New allegiances: Nawaz confirms he’ll meet Qureshi on 22nd
“In our last meeting, Qureshi expressed the desire to join the PML-N and on November 22, we will resume our talks from the point where we left off,” Nawaz told reporters in Lahore on Friday.
Earlier, Qureshi and Nawaz had spoken about a seat adjustment but talks had broken down without any conclusion. Now, PML-N appears ready to fulfil all his demands on seat adjustment.
Responding to a question on Ayesha Ahad Khan, the woman who claims she married the Punjab chief minister’s son Hamza Shahbaz, Nawaz said that the PML-N has always maintained discipline in the party. “Hamza’s case is not related to public accountability and the party is working on it internally,” he claimed.
Fertiliser corruption
PML-N deputy general secretary Ahsan Iqbal alleged that the federal government, instead of stopping corruption in its own institutions, had given a go-ahead to the PML-Q to openly and freely loot public money.
He said that despite the Punjab government’s letters to the federal government, asking it to import around 1.2 million tons of fertiliser from abroad, the government imported only 0.7 million tons and that too after much delay. He said that PML-Q’s front man at the State Guest House imports Urea on high prices and registers fake distribution agents across the country who are paid a commission of Rs200 per bag by farmers.
Faisalabad rally prep
For all his fiery statements, it appears that Nawaz may not be present at the Faisalabad rally on November 20.
“According to my sources, the PML-N chief will not be at the meeting. Only patwaris and sweepers will be calling roll,” Raja Riaz, opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, told reporters in Faisalabad. (With additional reporting by Shamsul Islam in Faisalabad)
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2011.
COMMENTS (31)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
There could be no more bigger bidder for SMQ than PTI. Except IK, he will be second in command in PTI. But in PMLN, NS has already held that he must come into PMLN lines unconditional and only party's cabinet will decide whom to give what.
This will be a bidding war. Qureshi will be owned by the highest bidder. There are no qualms of conscience in Pakistani politics. One who pays the higher price gets him until he changes the alligence again. Till then the winner of the present auction is......
Feels like some kind of football Transfer Window to me where Qureshi is the Samir Nasri!
@PTI supporter: So now you guys took a big U Turn.
people are crazy for SMQ to join PTI, I don't know why? Is he that good? If he won't joins PTI the same crowd start naming him like LOTA, MEAN, SEAT LOVER etc etc :| Hypocrites!
No doubt PTI is on the up but SMQ is a politician and not a street guy he will see his political interest. He wants early elections this is in line with PMLN stand point as well. PTI is not interested in election for the next 2 years. The local politics also compels SMQ to join PMLN. Saraki belt is like pro and anti ppp. No one know who is IK there. PMLN also wants him to counter dissident javed hashmi (expected to join PTI) and hence will give him more in terms of say and tickets. It's simple 2+2=4.SMQ is joining PMLN.
I don't know where SMQ will go, but one thing which no one is paying heed to is that SMQ is a seasoned politician. He may work under Nawaz Sharif leadership but it does not look sensible for him to work UNDER Imran Khan leadership.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: han pti is the only party left who is serving pakistan... ... rest of all are helping India or other nations to grow... (PTI's Thought)
What did SMQ accomplished in his job as Foreign Minister and even when he was first in PML-N that both his parent party and PTI are so much hungry to cash-in this known turncoat? It is better no one should accept him in their folds, specially PTI. He is nothing more than a Pir.
Please SMQ leave PTI alone and join Sharif brothers lucky circus, we really dont want anything to do with anyone who served in this NRO government
Horse trading is when people quit there party and join the government. SMQ is doing the opposite, so he isnt a turncoat as per its definition. As for oppurtunist, very few people have quit the ppp ans survived politically, so obviously SMQ thought about this a lot. Any ways I hope he joins PTI.
@ijaz Mir: yeah and what imran khan is doing these days is called serving the country? at least one should not throw stone if you are living in glass house.
@Hamid: Yes if PML(N) do it it's call horse trading and if PTI collect the retired lotas of PML(Q), PPP and PML(N), then its 'save the country' or 'the revolution'?
Before joining PPP, Qureshi was part of PML-N. therefore his return to PML-N is more likely than joining of PTI. However, Javed Hashmi is big hurdle in this reconciliation.
I don’t think that Shah Mahmood Qureshi is going to look back towards PML(N).
It may be a wishful thinking of PML(N) leaders, but in the event if Shah Mahmood Qureshi is going to join PML(N), he will have no say in PML(N).
Shah Mahmood Qureshi should look forward and join PTI to serve the country in a transparent manner.
The old hawks are not going to give any thing to SMQ.
Well, Whoever he joins, but sure will take the 'momentum' with him. If he joins PML N, PTI will be devastated as they even claimed him already and desperately need him too. However, if he joins PML N, it's definitely going to damage them, but not nearly as much damage that can be cause to PTI.
@ijaz Mir: i heard some 25 former PML-Q parliamentarians joined pti few days back.... that was not suppose to be horse trading right?
@Hamid: HAHAHA What PTI is Doing ???
Nawaz shrif is very good in horse trading. He has a track record.That is how he runs his party. Good luck Nawaz.
@Hamid: So Joining PTI will not be a horse trading i guess?
Does SMQ have enough guts to go against what his son wants? Zain Qureshi is already in PTI and is quite active also being there at the Lahore Jalsa.
PMLN should let SMQ join PTI. & make Sure hes Defeated in By-Elections! Gillani & hashmi should join hands & make example out of this Establishment's blue-eyed Boy!
PML-N is a bit late. As usual...........
Nawaz Sahab, stop horse trading. I hope SMQ joins PTI
SMQ is flirting with two parties. He is trying to create a hype of himself. Which ever party he joins, he taking the momentum of change with himself.
and Imran Khan want Qureshi to join his PTI. Let see who can have this Turncoat :)
I sincerely hope he doesnt join you Sharif Sahib....
Did the tribune team find this NEWS out of that long conference? Pity on your Tribune. Biased reporting at its heights. Mr. Nawaz Sharif highlighted so many important issues.
GO and favor your favorite so-called legend Imran Khan.
I protest, I protest.