Politics

In jibe at Imran, Bilawal says institution’s apoliticism irked ‘puppet’ politicians

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Bilawal says PTI to not quit KP and Punjab assemblies.
He says “chaos” being spread to save Khan, people close to him.
Bilawal says PPP’s jiyala to become next mayor of Karachi.

In an apparent jibe at PTI Chairman Imran Khan, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Wednesday institution’s apolitical stance has got “puppet” politicians worrying about their future.

“The institution has accepted its mistake. But now, they [‘puppet politicians’] are worried that if the institution has become neutral, then what will become of their politics,” Bilawal told a charged crowd in Karachi during his address at a ceremony held to mark PPP’s 55th foundation day.

The PPP chairman’s comments came after former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa’s interview, where he said that the army’s decision to become “apolitical” will help enhance its prestige in the long term.

Bilawal, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister, vowed to thwart anti-democratic forces and the party will continue fighting against the “enemies” of democracy.

The PPP chairman said “chaos” was being spread in the country to save “watch thief” Khan, his sister Aleema Khan, Farah Gogi — a close aide PTI chief’s wife Bushra Bibi — from accountability.

Bilawal said when the PTI was “faizyab”, the party defeated PPP in its stronghold of Lyari and “stole” the mandate of the people.

‘Lying’

Bilawal said Wednesday that “coward” PTI Chairman Khan’s party lawmakers would not quit the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab assemblies.

“If you want to resign, then go ahead. The PPP is ready to face you; PPP is not afraid of ‘puppets’ and ‘selected actors’,” Bilawal said.

Bilawal claimed that Khan was “lying” when he said that his party’s lawmakers would resign from both assemblies as he is notorious for going back on his word.

“Don’t you remember”, he told the crowd, “that after PTI resigned from the National Assembly and the by-polls were set to take place, they moved the courts and plead that their resignations were just a political stunt”.

The PTI chief — who called off his long march to Islamabad last week — announced quitting assemblies across the country as he could not be part of a “corrupt system” anymore.

Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi has also backed Khan’s call to quit the assembly and said that if the PTI chief asks him to dissolve the house, he would do so without waiting for a minute.

However, the PML-N — along with the coalition parties — is mulling thwarting the move and the party’s senior leaders have stressed that they would go to “any length” to keep it from dissolving.

Taking a jibe at Khan for cutting his long march short, Bilawal said: “He fled from Pindi. The coward beat a hasty retreat just like he did at the time of no-confidence motion.”

Bilawal told Khan that if he decides to resign from the assemblies, then the PPP and its “jiyalas” were ready to face his party. “We’re not afraid of you,” he vowed.

‘Jiyala’ to be next mayor Karachi

At the outset of his address, Bilawal thanked the people of Karachi for coming out in huge numbers as the party had decided to hold the founding day at different districts instead of a central one due to floods.

Bilawal paid glaring tributes to his mother, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and his maternal grandfather, ex-premier Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, for their services to the country.

He added that a “jiyala” would be elected Karachi’s mayor when the local body elections — scheduled to be held in January 2023 — take place.

“A jiyala sitting here in this crowd will become the next mayor,” he said, stressing that the PPP does not promote politics of hatred and anarchy.

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The PPP requests the image of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on currency notes.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

The resolution was passed during a seminar named ‘Bhutto Reference and History’, which focused on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The resolution praised the Supreme Court’s admission that the PPP founder’s trial, which resulted in his execution, was unfair and urged that the federal government confer on him the title of “Quaid-e-Awam” (Leader of the People) and the highest civilian honor, Nishan-e-Pakistan.

Aside from demanding that Bhutto’s image be used on currency notes, the resolution also asked for the construction of a fitting monument in his honor and the designation of his mausoleum as a national shrine.

Furthermore, it demands for the reversal of Bhutto’s unjust death sentence and the creation of a “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Award” for democracy activists who have given their lives for the cause.

In March, the National Assembly passed a resolution characterizing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s trial as judicial murder.

The Supreme Court released its reserved opinion on the presidential reference against the ‘controversial’ death sentence imposed on PPP founder, stating that the former prime minister was denied a “fair trial”.

A nine-judge court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa revealed its decision on the long-pending presidential reference to determine if it can reconsider its verdict, which the PPP and jurists perceive as a historic error.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was sentenced to death under former military dictator General (retired) Ziaul Haq’s administration.

The first elected prime minister of the country was charged with the murder of a political competitor, Nawab Mohammed Ahmed Qasuri, and a trial was held.

Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979, despite requests and appeals for leniency and pity from various heads of state.

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The ‘clinics on wheels’ initiative is introduced by CM Maryam.

Published

6 days ago

Farwa

Punjab is heading toward progress and prosperity, according to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Speaking at the ‘clinics on wheels’ project celebration, the chief minister emphasized how this project will improve public health and change the health system.

She emphasized that all of the essential medical facilities were included in the Clinics on Wheels scheme. There would be multiple locations for the 200 mobile clinics. Gynecology services, screenings, immunizations, and medical testing will all be offered at the clinics.

There will be ultrasound equipment available at 50 of the 200 mobile clinic locations. Up to 4 million people will be helped by this endeavor, especially in places without hospital services.

First choice for local physicians to volunteer for this project will be granted to those from 36 districts. Consideration is also being given to the lack of paramedical and nursing personnel.

The project, which was started by Nawaz Sharif and put on hold by the previous administration, is being restarted, according to the chief minister. According to her, her government’s goal is to deliver healthcare right to people’s doors.

Additionally, she revealed that eight districts in Punjab would have the construction of modern cardiology hospitals.

With Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Imran Nazir, and Health Secretary Ali Khan in attendance, CM Maryam officially launched the clinics on wheels project.

Latest News

Governor-rule attempt that is intolerable: Gandapur

Published

6 days ago

Farwa

Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of KP denounced the incident on May 9 and promised that those in charge will face national scrutiny.

While eight FIRs have been filed against him in eight different districts, Gandapur stressed that none of the accusations have been validated.

Proving he was going nowhere without a fight, Gandapur issued a warning against tampering with democracy.

Any attempt to obstruct progress will be greeted with strong resistance, he warned, so avoid using disruptive tactics.

Gandapur declared, “We will seize the governor’s mansion and I will not keep quiet about the chief minister’s seat if governor law is imposed.”

With the media there to ensure transparency, the Chief Minister boldly challenged his predecessor, Pervez Khattak, to participate in a public discussion in the Kaaba.