected by them.

The minister informed that the huddle discussed the constitutional violations that took place between 3-12 April by the PTI leaders and which still continued in Punjab. She said the final decisions would be taken in the second and last sessions, which would take place on Thursday and then formal announcements would be made.

When asked why these issues could not be discussed virtually and why the whole government was visiting London, Aurangzeb said there was nothing surprising in the London meeting.

"Nawaz Sharif is our Quaid. Meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif was long overdue. We have inherited today’s Pakistan in a written-off situation and we needed to review the whole situation to formulate a plan. This was a private delegation."

When asked about the early elections, she said that the current government’s "mandate is till next year and we are here to give relief to the people of Pakistan. It’s the history of Nawaz Sharif to take Pakistan out of economic crisis and if there is one person who can deliver, that's Shehbaz Sharif. Only the PML-N has the right strategy."

In a separate discussion with Geo News, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the party is ready to take difficult decisions to manage the worsening economic situation. Agreeing with the anchorperson about the cost of delaying the decisions, the minister said the government is aware of the country's financial problems and fully geared up to address these challenges.

Protest in London
Outside Hasan Nawaz Sharif’s office, a large number of PML-N and PTI activists gathered and faced off each other for two hours. The PTI's UK wing gave the call to protest to condemn PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit, while PML-N announced holding a counter-demonstration to welcome the prime minister.

Both sides raised slogans in support of their leadership and also abused each other. The protest continued for two hours amid heavy downpours and then ended peacefully.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/416419-london-huddle-agrees-on-not-holding-early-elections
 
Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has warned the unity government to give him the date for fresh elections or “the ocean of people that is coming to Islamabad will wash away everything”.

"I am giving you warning if you don't give us election date, the ocean of people coming to Islamabad will blow you away," he said while addressing a massive public gathering in Mardan on Friday.
 
LONDON: The London huddle of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz top leadership in a key decision agreed to hold general election after completion of the terms of the assemblies, ARY News reported on Saturday.

“No pressure for election from any side including Imran Khan will be accepted,” PML-N meeting decided.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif directed the party leadership to avoid political vengeance and arrest of PTI leaders.

The session also advised former finance minister to avoid comments on media over the economy as the meeting agreed that Dar will advise finance minister Miftah Ismail in economic decisions.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance, Miftah Ismail was given task to get a good economic deal for Pakistan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was earlier summoned to London for consultations over the economic problems of the country.

Federal ministers Khawaja Asif and Khawaja Saad Rafique after a key meeting of the party leaders in London held a media talk.

Khawaja Asif said that the party consultations were 100 percent focussed over the economic aspects and was decided to get rid of the state of indecision to strengthen the economy.

“The allies will be taken into confidence over the decisions taken in the party meeting,” Asif said. “The people will be taken into confidence within 48 hours after consultations with the allies,” he said.

Railways minister Saad Rafique said that we will soon playing on forward position, and will not allow spreading lawlessness.

According to sources, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif while preventing political victimization of PTI observed that the blasphemy cases have hurt the PML-N.

The meeting decided that action will definitely be taken over the irregularities during the PTI government.

ARY
 
Constitutionally why should there be a re-election now. The party lost numbers in parliament. New coalition will run its course and then there will be elections.
 
wasim-fan said:
Constitutionally why should there be a re-election now. The party lost numbers in parliament. New coalition will run its course and then there will be elections.
Click to expand...

So you are scared because you know what will happen to your imported fascist crooks. Btw constitutionally is horse trading allowed?
 
wasim-fan said:
Constitutionally why should there be a re-election now. The party lost numbers in parliament. New coalition will run its course and then there will be elections.
Click to expand...

Because the people are not happy.
 
Bewal Express said:
So you are scared because you know what will happen to your imported fascist crooks. Btw constitutionally is horse trading allowed?
Click to expand...

Do you understand how parliamentary democracy works ? It’s fairly normal for coalitions to lose majority.

If horse trading is the allegation for an early election, then go to courts and prove it. Also it’s great to see that horse trading happened only with with PDM and not with PTI led coalition. How was this assumed ?
 
MenInG said:
Because the people are not happy.
Click to expand...

