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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>A Day’s Earning: Workers make Rs300 waving PML-N flags</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284240/a-day%e2%80%99s-earning-workers-make-rs300-waving-pml-n-flags</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284240/a-day%e2%80%99s-earning-workers-make-rs300-waving-pml-n-flags#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 30 Oct 11 09:00:08 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Several labourers were hired by the organisers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz rally.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Several labourers were hired by the organisers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz rally on Friday to carry and wave large party flags.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Rasheed Ahmed and Kashif said they were to get a payment of Rs300 on returning flags and party caps at the end of the day. They said at least 100 flags mounted on 10-to-12 feet tall poles were distributed among workers at a camp set up at Government Muslim Model School No2 on Outfall Road.

PML-N MNAs Bilal Yasin and Mian Marghoob Ahmed and MPA Khawaja Imran Nazir were in charge of the activity.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>PML-N Rally: More than half the participants came from other districts</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284805/pml-n-rally-more-than-half-the-participants-came-from-other-districts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284805/pml-n-rally-more-than-half-the-participants-came-from-other-districts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 30 Oct 11 07:44:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=284805</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Between 100 to 300 vehicles from other districts arrived in the city on Friday carrying PML-N workers.]]>
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				<![CDATA[More than half of the people who attended the PML-N rally on Friday came from outside Lahore, popularly considered the party’s stronghold, if reports prepared by various intelligence agencies are to be believed.


According to one agency’s reports, more than 600 vehicles carrying workers arrived from Sheikhupura, more than 400 vehicles from Hafizabad, about 300 vehicles from Nankana Sahib and more than 300 vehicles from Kasur.

Between 100 to 300 vehicles from other districts arrived in the city on Friday carrying PML-N workers.

The reports also gave estimates of supporters various PML-N leaders were able to bring. MNA Rana Tanveer Hussain and MPA Pir Ashraf Rasool were declared the most successful each having brought more than 1,200 people. MNA Mian Javed Latif, MNA Bilal Ahmed Virk, ticket holders Rai Mansab Ali Khan and Chaudhry Barjees Tahir also brought more than 1,000 workers each to the rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2011. ]]>
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			<title>PML-N’s ‘revolution’ kicks off</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284663/pml-n%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98revolution%e2%80%99-kicks-off</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284663/pml-n%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98revolution%e2%80%99-kicks-off#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 29 Oct 11 16:36:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=284663</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[the hawks led by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and the lone moderate Nawaz Sharif — that of Chaudhry Nisar won the day.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The PML-N kicked off its ‘go Zardari go’ campaign in Lahore on October 28. The procession was not attended by the party’s main leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, who was away on a foreign visit. Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister’s son, came to speak, but it seems that the crowds wanted his father who spoke to the crowd later (this newspaper also reported that a significant proportion of the participants seems to have been brought to the venue from outside Lahore).

There is no way a Pakistani popular leader can be told what his representational flaws are. Who can tell Shahbaz Sharif that his rather tiresome style of singing Habib Jalib has run its course and arouses no emotion; that his wild flailing of arms across the bristling mikes in front of him is now nothing more than a boring pantomime. His accusations contained all the predictable charges against the PPP government and President Asif Ali Zardari: corruption; abysmal governance causing shortages of public amenities all over Pakistan; and slavery of the US.

Zardari’s hate-speech troubleshooter Babar Awan was on hand in Lahore to direct barbs at the flaws in Shahbaz Sharif’s own kingdom where he rules autocratically, using public funds and local government transport to do the party’s work. Governor Khosa pitched in too, accusing the Punjab government of abusing its authority at the rally, indicating the shape of things to come in the battle ahead which the PML-N firebrand Saad Rafiq says will reach its climax in December-January with a ‘Long March’ to Islamabad. The crowds thought Nawaz Sharif would be there at Bhaati Gate but he was out of the country, although he did address his own rally a couple of days ago where he railed against the president and the ruling party.

If there were two poles in the party — the hawks led by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and the lone moderate Nawaz Sharif — that of Chaudhry Nisar won the day. This pole has fostered the development of the typical PML-N voter who was brought up on the reflex of the mid-term toppling of governments in the 1990s. Of course, one reason for this rally is to forestall the Senate elections that are scheduled for March 2012 and which could see the PPP gain a commanding lead in the upper house of parliament. To this end, Shahbaz Sharif, who seems to be in the camp opposing his elder brother, had been predicting a ‘bloody revolution’. The other factor which must have goaded the party to make its presence known to all and sundry must be the Imran Khan factor, with his rallies in Punjab increasingly gaining a large audience.

The rise of Imran Khan and his formerly rather amoebic party — people still don’t know who the man next to Imran Khan is — has startled the PML-N. While Shahbaz Sharif avoided reference to him in Lahore, Khan was busy attending a jirga in Islamabad protesting American drone attacks, endearing him to the anti-US establishment. Nawaz Sharif is anti-American too, but not as tough and rash as Khan. And agitation experts know that politics of Manichaean contrasts works far better with the common man. Khan’s right-wing pro-Taliban posture threatens to go down well with the pro-Taliban Sipah-e-Sahaba elements that the PML-N has been wooing. A word of support from North Waziristan may be all that is needed.

Surveys show that Nawaz Sharif is the most popular leader in the country, although he is a few notches down from his standing in the past. Shahbaz Sharif is next, followed by Imran Khan; but Zardari is plumbing the depths of unpopularity. This index is upset by the fact that Khan and Nawaz Sharif are going to damage each other at the polls whenever they take place. Hence the subliminal message is that the PML-N will accept an ouster of the PPP through non-electoral means. That will suit Khan too because then he will get into the ruling echelon on the basis of his increased street clout instead of the elections where he is not expected to do much more than improve his party’s standing in the country. After the All Parties Conference, this is the next instalment of political abdication in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2011. ]]>
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			<title>Rally in Lahore: Fiery Shahbaz sets tone for anti-govt movement</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284539/rally-in-lahore-fiery-shahbaz-sets-tone-for-anti-govt-movement</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284539/rally-in-lahore-fiery-shahbaz-sets-tone-for-anti-govt-movement#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 11 23:12:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=284539</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Punjab chief minister calls for a ‘Tahrir Square’ in every city in Pakistan if the president does not resign.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Shahbaz Sharif addressed the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) rally in Lahore with an unequivocal demand for President Asif Ali Zardari to resign.


(Read: PML-N rally - Go Zardari go rings out in Lahore)

The Punjab chief minister said that corruption had reached unprecedented levels and the people of Pakistan were fed up – and that his party would not rest until its ongoing movement against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led coalition government was complete.

Shahbaz was in a fiery mood as he rallied party workers. Evoking anti-government unrest in Egypt earlier this year, Shahbaz said that if Zardari failed to step down, his party would “make sure there is a Tahrir Square in every large city of the country.”

He even went as far as asking the crowd to start rationing their food, because, after Moharram, which ends in mid-December, his party would lead a nationwide protest and might have to “live on the roads.”

The PML-N, in power in Punjab but in opposition in the centre, called the protest to increase momentum for popular support for elections in 2013. Some reports have it that the party wants fresh elections before the Senate polls scheduled for March next year.

However, while PPP was the target, there are also suggestions that the rally was called suddenly to counter another rally that will be held in Lahore on Sunday by a party that is gaining tremendous traction in urban Punjab – Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf.

“Step down Zardari and hand over your money otherwise we will hang you here,” Shahbaz said, as chants of “Go Zardari, go corruption, go load shedding” echoed around the crowd.

In patches, there was a carnival feel to the protest. Workers danced to party songs, and toy lions – the PML-N’s symbol – were held aloft to cries of “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.”

The party’s senior leadership was in attendance, but only Shahbaz delivered a speech, addressing the gathering which stretched from General Post to Bhati Chowk, a distance of almost two kilometres.

According to party sources, the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, drafted Shahbaz’s speech and encouraged the use of derogatory words against Zardari. Shahbaz was also planning on announcing a date for mass resignations from assemblies by his party members. At the eleventh hour, however, it was decided to leave this decision to Nawaz Sharif, who will outline his party’s policy on November 3 in Faisalabad.

