Pakistan on Fire and Its Effects on India

[dalvinder45]

Iran Pakistan in war
Iran targets terrorists in Pakistan
Pakistan and Iran are now at a practical war against each other after Iran attacked terrorists in Pakistan followed by retaliation by Pakistan. Iran has admitted carrying out a missile and drone attack on western Pakistan on Tuesday. Officials in Islamabad said two children were killed and three others injured in the attack in Balochistan. Iran's foreign minister said the operation targeted the militant group Jaish al-Adl, which he described as an "Iranian terrorist group" in Pakistan. As a result the Pakistan's government recalled its ambassador to Iran and has blocked Tehran's envoy from returning. The Balochistan attack comes after Iran attacked targets in Iraq and Syria earlier this week. Islamabad said the attack was "illegal" and warned of "serious consequences".
However Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, speaking in Davos, insisted that no Pakistani citizens had been targeted, only members of Jaish al-Adl. "We only targeted Iranian terrorists on the soil of Pakistan," Mr Amir-Abdollahian said. He added he had spoken to his Pakistani counterpart and "assured him that we do respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan and Iraq".
The latest air strike comes at a time of growing tension across the Middle East, with war raging between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza. Tehran says it does not want to get involved in a wider conflict. But groups in its so-called "Axis of Resistance", which include the Houthi militants in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and various groups in Syria and Iraq, have been carrying out attacks on Israel and its allies to show solidarity with the Palestinians. The US and UK have launched air strikes on the Houthis after they attacked commercial shipping.
China on Wednesday urged Pakistan and Iran to show "restraint" and "avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension". Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning added that Beijing saw the countries as "close neighbours".
Perhaps stung by recent deadly attacks on home soil, Iran seems intent on exacting revenge on those it sees as responsible.
At a time of heightened regional tensions, Iran is keen to portray strength and demonstrate to its own population that acts of violence will not go unpunished.


Tuesday's strike in Pakistan hit a village in the vast south-western border province of Balochistan. Tehran said it was targeting Jaish al-Adl, or "army of justice", an ethnic Baloch Sunni Muslim group that has carried out attacks inside Iran as well as on Pakistani government forces.
Last December Jaish al-Adl attacked a police station in Rask, a town close to the border with Pakistan.
Two weeks ago Iran suffered its worst domestic attack since the Islamic Revolution, when two bombs killed 84 people at a ceremony in Kerman to commemorate the US assassination of Iran's notorious Revolutionary Guard general, Qasem Soleimani.
On Monday, Iran fired ballistic missiles at Syria and Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq. Iran said it was targeting Islamic State and Israel's Mossad spy agency, both of whom it said had been involved in the Kerman bombings.

The strike on Iraq hit a building in the northern city of Irbil. Four civilians were killed and six hurt in the attack, local authorities said. The US condemned the attack.
Iran then struck Syria's north-western Idlib province, which is the last remaining opposition stronghold in the country and home to 2.9 million displaced people.
But hitting its nuclear-armed eastern neighbour Pakistan is a dramatic escalation. Pakistan expressed outrage, saying the attack took place "despite the existence of several channels of communication" between the countries.
On Wednesday Islamabad said it had recalled its ambassador to Iran and the Iranian ambassador would not be allowed back into the country for the time being.

Pakistan and Iran have a delicate but cordial relationship. This attack took place on the same day as Pakistan's prime minister and Iran's foreign minister met in Davos and while the Iranian and Pakistan navies held military drills together in the Gulf.
Yet both have accused one another of harbouring militant groups that carry out attacks on the other in their border areas for years.
Security on either side of their shared border, which runs for about 900km (559 miles), has been a long-running concern for both governments.
The Iranian strike is believed to have hit Sabz Koh village about 45km from the Iranian border and 90km from the nearest town Panjgur. Local officials described it as a sp{censored}ly populated area home to livestock-owning Baloch tribes where smuggling of goods, drugs and weapons is rife.
"People on both sides of the border consider themselves to be deprived of basic necessities, face discrimination and demand a larger share from their own resources," security commentator Zaigham Khan told the BBC.
In Iran, the Sunni Muslim Baloch minority complains of discrimination in the Shia Muslim-majority state, while Baloch separatist groups are continuing an insurgent movement against the Pakistani government.
Jaish al-Adl is the "most active and influential" Sunni militant group operating in Sistan-Baluchestan, according to the office of the US Director of National Intelligence. It is designated as a terrorist group by Washington and Tehran.
Another security commentator in Pakistan, Aamir Rana, told the BBC he thought the diplomatic crisis "would take a while to calm down but this is also something that Pakistan would not like to escalate".
He said in the past Pakistan had not reacted to Iran's actions along the border - "but now the ball is in Iran's court, whether it wants to get its act right".


Retaliation by Pakistan
Pakistan on Thursday used killer drones and rockets to carry out "precision military strikes" against what it called "terrorist hideouts" in Iran's Siestan-Balochistan province, killing 9 people, a day after Islamabad downgraded diplomatic ties with Tehran following Iranian attacks on terror bases in Balochistan.
Image used only for representation. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters
"This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran," Pakistan's Foreign Office said in a statement on Thursday.
It said a number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation - codenamed "Marg Bar Sarmachar" (Death to Sarmachar).
In Persian, marg bar means "death to" while Sarmachar means guerrilla in the Baloch language.
The precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the Pakistan military's media wing.
It said that "hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front were successfully struck."
The two groups have carried out several deadly attacks in Pakistan in the past.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani condemned the attack and said that the Pakistani chargé d'affaires was summoned by the ministry to convey Tehran's protest to Islamabad and provide an explanation about the attack, Iran's state-run Press TV reported.

Quoting Deputy governor of the province Alireza Marhamati, official news agency 'IRNA' said that nine non-Iranian nationals - two men, three women and four children - were killed in the attack, which is being investigated by the Iranian security officials. There was also an explosion near Saravan city, 347 km southeast of the provincial capital Zahedan, where there were no casualties, he added.
The strikes came two days after Iran launched unprecedented missile and drone attacks on what it said were directed at the bases of the Sunni Baloch militant group 'Jaish al-Adl' in the restive Balochistan province, prompting Pakistan to recall its ambassador to Iran and suspended all planned high-level bilateral visits.
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch Wednesday said the Iranian envoy to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return to Islamabad for the time being.
The {censored}-for-tat attacks within two days have raised tensions in the volatile region, already roiled by Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the targeting of the merchant ships in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthis.
In its statement on Thursday, the foreign office said Islamabad has consistently shared its serious concerns with Tehran about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists calling themselves Sarmachars inside Iran.
"However, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning's action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars," it added.
"This action is a manifestation of Pakistan's unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats," it said, adding that Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is "sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred."

The Pakistan Stock Exchange lost more than 1,000 points after Thursday's strikes, boiling up tension between the two neighbours.

According to the PSX website, the KSE-100 index lost around 1038 points at 10:08 am. At 10:31am, the index lost 770.12 points cumulatively to reach 62,797.21, down 1.21 per cent from the previous close of 63,567.33.

Pakistani President Arif Alvi said that the two neighbours were brotherly countries and should resolve issues through dialogue and mutual consultation. He, however, said Pakistan would not compromise on its national security and territorial integrity and would take “all necessary measures to defend its soil”.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul-Haq-Kakar, who is in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum, cut his trip short to return home. Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani is also returning back from a trip to Uganda. On Wednesday, Jilani had told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian in a telephonic conversation that the attack by Iran seriously damaged the ties between the two nations and Pakistan reserved the right to respond to this "provocative act".

Sources in Pakistan said that shortly before 0600 hours (local time) today, the Joint Staff Headquarters of the Pakistan Armed Forces ordered lethal counterinsurgency-specific precision airstrikes inside Iran, pre-authorised by the Government of Pakistan, to preemptively target and eliminate imminent terrorist threats to Pakistan.
"These strikes were conducted successfully using Pakistan Air Force fighter jets using stand-off extended range munitions, while they remained inside Pakistani airspace,” a source said.
The target locations, seven in total, were tagged for a strike after the presence of multiple high-value terrorist targets was confirmed following extensive aerial reconnaissance via unmanned aircraft.
The Pakistan Air Force's aircraft today after the break of dawn, engaged seven targets inside Iran with precision-guided air-to-ground munitions, where the Balochistan-centric terrorist organisation Balochistan Liberation Force was based. These targets were over 80 km inside Iranian territory, sources said. No Iranian civilians or military personnel were targeted, they added.