So people were also unhappy with 13% inflation and growing debt burden. Either we disband the parliamentary democracy and alter or constitution or we have to simply accept the rules of the game. You cannot scream “tampering” when you are losing the game ( no pun intended ).

Either way elections have to happen in a year anyway.
 
Dissolving assemblies not the solution to economic crisis: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi


PML-N leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said dissolving assemblies is "not the solution" to the prevailing economic crisis, and urged all political parties to sit together with the government and derive a solution to it.

"Dissolving the assemblies is not the solution," Abbasi told reporters outside the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) offices in Islamabad when asked about the economic crisis. "The government is working hard to get the situation under control."

The senior PML-N leader said the situation would not improve "until and unless all the parties sit at a table and talk".

His remarks come in the backdrop of a sliding rupee value, and a stock market that has experienced a slump owing to government's decision to maintain the fuel subsidy which was instituted by its predecessor. At the same time, PTI chairman Imran Khan has consistently maintained that fresh elections are the sole solution to the prevailing crisis.

"This destruction [of the economy] started four years ago when the PTI government came to power," he claimed. "Today, Imran Khan is the sole person responsible for the economic turmoil in Pakistan. You cannot expect a government to immediately fix things that he spoiled."

Referring to PTI supporters, Abbasi said that "true patriots" would think about the well-being of the country and "actively play a part in taking decisions that are for the betterment of the economy".

The decisions, the PML-N leader continued, also need the support of institutions and the people because Pakistan was everyone's responsibility. "Our country has always had unconstitutional intervention in politics. That intervention also plays a role in getting us where we are today," he added.

Abbasi's talk followed a hearing on a multi-billion-rupee case against him related to the award of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import contract. With regard to the anti-graft body, Abbasi demanded that NAB should be "immediately dissolved" as "Pakistan will not be able to function as long as the bureau exists".

Economic uncertainty
Earlier today, the US dollar continued its flight against the rupee and breached the Rs196 mark — an all-time high — in interbank trade, mainly due to the country's depleting foreign exchange reserves and high imports.

According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the greenback gained Rs1.50 from the previous day's close of Rs194.60 to climb to Rs196.10 around 11:20am.

This spell of the dollar's persistent rise against the rupee began on Tuesday last week, when the international currency hit a record high of Rs188.66. It then soared to Rs190.90 on Wednesday, rose past Rs192 on Thursday, reached Rs193.10 on Friday and climbed over Rs194 yesterday (Monday).

A Dawn.com report said on Monday that the when the PML-N-led coalition government took over on April 11, the dollar was valued at Rs182.3, and since then, the rupee had lost Rs11.4 or 6.2 per cent of its value.

According to currency dealers, the dollar demand never comes down, which did not allow the local currency to stay at any point.

They say the higher demand for dollars is the key reason for the bullish trend in the currency market. Political foot-dragging by the incumbent government on the reversal of fuel and electricity subsidies — a prerequisite for the resumption of the loan programme by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) — has further eroded the confidence of stakeholders.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed policymakers to devise a comprehensive strategy in consultation with the stakeholders to halt the rupee’s free fall and improve reserves.

He also held a Zoom meeting with Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) chairperson Malik Bostan on Monday and expressed concern over the current situation.

During the meeting, it was suggested that entire markets across the country should be closed down before the sunset, which would save a substantial amount of energy, reduce the import oil bill and the supply to the general public could be restored.

According to a Dawn report, the PM would hold another meeting with Bostan and the SBP governor on the exchange rate today.

This will be the third meeting held by the government on the issue in four days and reflect the growing frustration in the power corridors of Islamabad, the report said.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1690115/d...ution-to-economic-crisis-shahid-khaqan-abbasi
 
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Saturday hinted at quitting government and announcing general elections in the country after consulting with allies, ARY News reported.

Taking to Twitter, the interior minister Rana Sanaullah said, “we will go to the public after consulting with our allies.”

He further wrote: “If we are stopped from delivering, our hands and feet are tied and performance is questioned then it is very straightforward that those who are responsible should suffer.”

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz senior vice president Maryam Nawaz has called for an immediate general election in the country.