Shahbaz laid on the accusations thick and fast against the president.

Shahbaz pointed to the “massive attendance” as proof that the nation is ready for a showdown and will only rest after “Ali Baba and his 40 thieves” have been deposed from power.

He also defended allegations of corruption from within his own provincial government: “I will not lie that corruption still exists, but I promise you that I have eliminated corruption from the top level of the Punjab government.”

Attendance figures disputed

The PML-N had tasked MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif with ensuring an attendance of at least 100,000 people at the rally. Despite his efforts over the past two weeks, which included addressing up to four gatherings per day, the estimated numbers were well short of this figure.

PML-N’s MPA Rana Arshad claimed that over 90,000 turned up, while journalists were divided, with figures ranging from 30,000 to 45,000.

There were also claims that the party had attracted far fewer locals than hoped for. Although the PML-N specifically targeted the citizens of Lahore, more than 50% of participants were from outside of the city, according to some intelligence agency reports.

Government officials from the city and Punjab districts also attended the rally – though some who spoke to The Express Tribune said that they essentially had to out of fear for their jobs.

Confusion among the crowd

The rally officially got going when Hamza Shahbaz arrived at the front at 5pm, three hours later than the scheduled time. After getting into a huge truck, however, Hamza failed to attract the majority of party workers, who were waiting for Shahbaz Sharif to lead the rally.

Shahbaz, though, had other ideas, and avoided the rally procession, preferring instead to arrive at his podium from back stage. Many at the rally were not even aware that Nawaz Sharif would not deliver a speech, as he was in Turkey.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Public funds: Entrance is ‘free’: PML-N vehicles and others skip toll</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284248/public-funds-entrance-is-%e2%80%98free%e2%80%99-pml-n-vehicles-and-others-skip-toll</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284248/public-funds-entrance-is-%e2%80%98free%e2%80%99-pml-n-vehicles-and-others-skip-toll#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 11 21:08:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ali.usman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=284248</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[NHA official says they turned a blind eye fearing mob violence.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Hundreds of PML-N workers from other cities entered Lahore to participate in the PML-N rally on Friday without paying the toll at Ravi Bridge.


PML-N workers from Gujranwala, Muridke, Sheikhupura, Gujrat, Sialkot and Hafizabad entered in Lahore through Shahdara by crossing the Ravi Bridge. The National Highway Authority (NHA) officials deputed at Ravi Bridge didn’t ask any vehicle carrying PML-N banners and workers to pay the toll tax. Following in the footsteps of PML-N workers, many other vehicles also skipped paying the tax.

Several PML-N workers were present at the toll plaza all day with a list of the vehicles scheduled to bring PML-N supporters from outside the city.

“We are here to facilitate the participants of the rally coming from other cities,” said a PML-N worker at the Bridge, who refused to identify himself.

An NHA official said that on average 22,000 vehicles enter the city using the Bridge every day. The toll for a car is Rs25, the tariff goes up to Rs500 for large vehicles.

“We don’t have to pay the toll ourselves. When a vehicle is rented it is customary for those who hire it to pay the toll,” said Younas, who was driving a van carrying PML-N workers from Hafizabad. He said they hadn’t paid at the toll plaza on GT Road near Kamoke either.

Around 150 vehicles carrying PML-N workers crossed the Ravi Bridge on Friday. Hundreds of vehicles following the PML-N vehicles also ignored the toll staff, an NHA official at the toll plaza said.

A senior NHA official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said “NHA officials were not asking for the tax because the vehicles were coming in the form of convoys. On such occasions, there is a risk of people turning violent and damaging public property.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Tigers, clowns, grooms rally against Zardari</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284245/splash-of-colour-tigers-clowns-grooms-rally-against-zardari</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284245/splash-of-colour-tigers-clowns-grooms-rally-against-zardari#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 11 20:27:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[taha.siddiqui]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=284245</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Despite the entertainment, the three-hour delay in the arrival of Shahbaz Sharif was too much for some.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Sheikh Nadeem travelled from a small Punjab town to get married in Lahore. That is, until he found something more important to do. “When I heard there was going to be a rally, I left everything behind,” he says.


Hence the hardcore Muslim League-Nawaz supporter showed up at Friday’s rally dressed as a groom, holding a banner stating that he would stay a bachelor till President Asif Zardari gets forced out of government.

“I am with my leaders no matter what. We are tired of the government. I will sacrifice my marriage if I have to,” Nadeem said.

He was not the only creative protestor at the rally. Nasir Beraj, dressed in red and white, sang a song he wrote about the Sharif brothers and waved CDs of a recorded version.

“I am going to sway people’s hearts with music and motivate them to come out on the streets and stand behind leaders like Nawaz Sharif,” said Beraj, as he began humming his song. But when told that Nawaz Sharif would not be at the rally, the Shahdara resident seemed a little downbeat. “Without Nawaz it will not be the same,” he added.

Three clowns on stilts entertained the crowd while they awaited the chief guests. The organisers had hired Jameel Ahmed, Sajid Ali and Haroon to represent load-shedding, rising prices, and corruption. ‘We protest against load-shedding, rising cost of electricity and corruption’, read posters pasted around the venue.

The sound system at the venue blared music that repeatedly referred to Hamza Shahbaz as ‘the Tiger of Punjab’. Many in the crowd danced to dhol beats as the chief minister’s son arrived, while others waved inflatable tigers. Others, sadly, had brought the real thing, dragging caged tigers and lions behind them. “We felt that these animals wanted to attend the rally,” said one man who had brought a caged lion along.

Channo Sayeen, a drummer, spent the day shuttling between Nasser Bagh and Bhati Chowk to get people to follow him to the venue and to make people dance. “I am being paid for every trip I make and it is great. I never do this much business,” the musician chirped.

Despite the entertainment, the three-hour delay in the arrival of Shahbaz Sharif was too much for some. Nasreen left even before the chief minister began his speech. “We had been waiting since noon and I had children that needed to be fed at home,” she said. Before she left, a person came and marked her attendance in a register.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2011. ]]>
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			<title>Recipe for success: ‘Zardari won’t go unless Nawaz leads rallies’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284242/recipe-for-success-%e2%80%98zardari-won%e2%80%99t-go-unless-nawaz-leads-rallies%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284242/recipe-for-success-%e2%80%98zardari-won%e2%80%99t-go-unless-nawaz-leads-rallies%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 11 20:14:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rana.tanveer]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=284242</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[‘Party workers understand the reasons behind Nawaz’s absence and Shahbaz not leading the rally’.]]>
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				<![CDATA[PML-N workers had a plan to ensure the success of their leaders’ ‘Go Zardari Go’ campaign.


“Without equal participation from all leaders and party activists this president cannot be removed,” was the advice Muhammad Hussain Pawar, a PML-N activist from Okara had to offer his leaders.

The 65-year-old who said he had always voted for the PML-N, termed Nawaz’s absence “unfair”.

Many others also returned home disappointed on Friday because they had been counting on seeing Nawaz Sharif at the rally.

Some even left early after learning that Nawaz wouldn’t be addressing the rally. They said that the rally banners featured both brothers, giving them the impression that Nawaz would also be at the rally.

They also expressed disappointment over Shahbaz not leading the rally.

Muhammad Bashir, a 55-year-old man who said he had come from Dipalpur, told The Express Tribune that like many others he had come to the rally to listen to Nawaz. “Workers who come from other cities are guests of the Sharif brothers.

If they can’t lead the rally, they must at least address them.”

When Bashir was told that Nawaz Sharif was on a visit to Turkey, his response was, “Then the rally should have been postponed until he had returned.”

Ghazanfar Ali from Sialkot also expressed his disbelief over Nawaz not addressing the rally.

“Even if he was abroad, he should have made it back in time for the rally.”

