‘defying

pressure’ to delay polls

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry appreciated the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not “succumbing to pressure” aimed at delaying elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The change in the manner and tone of PTI Vice President was witnessed when he appeared before a bench of the ECP members in a contempt case in which PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Asad Umar and other party leaders are also nominated.“We have praised your role but didn’t notice it. Whole nation has trust in two institutions, the election commission and Supreme Court,” he told the ECP members, adding that only these two institutions can save the country from crisis. “We want to strengthen the institutions and we respect you all”. At which, ECP member Babar Bharwana said: “Our priority is Pakistan,” adding that the electoral body was playing his role as per the law. The former information minister made the dramatic political volt-face weeks after he secured bail in a sedition case filed against over criticism of ECP boss and members over delay in announcement of election schedule despite dissolution of assemblies in the provinces. It is on the record that he has been accusing the chief election commissioner of acting as team “B” of the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sought a comprehensive report from the Punjab

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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said that action must be taken if any Toshakhana gifts were received unethically. Speaking to the media outside the accountability court, Abbasi acknowledged that his name has appeared in the list of Toshakhana gifts. “If any gift is received from abroad, it is deposited in the Toshakhana,” he said. He added that the Toshakhana determines the price of the gift and the money has to be paid in order to receive the gift. Abbasi said that for years, people have been going to the accountability courts but judgements are not being passed. The former premier said that the new National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman should end the cases of poor people even if the cases involving politicians continue. In response to a question, the former premier said that there is no ongoing attempt to form a new party. “Pakistan has sufficient political parties,” he added. It should be noted that the PML-N leader was present at the judicial complex as he was to appear before the accountability court in the LNG reference. Judge Nasir Javed Rana heard the case today. During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor said that the arguments in the LNG reference have been completed. He added that NAB rules are being amended in which the court has been empowered. Under the new amendment, the accountability court can refer the pending matter to any tribunal. Abbasi said he could not appear at the previous hearing, to which the judge said that it is not necessary for Abbasi to appear in court and can send his counsel instead. Due to the new amendment, final arguments on the plea of jurisdiction and acquittal could not be made and the hearing of the case was adjourned till April 4.

Chief Secretary by Wednesday (today) regarding the alleged ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election rallies and the imposition of Section 144 in Lahore. The decision was taken during a meeting held to discuss a petition filed by PTI leaders – Dr Yasmin Rashid and Dr Babar Awan, challenging the imposition of Section 144 and stopping of PTI’s election rally by the caretaker government in Lahore.

The ECP underscored the responsibility of the caretaker setup to hold transparent and peaceful elections, and directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report by Wednesday.

The PTI leaders have accused the caretaker government of imposing a ban on their election rallies and violating their democratic rights.

Maryam criticizes Imran for ‘hiding under bed’ to evade arrest

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Maryam Nawaz, the senior vice president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has come down hard on former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, for evading arrest and “hiding under his bed”. Speaking at the organisational convention of PML-N in Sheikhupura on Tuesday, Maryam said that “thieves and dacoits are afraid of arrest, but leaders are not”.

She went on to compare Nawaz Sharif, her father and former prime minister, with Imran Khan. Maryam said that Nawaz Sharif did not hide when times were tough and even came to court his own arrest, while Imran Khan is hiding under his bed. She advised Imran to show some courage and present himself before the judiciary by courting his arrest.

Maryam also criticized Imran Khan for his treatment of political workers, citing the example of Zille Shah, a PTI worker who was killed in Lahore last week. She accused Imran of doing politics on Zille Shah’s death and putting other people’s children on the line to take the police’s beating.

She emphasised that the PML-N is not just competing in the upcoming election but is entering the field to win it.

The PML-N stalwart reiterated that Imran Khan must face accountability before the general election. She criticised the unequal treatment of Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, stating that Nawaz Sharif has faced hundreds of court appearances despite being innocent, while Imran Khan is trying to walk free despite “being a criminal”.

Maryam also responded to criticism from former chief justice Saqib Nisar, who accused her of misbehaving, stressing that she was trained by Nawaz Sharif and Kulsoom Nawaz and that she was only showing people the mirror.

PML-N leaders including Rana Sanaullah, Parvaiz Rasheed, Talal Chaudhry, Uzma Bukhari, and Sania Ashiq also attended the event.

The PML-N supporters applauded Maryam’s speech and chanted slogans in support of the party.

Overall, Maryam’s speech was a strong rebuke of Imran Khan and a rallying cry for the PML-N ahead of the upcoming election. The speech highlighted the differences between Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan and emphasised the PML-N’s commitment to winning the election.