It is learnt that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has begun consultations with the coalition parties to quit the federal government with sources claiming that the majority of those consulted have suggested waiting for some days for support from the institutions for the incumbent government.

According to sources privy to the renewed discussions in the PM House during the last two days, a majority of the coalition parties have supported leaving the federal government with some conditions.

“Wait for some days for the support from institutions and if it does not come then the government should quit,” the sources said while sharing a decision from the majority of the coalition parties.

The coalition parties further suggested that any final decision should be made after necessary legislation within 10 days.

ARY
 
If elections did take place in the coming months, which party would win?
 
Saj said:
If elections did take place in the coming months, which party would win?
Click to expand...

Imran has a lot of people power and it's fashionable these days to be a PTI supporter. I personally still think most of the citizens in Pakistan support PML-N, keeping in mind their great track record of governance.

However, I know from family how terribly hard it is to be a PML-N supporter currently. Keeping that in mind, I feel most of them won't bother coming out to vote and PTI will win considering how open and vocal their supporters are right now.
 
Sher Khan said:
Imran has a lot of people power and it's fashionable these days to be a PTI supporter. I personally still think most of the citizens in Pakistan support PML-N, keeping in mind their great track record of governance.

However, I know from family how terribly hard it is to be a PML-N supporter currently. Keeping that in mind, I feel most of them won't bother coming out to vote and PTI will win considering how open and vocal their supporters are right now.
Click to expand...

Their great track record of governance? I am hoping it's sarcastic.
 
Sher Khan said:
Why not? 6.1 percent GDP growth rate under Nawaz. Metro Bus projects, motorways built, I could go on and on.
Click to expand...

So 6.1 is good but IK has achieved close to that in much more difficult conditions and with a minority govt. IK has pushed up exports to 32bn and on course for 40bn, Noora exports down to 23bn, imports have been cut bar the oil and gas price increase, CAD in surplus( remember what happened with NS and CAD), have you forgotten the bankruptcy at the end of your reign? Tax collection nearly doubled under IK. And all this when we have had a once in a lifetime pandemic and a war in Europe, Supply chain issues. Its not even a contest, the Nooras should have hit 8% growth with the conditions they had. Darnomics didn't work and its the reason why PK went bankrupt and he ran off
 
Bewal Express said:
So 6.1 is good but IK has achieved close to that in much more difficult conditions and with a minority govt. IK has pushed up exports to 32bn and on course for 40bn, Noora exports down to 23bn, imports have been cut bar the oil and gas price increase, CAD in surplus( remember what happened with NS and CAD), have you forgotten the bankruptcy at the end of your reign? Tax collection nearly doubled under IK. And all this when we have had a once in a lifetime pandemic and a war in Europe, Supply chain issues. Its not even a contest, the Nooras should have hit 8% growth with the conditions they had. Darnomics didn't work and its the reason why PK went bankrupt and he ran off
Click to expand...

es k aagay taarekh khamoosh hojati ha.
 
Sher Khan said:
Imran has a lot of people power and it's fashionable these days to be a PTI supporter. I personally still think most of the citizens in Pakistan support PML-N, keeping in mind their great track record of governance.

However, I know from family how terribly hard it is to be a PML-N supporter currently. Keeping that in mind, I feel most of them won't bother coming out to vote and PTI will win considering how open and vocal their supporters are right now.
Click to expand...

Their track record has destroyed the country.
You do realise that don't you?
They are complicit in the deaths of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of poor people.
Do you understand this?
 
Level of pmln is to have their own people chant against them in Saudi then file false cases against Imran Khan for it. All thanks to Bajwa.

Then these thiefs supporter talks about development while fugitive nawaz hides in London like the coward he is. Its not just theft and looting, nawaz has repeatedly proven through his comments and actions he is a traitor.
 
ECP ready to hold next general polls in October, November
The work on making constituencies across country will be accomplished till August 3 and final list will be published on same day

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started preparations to hold next general elections at the end of October or start of November.

According to sources, the constituencies are being made across the country in accordance with the census of 2017 and the constituencies committees will accomplish primary constituencies till May 24.

The list of preliminary constituencies will be published on May 28. The objections to these constituencies will be submitted from 29th of May to 28th of June.