Asked why Shahbaz had not led the rally, PML-N MNA Malik Riaz, said the decision had been taken in view of security concerns. “Our workers understand the reasons behind Nawaz Sharif’s absence and Shahbaz Sharif not leading the rally.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2011. ]]>
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			<title>MQM announces rally in Zardari’s favour</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284379/mqm-to-hold-pro-democracy-rally-to-counter-pml-n-pti-crowds</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/284379/mqm-to-hold-pro-democracy-rally-to-counter-pml-n-pti-crowds#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 11 19:34:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=284379</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Babar Awan, Firdous Ashiq Awan heap scorn at Sharifs’ ‘comedy show’.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Anti-government slogans in Lahore on Friday were countered by exhortations in favour of the government, particularly the president, in Karachi and Islamabad.

In a political rebuke to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) announced it would hold a “protest rally against the derogatory language used against President Asif Ali Zardari by the PML-N leaders” in Karachi on Sunday.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain gave a go-ahead to the decision taken by the party’s coordination committee, said a party’s press release.

Denouncing the use of “derogatory and abusive language” against the president by Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and other PML-N leaders at the rally in Lahore, Hussain said it “harms the integrity of the country.”

Expressing solidarity with President Zardari, the MQM chief said his party “would continue to support [the president] at every difficult time, and would not refrain from any sacrifice for the sake of democracy.”

The MQM also extended an invitation for the rally to Pakistan Peoples Party leaders and workers.

Awans come to rescue

Senior PPP leader Senator Babar Awan said his party leadership can neither be pressured by threats nor provoked by sloganeering of Sharifs and the “comedy show would lead to their downfall.”

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the former law minister said that PPP “cannot use such derogatory language against its political opponents.” Awan said it was “strange” that chief minister of “a minority government” in a province was demanding resignation from a president elected by over two-thirds majority by all federating units.

The former law minister was backed by information and broadcasting minister, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, who said that using non-parliamentary language against President Zardari “reflects the character of PML-N.”

“Holding a rally by using official resources is also the worst form of corruption,” she said, adding that the Punjab government has given “dengue and lawlessness to the people of the province during its four-year-rule.” The people who left the country after compromising with a dictator cannot launch a movement against the democratic government, she said.

PPP avoids ‘fight’ but lashes out at Sharifs

Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters at Karachi airport that the political rallies in Lahore are a “fight between the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and PML-N.”

“Why is the Peoples Party being dragged into it?” he said, while also warning the PML-N against stopping PPP workers if they march in the Punjab.

Former law minister Babar Awan also criticised the Sharifs, accusing them of misappropriating Punjab’s resources. “It was a comedy show and government resources were used to organise it. They used police, health and all other departments to bring people to the rally,” he said. (WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>PML-N rally: 'Go Zardari go!' rings out in Lahore</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283952/pml-n-rally-in-lahore-live-updates</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283952/pml-n-rally-in-lahore-live-updates#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 11 13:30:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=283952</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shahba­z calls for 'corrup­t' Zardar­i to resign from Presid­ency, hand over govern­ment, and face public justic­e.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) took out a rally after Friday prayers today. The rally moved from Nasser Bagh to Bhati Chowk, where PML-N leaders including Shahbaz Sharif addressed the gathered public and party workers.

Shahbaz Sharif called for Zardari to own up his corruption and quit as President, submitting him to public justice.

Meanwhile PPP leaders accused the PML-N of utilising state machinery for organising a political rally.

End of live updates

6:37pm

Shahbaz Sharif addressing the PML-N rally in Lahore said that President Asif Ali Zardari’s corruption had reached unprecedented levels and that he, his party and all his supporters would not rest till they drove Zardari and his corrupt friends out of the government.

Sharif said that in comparison to the projects Nawaz Sharif did in 1992 and 1996, building the motorway and Gawadar port, what project had Zardari worked on? He taunted the current government saying that during the time when Nawaz Sharif was Prime Minister, there was no loadshedding. While in the current government, it took public protests to get the government to release funds for fuel procurement and resume electricity supply to industries.

Sharif accused Zardari to look the other way when natural calamities such as the floods and dengue epidemic ravaged the country. Sharif alleged that the President chose to go globe trotting and counting his looted money in London.

Sharif rejected claims that he had used government money to fund his foreign trips saying “trips, accommodation in hotels of my self and my entourage used personal funds”.

He also dispelled claims that he was going to be purchasing a new helicopter “may he be cursed who buys a multi-million rupee helicopter when people are starving,” Sharif said, adding “I would rather walk, ride a cycle or a motorbike but would not buy a helicopter.”

Shahbaz Sharif claimed that those present in the Lahore rally, in Karachi, in Quetta, were rising up against Zardari and were calling on the President to resign and hand himself over to the public for justice.

“I make this rally a witness that people of Karachi and Quetta have stood up against Zardari . . . hand the government over to us [PML-N], hand over the money to us . . . we will hang you in the public square,” Sharif boomed.

Sharif defended allegations of corruption from within his own provincial government, which he heads, saying “I will not lie that corruption still exists, but I promise you that I have eliminated corruption from the top level of the Punjab government”.

5:55pm

Our correspondent Taha Siddiqui reports that Shahbaz Sharif, Chaudry Nisar, Hamzah Shahbaz, Khwaja Saad Rafique, Khwaja Asif have arrived.

A 1.5 kilometre area is completely packed at the venue now.

Sources say that Shahbaz Sharif has been communicated that there are a huge number of participants at the rally and therefore a go ahead has been given to him to give a tough message to the federal government.

Javed Hashmi, Pir Sabir Shah, Abdul Qadir Baloch, and Khwaja Asif will be helping him out in drafting this speech that may carry a "very strong" message of a nationwide movement to oust the govt.

Senior media gurus including Mujibur Rehman Shami, Mohammad Malick and other editors and heads of channels are also present here.

05:30 pm

Tribune correspondent Rana Tanveer reports that Hamza Shahbaz is about to reach the dais, however some people are returning to their homes, disappointed, after they finding out that Nawaz Sharif is not going to appear.

05:15 pm

Police commandos are seen on the rooftops of buildings and Lahore police chief Malik Ahmed Raza Tahir tells AFP that his officers were on high alert to prevent any possible attack by militants.

5:00 pm

Tribune correspondent Ali Usman reports that PML-N workers coming to Lahore from other cities are entering the city without paying toll tax at Ravi bridge.

Vehicles carrying banners are also not paying toll tax and are being facilitated by party workers.

4:45 pm

Tribune correspondent Rana Tanveer reports that Hamza Shahbaz and Khwaja Saad Rafique have arrived and started walking from Nasser Bagh towards the venue.

4:30 pm

Members of Zardari's main ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) have lashed out at the Sharifs, accusing them of misappropriating Punjab resources.

"They are using government resources and functionaries for their political show," Raja Riaz, who served as senior minister under Sharif when the PPP was briefly in the provincial ruling coalition, told AFP.

4:00 pm

Tribune correspondent Asad Kharal reports that three clowns on stilts arrive at the rally and earn some laughs. They are running through the crowds with posters of Shahbaz and Nawaz Sharif and also brandishing placards calling for an end to corruption and loadshedding.

Supporters are getting into the rallying spirit, dancing to the beat of the dhol and waving stuffed-toys (tigers).

3:45 pm

Tribune correspondents Taha Siddiqui and Abdul Manan report that barbed wires can be seen all around the venue and the atmosphere is tense.

They add that there are more police personnel than supporters. Regular chants of "Go Zardari Go!" can be heard from the crowd.

It is expected that the main leadership will not arrive before 5pm.

3:30 pm

Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters at the Karachi airport that the political rallies in Lahore are a "fight between the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and PML-N".

"Why is the People's Party being dragged into it?" he remarked.

He also warned that the PML-N should be warned not to challenge PPP workers.

"Our PPP workers are very enthusiastic. If they decide to march towards Raiwind, we will not be able to stop them," he said.

3:15 pm

Correspondents Taha Siddiqui and Abdul Mannan report that the threat assessment is high and there are multiple checkpoints for everyone to cross through which has resulted in some disputes.

Residents of the area are not being allowed to go back home. One ambulance driver was stuck with a patient at a check point, pleading to be allowed to leave the rally premises. But the police were adamant that no cars can leave or be allowed in as per orders.

