Connect with us

Politics

PML-N awards contentious NA-121 ticket to Rohail Asghar

Published

on

  • Rohail to contest polls from NA-121, while Ayaz gets NA-120.
  • PML-N’s Tarar to contest against Bilawal in NA-127.
  • Nawaz, Shehbaz, Hamza and Maryam to also contest from Lahore.

Lahore: As the February 8 general elections come close, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to field veteran politician Sheikh Rohail Asghar for the contentious NA-121 constituency in Lahore, the party announced on Friday.

Ayaz Sadiq — who was also jostling for the NA-121 — will contest the election from NA-120 on the party’s ticket.

With hopes for another big contest in Lahore, the PML-N has fielded former minister Attaullah Tarar against Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari in NA-127, Geo News reported.

Other major leaders who have been handed out NA tickets in Lahore include party’s supremo Nawaz Sharif (NA-130), President Shehbaz Sharif (NA-123), Hamza Shehbaz Sharif (NA-118), Maryam Nawaz Sharif (NA-119, NA-159) and Khawaja Saad Rafique (NA-122), among others.

Party leader Senator Ishaq Dar posted about the development on his official X handle.

For the provincial assembly seats, Shehbaz will also contest polls from PP-164 and PP-158, while Hamza and Maryam will fight for a seat in the PP-147 and PP-159 constituencies, respectively.

Meanwhile, the party has awarded a PP-151 ticket to Sohail Shaukat Butt, who also wished to contest the polls from the NA-120 constituency. He will now withdraw his nomination papers on the party’s direction.

Sheikh Rohail wanted NA-121

It should be noted that the senior politicians, as per The News, had engaged in a heated argument over securing their desired constituency in Lahore during PML-N’s parliamentary board meeting last month.

Both party leaders wanted a ticket for the coveted NA-121 seat in the provincial capital.

Sheikh Rohail was adamant before the party leadership, demanding the ticket from the constituency saying that it was his home ground. Former speaker of the National Assembly Sadiq was also a candidate for the party ticket from the same constituency.

The sources had mentioned that Sheikh Rohail had informed the meeting that NA-121 was his native constituency, and he intended to contest elections from there. If the party ticket was not granted to him, he declared his intention to contest as an independent candidate.

Furthermore, Sheikh Rohail pointed out that in 2018, a part of his constituency was included in Sadiq’s constituency. Consequently, he and his workers had campaigned for Sadiq. He questioned why, now that he has regained his original constituency, should not contest from his traditional home constituency.

The sources had said that Sheikh Rohail emphasised that he had not submitted nomination papers from any other constituency, leaving him with no other option but to contest the election from this constituency.

In the meeting, Sadiq presented data on his old and new constituencies before the parliamentary board. The former NA speaker claimed that about 56% of his old constituency was included in NA-121.

He, however, said that he was committed to party discipline and would accept every decision of the leadership regarding the ticket. On the other hand, Sheikh Rohail immediately left the party meeting after his speech.

Latest News

Reaction to the PTI protest call by Fazlur Rehman

Published

on

By

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on a private television station, said that the PTI is always coming to the streets, which really lessens the impact of a protest.

He also suggested to the PTI leadership that rather than carrying on with the agitation, it should finally put a hard hand down, which would be the final nail in the coffin.

He continued, citing the JUI protests as an example, saying, “We had a strong grip over our protesters and workers, so neither road was closed nor any property damage occurred during protests.”

The PTI has the right to protest, but Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the party’s agitation strategy as insufficient, stating that it is currently being “exposed which maynot be a good sign’.

Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, promised not to go back home unless the PTI founder was freed. During their demonstration, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, encouraged the party officials to come up with strategies to avoid being arrested.

According to an alleged audio recording, she stated that November 24 will be a loyalty test for PTI members.

Additionally, the government of Islamabad has enforced section 144 for a period of two months, which prohibits processions, rallies, demonstrations, and meetings of five or more individuals in the city.

As per the notification, the prohibition forbade meetings in any public space inside the boundaries of Islamabad, including the Red Zone, which encompasses important government buildings, diplomatic missions, and other sensitive sites.

Continue Reading

Latest News

PTI representatives conjecture in the media over Imran’s approval of bail: FIA investigator

Published

on

By

The hearing on the PTI founder’s bail application in the Toshakhana-2 case has resumed at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), with Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb serving as the presider.

The hearing was attended by the defense attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, and FIA prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi.

Judge Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb told the FIA prosecutor to “leave the media alone and exempt yourself from them” in order to avoid commenting on the media. The statement followed the prosecutor’s assertion that the bail would be granted, which had previously been reported by media sources.

In addition, the court questioned whether the receipts in question were issued in the name of Bushra Bibi or the PTI founder itself. Bushra Bibi’s name was on the receipts listed in the challan, according to Barrister Salman Safdar.

Defense arguments
The defense expressed displeasure about the case’s 3.5-year registration wait. The prosecution has swore in Sohaib Abbasi and made Inamullah Shah a crucial witness without requiring them to take an oath.

Barrister Salman Safdar highlighted that multiple agencies, including NAB, FIA, Police, and the Election Commission, have initiated actions related to the Toshakhana case, suggesting procedural redundancy.

Regarding a phony Toshakhana receipt, he contended, the Kohsar Police Station has also filed a case.

Position of the prosecution
The FIA prosecutor, Umair Majeed Malik, maintained that the valuation of the jewelry set mentioned in the case would be explained in the prosecution’s evidence.Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked, “If the media does not spread sensationalism, how will they conduct their business?” He dismissed rumors about his health, stating that he was present and hearing the case despite such reports.

Status of Co-Accused
The court was informed that Bushra Bibi, a co-accused in the case, is currently on interim bail and awaiting a decision by Judge Afzal Majuka. Barrister Salman Safdar expressed hope that Judge Majuka would soon announce his verdict.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Naqvi visits Fazl to express gratitude for contributions to the 26th amendment.

Published

on

By

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi convened with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to deliberate on issues of shared concern and the current political landscape in the nation.

In today’s meeting in Islamabad, Mr. Naqvi asked about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s health and sent his best wishes for the JUI chief’s well-being and future pursuits.

Naqvi extended his appreciation to Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his crucial contribution to the enactment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he characterised as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s legislative history.

Following the meeting, Naqvi commended Mr. Fazlur Rehman’s commitment to the nation, asserting, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman has consistently prioritised Pakistan’s interests, and his contributions to the country are indispensable.”

The experienced politician reaffirmed his dedication to Pakistan and its populace, stating, “Our priority has consistently been Pakistan and the well-being of its citizens.”

Senator Kamran Murtaza attended the meeting.

Continue Reading

Trending