The work on making constituencies across country will be accomplished till August 3 and final list will be published on same day. The ECP has set up display centre for publication of final electoral lists in this regard.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/959807-ecp-ready-to-hold-next-general-polls-in-oct-nov
 
Browncaps said:
Level of pmln is to have their own people chant against them in Saudi then file false cases against Imran Khan for it. All thanks to Bajwa.

Then these thiefs supporter talks about development while fugitive nawaz hides in London like the coward he is. Its not just theft and looting, nawaz has repeatedly proven through his comments and actions he is a traitor.
Click to expand...

LMAO, PTI conspiracy theory.

They had them chant anti pmln slogans to make pti look bad. Never seen such ridiculous theory
 
Major said:
LMAO, PTI conspiracy theory.

They had them chant anti pmln slogans to make pti look bad. Never seen such ridiculous theory
Click to expand...

2 of the people arrested were Noora party members. If that wasn't the case, why did the issue die so quickly.
 
Elections held today, tomorrow or next year. PTI is coming back with 2/3 majority and this is what is killing PDM and their supporters.
 
Syed1 said:
Elections held today, tomorrow or next year. PTI is coming back with 2/3 majority and this is what is killing PDM and their supporters.
Click to expand...

The more they delay it ,the more zillat for PDM and more popularity for PTI.
 
Major said:
LMAO, PTI conspiracy theory.

They had them chant anti pmln slogans to make pti look bad. Never seen such ridiculous theory
Click to expand...

pmln accepted what I wrote, see Bewals post below your lies. He even tagged you when pmln accepted they organized the chants, as always you disappeared and never posted again in the thread.

They had to request Saudi authorities to release their own party leaders for the chanting. Go post your lies elsewhere.
 
As the PTI is all set to march on Islamabad on Wednesday (May 25), the PML-N government and its allies have decided that the current setup will complete its tenure till August 2023 and the general elections would be held at the stipulated time next year.

Express News quoting sources reported on Monday that following flurry of meetings, the coalition partners rejected the demand for early elections and decided to take tough measures to stabilise the economy and improve governance.

Amid facing louder calls to dissolve assemblies and announce snap polls, the allies expressed the resolve that they would not yield to any pressure.

The development comes a day after PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan announced that his party would kick off its much-hyped long march against the “imported government” to the federal capital on May 25 to force it to call early elections.

The insiders said the allies were of the view that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had already announced a date for the next elections hence it is not possible to hold polls early.

The sources added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair an important meeting of the coalition parties on Wednesday in which the future course of action regarding the next general elections would be announced.

The allies have also decided that PTI’s long march will be handled in a democratic way and they will not be allowed to hold a rally on Srinagar Highway in Islamabad.

Instead, the PTI will be provided with a ground to hold a rally or stage sit-in as an alternate to Srinagar Highway, the sources added.

The coalition government hinted on Saturday that it was ready to walk away from power and take its case to the people if not allowed to freely rule the country and complete the remaining constitutional term.

The threat to leave the government came from Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah against the backdrop of an ongoing stalemate between the PML-N-led coalition government and the powerful stakeholders of the country.

“If we are stopped from working, our hands and feet are tied and reservations are expressed on our performance then those responsible should take the burden. Why should we take the responsibility when we are not responsible for destroying the economy,” the interior minister said, adding “We would approach the masses after discussing with the [government] allies”.

Express Tribune
 
PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday reiterated that he and his supporters would not vacate D-Chowk in Islamabad until a final date for new elections was given from the "imported government".

Imran made those remarks during a brief stopover in Hasan Abdal — which is approximately 50kms away from the capital — as his supporters reached D-Chowk ahead of him despite obstacles on their way.

DAWN
 
The govt should resign. A mess is heing created by two fools, imran and shebaz, while the economy is in tatters. Shebaz is not willing to make any tough decisions and mifta ismail has just accept the stupidity of his party. Not much left here
 
oatmeal said:
The only way election happens quickly is if the PDM coalition collapses because of a fight between PPP and PML-N.

Actually If PTI MNAs resign then the government can't collapse even if PDM coalition collapses because till the by elections happen which can take months, the size of the house is greatly reduced and the simple majority mark is reduced too
Click to expand...