Is Iran Pakistan {censored} for tat going to escalate? Is it going to be expanded to link with Hamas Israel war? How far they will go further needs to be closely watched. Neighbors China, India and Russia are watching from close and USA from a distance.

 

[dalvinder45]

China anxious to mediate Iran Pakistan row:

China Thursday offered to play a 'constructive role' to ease tension between Pakistan and Iran following their missile strikes against each other over the last two days and asked the two countries to 'exercise restraint and calmness and avoid escalation'.
Pakistan conducted 'precision military strikes' ag st what it called 'terrorist hideouts' in Iran's Siestan-Balochistan province that killed 9 people in the wee hours on Thursday.
Iranian missile and drone attacks on Tuesday targeted two bases of the Sunni Baloch militant group 'Jaish al-Adi' in Pakistan's unruly Baluchistan province.
The attacks have put China in a piquant situation as Pakistan is an all-weather ally, while Tehran is warming up to Beijing in recent years enabling China to expand its influence in the West Asia region. China also imports a considerable amount of oil from Iran. Eager to mediate Chinese spokesman said:
"We are paying great attention to this and China always believes that relations between countries should be handled based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law," Mao said.
Sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected and protected, she said.
"Iran and Pakistan are close neighbours and countries with influence. We hope both parties can exercise restraint and calmness and avoid escalation if they need we are ready to play a constructive role in easing the situation," she said.

To a question by a Pakistan journalist whether China considered Iran's airstrikes on a camp of the Sunni militant group, Jaish al Adl in Balochistan a violation of UN Charter principles and international law, Mao said, "I expressed China's position just now."

"China always believes that relations between countries should be handled based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law," she said.

"And we think all parties should respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries," she said.

"We sincerely hope that both Pakistan and Iran can exercise restraint, calmness and avoid escalation. We believe both parties will resolve their disputes through consultation and dialogue," she said.

China's offer to mediate can be a tightrope walk as Pakistan, a Sunni majority country, and Iran, with predominantly a Shia majority, have a tenuous relationship.

However, last year China claimed diplomatic success last year in another set of similarly stressed countries.

It had brought arch-rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia together following which the two countries restored diplomatic ties after decades.

 

[dalvinder45]

Details of Pakistan attack on Iran as given by Pak Army

Pakistan military Thursday said it used multiple weapons, including killer drones, to carry out effective strikes against hideouts inside Iran used by militants of two leading Baloch terrorist groups responsible for recent attacks in Pakistan. 'The precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons. Maximum care was taken to avoid collateral damage,' according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing.

It said that 'hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) were successfully struck in an intelligence-based operation codenamed Marg Bar Sarmachar'.

The targeted hideouts were being used by notorious terrorists including Dosta alias Chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham and Wazir alias Wazi, amongst others, it said.

It asserted that Pakistan Armed Forces remain in a perpetual state of readiness to ensure safety of Pakistan citizens against acts of terrorism. 'Our resolve to ensure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan is respected and safeguarded against any misadventure, remains unwavering. We reaffirm our determination to defeat all enemies of Pakistan with the support of the people of Pakistan,' the ISPR said.
However, it also said that for going forward, dialogue and cooperation is deemed prudent in resolving bilateral issues between the two neighbouring brotherly countries.

Meanwhile, Iran's official news agency 'IRNA' reported that nine people were killed in the attack targeting a village in the city of Saravan, with Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi saying all the dead 'were foreign nationals'.

 

[dalvinder45]

A Pakistan court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his close aide, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to 10 years in jail in a case related to the leaking of state secrets.

The special court set up in a prison in Rawalpindi on Tuesday announced the sentence in the so-called cypher case which pertains to a diplomatic cable that Khan claims proves his allegation that his removal from power in 2022 was a conspiracy.

A Pakistani court has indicted Imran Khan for leaking state secrets, according to reports. The charge adds to the huge volume of legal turmoil that the former prime minister has met since his removal in April 2022.

“He has been indicted today and the charge was openly read out,” said Shah Khawar of the Federal Investigation Agency outside Adiala Jail in Islamabad, where Khan is imprisoned, Pakistani broadcaster Geo TV reported on Monday.

Khan’s former deputy, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has also been indicted in the state secrets case.

A spokesperson for Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI) party said the men were charged under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act in a closed-door trial, adding the ruling would be “challenged”.

Pakistan’s media has been told to censor popular ex-PM and not to cover Imran Khan’s PTI. Imran Khan’s Party TTI has also lost its symbol bat for elections. It also shows further tightening the military stronghold on Pakistan Politicis.

“This was pretty much a writing on the wall,” Khan said, adding that the trial was held in an “unlawful manner”.

Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has pleaded not guilty to charges of leaking state secrets under an indictment that deals a new blow to his chances of contesting Pakistan’s general election in February.

The charges are related to a classified cable called a cypher sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington last year that Khan is accused of making public.

A court in Islamabad on Wednesday dismissed the petition from former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking to move a key appeal filed by him to Lahore, marking the latest setback for his attempts to contest upcoming national elections.

Khan has been behind bars since August 5. He was initially convicted for not disclosing assets earned from the sale of gifts from foreign dignitaries meant to be kept in a state depository, and later in a case about revealing state secrets.

ormer Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently in jail facing what he says are more than 150 cases filed against him to keep him from contesting elections next year, has been replaced as head of the party he founded, officials say.

One of Khan’s lawyers was elected on Saturday as chairman of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party, allowing it to take part in the national vote scheduled for February 8.

Khan, who led Pakistan from August 2018 to April 2022, is charged with leaking a diplomatic letter between Washington and Islamabad that he says points to the role of the United States in forcing him out of office. The US and Pakistan have denied the claim.

Khan, a former cricket star turned politician who has a large grassroots following in the South Asian state, was deposed by a no-confidence vote in parliament in April 2022 over accusations of economic mismanagement.

His downfall came after he fell out with the country’s powerful military establishment and tried to dissolve parliament, an act the country’s Supreme Court ruled was unconstitutional. He has since faced a slew of criminal charges — in cases ranging from terrorism to contempt of court to blasphemy.



Despite his removal — and the criminal accusations — Khan has retained huge popular support. After he was briefly jailed in May 2023, his supporters took to the streets in nationwide protests that sometimes erupted into violence.

Electoral symbols play an important role in a democratic process. As Pakistan gears up for general elections due next month, posters with party symbols can be seen plastered on utility poles and roadside walls across cities and towns.

Political parties have kicked off campaigning, plastering walls with propaganda posters. But the symbol of what many believe is the country’s most popular party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seems to be missing, thanks to an unprecedented crackdown on the PTI and its jailed leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan’s party has been barred from using the party symbol in the elections scheduled for February 8.

PTI members and supporters say the blocking of its symbol, a cricket bat, is a ploy by the military-backed caretaker government to ensure the party’s defeat.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has also alleged that seven of his party’s national and provincial assembly candidates have being assigned the wrong electoral symbols in the eastern Punjab province. Bhutto claimed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) acted under pressure from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been accused of cutting a deal with the country’s military that controls most levers of power from behind the scenes. Sharif, who returned to Pakistan in October after several years of self-imposed exile, has rejected the allegations.

 

[dalvinder45]

Blast near election commission offce of Pakistan. No causalities reported as yet.
7 Pakistani sea men saved from Somali pirates by Indian Ship in Red Sea.