3:00 pm

Tribune correspondent Asad Kharal reports that supporters have started showing up with dhol walas after Friday prayers, whereas earlier there were about 50 people gathered at Nasser Bagh.

Kharal added that although security is strict and the direct roads to Nasser Bagh have been blocked, his team was able to take other routes to the venue, which he said indicated a security lapse.”We have managed to get their directly, it just took 30 minutes longer,” he said.

He also reported that their were security gates for men and women, and female police were bodysearching the women entering the venue on foot.

Shops in the vicinity are still open but extra wardens have been deployed to ensure better security.

2:45 pm

The Express Tribune's Lahore correspondent Abdul Manan reported earlier that MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, Shahbaz’s son, has been tasked with visiting all provincial assembly constituencies in Lahore.

He is visiting and addressing four constituencies on average per day to garner support. Party members told The Tribune that the rally is seen as a test for Hamza’s candidature for the post of PML-N’s general secretary.

Party members told The Tribune that the rallies are the party’s way of testing the waters.

2:15 pm

The Express Tribune's correspondent Asad Kharal reports that various PML-N MPA's are gathering supporters from their respective areas and marching towards Nasser Bagh.

A Union Council head told The Express Tribune that supporters have mounted buses to reach the venue, and that the Union Council leaders have paid the fare for transport themselves.

2:00 pm

Pervez Malik, a PML-N MP from Lahore, claimed on Thursday that 150,000 to 200,000 people were expected to join the rally today and that “Zardari will have no option but to bow before the will of people and step down”.

Comment on The Express Tribune's Facebook page:
Waqar Sulehri Instead of doing this drama. they should resign from national and provincial assemblies.
1:45 pm

The Express Tribune's Lahore correspondent Rana Tanveer tells us that the Mall Road, Data Darbar and Punjab Secretariat have been barricaded in preparation for the rally.

The stage has been erected on the road that leads from Nasir Bagh.

Security is especially strict near Bhati Chowk, where police and elite force personnel have deployed.

A member of The Express Tribune's Facebook page notes:
Sajjad Gul One thing you won't see in the PML(N) rally, is "PASSION". and for God sake a rally on a main road will cause traffic jam, which automatically looks big crowed....

&nbsp;
12:45 pm

PML-N’s rally today is part of the party’s ‘Go Zardari Go campaign’ against what it says are the PPP-led government’s three major failures: load shedding, rising prices and widespread corruption.

With rivalry growing between the PTI and the PML-N, today's rally is also expected to be a show of strength prior to the PTI's upcoming rally in Lahore.

The party members said that PML-N has, in principle, decided to topple the government within two months.

PML-N’s list of demands

PPP will be asked to:

1.  Implement the resolution passed during the All Parties Conference (APC) on September 29

2.  Eliminate corruption from the government and to take action against all corrupt officers and ministers

3.  Bring back the money held in secret Swiss Banks’ accounts

4.  Appoint a neutral NAB chairman

5.  Notify an independent election commission

6.  Hold a countrywide population census

7.  Present a plan for energy generation and remove the hurdles in the Punjab government’s way of implementing Nandipur and Chechoke Mallian power projects

8.  Investigate former Sindh minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza’s allegations against MQM through a commission or summon him in parliament so that he can explain his allegations

Help us build our report

Email updates to web@tribune.com.pk or use #PMLNrally in Twitter updates.

_____________________________________________

[poll id="544"]

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>PML-N: Who’s the most loyal of them all?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283661/special-assignment-who%e2%80%99s-the-most-loyal-of-them-all</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283661/special-assignment-who%e2%80%99s-the-most-loyal-of-them-all#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 11 03:09:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[anwer.sumra]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=283661</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Govt officials asked to monitor PML-N members’ role in mobilising the public.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Majority of the officials posted at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat remained busy on Thursday, coordinating with ruling party parliamentarians to ensure participation in the PML-N rally, official familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune.


The Punjab government has asked Special Branch to submit a report about the ‘performance’ of PML-N legislators: how many people and vehicles they bring to the party’s rally, officials told The Tribune.

A preliminary report presented to the chief minister concluded with the comments, “Lahore is packed with PML-N supporters and a huge number of workers and office bearers will attend the rally”.

Government officers contacted party lawmakers on Tuesday and Wednesday for updates on the publicity material (banners, placards, posters) prepared and displayed across the city, said an official requesting anonymity. He said that an MPA from Ichhra had put up the highest number of banners in the city.

The MNAs and MPAs were questioned about the arrangements they had made regarding boarding of workers, their meals and transportation before and after the rally.

They were also asked about the meetings held by the ministers to mobilise workers. All 13 MNAs and 25 MPAs from Lahore have been directed to remain in contact with workers till the rally is over to ensure participation of maximum number of people from their constituencies, the official added.

The monitoring started on October 22. The final report will be submitted on Friday (today).

However, unlike past years, neither transporters nor district administration has been asked to provide transport for participants.

The chief minister has issued stern directions to the concerned authorities not to use public funds or government machinery for the rally, officials said. Special Branch has been instructed to report on PML-N members who are found involved in collecting money from government contractors or revenue officials, they said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Ban on rallies: ‘Can a chief minister lead a protest?’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283678/ban-on-rallies-%e2%80%98can-a-chief-minister-lead-a-protest%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283678/ban-on-rallies-%e2%80%98can-a-chief-minister-lead-a-protest%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 11 02:57:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=283678</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PHA director general asked to produce rules regarding banners in court.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[An additional advocate general has been asked to submit his arguments regarding whether the chief minister, being chief executive of the province, can lead or participate in a protest rally.


Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed passed the order while hearing two identical petitions seeking a ban on rallies and installation of banners and billboards by PML-N, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and PPP.

During the hearing, the additional advocate general told the court that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was not using state machinery for the party’s rally on October 28 (today). He maintained that PML-N had no plans of using state machinery for political purposes in the future either.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, during the hearing, also remarked that no political party – whether the PML-N or PPP – should use government resources for their rallies.

The law officer informed the court that the Parks and Horticulture Authority did not charge any fee for putting up banners or billboards relating to public awareness and welfare. Banners put up by political parties on The Mall fall into that category, the court was told. The officer said that allegations that the PHA favoured the PML-N or any other party were baseless. At this, Justice Saeed sought a written reply from PHA director general and also directed him to produce PHA rules in court.

The judge adjourned hearing of the petitions for two weeks. Petitioners submitted that the rallies were being held in the ongoing week and that the petitions would become ineffective after two weeks. The judge, however, observed that there would be more rallies in future.

One of the petitions was submitted by the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) president Rana Azeem. He has prayed to the court to order the removal of political banners and billboards from The Mall and impose a ban on their rallies in the city.

The second petition, filed by Advocate Abdul Hameed Rana, sought a ban on PML-N’s rally. He contended that government machinery was being used to make the rally a success.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2011. ]]>
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			<title>PML-N plan: Shahbaz to set a 60-day deadline for PPP</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283667/pml-n-plan-shahbaz-to-set-a-60-day-deadline-for-ppp</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283667/pml-n-plan-shahbaz-to-set-a-60-day-deadline-for-ppp#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 11 02:51:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=283667</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Will threaten to quit the government if the list of demands is not met.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is likely, during his address today, to give a two-month ultimatum to the federal government to fulfill a list of demands. Otherwise PML-N members will submit their resignations, sources within the party told The Express Tribune.


Sharif had said during an address on October 25 that he will make ‘a very important announcement’ on October 28. Party members told The Tribune that Sharif will not put all his cards on the table during Friday’s rally. “He will not say how the PML-N will ‘quit’. Whether it plans on submitting mass resignations or dissolving the Punjab Assembly remains to be seen,” they said. The final decision will be made after the deadline expires, they added.

PML-N’s rally today is part of the party’s ‘Go Zardari Go campaign’ against what it says are the PPP-led government’s three major failures: load shedding, rising prices and widespread corruption.

The party members said that PML-N has, in principle, decided to topple the government within two months.

Nawaz Sharif is currently in Turkey and will return on October 29. Nawaz Sharif will address the rally planned in Faisalabad on November 3 where he will confirm Shahbaz Shairf’s deadline. The party will also hold rallies in Gujranwala on November 14 and then later in Sargodha, Multan Bahawalpur and Rawalpindi.

