Nawaz Sharif warns federal govt against attempts to rig elections

The leader of PML-N, Mian Nawaz Sharif, has warned the federal govt against any attempt to rig the upcoming general election and said timely, a free and fair poll was the prerequisite for democracy.
On Sunday, Nawaz Sharif said those making hollow promises to the people had been disclosed during their period and they’d be rejected by the public in the upcoming election. Nawaz Sharif said the PPP-led govt had given nothing to the people except load shedding, unemployment, price hike, corruption.Nawaz said during its 2 tenures, the PML-N govt fixed the issues of the citizens, and promised that it would serve the public if came back to power again. He said the PML-N was the only party that could overcome the problems faced by the country.
Nawaz Sharif asked the party politicians to make a full plans for the election for which the party would give a detailed manifesto and a road map to fix the people’s issues. He claimed they weren’t doing politics for ruling over the public but for principles and there’d be no compromise on it.

PML-Q targets PML-N in the battle for Punjab

The PML-Q is campaigning against the PML-N more vociferously than the PPP and PTI to inflict max hurt to it in the upcoming elections, mainly in the Punjab. Our goal is the PML-N, which claims almost all province as its political bastion,” a senior PML-Q leader told.
Outcomes will show that it’s its unrealistic. He said there’d be no national or provincial constituency particularly in Punjab where his party wouldn’t field its nominee. We have finalised our nominees for several places while the process of selection continues for other constituencies. The PML-Q leader mentioned that apart from firming up seats adjustment with the PPP, his party was hectic weaning away important numbers from numerous parts. He said record indicates that many of the electables currently aligned themselves with the PML-Q, thinking that it’s a force to be reckoned with.

The  PML-Q leader said that his party would expose the so-called appeal of the PML-N in the upcoming elections. He said the PML-N was only thriving on amazing promotion whereas it’s performed nothing worthwhile on the ground. It, he claimed, has postponed many outstanding ventures undertaken by the PML-Q.
The PML-Q leader mentioned that his party was facing no issue in working out the seats adjustment with the PPP. He said the first discomfort caused by the induction of Manzoor Wattoo has been overcome because of the intervention of the top PPP command especially President Zardari.

PML-N to oppose Accountability Bill 2012 says Chaudhry Nisar

PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar, on yesterday said that PML-N would strongly oppose the National Accountability Bill 2012 and Fair Trial Bill 2012, if the govt tabled these in the house. Speaking with a group of reporters in his chamber, Chaudhry Nisar said that the PPP-led govt would try its level best to get the National Accountability Bill 2012 passed from the lower house to secure millions of rupees the rulers had earned through corruption.
 
Chaudhry Nisar said that PML-N parliamentarians had already opposed the bill during its release in the 46th session of the National Assembly, adding that voting in favor of the National Accountability Commission Bill in its present form was like legalizing corruption in Pakistan. PML-N didn’t want any corrupt man to escape answerability, hence the present form of the bill wasn’t suitable. He said that the PML-N would also oppose if the govt move the bill in the house switch death penalties into life imprisonment.
Indicating serious concerns on present political and safety scenario of the country, Chaudhry Nisar said that the country was moving through a crucial period, adding that it’s the responsibility of all concerned quarters, including govt, main officials of the state institutions and political stakeholders to act with patience and smartly to help the country out of the situation. Any bad step would further aggravate the present situation, he added.

President PTI Kasur District and others join PML-N

The PTI President District Kasur Ch. Nasir Mahmood along with other 4 leaders of the party have declared to join PML-N.
Ch. Nasir Mahmood, Malik Muhammad Khurram Nasrullah Khan, President PTI Laliyani, Mehr Muhammad Shafique Organizer PTI Kasur City, Mehr Muhammad Afzal senior leader PTI Pattoki and Abdul Ghaffar Bhatti senior leader PTI, called on central leader of PML-N Hamza Shahbaz Sharif and showing trust in the command of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif declared to participate in PML-N.

Ch.Nasir Mahmood and his friends announced that they totally support the policies of PML-N and the steps of party command for the survival of democracy, growth and strength of the country.
Hamza Shahbaz Sharif welcomed joining of Ch. Nasir Mehmood and his friends to PML-N and expected that thanks to new newcomers party will become more strong and powerful.

PTI moves ECP against PML-N’s misuse of state assets

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has charged the Punjab Govt of using state assets in the media campaign of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif. 
PTI Information Secretary Shafqat Mehmood in a letter to the ECP said that Punjab Information Secretary Muhayudin Vai, who’s a Govt worker, was using official position while contacting print and electronic media office informing them to block PTI actions in their specific tabloids and tv channels.
Shafqat Mehmood claimed that the provincial Govt was misusing state money in the PML-N party promotion in the garb of the official advertisement printing the photos of Nawaz Sharif on top while Nawaz has no formal position in the provincial Govt. PTI leader contacted the Election Commission of Pakistan to make sure stopping this particular action by the Punjab Govt and ensure fulfillment of election policies by all parties and politicians.

