- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.1
Alerts
PPP picks Raja Pervez Ashraf as prime minister candidate
Syed Khursheed Shah and coalition partners announce nomination at press conference.
Ashraf has been elected twice from NA-51, Gujjar Khan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD: Syed Khursheed Shah, in a press conference with coalition leaders announced that Raja Pervez Ashraf will be the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate for the prime minister’s post.
“The final decision was taken in collaboration with our coalition partners,” Khursheed Shah said.
Among other coalition representatives, Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) senior member Sardar Bahadur Ahmad Khan Sehar, Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Haider Abbas Rizvi and Awami National Party (ANP) leader Afrasiab Khattak were present at the press conference.
Earlier, MQM sources had said the party had conveyed reservations to President Zardari over the candidature of Ashraf.
Ashraf has been elected twice from NA-51, Gujjar Khan.
He was appointed federal minister for water and power after the 2008 elections and was again appointed a minister in the recently-dissolved cabinet.
He faces corruption allegation for receiving kickbacks in rental power projects and buying properties in London.
The Supreme Court had also directed NAB to take action against Ashraf for his alleged involvement in rental power case.
The ruling PPP and its allies first submitted nominations for Makhdoom Shahabuddin and Ashraf, but later Qamar Zaman Kaira also filed his papers when a lower court issued arrest warrants against Shahabuddin for his alleged involvement in the ephedrine scam.
Ashraf’s top priority to deal with energy crisis
Ashraf said that his top priority, after assuming the prime minister post, would be to deal with the ongoing energy crisis. He was speaking to the media in Islamabad on Friday.
“I am well aware of the ongoing energy crisis. I had a meeting with party leaders and we decided that we will deal with it as our number one priority,” added Ashraf, who has been christened as ‘Raja Rental’ among the masses because of his involvement in the Rental Power Plants scam.
“I have come here to thank Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz Elahi. I’m sure this alliance government, under collective wisdom, will deal with all challenges.”
Pervaiz Elahi, also present at the press briefing, said that all coalition parties have unanimously decided to vote for Ashraf during the National Assembly session.
Ashraf thanks Altaf Hussain for support
Ashraf spoke to MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Friday to thank him for supporting his candidacy.
According to a statement issued by the MQM, Ashraf told Hussain that like him, he too was from the “grassroots”. The MQM chief told Ashraf that the country currently faced a great deal of challenges and hopes that he can help the country face these.
Hussain said that he was happy that Ashraf had worked his way up in the PPP, and said that loyalty to the party was a fundamental principle and that this was the way to earn respect and honour. Former interior minister Rehman Malik also spoke to Hussain and thanked him on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari for his support to the PPP.
PPP MNA to boycott NA session
Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Syed Nasir Ali Shah will boycott today’s elections for the next Prime minister in the National Assembly.
“I will not vote for MNA Raja Pervaiz Ashraf…a candidate of PPP for the prime minister’s slot,” Nasir told The Express Tribune. “I will not attend today’s session electing the new prime minister.”
Responding to a question, he said that the only criterion for top slot in Pakistan is that “you must be a corrupt person”. Unfortunately, he said, his party (PPP) is promoting this trend.
Shah, a PPP senior leader from Balochistan, also boycotted the presidential speech held earlier this year.
“I hope … my ‘silent protest’ will trigger a powerful debate on the Balochistan issue at an international level,” Shah told The Express Tribune. “I must say here today — PPP’s top leadership buried the party’s manifesto the day Benazir Bhutto was assassinated.”
Read more:
RajaPervez
Reader Comments (76)
Pakistan Latest Stories
Pilferage: Crucial ice packs disappear from Polyclinic
Vaccinators fear polio vaccines may lose potency due to the issue.
Legal matters: Appointment of IG’s son challenged
Petitioner alleges Umer Amin Khan illegally appointed as bomb squad head.
Children’s Literature Festival: Treasure trove for the curious minded
Students enjoy a day of interactive activities, readings and book stalls.
Promoting local economy: CDA all out to facilitate capital’s business community
Plans to launch bus rapid transit reiterated.
Policy meeting: USAID seminar on teacher education reforms
The experts came up with a set of recommendations which will now be discussed with the HEC.
Judges’ detention case: Musharraf approaches IHC for post-arrest bail
Challenges trial court order which had rejected his petition.
Comment: Blowing a molehill into a mountain
PIA needs to ensure that the pilot must be given training in basic human management skills.
Signs of manipulation: Imran Khan calls for thumbprint verification
PTI chief urges the Election Commission and Supreme Court to open a probe in four NA seats.
Rising interest: Premier Li offers to send 1,000 Chinese language teachers
Premier Li highlighted the need for a mounting collaboration in a variety of fields between the two countries.
