Nominations for Senate polls unveiled

TrendPK.com

ISLAMABAD: Nominations of the hopefuls for around the corner Senate elections were surfaced on Sunday whereby PML-N shortlisted seven candidates, four contenders from PPP while PML-F nominated Syed Muzaffar Hussain from Sindh, reports TrendPK.

The nomination papers will start to be submitted from Monday.

According to the announcement issued from PML-N, M. Hamza, Zulfiqar Khosa, Rafique Rajwana and Zafarullah Dhandlah were nominated on general seats from Punjab. Ishaq Dar will be hopeful for Technocrat slot and Kamran Michael will be contesting for minority seat. Nuzhat Aamir Siddiqui has been named to contest on women seats from N-League.

On the other side, PPP has announced four candidates to run for Senate polls from Punjab including Babar Awan, Aitzaz Ahsan, Aslam Gill and Khalid Qureshi.

Babar Awan and Aitzaz Ahsan form legal team of the government while Aslam Gill is the former president Lahore of PPP and Khalida Qureshi belongs to Muzaffargarh. TrendPK

Vallima party of Ch. Shujaat’s son turns political forum

LAHORE: The Vallima party of the son of Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) chief Ch. Shujaat turned a forum of political discussions as the leaders from different parties kept having short meetings to discuss the possibility for PML-Q to become a part of coalition government in center, TrendPK reported.

On the occasion, talking to media men, former federal minister Babar Awan said that his party was on good terms with PML-Q and the PPP’s policy of reconciliation made that possible, adding that his party never believed in inking secret deals in politics.

Abdul Rehman Malik, on the occasion, urged US to listen to the demands of Pakistani people and stop missile attacks forthwith.

PPP’s leader Aitzaz Ahsan said that ZAB’s reference in Supreme Court will help wash out stains of politically-influenced decisions of courts which are there on the face of Pakistani judiciary.

Also, the party was attended by Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Mohammed Ali Durrani, Ameer Muqaam, Owais Leghari, and many others. TrendPK

30 arrested in Karachi on extortion charges: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that a ministerial committee has been constituted to prevent extortion in Karachi.

In a statement in the Upper House today (Tuesday), Malik has claimed that 30 people have been arrested in Karachi on charges of extortion.

His statment came after trade bodies observed a shutter-down strike in the metropolis against the rising incidents of extortion.

“No revengeful act will be initiated against anyone. Only real culprits will be punished,” he said.

On the other hand, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) withdrew its bill seeking weapon-free country.

Federal Law Minister Dr. Babar Awan, on the occasion said, the bill has some legal misfits which will be tabled in Senate after a thorough review.

Later, opposition parties staged a token walkout from Senate to express solidarity with missing persons while, MQM staged a walkout in protest against the rising incidents of extortion in Karachi. TrendPK

Zardari terms Babar Awan indictment political victimisation

ISLAMABAD: Expressing concern over the indictment of Federal Law Minister Babar Awan in robbery and kidnapping cases, President Zardari said the step is against democratic values.

According to Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar, the president considers the move by the Punjab prosecution department as based on “ill will”.

President Zardari was quoted as saying that such steps amount to victimisation of political opponents, and undermine the freedom of the judiciary. Two cases were registered against Awan 12 years ago when he was pursuing cases against President Zardari.

On Saturday, a Rawalpindi court indicted the federal law minister in both cases.

Updated from the print edition (below)

Babar Awan indicted for robbery, harassment

Federal Minister for law and Justice, Babar Awan, was indicted on Saturday by an area magistrate here for a robbery and harassment case registered against him in 1998.

The minister appeared in person before Area Magistrate Mehr Sarfaraz Hussain and rejected what he called false and politically motivated allegations.

An FIR was registered in Sadiqabad police station Rawalpindi in 1998 on the complaint of Sheikh Iftikhar Adil, the editor of a daily newspaper Asaas. The complainant had said Awan and a few armed men had tried to abduct him near Sadiqabad.

The journalist had told the police that he was tortured and given life threats after Awan failed to kidnap him. Awan is also accused of having stolen important documents belonging to Adil.

Awan had obtained bail but he failed to appear in court after the expiration of his bail. Later, the court had issued arrest warrants for the minister who then appeared before the court and obtained bail. The area magistrate has asked concerned parties to present evidence by the next date of hearing, March 12.

PML-N’s horse trading hurting democracy: Awan

LAHORE: Federal Law Minister Dr. Babar Awan says that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is harming democracy through horse trading.