I have a feeling that MQM holds the key this time .
 
Former foreign minister and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has revealed that his party and ruling PML-N were holding backchannel talks to decide the final date of next general elections.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Qureshi claimed that he was told that all PML-N leaders including party supremo Nawaz Sharif were ready for the snap polls.

His statement comes two days after party chairman and former premier Imran Khan took many by surprise when he suddenly announced ending his “Haqeeqi Azadi March” and decided to give a six-day ultimatum to the ruling coalition to announce an election date or else he would return to the capital with more people next time.

The change of plan was not just sudden, but a deviation from what Imran had been saying for the past several weeks that he would not leave Islamabad without getting a date for the next elections from the government.

Insiders revealed that powerful circles were on board and pushed both sides to make certain decisions, including PTI’s entry into the capital and end of the rally instead of going for a sit-in. They added that everyone, including the powerful circles, needed face-saving and it was not just about political parties.

The former FM, in today’s media interaction, also challenged the ruling party leaders Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal and Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan to deny his statement under oath if he was lying.

Qureshi further added that both the parties also deliberated on announcing early elections in June, 2022 and also discussed setting October 5 as a tentative date for snap polls.

But later, the senior PTI leader said they were told that coalition partners of the PML-N government did not agree to the early elections. The PPP was a major obstacle to hold early elections, he added.
 
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday has said it is ready for the new elections by the end of October this year, ARY News reported.

Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Omar Hameed Khan while holding a press conference in Islamabad has made it clear that the body will be ready to hold new elections at the end of October but the decision in this regard has to be taken by the incumbent government.

ECP secretary said that the final list of voters was posted on October 4, 2020. The door-to-door verification process was completed between November 7 to December 31, 2021, the SMS service was made free from November 26 to December 31, 2021.

He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan is an independent and autonomous body and it is its responsibility to conduct transparent and fair elections.

The chief election commissioner had written to the then PM in 2020 to notify the census so that they can initiate new delimitation, but despite writing 17 letters, no reply was given and in May 2021, it was informed that the new census would be held.

The secretary ECP said that they are carrying out its work as per the orders of the Supreme Court. A large number of display centres have been set up.

Responding to the EVMs issue, the secretary of ECP said, there are several protocols which needed to be followed for the EVMs and their work on EVMs and overseas voting will continue.

ARY
 
MenInG said:
Former foreign minister and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has revealed that his party and ruling PML-N were holding backchannel talks to decide the final date of next general elections.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Qureshi claimed that he was told that all PML-N leaders including party supremo Nawaz Sharif were ready for the snap polls.

His statement comes two days after party chairman and former premier Imran Khan took many by surprise when he suddenly announced ending his “Haqeeqi Azadi March” and decided to give a six-day ultimatum to the ruling coalition to announce an election date or else he would return to the capital with more people next time.

The change of plan was not just sudden, but a deviation from what Imran had been saying for the past several weeks that he would not leave Islamabad without getting a date for the next elections from the government.

Insiders revealed that powerful circles were on board and pushed both sides to make certain decisions, including PTI’s entry into the capital and end of the rally instead of going for a sit-in. They added that everyone, including the powerful circles, needed face-saving and it was not just about political parties.

The former FM, in today’s media interaction, also challenged the ruling party leaders Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal and Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan to deny his statement under oath if he was lying.

Qureshi further added that both the parties also deliberated on announcing early elections in June, 2022 and also discussed setting October 5 as a tentative date for snap polls.

But later, the senior PTI leader said they were told that coalition partners of the PML-N government did not agree to the early elections. The PPP was a major obstacle to hold early elections, he added.
Click to expand...

NS has belatedly realosed that Bajwa is controlling SS( hence the cases of money laundering being bought up)and ultimately the Nooras narrative has turned to dust and as the oil price heads for $150, Maryams dream will become destroyed either way if SS survives for a 1.5yrs
 
Former energy minister Hammad Azhar has said that political instability triggered by the vote of no-confidence that toppled the PTI-led government earlier this year was responsible for the prevailing economic crisis.