The PML-N plans on holding a number of public gatherings in the coming two months to motivate the public, the sources said. It is also expected that the party will announce a long march in December.

PML-N’s list of demands

PPP will be asked to:

1.  Implement the resolution passed during the All Parties Conference (APC) on September 29

2.  Eliminate corruption from the government and to take action against all corrupt officers and ministers

3.  Bring back the money held in secret Swiss Banks’ accounts

4.  Appoint a neutral NAB chairman

5.  Notify an independent election commission

6.  Hold a countrywide population census

7.  Present a plan for energy generation and remove the hurdles in the Punjab government’s way of implementing Nandipur and Chechoke Mallian power projects

8.  Investigate former Sindh minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza’s allegations against MQM through a commission or summon him in parliament so that he can explain his allegations

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Rallying against the govt: ‘Whose turn is it to save Pakistan?’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283344/rallying-against-the-govt-%e2%80%98whose-turn-is-it-to-save-pakistan%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/283344/rallying-against-the-govt-%e2%80%98whose-turn-is-it-to-save-pakistan%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 11 13:56:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=283344</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Appetite is growing for polls and opposition leaders are holding major rallies targeting Zardari.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Tens of thousands of people are expected to rally in Pakistan's political capital Lahore over the next few days calling for President Asif Ali Zardari to quit and for elections next year.

Appetite is growing for polls in the city of eight million, Pakistan's second biggest and the capital of the most populous province Punjab, which commands the most number of seats in the national parliament.

That makes it bitterly contested political territory where opposition leaders are holding major rallies targeting the unpopular Zardari and trying to whip up votes for the future.

Chief among them is former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, whose Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party controls Punjab and is the main opposition party at a national level. He is expected to draw large crowds at a rally on Friday.

"Join the protest rally on 28th October against costly electricity, power cuts and the worst corruption," read banners strung up by PML-N throughout the city.

"Come to change your destiny, come to save the country from looters and plunderers," chant party activists through public address systems.

Disillusionment is high with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) that swept to power on a five-year ticket in February 2008, two months after Zardari's wife, ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated.

On Monday, a man committed suicide by self-immolation outside the federal parliament in the capital Islamabad.

On Wednesday, a man in his 70s died after waiting all night to collect his pension from tardy bank officials, triggering outrage in the media.

Pakistan's Human Rights Commission accused the government of callous apathy in the face of such desperation.

"This apathy is giving way to violent behaviour in society and the people are increasingly keen to launch vociferous protests in the hope that their plight would be noticed by someone," it said.

In Lahore, the malaise has been compounded by an unprecedented outbreak of dengue fever, infecting more than 16,000 and killing more than 248 people.

It is that anger that the PML-N is hoping to tap into by calling for early elections, which most observers now predict some time in the autumn of 2012.

"There are only two options -- seeing the anger in the people, it (the government) should quit and call fresh elections, or the people should come out and send them packing," senior PML-N leader Zafar Ali Shah told AFP.

"Allowing this government any more time is equivalent to suicide."

Interior minister and PPP loyalist Rehman Malik hit back, telling reporters that as the ruling party in Punjab, the PML-N was as corrupt as anyone else.

"They are not going to achieve anything from such protests. Being the government of the largest province Punjab, which is 52 percent of Pakistan, they have a major part in corruption," Malik told reporters.

Pervez Malik, a PML-N MP from Lahore, claimed 150,000 to 200,000 people were expected to join the rally on Friday and that "Zardari will have no option but to bow before the will of people and step down".

An irritant for Sharif and Zardari is cricket hero turned politician, Imran Khan, holding his own rally on Sunday at the Minar-e-Pakistan ground where the resolution for the creation of Pakistan was adopted on March 23, 1940.

"Throw out this government and save the country," is his campaign slogan. His Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) (Movement for Justice) party boycotted the 2008 election but seems confident about its prospects.

"God willing we will have a very big political gathering on Sunday. People are coming from different cities to attend and mostly youth are supporting us," Khan's senior vice president Hamid Khan told AFP.

Khan announced on Thursday that PTI would be holding a walk towards Parliament House on Friday too, after mid-day prayers, against drone strikes.

On Thursday, around 400 people, joined the "Save Pakistan rally" called by pop singer Ibrarul Haq in downtown Lahore to present his development agenda to resolve unemployment, power cuts and corruption.

"Live or die, we have to save Pakistan," and "Revolution, revolution," chanted the mostly young people, holding up Pakistani white and green flags.

But the commotion drew a sarcastic response from one onlooker who asked an AFP reporter: "Excuse me, whose turn is it today of saving Pakistan?"

Elsewhere in Lahore, Mohammad Rizwan, 25, shrugged as he cleaned cars for small change: "These rallies are not going to feed my family or save me from dengue," he said.]]>
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			<title>PML-N Gathering: Petition filed to stop Oct 28 rally</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/282901/pml-n-gathering-petition-filed-to-stop-oct-28-rally</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/282901/pml-n-gathering-petition-filed-to-stop-oct-28-rally#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 11 19:32:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=282901</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Petition contended that government machinery was being used to ensure the success of the rally.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A writ petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court praying that the PML-N be banned from holding the protest rally scheduled to be held on October 28. Advocate Abdul Hameed Rana filed the petition and contended that government machinery was being used to ensure the success of the rally. He said that Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif had violated public mandate by holding the rally and committed a breach of trust. He prayed that the PML-N be barred from holding the rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Govt criticism: 'Pakistan has nuclear weapons but is still a beggar state'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/282297/govt-criticism-we-have-nuclear-weapons-but-are-still-a-beggar-state</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/282297/govt-criticism-we-have-nuclear-weapons-but-are-still-a-beggar-state#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 11 06:13:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=282297</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shahbaz said the October 28 rally at Nasir Bagh is a &quot;war to save the country&quot;.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that despite having nuclear weapons, the present government has made Pakistan into "a beggar state", Express 24/7 reported on Wednesday.

He made this statement while addressing traders at the Mall Road in Lahore.

Shahbaz said the October 28 rally at Nasir Bagh is a "war to save the country" and should not be taken as an act for any political gain. He also said that he will make important announcements during the rally, which he descried as a protest against the increase in power tariff, load shedding and corruption.

(Read more: Shahbaz, not Nawaz to roar on October 28)

Criticising the government, he said embezzlement of millions of rupees was made in the name of rental power plant projects.

Shahbaz said that it was "high time" to act against injustice and said that he will not back out even if he has to sacrifice his life.


The PML-N is scheduled to take out a rally on October 28, led by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.


PML-N, in a meeting held on October 20, decided that “Shahbaz Sharif was capable of countering Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) chairman, Imran Khan’s propaganda against the Sharif brothers”.

The PTI is also scheduled to hold a rally in Lahore in the coming days.]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/282297-ShahbazSharif-1319609463/282297-ShahbazSharif-1319609463.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
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			</item><item>
			<title>Payment: ‘Take those banners off’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/281976/payment-%e2%80%98take-those-banners-off%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/281976/payment-%e2%80%98take-those-banners-off%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 11 20:09:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=281976</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PML-N, PTI and PPP have displayed their banners on The Mall despite a Punjab government ban on rallies.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A petition was filed in the Lahore High Court on Tuesday for removal of political parties’ banners from The Mall and for a ban on their rallies in the city. Rana Azeem, president of Punjab Union of Journalists, has moved the petition through Advocate Aftab Bajwa. He submitted that PML-N, PTI and PPP have displayed their banners on The Mall despite a Punjab government ban on rallies. He added that PPP leader Babar Awan had also placed his banners on The Mall. He added that none of them had paid to the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) dues for putting up the banners. He requested the court to charge double the dues from them and use the money for the eradication of dengue. Shahbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan and Babar Awan have been named as respondents in the petition.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2011. ]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/281976-Newsinbriefx-1319568765/281976-Newsinbriefx-1319568765.JPG" class="featured_image"/>
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			</item><item>
			<title>PTI, PML-N face-off: Petition filed against political rallies in Lahore</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/281542/pti-pml-n-face-off-petition-filed-against-political-rallies-in-lahore</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/281542/pti-pml-n-face-off-petition-filed-against-political-rallies-in-lahore#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 11 09:01:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rana.tanveer]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=281542</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Parties accused of littering Lahore’s Mall road with political banners, hindering business for shops.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Rana Muhammad Azeem, president of the Punjab union of journalists, has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, asking the court to ban political rallies in Lahore.