Speaking to newsmen outside the Parliament House today, Dr. Awan said that PML-N and PPP had never been allies as their support was confined to charter of democracy signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

“I fail to understand why Mian Nawaz Sharif is calling his Punjab government as corrupt,” he remarked. TrendPK

Elahi defends PPP talks

Staff Report

LAHORE: Punjab’s former chief minister and senior PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said Sunday that his party could enter into an alliance with murderers too in order to save the country.

Addressing party workers in Muridke, Elahi said the PML-Q has jumped into the arena to steer the country out of prevailing crises.

Defending his recent meeting with PPP’s Babar Awan, he said the decision has been made in the best interest of the country.

The PML-Q leader said he fully supports Pir Pagara’s efforts to unity the Muslim League factions.

Nobody is safe anymore in Punjab, he said, advising Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to stop calling himself “Khadim-i-Ala (servant of the people).” Trend Pk

Elahi defends PPP talks

Staff Report

LAHORE: Punjab’s former chief minister and senior PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said Sunday that his party could enter into an alliance with murderers too in order to save the country.

Addressing party workers in Muridke, Elahi said the PML-Q has jumped into the arena to steer the country out of prevailing crises.

Defending his recent meeting with PPP’s Babar Awan, he said the decision has been made in the best interest of the country.

The PML-Q leader said he fully supports Pir Pagara’s efforts to unity the Muslim League factions.

Nobody is safe anymore in Punjab, he said, advising Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to stop calling himself “Khadim-i-Ala (servant of the people).” Trend Pk

PPP-PML-Q meeting is a message to MQM: Sanaullah

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Punjab’s Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that the recent meeting between leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) was aimed at sending a message to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

His remarks came a day after PPP’s Babar Awan and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi of PML-Q met in Lahore on Monday.

Speaking to media in the federal capital today (Tuesday), Sanaullah said that the meeting would have no impact on the PML-N-led Punjab government.

“PPP is prepared to go to every extent to hide its corruption,” he alleged.

The Law Minister said the federal government has given a message to MQM that if it pulls out of the ruling coalition, PML-Q is there to help.

“We have great respect for Pakistan’s army. However, it is deplorable on the government’s part to use the army for its own

PML-Q Hints at Forming Federal Govt. With PPP

LAHORE, News Trends: According to sources of PPP and PML-Q, two political parties have resolved confronting the other political giant – PML-Q – at the federal government level.

Meanwhile, Q-league has assured PPP of its unconditional support with its parliamentary power in the face of any untoward situation, two parties sources confirmed to media.

PML-Q also indicated to join PPP-led coalition at Federal Government level to pose serious threat to other coalition partners of PPP in the government.

Earlier on Monday, Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Babar Awan and Central Leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi after holding a meeting here on Monday said Pakistan People’s Party and PML-Q are hand-in-hand on national issues.

Babar Awan and Pervez Elahi were briefing the media men after holding a meeting at the latter’s residence.

Babar Awan said the role of their parties may be different but their objective is the same. There is no place for arrogance in politics and that there should be respect for all parties whether inside or outside the Parliament, he added.

He said PML-Q is an active parliamentary participator and one of the main stakeholders in the country’s politics.

“We have a unanimity of views on national interests,” the Federal Law Minister remarked, adding that a culture of tolerance, harmony is a way forward for the people of Pakistan.

He said PPP has gone to each and every party in the country. “We went to Mansoora and the leadership of Jamat-e-Islami and we also met with politicians in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa,” he added.

Babar Awan said he appreciated the advice given by PML-Q during the meeting for pro-people agenda and good governance and that the same would be conveyed to the Prime Minister.

PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi on the occasion said it is imperative to sit together in view of the challenges the country is presently faced with.

Babar advises not to stab in the back of democracy

Federal Law Minister Babar Awan has said that no one should stab in the back of democracy. He also said that now no one would be allowed to derail democracy. Babar Awan also said that some unseen agencies and actors are trying to attack the democratic process by fake surveys.
Addressing the PPP workers at a dinner arranged at Mian Waheeds residence, Babar Awan said that it is the responsibility of government to strengthen the federation. He also said that all the political factions would have to agree on Charter of Nation for the betterment and welfare of the masses. Babar Awan said that for the first time in the history of Pakistan a national government is functioning and PPP would make the democratic process irreversible and insurmountable. The minister also ruled out the importance of Lotocracy (horse-trading). Federal Law Minister advised the political parties not to engage general public in non-issues.

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