 

[dalvinder45]

Pakistan has elections tomorrow on 8 Feb 2024. The three main contenders for the 2024 elections are Imran Khan’s PTI, Nawaz Sharif’s PLM-N, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

The PTI was founded by Imran in 1996 on an anti-corruption platform. His charismatic leadership saw the party slowly rise in popularity, assuming office for the first time in 2018. However, he has since witnessed a reversal of fortunes, ousted from power in 2022 after losing the crucial support of the country’s military. He currently faces 200 court cases and has been imprisoned since August 2023.

Imran for his part has accused the military of targeting him, claiming that they had attempted to assassinate him. Some observers believed that his stand against the army would prove decisive for Pakistani politics, ushering in a new era of political participation independent of military interference.

However, as former Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani wrote in an article for Foreign Affairs Magazine, Imran made a crucial mistake that undermined his strategy. In May of this year, Imran’s supporters attacked army installations, provoking a harsh rebuttal which included him being banned from national television, and his supporters facing the prospect of being tried in military courts. Since then, his followers have been arrested en masse and many leaders of his party have quit, some under pressure from the military. According to Haqqani, “it seems unlikely that Khan’s challenge to the ruling establishment will ever be able to regain the strength it once seemed to possess.”

With Imran behind bars, the PTI elected Gohar Ali Khan to replace him. This, according to Imran’s own lawyers, represents a babysitting arrangement for the party, with Gohar Ali Khan vowing to step down once the conviction of Imran Khan is overturned. As of now, Imran Khan has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for leaking Pakistani state secrets.

Khan’s loss of favour represented a second chance for his political rival Shehbaz Sharif. Under Sharif, the PML-N, led by the Sharif family since the 1980s, has traditionally appealed to conservative and business-oriented factions. PML-N has held power multiple times, implementing economic reforms, infrastructure projects, and privatization initiatives during its tenures.

In 2017, after losing the support of the military, Nawaz Sharif was removed from office by the Supreme Court following revelations made about his financial dealings in the Panama Papers. In 2018 he was disqualified from holding public office and was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. A year later, Nawaz left Pakistan to go to London for medical treatment and subsequently failed to return. His exile proved short lived however, with his brother’s appointment signalling his return to power, a move that was firmly established after he returned to Pakistan earlier this year with the backing of the military.

Nawaz’s convictions are now predictably being overturned by the courts, and politicians from different parties are switching over to the PLM-N. However, given the unpopularity of his brother’s tenure – widely believed to have been run by Nawaz from London – it is unclear how he would fare in a general election.

Lastly, we have the PPP, founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1967. The PPP has maintained power for decades, run by the Bhutto family including Benazir Bhutto (who was assassinated,), her husband Asif Ali Zardari, and now, their son, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The PPP is by far the most left-leaning of the three parties although its reputation has been sullied by allegations of corruption. The PPP have announced that Bilawal will be their next candidate for Prime Minister, and Zardari, for President. in 2024 election
Given the shakeup in government, the Pakistani elections were postponed to February 2024, however, that decision has been met with considerable opposition. The election commission of Pakistan is facing accusations of redrawing the political map to favour Nawaz, and of delaying the election to give him time to campaign following his return from the UK.

A record 1300 objections have been raised across the country over the election process, notably concerning the proposed decision to merge two districts in Balochistan, despite them being 400 kms apart with no road connections.

Pakistan also faces domestic challenges, with Haqqani writing that it is “adrift in a sea of troubles.” First and foremost, its economy is in dire straits with GDP growth in the last year restricted to 0.29 per cent. Inflation meanwhile has risen to 29 per cent, and the country is engaged in a tense negotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a renewal of bailout terms. Catastrophic flooding has further devastated the economy, forcing Pakistan, historically a wheat exporter, to import wheat.

Internationally, Pakistan has lost the support of key allies, including the United States. Since Washington’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, military and economic assistance towards Pakistan has waned. India, meanwhile, has refused to engage with Pakistan until the latter acknowledges its role in backing terrorism.

Pakistan must additionally contend with domestic terrorism concerns, with the Pakistani Taliban growing increasingly brazen in its willingness to attack civilian and military targets. This was fuelled by the return of power of the Taliban in Afghanistan, enabled by Pakistan’s own policy of supporting the Afghan Taliban over the last few decades. This, Haqqani writes, has led even long-term allies of Pakistan in China and the Middle East, to cool their support for the struggling nation.

The 2024 elections will have a considerable impact on Pakistan’s ability to regain course.
The 12.8 crore voters of Pakistan are all set to choose a new government on Thursday, an election happening under the close watch of the all-powerful Pakistan Army. Pakistan Muslim League's Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party's Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the candidates of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are the main contenders for the top post. However, experts have indicated that Nawaz Sharif has the blessings of the Army.

“What is scheduled to happen on February 8 seems less like an election and more like a selection because Pakistan's Army has shown us in the past few days what result they are desiring in the upcoming elections. They want Nawaz Sharif to be selected," former high commissioner of India to Islamabad Ajay Bisaria told news agency ANI.


In the Pakistan Election 2024, the chief of Pakistan Army General Asim Munir will consolidate his authority over the political leadership of the country. The elections are significant, as for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the popularity of a civilian leader (Imran Khan) challenged the dominance of the Army.

Imran Khan is bearing a huge cost for challenging the authority of the Pakistan Army and is expected to languish in prison for the next few years, or until the military gets bored with the new government, according to political observers.
Nawaz Sharif has been in the place of Imran Khan as he was lodged in jail in 2017 after being accused of various corruption charges. The PML leader somehow managed to leave the country and only returned in October 2023, when suddenly all the cases against him vanished into thin air. Pakistan's continued support of terrorism has been a key question for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has been tougher on the national security front.

India has dealt with Pakistan's Generals who took charge of the country before. But General Munir’s quest for greater control may not be the movie we have seen before. To be sure, the dominant assumption in Delhi is that nothing ever changes in Pakistan. And that Pakistan’s generals will muddle along as they retain hold over Pakistan. Munir, however, is taking control amid the growing prospect that the old order in Pakistan is becoming unsustainable.
In his recent comments, Nawaz Sharif has displayed openness towards India and also acknowledged the neighbouring country's global advancements. But, the manifesto of his party declares readiness to make peace with India only if New Delhi reverts its decision to abrogate Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

 

[dalvinder45]

Pakistan has elections tomorrow on 8 Feb 2024. The three main contenders for the 2024 elections are Imran Khan’s PTI, Nawaz Sharif’s PLM-N, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

The PTI was founded by Imran in 1996 on an anti-corruption platform. His charismatic leadership saw the party slowly rise in popularity, assuming office for the first time in 2018. However, he has since witnessed a reversal of fortunes, ousted from power in 2022 after losing the crucial support of the country’s military. He currently faces 200 court cases and has been imprisoned since August 2023.

Imran for his part has accused the military of targeting him, claiming that they had attempted to assassinate him. Some observers believed that his stand against the army would prove decisive for Pakistani politics, ushering in a new era of political participation independent of military interference.

However, as former Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani wrote in an article for Foreign Affairs Magazine, Imran made a crucial mistake that undermined his strategy. In May of this year, Imran’s supporters attacked army installations, provoking a harsh rebuttal which included him being banned from national television, and his supporters facing the prospect of being tried in military courts. Since then, his followers have been arrested en masse and many leaders of his party have quit, some under pressure from the military. According to Haqqani, “it seems unlikely that Khan’s challenge to the ruling establishment will ever be able to regain the strength it once seemed to possess.”

With Imran behind bars, the PTI elected Gohar Ali Khan to replace him. This, according to Imran’s own lawyers, represents a babysitting arrangement for the party, with Gohar Ali Khan vowing to step down once the conviction of Imran Khan is overturned. As of now, Imran Khan has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for leaking Pakistani state secrets.

Khan’s loss of favour represented a second chance for his political rival Shehbaz Sharif. Under Sharif, the PML-N, led by the Sharif family since the 1980s, has traditionally appealed to conservative and business-oriented factions. PML-N has held power multiple times, implementing economic reforms, infrastructure projects, and privatization initiatives during its tenures.

