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PPP demands timely elections, level-playing field

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  • PPP CEC asks ECP to announce poll dates immediately.
  • Latif Khosa served notice for speaking against party’s stance.
  • Reservations over some actions of caretaker govt: Faisal Kundi. 

LAHORE: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) has voiced concern over what it called efforts to push the party to the wall, adding that the party should be provided with a level-playing field, The News reported Friday.

While the CEC meeting, chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Bilawal House in Lahore, underlined the delimitation of constituencies must be done if there is a need for them, it demanded that the upcoming general polls be conducted within the stipulated constitutional period. 

The PPP’s CEC further asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce poll dates immediately.

During the meeting, concerns were voiced over the ban on development projects in Sindh while they were being inaugurated in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PPP also voiced serious concerns over the grim economic situation in the country and termed elections key to solutions of all the core issues. 

Bilawal, on the occasion, announced that another sitting of the PPP CEC would take place on Friday (today).  

The PPP chairman also directed the party leaders to gear up for a mass contact campaign and appointed Chaudhry Manzoor as the focal person for the affairs related to the flood-hit population of Punjab. 

The CEC meeting was attended by former president Asif Ali Zardari, former prime ministers Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Syed Khursheed Shah, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Farooq H Naek, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Syed Hassan Murtaza, Faisal Karim Kundi, Shazia Marri and others.

However, two stalwarts — Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and Sardar Latif Khan Khosa — did not attend. 

On the recommendation of Punjab leadership, a show cause was also served to Latif Khosa for his statements against the party’s stance.

Later, talking to the media, Shazia Marri said the PPP wants the polls to be conducted at the earliest so that the country comes out of uncertainty but only the ECP can give a date, as stressed by the party in the last meeting. 

“We are saying that delimitation should be done if it needs to be. We are hopeful that the election commission will conduct the polls soon,” she added, adding the PPP should be provided a level playing field.

She said President Arif Alvi apparently seemed to be playing on both sides of the wicket. His letter on the date of fresh elections was being reviewed, she added. She said the PPP believed in law and the Constitution, and as per the legal experts, the president cannot give a date for elections.

“An attempt to create confusion on the election has been made,” Marri said while referring to President Arif Alvi’s letter to the chief election commissioner, suggesting November 6 as the date for the polls while also asking the electoral body to consult the superior court.

She further said the president’s letter would also be discussed in the CEC meeting and the decisions taken there will be shared after the meeting. She said the CEC today (Friday) will consider the situation after a meeting with the ECP. 

Marri said that it does not matter if the party’s former ally, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), continues to put blame on others. “The PMLN can keep blaming, it does not matter,” she said.

While briefing the media, Faisal Karim Kundi said the PPP had reservations over some actions of the caretaker government, particularly the one concerning discrimination against the development projects of Sindh as compared to Punjab and KP.

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Reaction to the PTI protest call by Fazlur Rehman

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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