Azeem has filed against Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-N’s president Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf president, Imran Khan and Pakistan People’s Party senator Babar Awan.

Azeem accused the political parties of littering Lahore’s main business avenue Mall road with political banners, hindering business for shops along the road.

The petition accuses the chief minister, who is also the chairman of the Punjab parks and horticulture authority, of not collecting any dues owed to PHA for these banners.

Azeem has suggested taking down the banners, charging the involved parties double the fees and using the generated funds towards the Punjab dengue campaign instead.

In a growing political rivalry the PML-N and PTI have increased their activities in Lahore.


The PML-N is scheduled to take out a rally on October 28, led by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.


PML-N, in a meeting held on October 20, decided that “Shahbaz Sharif was capable of countering Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) chairman, Imran Khan’s propaganda against the Sharif brothers”.

The PTI is also scheduled to hold a rally in Lahore in the coming days.]]>
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			<title>'Time for govt to pack its bags and leave power corridors'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/281511/time-for-govt-to-pack-its-bags-and-leave-power-corridors</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/281511/time-for-govt-to-pack-its-bags-and-leave-power-corridors#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 11 06:18:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=281511</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shahbaz says PML-N will introduce a system that will end load shedding and poverty across the country.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Member of National Assembly (MNA) Hamza Shahbaz has said that it is time for the government to “pack its bags and leave the power corridors,” Express 24/7 reported Tuesday.

He said this while addressing to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) rally at Nishter Town in Lahore.

Shahbaz said that instead of controlling the load shedding, the incumbent government has increased the power tariff.

He said that the corruption has also reached to an unprecedented height in the country.

Criticising the decisions of the government, the son of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that PML-N will introduce a system that will end load shedding and poverty across the country.

He said that the rally scheduled for October 28 will bring a change in the country.]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/281511-hamzashahbazapp-1319523343/281511-hamzashahbazapp-1319523343.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
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			</item><item>
			<title>Gilani to PML-N: Quit ‘flexing muscles’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/280701/gilani-to-pml-n-quit-%e2%80%98flexing-muscles%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/280701/gilani-to-pml-n-quit-%e2%80%98flexing-muscles%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 23 Oct 11 23:10:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=280701</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Calls Nisar’s objection to all names for NAB top post ‘illegal’.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The usually mild Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has advised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz not to ‘flex its muscle’ against the federal government, rubbishing its opposition to the appointment of the new National Accountability Bureau chief.

“It is the prerogative of the president of Pakistan to appoint whomever [to the post]. Consultation does not mean appointing the person that the leader of the opposition agrees with,” Gilani said, during his visit on Sunday to the residence of Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

The prime minister’s comments come a day after National Assembly Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) filed a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the appointment of Fasih Bokhari, a retired admiral, as the NAB chairman.

Gilani said that Chaudhry Nisar had objected to each and every nomination made for the slot, which is “illegal” and should be stopped. “The Pakistan Peoples Party-led coalition government should be credited for appointing the opposition leader as the chairperson of accountability,” he said, referring to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee which Nisar heads.

“Once someone comes into power in a province or in the centre, they should abstain from using it against the federation,” he said.

Referring to the PML-N’s planned rally for October 28, which is to be led by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, he said it is illegal and the Punjab government should not participate in it. Calling Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) a “threat” to PML-N’s hold in Punjab, he said that PML-N’s rallies in the province are merely a tactic to maintain its image before the people and to counter PTI.

He said that PML-N should not only fear PTI, it must also worry about the Senate election in March 2012 and the government’s fifth budget. “Shahbaz should not worry that there will be rigging in the next general elections. The polls in 2013 will be transparent, free and fair,” Gilani said, in response to Shahbaz’s recent statement that elections held under President Zardari will be bloody. The prime minister also said that Shahbaz’s demand to remove Zardari was undemocratic and in violation of a chief minister’s oath.

To ensure free elections, he said he had appointed four members of an independent election commission with Nisar’s consultation. “On his request, PPP’s chief whip in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah will coordinate and soon issue a notification.”

(Read: Nabbing not an option)

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Shahbaz, not Nawaz, to roar on Oct 28</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/279893/shahbaz-not-nawaz-to-roar-on-oct-28</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/279893/shahbaz-not-nawaz-to-roar-on-oct-28#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 23 Oct 11 06:38:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=279893</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PML-N says Shahbaz can counter Imran Khan's propaganda against the Sharif brothers.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided against the party president, Nawaz Sharif, leading the rally on October 28. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been chosen for the task.


PML-N, in a meeting held on October 20, decided that “Shahbaz Sharif was capable of countering Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) chairman, Imran Khan’s propaganda against the Sharif brothers”.

The October 28 rally is part of PML-N’s ‘Go Zardari Go’ movement against corruption, loadshedding and rising prices. The first rally was held on October 19 in DG Khan.

Shahbaz will lead the rally from Nasser Bagh to Bhati Chowk, where he is expected to address the public and party workers. He will be the only speaker at the rally.

Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in Turkey, however is expected to address the Faisalabad rally on November 4. The senior Sharif is also expected to visit and address rallies in Hazara, Balochistan and other parts of the county.

According to senior party leaders, MPAs and MNAs of Lahore division have been asked to ensure that there are at least 100,000 people at the rally.

Mian Ghulam Hussain Shahid, PML-N’s Youth Wing chief organiser and Punjab chapter president, has been assigned to bring in young people; Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and Rana Sanaullah Khan have been assigned to ensure traders’ presence; Prisons Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor and Pir Imran Shah have been tasked with bringing in the Ulema and Malik Nadeem Kamran and Mushtaq Shah, the Labour Wing president have been assigned to bring in labourers.

Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood Khan and MPA Rana Arshad will try and ensure the presence of students while Zakia Shahnawaz and Shazia Khattak have been assigned to target women workers.

MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, Shahbaz’s son, has been tasked with visiting all provincial assembly constituencies in Lahore. He is visiting and addressing four constituencies on average per day to garner support. Party members told The Tribune that the rally is seen as a test for Hamza’s candidature for the post of PML-N’s general secretary. Party members told The Tribune that the rallies are the party’s way of testing the waters. If Nawaz finds public sentiment in his favour, the party may announce a long march in December and stage a sit-in in Islamabad. They said that the sit-in would go on until the central government quits.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Public funds used for Sharif rally in DG Khan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/278030/public-funds-used-for-sharif-rally-in-dg-khan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/278030/public-funds-used-for-sharif-rally-in-dg-khan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 11 04:40:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=278030</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Government financial records were falsified to show that money had been used for a visit by Shahbaz.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Nawaz Sharif appears to be conducting his whirlwind campaign tour partly at the public’s expense: the Punjab government spent approximately Rs4 million in arranging for the PML-N chief’s rally in Dera Ghazi Khan, despite the fact that Sharif holds no government office and is only the head of the province’s ruling party.


Sources told The Express Tribune that the Punjab government directed the commissioner of DG Khan division to make arrangements for Nawaz’s rally, providing Rs1 million to each of the four district coordination officers (DCOs) in the division.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the money was used to rent tents and over 9,000 chairs to be set up in a stadium. In addition local PML-N workers as well as patwaris were given money for fuel to gather party supporters to the rally.

Since it would be illegal to make arrangements for Nawaz’s visit, government financial records were falsified to show that the money had been used for a visit by Nawaz’s brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

“We can’t show Nawaz Sharif’s visit in DG Khan in our expenditures details since he is not entitled to this, so we have showed Shahbaz Sharif’s visit in our [expenditure] heads,” said one senior official in the DG Khan division administration.

DG Khan Commissioner Muhammad Tariq denied the allegations, saying they are baseless. When asked how the event was paid for, he smiled and said that “the party has borne all the expenses.”