In 2017, after losing the support of the military, Nawaz Sharif was removed from office by the Supreme Court following revelations made about his financial dealings in the Panama Papers. In 2018 he was disqualified from holding public office and was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. A year later, Nawaz left Pakistan to go to London for medical treatment and subsequently failed to return. His exile proved short lived however, with his brother’s appointment signalling his return to power, a move that was firmly established after he returned to Pakistan earlier this year with the backing of the military.

Nawaz’s convictions are now predictably being overturned by the courts, and politicians from different parties are switching over to the PLM-N. However, given the unpopularity of his brother’s tenure – widely believed to have been run by Nawaz from London – it is unclear how he would fare in a general election.

Lastly, we have the PPP, founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1967. The PPP has maintained power for decades, run by the Bhutto family including Benazir Bhutto (who was assassinated,), her husband Asif Ali Zardari, and now, their son, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The PPP is by far the most left-leaning of the three parties although its reputation has been sullied by allegations of corruption. The PPP have announced that Bilawal will be their next candidate for Prime Minister, and Zardari, for President. in 2024 election
Given the shakeup in government, the Pakistani elections were postponed to February 2024, however, that decision has been met with considerable opposition. The election commission of Pakistan is facing accusations of redrawing the political map to favour Nawaz, and of delaying the election to give him time to campaign following his return from the UK.

A record 1300 objections have been raised across the country over the election process, notably concerning the proposed decision to merge two districts in Balochistan, despite them being 400 kms apart with no road connections.

Pakistan also faces domestic challenges, with Haqqani writing that it is “adrift in a sea of troubles.” First and foremost, its economy is in dire straits with GDP growth in the last year restricted to 0.29 per cent. Inflation meanwhile has risen to 29 per cent, and the country is engaged in a tense negotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a renewal of bailout terms. Catastrophic flooding has further devastated the economy, forcing Pakistan, historically a wheat exporter, to import wheat.

Internationally, Pakistan has lost the support of key allies, including the United States. Since Washington’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, military and economic assistance towards Pakistan has waned. India, meanwhile, has refused to engage with Pakistan until the latter acknowledges its role in backing terrorism.

Pakistan must additionally contend with domestic terrorism concerns, with the Pakistani Taliban growing increasingly brazen in its willingness to attack civilian and military targets. This was fuelled by the return of power of the Taliban in Afghanistan, enabled by Pakistan’s own policy of supporting the Afghan Taliban over the last few decades. This, Haqqani writes, has led even long-term allies of Pakistan in China and the Middle East, to cool their support for the struggling nation.

The 2024 elections will have a considerable impact on Pakistan’s ability to regain course.
The 12.8 crore voters of Pakistan are all set to choose a new government on Thursday, an election happening under the close watch of the all-powerful Pakistan Army. Pakistan Muslim League's Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party's Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the candidates of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are the main contenders for the top post. However, experts have indicated that Nawaz Sharif has the blessings of the Army.

“What is scheduled to happen on February 8 seems less like an election and more like a selection because Pakistan's Army has shown us in the past few days what result they are desiring in the upcoming elections. They want Nawaz Sharif to be selected," former high commissioner of India to Islamabad Ajay Bisaria told news agency ANI.


In the Pakistan Election 2024, the chief of Pakistan Army General Asim Munir will consolidate his authority over the political leadership of the country. The elections are significant, as for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the popularity of a civilian leader (Imran Khan) challenged the dominance of the Army.

Imran Khan is bearing a huge cost for challenging the authority of the Pakistan Army and is expected to languish in prison for the next few years, or until the military gets bored with the new government, according to political observers.
Nawaz Sharif has been in the place of Imran Khan as he was lodged in jail in 2017 after being accused of various corruption charges. The PML leader somehow managed to leave the country and only returned in October 2023, when suddenly all the cases against him vanished into thin air. Pakistan's continued support of terrorism has been a key question for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has been tougher on the national security front.

India has dealt with Pakistan's Generals who took charge of the country before. But General Munir’s quest for greater control may not be the movie we have seen before. To be sure, the dominant assumption in Delhi is that nothing ever changes in Pakistan. And that Pakistan’s generals will muddle along as they retain hold over Pakistan. Munir, however, is taking control amid the growing prospect that the old order in Pakistan is becoming unsustainable.
In his recent comments, Nawaz Sharif has displayed openness towards India and also acknowledged the neighbouring country's global advancements. But, the manifesto of his party declares readiness to make peace with India only if New Delhi reverts its decision to abrogate Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

 

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Pakistan post elections scenario is marred by violence. 40 incidences of violence reported. Recent three bomb blasts are in Baluchistan - blasts killing 27 and in Karachi killing 1 and 3 injured on 7 Feb 2024.

 

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Pakistan pre elections scenario is marred by violence. 40 incidences of violence reported. Recent three bomb blasts are in Baluchistan - blasts killing 27 and in Karachi killing 1 and 3 injured on 7 Feb 2024.

 

[dalvinder45]

Pakistan pre elections scenario is marred by violence. 40 incidences of violence reported. Recent three bomb blasts are in Baluchistan - blasts killing 27 and in Karachi killing 1 and 3 injured on 7 Feb 2024.

 

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The 12.8 crore voters of Pakistan are all set to choose a new government on Thursday, an election happening under the close watch of the all-powerful Pakistan Army. Pakistan Muslim League's Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party's Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the candidates of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are the main contenders for the top post. However, experts have indicated that Nawaz Sharif has the blessings of the Army.What is scheduled to happen on February 8 seems less like an election and more like a selection because Pakistan's Army has shown us in the past few days what result they are desiring in the upcoming elections. They want Nawaz Sharif to be selected," former high commissioner of India to Islamabad Ajay Bisaria told news agency ANI.he chief of Pakistan Army General Asim Munir will consolidate his authority over the political leadership of the country. The elections are significant, as for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the popularity of a civilian leader (Imran Khan) challenged the dominance of the Army.
Imran Khan is bearing a huge cost for challenging the authority of the Pakistan Army and is expected to languish in prison for the next few years, or until the military gets bored with the new government, according to political observers.

Nawaz Sharif has been in the place of Imran Khan as he was lodged in jail in 2017 after being accused of various corruption charges. The PML leader somehow managed to leave the country and only returned in October 2023, when suddenly all the cases against him vanished into thin air.

New Delhi is keeping a close watch on all the activities in Pakistan before the elections and the role of the Pakistan Army is playing in selecting the next prime minister. Pakistan's continued support of terrorism has been a key question for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has been tougher on the national security front.

 

[dalvinder45]

ਕੀ ਫੌੜੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਖੜ੍ਹੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਨਵੀਂ ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਚਿਰ ਚੱਲ ਸਕੇਗੀ?

ਡਾ: ਦਲਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਗ੍ਰੇਵਾਲ

9815366726​

ਦਸ ਫਰਵਰੀ 2024 ਤੜਕੇ ਤਕ ਮਿਲੇ ਨਤੀਜਿਆਂ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੁਣੇ ਗਏ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਇਹ ਹਨ : ਆਜ਼ਾਦ (ਪੀਟੀਆਈ ਇਮਰਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਸਮੇਤ) – 99, ਪੀ ਮੈ ਐਲ ਐਨ (ਨਵਾਜ਼ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ) -71, ਪੀਪੀਪੀ (ਬਿਲਾਵਲ ਭੁਟੋ) – 53, ਐਮ ਕਿਊ ਐਮ-14, ਪੀ ਐਮ ਐਲ-3, ਜਮਾਇਤ-2, ਇਸਤੇਹਕਮ-2, ਪੀ ਐਨ ਏ ਪੀ-1, ਪੀ ਐਮ ਐਲ ਜ਼ੀਆ-1, ਮਜਲਿਸ-1 ਹੋਰ ਆਜ਼ਾਦ -3 ਕੁੱਲ =250 ਪੰਦਰਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਸੀਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਤੀਜੇ ਆਉਣੇ ਬਾਕੀ ਹਨ। ਨਵਾਜ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ ਨੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਬਾਕੀ ਪਾਰਟੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜਣ ਦਾ ਸੱਦਾ ਦਿਤਾ ਹੈ।