Chaudhry Nisar Opposition close to consensus on caretaker PM: Chaudhry Nisar

PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan claimed on yesterday that he had managed to bring about an “almost full consensus” of all opposition groups outside and inside parliament on the names of 2 retired judges to head the caretaker govt in the run-up to general elections.
Chaudhry Nisar didn’t name the 2 retired judges, but his clear reference was in Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid and Justice (retd) Shakirullah Jan, whose names were among the list of 7 people recommended by him to other opposition groups in Sept as his party’s nominees for the caretaker PM. He said the PML-N would come out with a last name after holding a consultative gathering of the command.
As per to sources in the PML-N and in the other groups, besides the 2 retired judges, Chaudhry Nisar had recommended the names of 83-year-old Baloch nationalist Ataullah Mengal, ex- Supreme Court Bar Association president Asma Jahangir, Pakhtunkhawa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, ex- JI chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed and ex- chairman of Awami Tehrik Rasool Bakhsh Palejo to head the future caretaker govt.
Later, Mr Mengal and Mr Achakzai aware the PML-N command that they’re not serious in assuming the office of the caretaker pm, reducing the list to only 5.

PML-N rules out any possibility of political alliance with MQM

PML-N Senator Mushahidullah Khan has demanded the govt to announce a timetable for holding next general elections. Addressing a media conference here at the Press Club on Sunday, the Senator came down hard against the ruling PPP govt, saying the Sindh govt has failed to provide protection to PresidentZardari’s sister MNA Faryal Talpur, as she’d contacted the Sindh High Court for her protection.
“Now the Sindh govt has no moral reason to continue, as if its own party command isn’t safe, then how it could make sure the improvement and security or general people,” he argued.  A different question about possible political coalition with the MQM in future, Mushahidullah said the PML-N could negotiate with the MQM for the sake of peace in the city. He said that Nawaz Sharif hasn’t said about making a coalition with the MQM in future. He said his party would make coalition with all peace-loving people.
PML-N Senator appealed to all the opposition groups to get united on a platform to beat the ruling PPP and its partners in the next elections in the best interest of Pakistan.

PPP creates panel for discussions on caretaker set-up

PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has constituted a Committee to talk with political groups and partners for the establishment of a caretaker set up for the forthcoming general elections.
As per sources, the Panel would talk with its coalition allies as well as the PML-N, JUI-F and other opposition groups in and outside Parliament in this regard.
The Panel comprises PPP politicians Qamar Zaman Kaira, Farooq H Naek, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar and Nazar Muhammad Gondal. The Panel would also engage PTI and Jamaat-i-Islami  in the consultative process.
Sources said the caretaker setup may be given final form after December, but no final date had yet been finalized. As per sources, discussions had started between the govt and the main opposition party.

Rana Sanaullah: PTI to become part of forgotten political history soon

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has advised PTI chief Imran Khan to prepare for general elections rather than finding out reasons to flee the general elections.
Speaking with media people here on Friday, Rana Sanaullah said that general elections weren’t far away and PTI would know about its worth among the public. He said that elements who presented Imran Khan in country ’s politics have retired and chairman PTI would also retire from national politics shortly.
The Punjab law minister said that the PML-N will form the next govt and Imran Khan would soon become a forgotten part of political history. Rana Sanaullah mentioned that his party was seriously waiting for general elections and people would cast votes in favor of PML-N for its performances and pro-masses plans.

Imran Khan to contest against Nawaz Sharif from NA-123

PTI chief Imran Khan will contest against PML-N chairman Mian Nawaz Sharif in forthcoming elections, party sources disclosed. This contest is a part of a comprehensive strategy of PTI’s think tank to sweep the elections from all Lahore constituencies against PML-N.
PTI has seen an important surge in Punjab province and other areas of the country since Oct 2011. PML-N, regarded as the main party of Punjab, faces a heavy threat from recently emerged party though its politicians claim they’ve no threat from PTI. As per the PTI plan, Imran Khan will face Nawaz Sharif in the general elections from Lahore.
“PTI’s think tank has made a list nominees who’d be contesting from Lahore’s 13 seats of the national assembly and 26 seats of provincial assembly,” the sources added. According to the plan, 5,000 to 6,000 youths will be made active in every constituency to make voters active.
Similarly a central secretariat of PTI has been designed for which architectural strategy has already been completed.

Govt committed to holding fair and free polls: Prime minister

Prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Tuesday said that world leaders, who met him on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Laos on Monday, praised the Govt of Pakistan for successfully finishing its term, the first in its history.
The Prime minister said this while talking with Baroness Sayeeda Warsi,  Britain Senior Minister of State at FCO, who called on him at the head of a delegation at the Pm House.He reiterated his government’s commitment of holding totally free and fair elections in Pakistan.
The appointment of a reputable Chief Election Commissioner by consensus bodes well for the future of democracy in Pakistan, he said. Congratulating the PM on the assumption of his office, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi assured him of help and assistance of the Britain Govt.