Punjab government spokesperson Senator Pervaiz Rasheed did not answer phone calls from The Express Tribune seeking comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2011. ]]>
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			</item><item>
			<title>PML-N is trying to destabilise govt: Altaf</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275285/military-courts-in-past-made-fake-cases-against-me-altaf-hussain</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275285/military-courts-in-past-made-fake-cases-against-me-altaf-hussain#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 16 Oct 11 15:38:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=275285</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says if opposition resigns, MQM will contest from Punjab.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said his party was ready to contest all seats in the Punjab Assembly if and when opposition legislators submit their resignations and possibly trigger a dissolution of the House. In case that happens, he said, the MQM would request the president to hold by-elections on these posts and the party would contest all those seats.

Addressing a public gathering in Lahore via telephone, Altaf alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was trying to dissolve the Punjab Assembly so that the current democratic set-up could be “destabilised”.

He said MQM would contest the by elections from all provincial seats in Punjab, if need be. The MQM leader lashed out at former provincial minister Zulfiqar Mirza and the PML-N leadership. However, he did not voice any opposition against the intelligence agencies.

Hussain urged Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to take suo motu notice over two issues: Mirza’s alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Ayesha Ahad’s case where she was allegedly being victimised by the Sharif family.

He said that Mirza had committed blasphemy which should not be ignored and expressed his gratitude to the religious scholars who raised their voice against Mirza.

Hussain further stated that Mirza, in the recent past, had threatened the PML-N to close all its party offices in Sindh. Hussain also lashed out at media personnel for their silent stance over Ayesha Ahad’s case — who he alleged was married to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s son Hamza and later evicted.

He said that MQM has been wrongly portrayed as an anti Punjabi, Pakhtun, Baloch, Sindhi and Kashmiri party.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2011.]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/275285-AltafHussain-1318778545/275285-AltafHussain-1318778545.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
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			</item><item>
			<title>Removing me from COAS post was Nawaz Sharif's blunder: Musharraf</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/273191/removing-me-from-coas-post-was-nawaz-sharifs-blunder-musharraf</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/273191/removing-me-from-coas-post-was-nawaz-sharifs-blunder-musharraf#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 13 Oct 11 08:53:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=273191</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Musharraf claims Shahbaz Sharif was not aware of Nawaz Sharif's move to remove him.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former President Pervez Musharraf says that removing him from the post of Chief of Army Staff was a “blunder” on Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif’s part.

Speaking on the show “Frontline” on Express News, he claimed that even Shahbaz Sharif was not aware of this move and he had later informed Musharraf about it.

Recalling his tenure as army chief, Musharraf said he was on good terms Shahbaz Sharif and current Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

The former president said that while he was serving as army chief, he had told Shahbaz Sharif on several occasions to tell Nawaz Sharif  to improve governance and work for the improvement of the economy.

The PML-N had earlier demanded that the government register a case under Article 6 (High Treason) against Musharraf for abrogating the constitution and dislodging the democratically elected government on October 12, 1999.]]>
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            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Public perception: Chief justice, Sharif brothers most popular figures</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/273061/public-perception-chief-justice-sharif-brothers-most-popular-figures</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/273061/public-perception-chief-justice-sharif-brothers-most-popular-figures#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 13 Oct 11 04:07:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=273061</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CJ most popular personality in the country while PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif tops list of most popular politicians.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Leaders of the coalition parties in the government, including Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, have lost their popularity among the masses, SANA news agency reported.


Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudary is the most popular personality in the country while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif tops the list of most popular politicians. Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, on the other hand, has managed to increase his popularity.

According to a Gallup International survey regarding the popularity of political and administrative personalities, Prime Minister Gilani scored a negative 29 points, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain earned a negative 41 points, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain received a negative 40 points and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman a negative 28 points.

Awami National Party’s (ANP) Asfand Yar Wali topped the list, earning a negative 48 points.

According to the survey, the chief justice scored 16 points, although he lost eight points compared to his score in the past. Meanwhile, Nawaz ranked first among the most popular politicians with 12 points but he lost four points compared to his score in the last survey. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif stands next to his brother with 10 points. The PTI chief earned five points, managing to rise one point higher compared to his score in the last survey.

Shahbaz also ranked as the most popular chief minister with 27 points, making him the only one in the positive list. The Balochistan chief minister gained a negative 30 points, while the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister earned a negative 20 and the Sindh chief minister a negative 22. The survey results also concluded that the vote bank for various parties has largely changed, and as a whole.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2011.

______________________________________________

[poll id="529"]]]>
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			<title>October 12: PML-N lawyers to observe Black Day</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/272022/october-12-pml-n-lawyers-to-observe-black-day</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/272022/october-12-pml-n-lawyers-to-observe-black-day#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 11 02:41:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=272022</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[To condemn General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s deposing of Nawaz Sharif’s government on the day in 1999.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Lawyers’ Forum will observe Black Day on Wednesday (today) to condemn General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s deposing of Nawaz Sharif’s government on the day in 1999. A seminar will be held today at Lahore High Court Bar Association in this regard. Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood Khan, Education Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and MPA Zaeem Qadri will address the seminar.


In a statement issued on Tuesday, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said October 12, 1999, was the darkest day for democracy in the history of the county.

He said the country would have progressed economically and had no longer relied on foreign assistance had democracy been allowed to nurture.

Sharif family had left the country for Saudi Arabia after General Musharraf’s October 12, 1999, coup.

The coup was followed by Nawaz Sharif’s decision to replace Musharraf with then  Inter-Services Intelligence Director-General Lieutenant General Ziauddin as chief of army staff.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>MQM and PML-N exchange unpleasantries in NA</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271439/mqm-and-pml-n-exchange-unpleasantries-in-na</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271439/mqm-and-pml-n-exchange-unpleasantries-in-na#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 11 04:48:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qamar.zaman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=271439</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[House agrees to set up committee to tackle power crisis.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The National Assembly on Monday witnessed the trading of disparaging personal remarks between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).


Asif Hasnain of the MQM stood up to make a point of order at the start of proceedings. He immediately mentioned the confinement of Aysha Ahad Malik and her parents, brothers and sister by the Punjab government.

He said that Malik is being punished for publicising her marriage to Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, son of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The statement prompted the PML-N to express their disapproval, but Hasnain continued undeterred in his assessment that the Punjab government had misused its powers.

The PML-N responded in firm tones to the MQM. “We can bring documentary evidence, including video recordings, against them if they want to discuss personal lives,” said Capt. Muhammad Safdar.

Later on the parliamentary leader of the MQM, Dr Farooq Sattar, addressed the NA. “Every member of this house is respectable to us and we have not come here to discuss people’s personal lives. But we will raise our voices if the state authority is used against a daughter of the nation,” he said.

Sattar added that the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court had granted bail to Malik but she was illegally imprisoned when a new case of abduction was registered against her.

The PML-N’s Sardar Mehtab Abbasi said that the personal lives of members should not be discussed in the house. Abbasi was joined by every sitting member of the PML-N as he protested against the MQM, as sloganeering and desk-thumping were thrown into the mix.

The NA also agreed on Monday to set up a special parliamentary committee to examine the reasons for the power crisis and submit its proposals to the government before the next session. Despite being passed in the house, the plan has been met with criticism.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Hard Talk: ‘Sharifs are part-time politicians’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271263/hard-talk-%e2%80%98sharifs-are-part-time-politicians%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271263/hard-talk-%e2%80%98sharifs-are-part-time-politicians%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 11 03:14:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=271263</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Information Minister said that Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif struck a deal with a dictator and fled the country.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said that Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif struck a deal with a dictator and fled the country. He accused Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders of setting up businesses in other countries and doing part-time politics in Pakistan. He alleged that billions of rupees could be brought back to the national exchequer if a joint investigation is conducted on both men. “The Sharif brothers have been looting national wealth since 1985,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2011. ]]>
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			<title>PML-N threatens to dissolve Punjab Assembly</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/270274/dissolve-punjab-assembly-says-unification-bloc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/270274/dissolve-punjab-assembly-says-unification-bloc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Oct 11 10:25:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=270274</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Move reflects the party’s wish to avoid a PPP victory in the 2012 Senate elections.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In the game of political brinkmanship being played against the current administration, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has decided to pull out its trump card: threatening to dissolve the Punjab Assembly.

