Coalition govt to take PTI foreign funding case to its logical conclusion: Hamza

Former Punjab CM Hamza Shahbaz. — AFP/File

• Hamza Shahbaz says nation will hold declared Sadiq and Ameen [Imran Khan] accountable for calling others, thieves and robbers.
• Former CM states elections will be held as per schedule in 2023.
• Hamza comments on Punjab CM elections, says will seek justice from court. 

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LONDON: Former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shahbaz Saturday said all coalition government parties have unanimously decided to take PTI’s prohibited funding case to its "logical conclusion".

Speaking to journalists after meeting party supremo Nawaz Sharif, Hamza said: “The nation will hold declared Sadiq and Ameen [Imran Khan] accountable for calling others, thieves and robbers.”

“If Nawaz was disqualified for not taking salary from his son then Khan is immersed in prohibited funding from head to toe,” he added.

Regarding PTI’s demand for snap polls, Hamza stated that elections will be held as per schedule in 2023, adding that he is hopeful that his uncle will lead the election campaign of his party.

The PML-N leader, while commenting on Punjab CM’s election, said that they will not leave this matter like this and will seek justice from the court. 

“When a full court will be formed in this matter then the case will be crystal clear,” he added.

Hamza had to quit the office of CM after the Supreme Court gave its verdict on the PTI petition against the deputy speaker's ruling. Pervez Elahi of the PML-Q replaced him as Punjab CM due to the verdict.

Hamza arrived in London on a private visit on Friday and is expected to stay in the British capital for a few days. During his stay in London, the former chief minister met party supremo, Nawaz Sharif, who is there since 2019 and other family members.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/coalition-govt-to-take-pti-foreign-funding-case-to-its-logical-conclusion-hamza/?feed_id=7584&_unique_id=62ef099f5d1a7

Nawaz Sharif directs coalition govt to file reference against PTI within 48 hrs

PMLN-N supremo Nawaz Sharif. — Screengrab/YouTube

ISLAMABAD: During a meeting with the leadership of the ruling coalition, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday directed political parties to file a Supreme Court reference against PTI within 48 hours.

According to sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who presided the meeting in which the PML-N supremo urged that the SC be requested to have a full court hear the reference.

Nawaz added that those who create instability following the agenda of anti-national elements should receive no concession. He alleged that PTI chief Imran Khan is directly involved in CPEC’s rollback and selling Kashmir.

He asked coalition partners to take action against Khan's PTI following Election Commission of Pakistan's verdict in the foreign funding case, in which it declared the party to have received prohibited funds of foreign origin. The written verdict also stated that the PTI getting funds from some of the sources is also a violation of Pakistan's law.

Also present during the meeting, Qaumi Watan Party Chief Aftab Khan Sherpao said that the coalition government must now perform and control the increasing inflation.

Coalition parties decided to hold take to the streets against PTI across Pakistan. MQM will organise demonstrations in Karachi, while Hyderabad and Sukkur will be taken care of by the PPP.

During the meeting, it was also decided that PML-N will hold rallies against Khan’s party in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. While those in Peshawar will be held by JUI and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), and BNP Mengal will organise rallies in Quetta.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/nawaz-sharif-directs-coalition-govt-to-file-reference-against-pti-within-48-hrs/?feed_id=6154&_unique_id=62eab828cdda9

Ruling coalition boycotts Supreme Court's proceedings

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari (L), JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman (R) PML-N stalwart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (C) addressing a press conference after Supreme Court's hearing on July 25, 2022. — Screengrab Geo News

ISLAMABAD:  The Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) leadership Monday announced that the ruling coalition has decided to boycott the Supreme Court's proceedings after the apex court  announced to continue the hearing on the case pertaining to the Punjab chief minister's election with the current three-member bench.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan rejected the petition seeking the formation of a full bench for hearing the case of the Punjab chief minister’s election — where Hamza Shahbaz defeated Pervez Elahi.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while addressing a press conference at the Prime Minister’s House,  said if the Supreme Court doesn’t form a full court, “then we [PDM] will also reject all decisions of the judiciary as we will not appear before this three-members bench.”

“We boycott the proceedings of the apex court,” Fazl announced, adding that the coalition government doesn't want any institution to interfere in its matters.

Fazl, who is also the chief of PDM, said that the counsellors of the government alliance advised the jury according to the constitution; however, the top court “instead impartially considering our demand rejected our petition.”