ਰਾਜਨੀਤਿਕ ਅਤੇ ਆਰਥਿਕ ਚੁਣੌਤੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਜ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੋਟ ਪਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਲਗਭਗ 1 ਕਰੋੜ 28 ਲੱਖ ਵੋਟਰ ਰਜਿਸਟਰ ਕੀਤੇ ਗਏ ਸਨ। ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਚਾਰ ਸੂਬਾਈ ਅਸੈਂਬਲੀਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੀਟਾਂ ਲਈ ਲਗਭਗ 18,000 ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਹਨ, 44 ਰਾਜਨੀਤਿਕ ਪਾਰਟੀਆਂ ਸੰਸਦ ਦੇ ਹੇਠਲੇ ਸਦਨ, ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਅਸੈਂਬਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੀਟਾਂ ਲਈ ਮੁਕਾਬਲਾ ਕਰ ਰਹੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਚੋਣ ਲੜ ਰਹੇ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਮੌਤਾਂ ਕਾਰਨ ਇੱਕ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਸੂਬਾਈ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਹਲਕਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਮੁਲਤਵੀ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ ਗਈਆਂ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਐਨਏ-8 (ਬਾਜੌਰ), ਪੀਕੇ-22 (ਬਜੌੜ) ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹਨ। 266 ਸੀਟਾਂ ਦੀ ਵੰਡ ਇਸ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ਹੈ : ਪੰਜਾਬ: 141, ਸਿੰਧ: 61, ਖੈਬਰ ਪਖਤੂਨਖਵਾ: 45, ਬਲੋਚਿਸਤਾਨ: 16, ਇਸਲਾਮਾਬਾਦ ਰਾਜਧਾਨੀ ਖੇਤਰ: 3 ।

ਇਹ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਚੱਲ ਰਹੇ ਆਰਥਿਕ ਸੰਕਟ ਦੇ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਹੋ ਰਹੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਮਹਿੰਗਾਈ ਲਗਭਗ 30 ਪ੍ਰਤੀਸ਼ਤ 'ਤੇ ਚੱਲ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮੁਦਰਾ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਪਿਛਲੇ ਦੋ ਸਾਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੰਯੁਕਤ ਰਾਜ ਡਾਲਰ ਦੇ ਮੁਕਾਬਲੇ ਇਸਦੀ ਕੀਮਤ 50 ਪ੍ਰਤੀਸ਼ਤ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਘਟਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ।ਕਰਜ਼ਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਆਈ ਐਮ ਐਫ, ਚੀਨ ਅਤੇ ਅਰਬ ਦੇਸ਼ਾ ਅੱਗੇ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਝੋਲੀ ਅੱਡੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।ਜਿੱਥੇ ਆਰਥਿਕਤਾ ਡਗਮਗਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ, ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਆਪਣੇ ਚਾਰ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਤਿੰਨ ਗੁਆਂਢੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਵਧੇ ਤਣਾਅ ਦੇ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਰਚੇ 'ਤੇ ਵੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਹੈ। ਅੰਦਰੂਨੀ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ, ਹਿੰਸਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਨਾਟਕੀ ਵਾਧਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਜਦੋਂ ਕਿ ਹਾਸ਼ੀਏ 'ਤੇ ਪਏ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਿਆਂ ਨੇ, ਭੂਗੋਲਿਕ ਅਤੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ, ਰਾਜ 'ਤੇ ਅਤਿਆਚਾਰ ਵਧਣ ਦਾ ਦੋਸ਼ ਲਗਾਇਆ ਹੈ।

ਇਹਨਾਂ ਆਰਥਿਕ ਸੰਕਟਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ, ਪਿਛਲੇ ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਥਿਆਰਬੰਦ ਧੜਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਹਮਲਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਾਧਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੀ ਅਸਥਿਰਤਾ ਵਧੀ ਹੈ। ਡੂੰਘੇ ਧਰੁਵੀਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਮਾਜ ਅਤੇ ਭਵਿੱਖ ਬਾਰੇ ਅਨਿਸ਼ਚਿਤਤਾ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ, ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਇਸ ਚੋਣ ਨੂੰ ਰਾਜਨੀਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੌਜ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਮੂਲੀਅਤ 'ਤੇ ਜਨਮਤ ਸੰਗ੍ਰਹਿ ਦੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੇਖਦੇ ਹਨ। ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ਸ਼ੀਲ ਆਰਥਿਕਤਾ ਨੇ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਦੀ ਲਾਗਤ ਲਈ 24 ਕਰੋੜ 3.6 ਲੱਖ ਰੁਪਏ ($ 850,000) ਅਲਾਟ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਆਲੋਚਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੰਨਣਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਖਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਤਾ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਰੱਖਣ ਲਈ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਸ਼ਾਲੀ ਢੰਗ ਨਾਲ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਦੀ ਬਜਾਏ ਨਵਾਜ਼ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ ਨੂੰ ਫੌਜ ਨੇ ਸੱਦਾ ਦਿਤਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਇਮਰਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰ ਹੈ। ਜਦ ਦਾ ਲਹੌਰ ਦੇ ਕੋਰ ਕਮਾਂਡਰ ਦਾ ਘਰ ਇਮਰਾਨ ਹਮਾਇਤੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਸਾੜਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਫੌਜੀ ਹੈਡਕੁਅਰਟਰ ਤੇ ਹਮਲਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੈਨਾ ਇਮਰਾਨ ਖਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਹਾਲਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੱਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਉਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੇਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ। ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਸ਼ਾਲੀ ਫੌਜੀ ਅਦਾਰੇ ਨੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਦਹਾਕਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੇਸ਼ 'ਤੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਰਾਜ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਹੁਣ ਵੀ ਉਹ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਸੱਤਾ ਉਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵੀ ਬਣੇ ਰਹਿਣਾ ਲੋਚਦੇ ਹਨ।

ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਮਕਬੂਲ਼ ਇਮਰਾਨ ਖਾਨ ਦੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਠੀਕ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਚੇਅਰਮੈਨ ਇਮਰਾਨ ਖਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਤਿੰਨ ਅੱਡ ਅੱਡ ਮਾਮਲਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੰਬੀਆਂ ਸਜਾਵਾਂ ਸੁਣਾ ਕੇ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੰਦ ਕਰ ਦਿਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਅਤੇ ੳਸੁ ਦੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਦੇ ਚੋਣ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਬੱਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਦ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ । ਖਾਨ ਦੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਦੇ ਖਿਲਾਫ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਅਜੇ ਵੀ ਜਾਰੀ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਕਰਕੇ 8 ਫਰਵਰੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਮਰਾਨ ਖਾਨ ਦੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਨੂੰ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਆਜ਼ਾਦ ਦੇ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਹੋਣਾ ਪਿਆ।

8 ਫਰਵਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਅਸੈਂਬਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ 265 ਸੀਟਾਂ ਉਤੇ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਚੁਣੇ ਜਾਣੇ ਹਨ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਇਕ ਸੀਟ ਦੀ ਵੋਟਿੰਗ ਰੱਦ ਹੈ। । ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਹੋਰ 60 ਔਰਤਾਂ ਲਈ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ 10 ਸੀਟਾਂ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਘੱਟ ਗਿਣਤੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਰਾਖਵੇਂ ਹਨ। ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਧਾਰਨ ਬਹੁਮਤ ਲਈ 133 ਸੀਟਾਂ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ। ਅਜੇ ਤੱਕ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਪਸ਼ਟ ਬਹੁਮੱਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਜਦ ਕਿ ਨਵਾਜ਼ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ ਨੈ ਸੱਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਹੋਣ ਕਰਕੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਲਈ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਉਧਰ ਇਮਰਾਨ ਖਾਨ ਦੇ ਆਜ਼ਾਦ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਸੱਭ ਤੋਂ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਹਨ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਵੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ।