Ostracized: The avoidable life sentence
Thousands of Pakistani women suffer from Obstetric Fistula and live lives of social isolation.
Recent Slideshows
More in Pakistan
Gilani’s constituency: NA-151 by-polls on July 19
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2013 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? [email protected]
The match is on.
Can you smell it, what the rock is cooking.
Recommend
And Pakistan is available for rent….we are screwed officially! !
Recommend
Such a shameful day for Pakistan.
Recommend
I think this is right time for the people of Pakistan to judge the real face of zardari and NA members who are supporting the most corrupt person available in NA to the position of PM. SC has already ordered an inquiry against him.
Recommend
This sends a strong message to CJ of Pakistan. In this battle of thick and thin, the only sufferers are the unfortunate people of Pakistan.
Recommend
OK.
But sooner or later it will be the Ms Rabbani Khar who will be next successful Prime Minister of Pakistan. So far her achievements are praiseworthy.
She is a well know person on international platform.
Also the beautiful person applies all beautiful tools to get beautiful result to make Pak a beautiful nation.
Best wishes for Raja Parvej now andthen later on and finally to Ms Rabbani
Recommend
Oh Raja Rental Je new PM of Pakistan, now forget about any light thats left in Pakistan :)
Recommend
Raja Rental, Raja Rental, wish you a lot of money in your new endeavor.
Recommend
Congratulations to fellow country men.Raja will rule and induct few dozens rental power units on war footing basis and use PIA to airlift the equipments.Thereafter expect no load shedding .
Recommend
Rent a Prime Minister!
Recommend
Could it be more worse !!!!!!!!!!!
Recommend
We deserve Raja Rental……..
Recommend
He faces corruption allegation for receiving kickbacks in rental power projects and buying properties in London.
Kia baat hai
Recommend
seems like merit is excellence in corruption !
Recommend
Thats probably because the cases against him were about to be taken up by the SC. Now if the SC proceed, Rental Raja and PPP will claim another shaheed. If the SC hold back, well, lets see what other possible avenues open up for Raja.
Recommend
Now that he is ascending the throne to become Prime Minister, it will only be in the fitness of things for him to assume the title of Maharaja.
Maharaja Pervez Ashraf? Now that sounds better. Like that self-styled Field Marshal from the days gone by.Recommend
God Bless Pakistan ….seriously..
Recommend
Isn’t he the same guy who promised that Load shading will end in Dec 2008? Whenever power is off 90% of the Pakistanis remember Raja Pervaiz Ahsraf in very good WORDS….
Recommend
Innalilahe Wa Inna Illehe Rajeoon … don’t have anything else to say!
Recommend
Mr Rental is the next PM. Pakistan will soon be ‘rented out’ if it has not been rented out already.
Recommend
Zardari’s message to the SC and people of Pakistan : If you thought Gilani was bad, well think again.
Recommend
Another corrupt person to become prime minister of pakistan. I hope MQM does not support him as per their claims against corruption
Recommend
“He faces corruption allegation for receiving kickbacks in rental power projects and buying properties in London” says it all – disgusting
Recommend
Now this is epic. I’ll try to take foreign nationality as early as possible and will NEVER come back to this country!
Recommend
Ha-ha-ha-ha not a single clean image leaders available.
Recommend
i think last moment adjustment is expected . And if it will happen Mullana Fazal will our next PM
Recommend
@Ali: if anyone can still accept you… i think there is newly open immigration policy in Somalia… , best of luck..!!
Recommend
now i wish molana wins the elections! anyone is better than this guy
Recommend
Politicians, Generals, Colonels, bureaucrats and others have properties outside Pakistan – all corrupt. So who is left for the post of PM …………. Difa-e-Pakistan.
Recommend
Now we will have Pakistan with total blackout.
Recommend
@Ali:
I dont blame you bro……………..join the club
Recommend
Couldn’t ask for a better choice from the man at the Top…Experience in corruption is a must !!! I think Faisal Saleh Hayat should be the Depuy PM. Offcourse they were just kidding about the rental power plants.Recommend
I do see a little change for PPP – It is good to see somebody who is not a fuedal and is more self-made of a person. He didnt resolve power crisis – but niether did anybody who came after him…
Recommend
True reflection, from the people for the people.
Recommend
It’s Zardari against Pakistan and just now the scores are; Pakistan – Checkmate; We’re done!
Recommend
Mashallah, this is the best news of the year! Raja Rental as the Prime Minister of Pakistan? Never thought so even in my wildest dreams.
Finally a middle class guy as the PM of Pakistan. Used to be a property dealer driving a motorcycle all over Islamabad before he became the minister.
Pakistan is truly a country where all things are possible, and anyone can dream of becoming the PM.