“Leader [Shehbaz Sharif] of minority party became prime minister of the country…comedy show is going on... if this was a private company they would have been fired long ago,” Hammad said while addressing a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday.

Responding to a question, the senior PTI leader denied the reports that they are holding backchannel talks with any stakeholder, saying that early general elections are the only solution to steer the country out of the crisis.

“If the government wants the situation to improve then they should call snap polls.... If [early] elections are not held on time, the situation will get worse, he added.

The ex-minister also said that “experienced rulers” have completely failed to control the situation as the rupee plummeted to an all-time low against the US dollar.

“These people are praying for rains so that power load-shedding will be reduced,” he remarked.

He was of the view that if his party was in power, the economic situation would not have been so bad today.

“We reduced the prices of electricity and fuel... we left the GDP growth at 6 per cent and will take it to between 7 and 8 per cent in the next fiscal year,” Hammad added.

Express Tribune
 
PML-N senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ruled out the possibility of early elections in the country, saying due to the current economic turmoil, the country will move towards default, Geo News reported.

Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said, "Early elections are not the solution to the country’s problems. It will default if handed over to the interim government for three months."

The former premier said that the government knew the political cost of its decisions, but as he had mentioned earlier, "everybody would have to give priority to the national interest."

"We will gain nothing by playing politics. If the country moves towards default, which government will steer the country out of this crisis?" he asked, "At least there is a government who is dealing with the situation, and we will go to the masses before elections after solving issues," he added.

The former PM, shedding light on the current economic state of the country, went on to remark that when we came to office, the country's economic condition was worse than we had anticipated because the past four years of the country were wasted due to poor governance.

Regarding the situation of load shedding in the country, he stated, "Plans are now being made to procure coal, LNG, and oil, while the former government made no such arrangements."

"As of today, we produce 21,000 megawatts (MW) of power; by June 29, this will increase to 29,000 MW, and load shedding will be reduced to less than two hours," he continued.

GEO
 
Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has predicted that the next 45 days are very important for the country's politics, saying that the slightest mistake can do a lot.

“A pro-India government which has come to power through the back door cannot function and new elections will have to be held,” the former interior minister said while addressing a protest rally held against the blasphemous remarks given by India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party spokespersons.

The rally was attended by a large number of citizens who carried placards and banners with slogans against the Indian leaders.

Addressing the rally, Rashid said, “The government has been brought for anti-people decisions. It has relations with India and now it has increased electricity, gas and petrol prices.”

He said they were also ready to sit in the opposition, but a date “should be given for the elections as there is no other choice but to hold elections”.

Rashid said, “We are ready to sit in the opposition as civil disobedience is being tried in the country, civil war is being waged, and the poor are being killed.”

He said, “The imported government has killed the poor. We reject the 15% increase in salaries as inflation has increased 500 times.”

In the federal budget 2022-23, the incumbent government announced a hike of 15% in the salaries of government employees.

Rashid announced that former prime minister Imran Khan would soon lead a massive rally from Faizabad to Islamabad in protest against the soaring inflation.

He said that removing Imran from power through a foreign conspiracy was a conspiracy of a foreign country, adding that the statement from the United States mentioned the no-confidence motion six times and Imran four times. “Sorry to say … the pro-India government in Pakistan has been brought through the back door with one vote.”

“I salute the greatness and sacrifices of Pakistan Army but I can clearly say that Imran Khan has been abused,” Rashid said. “August 14 will be celebrated in true freedom … Lal Haveli stood with the army and will stand.”

He said, “The MQM-P leaving the Imran government is a question mark.”

Rashid said that he had declared June-July as the most important months for the country's politics and his prediction that Sheen (Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister) would emerge from Noon (Nawaz Sharif, N-league quaid) had come true. “Now look, Shen has formed the government.”

He dared Nawaz to come back to the country.

He said that “Imran Khan kept crying Maqsood Chaprasi” and as soon as “Shehbaz came to power, Maqsood Chaprasi died or was killed”.

Maqsood Chaprasi was the key suspect in the Rs16 billion money laundering case against the Sharif family. He died on June 6 in Dubai. The FIA court had declared him a fugitive.

“All of them have disposed of NAB cases,” Rashid added.

Express Tribune
 
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