ਫੌਜ ਨਵਾਜ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ ਦੇ ਹੱਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਣ ਕਰਕੇ ਸ਼ਾਇਦ ਨਵਾਬ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਬਣਾਏ। ਜੇ ਨਵਾਜ਼ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਕੀ ਉਹ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹਾਲਾਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਦਿਨ ਤੱਕ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਚਲਾ ਸਕੇਗਾ। ਨਵਾਜ਼ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ ਫੌਜ ਦੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਦੂਜੀਆਂ ਪਾਰਟੀਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਫੌੜੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਿਤਨਾ ਕੁ ਚਿਰ ਟਿਕ ਸਕੇਗਾ ਇਹ ਸੋਚਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਗੱਲ

 

[dalvinder45]

Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be the nominee for Pakistan's next premier to lead a new coalition alliance formed between different parties, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday after national elections last week returned a hung parliament.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Tuesday said it would support Sharif's party to form a minority government, ending a stalemate after inconclusive elections in the nuclear-armed nation lead to days of political uncertainty.
Multi-party alliance looks to break national election deadlock
PPP wants to install its leader Asif Ali Zardari as president
Imran Khan’s party says polls rigged, plans court challenges
Pakistan faces economic crisis, will need fresh IMF support soon
Earthquake of magnitude 4.7 jolts Pakistan.
Pakistan Supreme Court to hear Monday petition seeking annulment of February 8 polls.
Imran Khan's party claims his wife Bushra's life is in danger.
Pakistan: Shah Mehmood Qureshi moves court against conviction in cypher case.

 

[dalvinder45]

Nawaz Sharif sacrificed his ambition to become Pakistan's prime minister for a record fourth term and nominated his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif for the plum post as the powerful Army gave him two options either to choose the premiership or leave it to allow his daughter to become the chief minister of Punjab, according to party insiders.

IMAGE: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif speaks, flanked by his daughter and politician Maryam Nawaz Sharif (left) and his brother and ex-PM Shahbaz Sharif (right), at the party office of Pakistan Muslim League (N) at Model Town in Lahore, on February 9, 2024. Photograph: / Rediff.com
The nomination of Shehbaz Sharif for the slot of prime minister by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif has stirred quite a debate among the PML-N ranks who are questioning why the 74-year-old three-time premier was "sidelined" despite the earlier announcement on the premiership.

Sources in the PML-N told the Press Trust of India in Lahore that Nawaz Sharif decided to withdraw himself from the race for the prime minister's office for his daughter and political heir, Maryam Nawaz, 50.

More like this​

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Nawaz nominates brother as PM to secure CM Punjab seat for his daughter.​

Nawaz Sharif could have become the prime minister to lead the coalition government for the fourth time but then his daughter would have no chance to become the Punjab chief minister. For the love of his daughter, Nawaz sacrificed his wish to become prime minister for the fourth time,” a party insider said.

The sources said that Nawaz Sharif was given two choices by the military establishment after his party's poor performance in the February 8 elections.

The powerful Pakistan Army, which has ruled coup-prone Pakistan for more than half of its 75-plus years of existence, has wielded considerable power in matters of security and foreign policy.

"The first was to become premier of the coalition government in Islamabad and make his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif Punjab chief minister and the other was to leave the top post for Shehbaz and have his daughter Maryam accommodated as the Punjab chief minister. Nawaz chose the second," another source said.

The source said that since Shehbaz Sharif, 72, was a favorite of the military, Nawaz Sharif had to be sidelined by one excuse or another at the end of the day.

Since the PML-N failed to win a simple majority in the 266-member National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif prevailed over his elder brother Nawaz Sharif in the race for the post of Prime Minister.

This week social media was also abuzz with the PML-N's decision to nominate Shehbaz Sharif as its prime ministerial candidate.

"Pakistan ko Nawaz do (Give Nawaz to Pakistan)" was one of the top trends on X in the country showing resentment over Shehbaz Sharif's nomination.
People in their posts on X asked whether Nawaz Sharif's political career is over.

Initially, the PML-N claimed Nawaz Sharif would be the party's pick for the top slot followed by a full-throttle media campaign in the lead-up to the general elections.

Maryam on Wednesday said her father's decision to withdraw himself from the top slot is related to the PML-N's not securing a clear majority in the polls.

To form a government, a party must win 133 seats out of 265 contested seats in the 266-member National Assembly.

Former prime minister Imran Khan's PTI-backed independent winners lead the lower house (National Assembly) with 92 seats followed by PML-N with 80, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party with 54 and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement with 17 seats.

Maryam is now set to become the first woman chief minister of Punjab, a crucial province of over 120 million people.

Former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has alleged that Maryam would become the Chief Minister on its "stolen mandate" thus having no credibility of her selection.

On the other hand, Shehbaz Sharif is all set to form a six-party coalition to run the government early next month.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan's tally, the total number of general seats won by these six parties comes to 152, which shows they can easily achieve the minimum required number of 169 to form the government at the Centre after the addition of 60 women and 10 minority seats in their tally.

None of the three major parties, the PML-N, the Pakistan People's Party, or the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have won the necessary seats in the February 8 general elections to secure a majority in the National Assembly and, therefore, will be unable to form a government on their own.

Pakistan recorded a 47.6 percent voter turnout in the February 8 election, which was lower than the previous one in 2018 when 52.1 percent of voters cast the ballot.

 

[dalvinder45]

Bhutto about-turn: Behind the PPP plan to back Pakistan's new government. On January 19, three weeks before Pakistan’s general elections, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former foreign minister and chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), appeared for an interview on a private news channel. Criticising the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leadership – consisting of three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif – the PPP chief said that the PMLN’s policies had hurt the country’s economy. When the host asked Bhutto Zardari if he would be open to the idea of forming a coalition with the PMLN after the February 8 elections, if either party failed to secure a majority on its own, the 35-year-old scion of Pakistan’s Bhutto family was categorical in his response.
“Who told you that the PPP will form a coalition government with them [PMLN]? I have stated this before as well: ‘Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’,” he said.
Less than four weeks later, Bhutto Zardari’s father, former president Asif Ali Zardari, held a press conference alongside leaders of various parties, including the PMLN, announcing a coalition government on February 13.
“God willing, we will take Pakistan out of difficulty,” Zardari said, five days after the February 8 vote. He downplayed past rivalries, saying, “Opposition happens in elections. It was electioneering opposition, not ideological opposition.”
aj Haider, a senior PPP leader and a member of the Senate, the upper house of Pakistan’s parliament, said that the party had been open to partnering with any other group ready to help bring stability to the country after the elections.

“With Pakistan in such dire political and economic crisis, we understood the urgency to do something to come out of this chaos,” Haider, who also heads the PPP’s central election cell, told Al Jazeera. “The PPP said we will support any party for formation of government. PMLN came to us, but the PTI never did. In fact, it categorically, and insultingly said we will not talk to you.”
The PDM government, in which Bhutto Zardari was the foreign minister along with other PPP ministers in the cabinet, saw an alarming decline in Pakistan’s economic health, as the country veered on the verge of default. Massive floods, in which the country suffered losses of more than $30bn and millions of people were displaced, compounded Pakistan’s challenges. This time, Bhutto Zardari has said that the PPP would not join the cabinet. Explaining the rationale, Sherry Rehman, the vice president of the PPP, said that politics was not a “zero-sum game”.
We know whoever makes government cannot function without us. The PPP wants to give people hope in the democratic process, in parliament and in the country,” she told
“Our actions to forego certain benefits and use the time and space to work on the grassroots should help people see politics less about patronage and more about bringing much-needed change to people living under severe economic and climate stress,” Rehman added.

However, independent analysts questioned the PPP’s real motivations behind joining the coalition.

“This isn’t an ideal situation for any party, but especially the PPP. No party has a clear majority. A coalition was the only answer. The PPP wants to remain in the system,” Mehmal Sarfraz, a Lahore-based analyst told Al Jazeera.

