PML-N expels five MPAs for violating rules

The MPAs had met with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar without the leadership's permission

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday announced expulsion of five of its members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs) for violating party rules, as they had met Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar without the leadership's permission.

The decision to expel Ashraf Ansari, Jalil Sharaqpuri, Faisal Niazi, Nishat Khan Daha and Abu Hafs Muhammad Ghiyasuddin was announced by PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal after the approval of the senior party leadership.

The inquiry against the said MPAs came into effect on the consent of PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah.

Ghiyasuddin, one of the expelled MPAs, said, “The PML-N is trying to expel us from the party to give a strong message to many more parliamentarians who were at the verge of leaving the party for being used as cannon fodder by the Sharif family for fighting their personal wars.”

He said that the decision of the party was illegal as they had done nothing wrong. The party “won’t be able to disqualify us on the mere grounds of meeting another political leader”.

“Shehbaz Sharif sat with Asif Ali Zardari, who he had vowed to drag through the streets of Larkana for plundering national wealth. Is that not defection,” he asked. “The PML-N voted for the COAS extension bill, is that not defection,” he asked.

“Party leaders change their narrative when they desire, is that not defection,” he asked, adding that most of the Sharif family members had fled the country and left it upon them to fight their personal wars.

“I met Punjab CM Buzdar to complain against the Narowal DPO for his high-handedness. “My son was thrashed by the police on the road and fictitious cases are being registered against him.”

He said that he met the Punjab CM only in this regard, adding that he had requested other party MPAs to accompany him to put pressure on the CM. “How can party expect us, who have children in Pakistan, to stay quiet in such matters.”

Of the five MPAs, four held a meeting with the Punjab CM on September 29. Those who met the CM included Ansari, Ghiyasuddin, Niazi and Sharaqpuri.

Earlier in June, a total of six PML-N Punjab Assembly members, including the five MPAs, and one PPP parliamentarian had met the Punjab CM to discuss issues related to their constituencies. Of the six MPAs of the PML-N that met the CM in June, five had earlier in March, along with another PML-N MPA, held a similar meeting with him.

The seven MPAs who had met the CM this year were Sharaqpuri of PP-139 Sheikhupura-V, Mohammad Arshad of PP-244, Bahawalnagar, Ashraf Ansari of PP-57, Gujranwala, Nishat Ahmed Daha of PP-206, Khanewal, Ghiyasuddin of PP-47, Narowal, Azhar Abbas of PP-269, Muzaffargarh and Faisal Niazi of PP-209, Khanewal.

Further, the PML-N parliamentarians were issued show-cause notices for being absent from the joint session of parliament held for the voting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related legislation. Those issued show-cause notices included Raheela Magsi, Kulsoom Parveen, Dilawar Khan and Shamim Afridi. “The party will take its decision after receiving replies,” Ahsan Iqbal said.

CWC meeting

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Central Working Committee on Thursday accorded approval to its social mobilisation plan under which protests will be held against the arrest of Shehbaz Sharif by NAB and movements to oust the incumbent PTI government will be launched countrywide.

As per details, two protests will be held against the arrest of Shehbaz Sharif. One on October 3 in Lahore, while the second on October 9 in rest of Punjab.

Further, former premier Nawaz Sharif will address MPAs and provincial assembly ticket holders on October 7 and later on October 8, Sharif will address party’s senators, MNAs and ticket holders of both the houses of parliament. On October 12, the PML-N will organise a workers convention in Karachi.

Later, from October 12 to December 4, the PML-N will organise workers conventions (WCs) and provincial general council (PGC) meetings at district level. Of these WCs and PGC, seven will be held in Punjab, three in Sindh, three in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and two in Balochistan.

The PML-N will hold a Jalsa, which is being dubbed as a mega show, in Gujranwala on October 16 led by Maryam Nawaz.

Jalsas are also planned at the Lahore union council level to mobilise workers from the third week of November.

The PML-N leaders will also address the Pakistan Democratic Movement public gathering in Quetta on October 11, while announcements for remaining PDM public gatherings would be made by October 5. Between October and November, the PML-N will also hold social mobilisation rallies at district and constituency levels.

From October 25 to 15 November, four jalsas will be organised in southern Punjab.

Election campaigning for Gilgit-Baltistan will commence from October 15 and conclude on November13.

From October 10 to November 15, the PML-N leaders will engage with bar associations, traders, businessmen, teachers, doctors, students and civil society leaders. This will be followed by social media and media activities from October to February.

The PML-N will also hold four seminars in October in the provincial capitals on the PDM’s goals and objectives. The PML-N will also continue its fund raising activities.