He can finish loadshedding by Dec 31 … maybe this year, maybe next. 2008? 2018? 2028?
Recommend
PM= Political martyr, So I guess a wise choice.
Recommend
Someone shoot me please!!!!
Recommend
In this country, the more corrupt you are, the more lucky you get.
Recommend
Shame on PPPP, MQM and ANPRecommend
Worst Nomination for PM; Worst day for Pakistan.Recommend
Where are all those people who said court was going out of limits and trying to de-rail democracy in the country, this leader and government is gift for them becuase they want Democracy to rule but Rule of Law.
Recommend
I am amazed why the people in pakistan are still in there houses what miracle they are waiting for that will rescue them from this misery. Whay dont they just realize that it is now or never. People of Pakistan Wake up please we need to get rid of them come out and out all them behind bars.
Recommend
I remember last words of Mussharaf
“Pakistan Ka Allah Hafiz”
we are heading for another confrontation
Recommend
Raja Rental will be the last nail in Pakistan’s coffin.
Recommend
This is very good news for the country. His name is on the ECL & he will be the first PM of Pakistan who cannot go on foreign tours thereby saving millions of taxpayers money.
Recommend
Mr.CJ are you on a personal war ? what about our deprivation of the basic need of electricity
Recommend
@wah:
I think you have missed this man services in power projects.
Recommend
@Dead:
There is no need. Raja will do this job.
Recommend
What reservations MQM had? And how did these vanish? On the assurance of some kickbacks sharing formula or what?
Recommend
we deserve it.
Recommend
Shame on you PPP
Recommend
What a sad day for Pakistan. PPP could not even find one single decent person to become a PM. I feel ashamed to be a Pakistani.
Recommend
How Shameful – What a pity!
Recommend
Pity on the nation that does not know its power and give votes to these thugs. We deserve this as a nation because we asked for it.
Recommend
@isloo:
Raja Rental: well done, what great tag you have chosen, LOL
Recommend
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ya Allah why was i born here?
Recommend
Another Pervez!
Pray for our self, we are under punishment of Almighty Allah, when ever we could not be right nothing will change.
Recommend
Shame on Pakistan!
Recommend
We are all ashamed that coorupt person is becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan. This is indeed a doom’s day for us as a Pakistani Nation. Basically corruption is the xreteria for selection. If you are extraordinary corrupt you can a either President or Prime Minister of Pakistan. Shame for all of us.
Recommend
How can he become PM once SC sent his case to NAB-
If he asumes power both SC and NAB needs to be held accountable.
Where is Dr Ayesha in the NAB? Can she issue a notice?
Recommend
After waiting a long period of time another corrupt leader has arrived for PM Post i personally feel that time has come now to select at least right candidate for this post and i don’t think this man is the right candidate for this POST we have an other Ample candidates for this seat..
Recommend
Dang! only if i knew that coming! Good Bless to all of us
Recommend
Democracy is the best revenge from Pakistani nation!
Recommend
indeed Democracy is the best revenge :’ (
Recommend
What a country where one cannot find a leader who is clean.
Recommend
Pakistan is dead
Recommend
LOL,
A nice slap on socially active civil society. Take that.
Recommend
I remain in awe !!!!
Recommend
So if still you have’t believed that ‘Democracy is the best revenge’ – Raja is here to prove you wrong – yet again!Recommend
This Nation really deserve that kind of Leaders. The people who criticises PPP , PMLN , MQM or any ther political parties must think innerly. we always choose these Corrupt for our own timely GOALS. The 99.99 percent of MNA or MP’s are corrupt while they are the companions of corrupt people. If somebody dont do any corruption but he cooperate the people who do so is also CORRUPT, and whosoever vote them is also……….. (sorry its bitter but its truth). congrat the Nation that they got what they deserve.Recommend
OH. Wonderful what a man chosen by PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP . He will import rental power houses and will install . Because have a many experience .
Recommend
This Nation really deserve that kind of Leaders. The people who criticises PPP , PMLN , MQM or any ther political parties must think innerly. we always choose these Corrupt for our own timely GOALS. The 99.99 percent of MNA or MP’s are corrupt while they are the companions of corrupt people. If somebody dont do any corruption but he cooperate the people who do so is also CORRUPT, and whosoever vote them is also……….. (sorry its bitter but its truth). congrat the Nation that they got what they deserve.Recommend
Indeed a very sad day. Keep tuned as more and more corrupt people take over Pakistan. When Gilani was disqualified i said “One down many more corrupt rulers to come”
Recommend
R for Raja
R for Ruler
R for Rules.
Recommend
Someone has rightly said we should legalise corruption, at least there are 211 votes in the parliament for corruption. Shame on us for living and following this leadership.
Recommend