Majid Nizami, another political analyst, said that the PPP strategy seemed to revolve around getting positions of power without having to be answerable to the electorate.

“They are seeking constitutional positions such as president, speaker of assembly, chairman of the Senate, other powerful positions. This allows them to hold influence, without being held accountable,” he told Al Jazeera.


The PPP would also wield influence in actual policymaking since the PMLN would always need the PPP’s support in getting bills passed in parliament, Nizami said.

“There is a good chance that the PPP will suggest to the PMLN to seek a more conciliatory approach towards PTI, but I also don’t think it will dump them and switch allegiances,” he added.

PPP’s Haider, though, conceded that another reason for the party’s reluctance to take the cabinet position was the cloud of reservation over the legitimacy of the results, in the eyes of many Pakistanis.

Still, Nizami thinks that despite being careful in its decision-making, the new PPP-PMLN partnership, with smaller parties in tow, cannot avoid being viewed as another avatar of the PDM.

“PTI and its incarcerated leader Imran Khan have always alleged that these parties’ band together to help each other, and this narrative will reinforce, yet again,” he added.


Both PMLN and PPP have a long imprint on Pakistani politics, with the two parties alternatively ruling the country from 1988 to 2018, except for a nine-year period – 1999 to 2008 – when the country was ruled by Pervez Musharraf after a military coup.

The PTI’s Khan, who came to power in 2018 with the backing of the Pakistani military establishment, has repeatedly said that he would never engage in any partnership with the PPP and the PMLN, parties whose leaders have faced corruption allegations for decades.

Currently behind bars on multiple convictions on charges he claims are politically motivated, Khan has stuck to that stance in the aftermath of the fractured mandate delivered in the February 8 election.
That approach is not helpful, claimed the PPP’s Haider.
“PTI may close the door all it wants, but we will not do that. We will take steps to bring all parties on one platform to overcome the crises faced by our country. Political stability is the need of the hour. If we need to take a step back in order to unite, we will.”

The February 8 polls ended with independent candidates backed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) winning 101 seats, despite the party facing a severe crackdown from government agencies and security forces in the weeks before the elections. In January, the party was even denied the use of its election symbol, the cricket bat.

Still, despite emerging as the country’s most popular party in the elections, the PTI insists that it would have received an even heavier mandate if the election had not been “stolen” through “massive rigging”.
Pakistan official admits involvement in rigging election results. ...
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has revealed the power-sharing formula he was offered wherein the prime minister’s seat would be shared between two parties. “I was told that let us be the prime minister for three years and then you can take the premiership for the remaining two years,” he told a rally in Thatta.

“I said no to this. I said I do not want to be a prime minister like this,” Bilawal added. “If I become the prime minister, it would be after the people of Pakistan elect me.”
New Pakistan government takes shape amid slew of jabs.
The six-party coalition formed this week and led by the PMLN and PPP, looks set to form the next government in Pakistan, with more than 150 seats among them. PMLN leader Shehbaz Sharif has been anointed as the coalition’s nominee for premiership, in what many observers say is a reincarnation of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government. The PDM coalition, under Shehbaz Sharif’s premiership, ruled for 16 months between April 2022 and August 2023, after it managed to topple the PTI government of Imran Khan through a parliamentary vote of no confidence.

The PTI on Sunday demanded the formation of a judicial commission to probe the rigging allegations made by the former Rawalpindi commissioner.

Another layer of controversy was added to the already disputed Feb 8 elections on Saturday after Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of involvement in ‘rigging’ — a claim denied by the electoral watchdog and the top judge.

These allegations came almost a week after the polls on a day when PTI and other political parties decided to kick-start their nationwide anti-rigging campaign, claiming they were deprived of their mandate through “massive rigging”.

The commissioner, who has now been transferred to the Services and General Administration Department (SGAD) in Lahore, was scheduled to hold a press conference regarding the Pakistan Super League (PSL) arrangements at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. But instead of the presser, he had an informal chat with reporters in which he made the startling claims.

According to Chattha, he was disclosing the information about alleged irregularities in the election on the call of his conscience. He also accused CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of being a part of the “rigging plan”.

He said that he had decided to resign and took responsibility for supervising the theft of public mandate by changing the results of 13 National Assembly constituencies in six districts of Rawalpindi Division.

He said that he had decided to resign and took responsibility for supervising the theft of public mandate by changing the results of 13 National Assembly constituencies in six districts of Rawalpindi Division. Chattha alleged the candidates who were “losing” the elections “were made to win” and that the process to justify the manipulated results was still going in “an organised manner at some offices”.

Both the CJP and the ECP rejected the allegations, with the former saying the Supreme Court only dealt with election-related petitions.

 

[dalvinder45]

Imran Khan is a cult figure in Pakistan

Imran Khan is much appreciated among the young. He may be projected as corrupt and his rule dismal by the powers than be but he is in no way even close to the corrupt who corrupted the elections. military and the courts to snatch the power from him. He is a popular figure as can be seen from the crowd gathering

IMAGE: Supporters of Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, protest demanding free and fair results of the elections, outside the provincial election commission office in Karachi, February 11, 2024. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters
Even though Nawaz Sharif gave way to his brother Shahabaz for the seat of PM for the sake of Punjab CM of his daughter at the bidding of the military power and managed to get cases against him washed off yet in the eyes of the people he remains the same corrupt.
His party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, was the second largest party, winning 75 seats of 266 seats in the national assembly, and he will form a government in alliance with other political parties. A key constituent of the new government will be the Pakistan People's Party which won 54 seats.
Interestingly, the people of Pakistan overwhelmingly supported jailed former prime minister Imran Khan in the elections, and independents, contesting on behalf party to of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, won 93 seats, the single largest group in the national assembly.
According to Syed Firdaus Ashraf a retired RA &W officer writes in his book Pakistan: Courting the Abyss:
Social media played a stellar role for attracting the young towards Imran Khan's Islamisation of Pakistan has lead to permanent chaos. he says The only free and fair elections in Pakistan were in 1970 that led to the break-up of the country. Since then, all elections have been rigged to ensure a result that does not lead to another division of the country.
Imran Khan's performance during his three-and-a-half year rule was dismal. Despite this, he has become a cult figure. He sold the dream of a Naya Pakistan to the people of Pakistan, especially the youth, and branded all other politicians who did not agree with him as corrupt. Hence, his popularity.
He also got sympathy vote due to his incarceration.
The people had become disillusioned with Nawaz Sharif, that is why there were no protests. Today, because the living conditions are so bad that people are looking for a saviour. While earlier the army was the saviour, today the people see Imran Khan as the saviour.

IMAGE: Supporters of Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, block a road at Baleli, on the outskirts of Quetta, February 12, 2024, to protest the results of the elections. Photograph: Naseer Ahmed/Reuters
Imran Khan's chance of coming out of jail seems to be only if the Army feels that Sharif too follow the line of Imran.
The religious parties have never received electoral support. People are religious, but they don't want to be ruled by religious parties.
Nawaz Sharif would have become PM if the PML-N had got a majority. Since there will be a coalition government, Shehbaz Sharif is better able to deal with a coalition.
The new government have to deal with a host of domestic issues first most important being financial state which has collapsed. Pakistan was formed on an ideological basis, the ideology of the two-nation theory that Hindus and Muslims cannot live together. So, hostility with India is inbuilt in their DNA. If Shahbaz extends hand towards India without conditions there are chances that India may relent. Thi will benefit both the nations.

 

[dalvinder45]

Maryam, Nawaz Sharif’s eldest daughter and apparent political heir, becomes the first female chief minister of Punjab province. Maryam Nawaz, newly elected chief minister of Pakistan's Punjab province, arrives to attend the assembly session in Lahore [KM Chaudary/AP] Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of three-time former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has been elected the chief minister of the key province of Punjab – the country’s first woman to hold the post. Maryam’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and its allies on Monday received 220 votes in the 371-member Punjab Assembly in an election boycotted by the opposition Sunni Ittehad Council party, backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. P
Khan alleges the February 8 parliamentary and provincial elections were rigged – an allegation denied by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
“I am disappointed the opposition is not here to be part of this democratic process,” Maryam, 50, said on the opposition’s boycott of her election.