Endorsing Fazl's statement, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and PPP Co-Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said  PPP along with all other alliance parties of PDM has decided to boycott the court proceedings. He said that when a decision is being taken about an institution then the entire bench should hear the case.

‘This is Supreme Court’s test’

PML-N senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that this is the “test of the Supreme Court now”. He further added that the PDM had warned that if the decision is taken by a full court, then only it will be accepted by the people of Pakistan.

Abbasi said the three judges of the existing bench had the responsibility to decide whether or not history would accept their conduct.

It should be noted that adjourning the hearing till 11:30 am tomorrow, the court announced that a three-member bench — headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, and comprising Justice Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar — will hear the petition filed by the PML-Q and PTI regarding the Hamza Shahbaz being elected as the chief minister of Punjab.

The press conference followed a huddle of the government leaders at the Prime Minister's House after the verdict was announced.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, JUI-F chief Fazl, and PPP chairman were among the senior political leaders and government figures in attendance

Leaders of the MQM-P, members of ANP, BAP, BNP and other government-allied parties are also present at the huddle, along with other senior PML-N figures.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/ruling-coalition-boycotts-supreme-courts-proceedings/?feed_id=2054&_unique_id=62df0613b37ad

Coalition partners rejoice Hamza's victory, pay tribute to Chaudhry Shujaat

(Clockwise) PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Prime Minister Shehbaaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and his sister Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari. — Twitter/Screengrab/AFP/File

• PM Shehbaz appreciates Asif Ali Zardari for his "historic role".
• Maryam blames Imran Khan of creating rifts between Chaudhry family.
• "Ek Zardari sab pe bhaari," Bilawal writes on Twitter.

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Following an end to Friday’s dramatic Punjab Assembly session which retained Hamza Shahbaz as the chief minister of Punjab, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Allah for the party's victory today.

“His [Chaudhry Shujaat's] role today is the victory of democracy and constitutional values and I pay tribute to him for his contributions,” he wrote on Twitter, adding that former president Asif Ali Zardari has also played a “historic role” in his political maturity as he pulled the country out of the crisis.

The premier also thanked all coalition parties and their respected leaders for the political insight, unity, and support due to which the “democracy won.”

'Imran Khan created rifts between Chaudhry family'

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz accused PTI Chairman Imran Khan of creating rifts between the Chaudhry family. Taking to her Twitter, Maryam said that Khan stole the speakership and the seat of Pervez Elahi because of his willingness to come into power.

“Shujaat took a principled decision despite the pressure and increased his respect and dignity,” she added.

'Shujaat’s decision saved country from Imrani fitna’

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, while speaking during a press conference following the conclusion of the Punjab Assembly session, said Shujaat’s decision saved the country from “Imrani fitna.”

Sanaullah said that the PTI-PML-Q coalition faced defeat because of the unnecessary pride they showed after the results of the Punjab by-polls.

“We accepted our defeat in the by-polls; however, the PTI showed arrogance which is an unfavourable act,” he said, adding that all the leaders of the coalition parties appreciate the decision taken by Shujaat.

He further added that Hamza won the CM's election by the majority, stating that this is the year of elections and “we will win the general elections as well with the majority.”

Regarding Deputy Speake Dost Mazari’s verdict, the interior minister said that the decision was taken according to the earlier judgement of the Supreme Court according to which 25 members of the assembly were unseated. “The decisions taken by the apex court and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) are present people complaining can refer to those,” he said, telling them [PTI] to do whatever they want “we will stop them.”

“If attempts are made to disrupt law and order, this will be dealt with severely,” he warned.

'Ek Zardari sab pe bhaari'

Following Hamza's victory, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took to his Twitter account and praised his father, saying, "Ek Zardari sab pe bhaari."

'As you sow, so shall you reap, so sit down'

Meanwhile, Bilalwal's sister Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari said that the PTI fought to take away individual right to vote and celebrated the Supreme Court's decision that individuals must follow the party head. 

"Cannot go against party head vote. PTI celebrated this decision. What you reap you sow so sit down, watch your mouth and take notes," she wrote on Twitter.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/coalition-partners-rejoice-hamzas-victory-pay-tribute-to-chaudhry-shujaat/?feed_id=265&_unique_id=62daed124d68a