On Sunday, a proposal to dissolve the provincial legislature was issued by Tahir Ali Javed, a member of the Punjab Assembly from Narowal, and the leader of the ‘unification bloc’ of the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid, the 47-member group of dissidents within the 81-member PML-Q caucus that is loyal to the rival PML-N.

Javed admitted to The Express Tribune that his bloc had decided to forward the request to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif after it became evident that the PML-N’s efforts to dissolve the National Assembly had failed.

The move sparked a fiery reaction from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. Senator Babar Awan of the PPP accused the PML-N of trying to sabotage the PPP’s expected victory in the Senate elections, due to be held in March 2012.

“The PML-N talks about democracy but wants to escape the Senate elections,” said Awan at a press conference in Faisalabad on Sunday. “This is nothing but a stunt being aired through lotas (turncoats).”

Sources close to the party told The Express Tribune that the PML-N had tried a few days ago to convince the PML-Q’s 50 members of the National Assembly to switch sides, but were thwarted in their effort by President Asif Ali Zardari, who moved quickly to allay the party’s fears by contacting PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

(Read: Political masterstroke - After assuaging PML-Q, PPP wins back MQM)

The sources confirmed that the move to dissolve the Punjab Assembly was part of the PML-N’s strategy to avoid the Senate elections, in which the PPP is expected to win anywhere between 46 and 53 seats, effectively becoming the majority party in the upper house of parliament until the next Senate elections in 2015.

The swiftness with which President Zardari was able to beat back the challenge from the PML-N has put the party on the back foot, forcing them to exercise their ‘last resort’ option far earlier than they had initially wanted and making the PML-N more cautious about its political strategy.

(Read: Man with a plan - Strategies, schedules and another term for the president)

Initial reaction within the Punjab Assembly is mixed at best, with only Pakistan Muslim League Zia coming out in support.

(With additional reporting by Shamsul Islam in Faisalabad)

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Pointing fingers: Altaf criticises Sharif for Sindh visit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/270175/pointing-fingers-altaf-criticises-sharif-for-sindh-visit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/270175/pointing-fingers-altaf-criticises-sharif-for-sindh-visit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Oct 11 04:50:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=270175</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM chief says Sharif brothers showed up in Sindh with relief goods in display of “tactful political maneuvour”.]]>
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				<![CDATA[In an apparent jab at the Sharif brothers, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Saturday accused ‘some’ in the Punjab government of ‘political maneuvering’ through visits to flood victims in Sindh.


He said while the some in the Punjab government failed to visit flood victims in vehari and Qasoor, they showed up in Sindh with relief goods in a display of “tactful political maneuvour”.

Hussain was addressing party workers and members of the MQM coordination committee in Azizabad on Saturday to mark the sixth anniversary of the 2005 earthquake.

Hussain also urged human rights organisations to take notice of Aisha, the ex-wife of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

“The chief justice of Pakistan should take suo motu notice of the injustice done to Aisha,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Sharif seeks backup plan in case of breakdown</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/267145/sharif-seeks-backup-plan-in-case-of-breakdown</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/267145/sharif-seeks-backup-plan-in-case-of-breakdown#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 11 02:11:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=267145</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CM seeks daily reports on hospital equipment.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed members of the national and provincial assemblies from the city and officials concerned to visit teaching hospitals everyday and submit a report to him on the condition of machinery used in the diagnosis and treatment of dengue patients.


He was speaking at a consultative meeting to review the measures taken by the provincial government for controlling the disease. Sharif said the machinery was critical for the provision of treatment facilities to sufferers. He directed that a strategy be evolved to deal with a possible breakdown of the machinery because of erratic electricity supply so that treatment is not affected.

He said countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia have had outbreaks of dengue fever too.  He said the provincial government was committed to eradicating the disease from the Punjab.

Sharif criticised the federal government for not responding to his requests on improving the power supply to the province.

He said the provincial government had finalised all arrangements to distribute 500,000 packets containing mosquito repellent and pamphlets with information on prevention measures among the people. He said the distribution of these packets would start in a few days.

Sharif was later briefed on proposals given by Indonesian experts visiting the province on how to deal with the outbreak.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Jehanzeb Khan directed medical superintendents of teaching hospitals and principals of medical colleges to ensure that doctors on duty regularly take notes about all dengue fever patients under treatment at the teaching hospitals in the city.

He also asked them to inform the health director general about deaths from the disease within 24 hours. He said forms provided to the hospital administrations should be filled out for each casualty.

Six more dead

Six more deaths were reported from dengue fever in the city on Tuesday, taking the toll to 143 in Lahore and 156 in the province. 
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Govt responsible for power crisis: Nawaz Sharif</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/266593/govt-involved-responsible-for-power-crisis-sharif</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/266593/govt-involved-responsible-for-power-crisis-sharif#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 11 09:14:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[owais.jafri]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=266593</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PML-N chief says no cases of corruption or mismanagement in Punjab.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that the federal government was involved and directly responsible for the power crisis that has hit the country.

Sharif was speaking to the media in Bahawalpur after condoling the death of PML-N MPA Mumtaz Jajja, who had died due to dengue fever in Lahore.

He said the government had to “face the music” and should face punishment by the public for creating a crisis.

The PML-N chief had earlier directed the party to support street protests.

The surge in prolonged loadshedding has disrupted life in many cities as load shedding has crossed 12 hours in Southern Punjab.

Sharif said that the government of Punjab was the only one working for the people of Pakistan.

“We have eradicated corruption and nepotism in Punjab,” he said. “I do not find anyone more competent and patriotic than Shahbaz Sharif for resolving the problems of the people of Pakistan.”

He said were no cases of corruption or mismanagement in Punjab, and that stern notice had been taken if any cases had come up.

“We have decided to promote a merit based accountability system free of corruption and nepotism in Pakistan,” said the PML-N chief.

Commenting on the statement made by Admiral Mike Mullen leveling allegations against the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), Sharif said that is was nothing more than a mere statement that the US official had made to enhance his status before his people.]]>
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			<title>Information minister hits out at Sharifs over power production</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/266303/information-minister-hits-out-at-sharifs-over-power-production</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/266303/information-minister-hits-out-at-sharifs-over-power-production#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 11 21:51:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=266303</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The Sharif brothers always think on ethnic lines: Sharjeel Memon.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon countered Nawaz Sharif’s allegations by holding the Sharif brothers responsible for load shedding in the country. Earlier on, Nawaz Sharif had said that President Asif Ali  Zardari was responsible for the power crisis in the country.

On Monday at a press conference at the Sindh Secretariat, Memon retorted that the leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) claimed to be senior politicians but had no idea about the policies of their own party and the direction they took in politics. According to Memon, the confession of Ishaq Dar, a senator of the PML-N, about money laundering by the Sharif brothers, should be taken seriously by the people. “He confessed with a handwritten statement in front of a magistrate in Lahore in 2000, that the Sharif brothers used Hudaibiya Paper Mills as a cover for money laundering during their first tenure in the government.” He went on to say that the government of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) started the Thar coal project in Keti Bunder, Thatta district, to produce electricity but the government of the PML-N had abolished it because the project was in Sindh. “They are not national leaders,” he said. “They always think on ethnic lines and have a militant approach.” The whole country would have benefitted had the project had been completed, he added. The minister added that even though Shahbaz Sharif was the chief minister of Punjab, it was Hamza Sharif, the son of Shahbaz Sharif, who exercised all the powers of a de-facto chief minister.

According to the information minister, Shahbaz Sharif was angry and frustrated because he failed to maintain law and order and resolve the basic problems of the people in Punjab. “More than 13,000 people were kidnapped from the Punjab and the provincial government also failed to trace Shahbaz Taseer,” he said. “He has now started blackmailing the federal government, its institutions and ministries in order to cover up his party’s failed policies.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2011.]]>
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