PPP Punjab demands reference against CM Shahbaz Sharif

PPP Punjab has demanded of Shahbaz Sharif to quit as the chief minister after the Supreme Court judgment in the Asghar Khan case. The board has written a letter to the Punjab Assembly speaker and asked him to deliver a reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan against CM Shahbaz Sharif for receiving money from the ISI in the past.
A gathering, chaired by Raja Riaz Ahmad, was held here on Monday. The PPP members also approved a resolution stating that after the SC judgment in Asghar Khan case, the position of CM Shahbaz had become questionable under Article 63 of the Constitution. They added that now he should quit instantly and appear before the FIA team for inquiry.
Meanwhile, Raja Riaz Ahmad briefed the press after the gathering and said the court proceedings have confirmed that Sharifs haven’t only plundered the mandate of the people but also embezzled national exchequer.

Imran Khan promises 25% party tickets to youths

Promising at least a 25% share for youths in party tickets in the upcoming general elections, PTI chief Imran Khan said on Sunday the tsunami would end the status quo.
“My aim to develop a new Pakistan, I don’t need any big name or any feudal to save the country, but only youths to do this goal. I’ll beat all political groups if youths help me,” Imran Khan said while addressing a massive youth seminar and announcing a youth policy of the party at Expo Centre on Sunday. Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Javed Hashmi and Farrukh Habib were also present.
Addressing the conference, Imran Khan said the PTI would ensure honor of every Pakistani and restore the respect of the green passport on the globe. “I will not let anybody do what was done to me in Toronto and what I require the support of you people, he mentioned while urging youths to support him in the process of developing a new Pakistan and saving the nation from the clutches of corrupt politicians.
PTI chief said Pakistan required a leadership which could lead the nation out of chaos and the country had a chance to play its part in saving their homeland.

MQM files application seeking disqualification of Sharif brothers

The legal war between the main opposition PML-N and key allies in the ruling coalition, the MQM, further intensified yesterday when an MQM lawmaker filed an application in the Supreme Court, calling for the Sharif brothers and their relatives to be declared ineligible to contest the upcoming general elections.
The application registered in the SC’s Karachi registry by MQM MNA Advocate Iqbal Qadri calls for a probe into alleged irregularities in the Sharif family’s property both in and outside Pakistan. The petition also asks the court to make public the facts of decades-old bank loans that were written off, making both the State Bank of Pakistan and the NAB parties in the case.
The Lahore High Court is hearing applications seeking quashment of 3 corruption references relating to the Hudaibya Paper Mills, Ittefaq Foundries and Raiwind assets – made by NAB against PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and his relatives. As per NAB, the Sharif family is a defaulter of Rs3.8 billion in among the 3 corruption references against it.

PML-N denies back-channel talks with PPP

PML-N has refused back channel efforts of the ruling PPP wanting cooperation of the major Opposition party for the disposal of selective legal agenda ahead of dissolution of the National and Provincial Assemblies for general polls.
Sources privy to the development told that the PML- N command has discouraged back channel links which the ruling PPP sought to open with the command of the main Opposition party for what the sources reported as higher political cooperation.
They said that leaders of the PML-N has decided in principle that it wouldn’t hold discussions with the PPP-led ruling coalition on any issue other than the general elections and strategies relating to establishment of caretaker set up.

PML-N and Like-minded group agree on electoral alliance

The PML-N has now found an ally in the PML-Q (like-minded) to boost its position in the forthcoming general elections. The party’s leader, Nawaz Sharif, phoned the ex- Sindh chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Wednesday.
Arbab Ghulam Rahim heads the breakaway faction of the PML-Q. Nawaz Sharif and Arbab Ghulam Rahim talked about the political scenario in Pakistan, especially in Sindh, and agreed to enter into an electoral coalition. The 2 politicians agreed to make seat changes in their respective constituencies, both in Punjab and Sindh. The announcement for the seat adjustments is likely to be made next month at a joint media conference. Arbab Ghulam Rahim will join Sharif in the conference through phone from Dubai.
Sources in the PML-Q (like-minded) said the party had decided on seat adjustments, but its nominees would contest elections on their own party symbol and both sides would set up individual parliamentary boards for seats. PML-N leader and Arbab Ghulam Rahim also talked about the possibility of uniting all the Muslim league groups.

PML-N will sweep elections, claims Nawaz Sharif

PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that his party would make a clean sweep in the next general elections and fearing their defeat, the rivals have started poor strategies.
Speaking with Alamdad Lalika at his residence in Raiwind on Tuesday, Nawaz mentioned that the PML-N with the supporting of the people would foil all the nefarious designs of the rulers.
Nawaz Sharif said that corruption and plunder have become the trademark of the rulers and the country is praying to eliminate them as quickly as possible. He mentioned that people wouldn’t become fool at the hands of dacoits and opportunists and they’d be eliminated from the political scene.
Nawaz said the rulers have performed nothing for the poor during the last Four and a half years and fearing their defeat they’re indulging in the blame game. He says that PPP and its partners were accountable for the present issues in Pakistan and they’d be made answerable to the people.