Shehbaz could return as prime minister for a second term when the parliament meets later this week.​

Born in 1973, Maryam is the eldest among four siblings and was not into politics until 2013 when Nawaz became the prime minister for the third time. Soon, she emerged as the family’s apparent political heir while her brothers handled the business.
After Nawaz was disqualified from the post of the prime minister in 2017 for lying in his assets declarations before the ECP, Maryam assumed a more prominent role in the party.
However, days before the 2018 election, which she planned to contest, a court in capital Islamabad convictd her for corruption, along with her father and her husband. The conviction disqualified her from contesting elections for a decade.

 

[dalvinder45]

Pak election: Imran Khan nominates Mahmood Khan Achakzai against Asif Ali Zardari as its presidential candidate. Imran Khan's interim bail confirmed in 4 cases related to May 9 events.
PPP's Sarfraz Bugti elected Balochistan chief minister.
As Pakistan grapples with the aftermath of controversial elections, political chaos is threatening to cloud its $3bn deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which analysts say is key to the country’s economic stability.
On Thursday, the global lender said Pakistan’s interim government had “maintained” economic stability. The IMF’s communications chief, Julie Kozack, said the interim government had managed to achieve fiscal targets while also “protecting” the social safety net.

Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of three-time former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has been elected the chief minister of the key province of Punjab – the country’s first woman to hold the post.
Maryam’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and its allies on Monday received 220 votes in the 371-member Punjab Assembly in an election boycotted by the opposition Sunni Ittehad Council party, backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistani court acquits Maryam Nawaz in corruption case Pakistan arrests opposition leader Maryam Pakistan’s PTI faces uphill battle as rivals unite, Imran Khan in jail.
Khan alleges the February 8 parliamentary and provincial elections were rigged – an allegation denied by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
“I am disappointed the opposition is not here to be part of this democratic process,” Maryam, 50, said on the opposition’s boycott of her election. Maryam is the fourth member of her family to become Punjab chief minister after her father Nawaz Sharif, his brother Shehbaz, and Shehbaz’s son Hamza who held the post for a few months last year.

Maryam is seen as the political heir of her father, three-time PM Nawaz Sharif [File: Rahat Dar/EPA]
Shehbaz could return as prime minister for a second term when the parliament meets later this week.
Born in 1973, Maryam is the eldest among four siblings and was not into politics until 2013 when Nawaz became the prime minister for the third time. Soon, she emerged as the family’s apparent political heir while her brothers handled the business.
After Nawaz was disqualified from the post of the prime minister in 2017 for lying in his assets declarations before the ECP, Maryam assumed a more prominent role in the party.
However, days before the 2018 election, which she planned to contest, a court in capital Islamabad convicted of corruption , along with her father and her husband. The conviction disqualified her from contesting elections for a decade.
A year later, she was relieved in the case while Nawaz, suffering ill health, went into self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom, from where he returned in October last year.

 

[dalvinder45]

Pakistan's newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday raked up the Kashmir issue in his maiden address but pledged to improve ties with all leading nations, including the country's neighbours.
Shehbaz will be administered the oath of office on Monday at the Presidential mansion, Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Shehbaz said that Pakistan would not become part of any "great game" and his government would increase the number of friends.
"We will keep ties with neighbours on the basis of equality," Shehbaz, 72, said as he easily won the election in the National Assembly to become Pakistan's prime minister for a second time.

Shehbaz, however, raked up the Kashmir issue and equated it with Palestine. "Let's all come together […] and the National Assembly should pass a resolution for the freedom of Kashmiris and Palestinians," he added.
He also thanked his allies in the coalition government for putting their trust in him and making him Leader of the House.
"When my Quaid (leader Nawaz) was elected the prime minister thrice, the development that followed in the country is an example of its own. And it is not wrong to say that Nawaz Sharif is the one who built Pakistan," Shehbaz said in his victory speech.

​

Pak poll: Rejected votes exceed win margin on 24 seats​

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president thanked his elder brother Nawaz and all the allies for putting their trust in him and making him Leader of the House.

Shehbaz, who was the consensus candidate of the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), received 201 votes in the 336-member house.

Shehbaz's challenger Omar Ayub Khan of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secured 92 votes.

Shehbaz said that the country was facing challenges primarily due to the fragile economy. He said that he was starting his tenure when the country was facing a budgetary deficit of more than one trillion rupees.

"How we will pay the salaries for armed forces and how to pay the civil servants," he wondered and added that reforming the economy was the biggest challenge faced by the country.

Shehbaz highlighted the burden of debt paying and said that the country was required to pay billions of rupees in interest only.

He highlighted that the energy sector was crumbling due to the accumulating debt owed by the country to the power-producing companies. He also mentioned that state-owned entities like Pakistan International Airlines were running into losses worth billions of rupees.

He promised to put the country on the path of development and announced to overcome all hurdles. “Though it is easier said than done, we will fulfill our task,” he said.

Shehbaz said that the government was determined to bring the country out of the current crisis. “I don't want to set any deadline but due to various steps we will take, the positive results will start pouring in after a year,” he said.

He promised to bring investment into the country and create economic conditions that would spur economic growth. He also vowed to spread the web of “one window” export zones in all four provinces and work day and night to fulfil all these promises.

The newly-elected premier vowed to make Pakistan "self-sufficient". "We will rise and we will make Pakistan self-sufficient," said Shehbaz.

"There are talented people sitting in this Parliament who can steer Pakistan's ship to the shore […] these include journalists, intellectuals, politicians, religious leaders,” he said.

Shehbaz said Pakistan had a big challenge and opportunity before it. “If we come together and decide to change the fate of Pakistan […] then God willing, we will defeat these challenges and take Pakistan to its rightful position,” he said.

He highlighted that this job was difficult but not impossible.

"Back to the good old days of development! Onwards and upwards. Nawaz Ka vision, Shehbaz Ka mission,” the PML-N said in a post on X along with a picture of both the leaders.

“The other name of deliverance is MUHAMMAD SHEHBAZ SHARIF,” it said in another post.

The session of the new parliament was convened amid ruckus and sloganeering by PTI-backed lawmakers.

In his speech, Shehbaz also said that the nation would always remember the sacrifices of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the maternal grandfather of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

He also announced the elimination of terrorism from the country by following the already adopted National Action Plan to deal with extremism in the country.

Shehbaz also targeted his rivals Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for attacking the national institutions and army buildings on May 9 last year when supporters of Imran Khan resorted to violent protest against his arrest in a case of alleged corruption.

"It is shameful that the country saw a day when GHQ, corps commander houses, airfields were attacked on May 9,” Shehbaz said, adding that such sights are unforgettable.

He said that the PTI put the entire opposition behind bars without caring about women or children and used language that cannot be said out loud. “This is the difference between this leadership and that leadership; the entire assembly is witness to the fact that we never thought of the politics of revenge,” he said.

Shehbaz also said that those responsible for the May 9 incident would not be spared while saying that all innocent people implicated in various cases would be spared.

Opposition PTI lawmakers kept on shouting slogans during the speech by the prime minister who, undeterred by the rowdyism continued his address and made a long speech on the occasion. He asked the opponents to seek recourse to the national institutions to get the complaints about rigging redressed.
Shehbaz also questioned why Imran Khan wrote a letter to the International Monetary Fund which he said was tantamount to inviting foreign intervention in the affairs of the country. He offered reconciliation to the opposition and invited them to also cooperate to address the economic issues.

He will be administered the oath of office on Monday at the Presidential mansion, Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Shehbaz earlier served as prime minister of a coalition government from April 2022 to August 2023 before Parliament was dissolved to hold general

 

[dalvinder45]

Nawaz Sahrif's brother Shahbaz Sharif sworn as Pak PM. As usual with Pak PM he too spoke of Kashmir Issue equating with Palestine problem. Though he spoke of good relations with neighbours but from his speech India appears to be excluded for good relations. He has to do something for economic conditions in Pakistan and internal disturbance caused due to managed elections in favour and divesting Imran of the victory.