Punjab information minister steps up criticism of KP govt
She said, 'The harsh realities of KP are evident in the daily lives of its people. The latest Gallup survey is a resounding slap on the face of the so-called 12-year 'fake change' in KP. The same people who once celebrated Gallup surveys are now unable to digest the bitter truth about their government.'
Citing the survey, Bokhari stated that 73% of the people of KP have expressed a lack of confidence in the current government, particularly in the leadership of Ali Amin Gandapur, while 71% demand transparent investigations into alleged corruption in mega projects.
She further remarked that even PTI's voters have acknowledged that development funds in KP have been swallowed by corruption. 'Ali Amin Gandapur has now emerged as the de facto Chairman of the Loot Association,' she quipped. 'Ironically, his cabinet members, while travelling on GT Road, have themselves witnessed the progress and prosperity unfolding in Punjab.'
Highlighting Punjab's governance, Azma Bokhari praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, stating that she has established a practical model of merit, transparency, and good governance in the province. 'Every small and large project in Punjab is being completed with complete transparency, and no one can raise a finger on Maryam Nawaz's development agenda,' she said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
PTI slams 'death cell' detention of Imran
The PTI has raised alarm over what it describes as "inhumane" treatment of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, claiming he is being held in a "death cell" under near-total isolation. Addressing a news conference on Thursday, PTI Central Secretary for Information Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that Khan was confined to a solitary detention for 22 hours daily, denied access to newspapers, television, books, and barred from meeting his legal team and close associates. Akram said the conditions amount to psychological torture and a blatant violation of basic human rights. "Imran Khan is effectively cut off from the world. His fundamental right to meet six designated individuals is being denied despite explicit court orders, which constitutes contempt of court." He added that similar restrictions have been imposed on Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, who is allegedly being denied family visits, while Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, has also been prevented from seeing him. Calling on the chief justice of Pakistan to intervene, Akram urged the judiciary to restore its "dwindling credibility and independence" in the face of what he termed the executive's open defiance of court rulings. "The violation of judicial orders is not just an insult to the courts but to the entire justice system." The PTI spokesperson further questioned the recent disqualification of politician Jamshed Dasti, claiming that Article 62(1)(d) of the Constitution has never before been used to unseat public representatives and alleging that constitutional provisions were now being misapplied for political engineering. Highlighting concerns over the health and treatment of other detained PTI leaders, Akram pointed to the "deteriorating condition" of Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the "systematic violation" of Dr. Yasmin Rashid's rights, and the continued imprisonment of Ejaz Chaudhry despite Supreme Court orders granting him bail. On economic matters, Akram criticized the federal government over skyrocketing fuel prices, claiming petrol prices have surged by 82% over the past 15 months. "During PTI's term, petrol prices rose by Rs. 51, but the current government scrapped subsidies and pushed the price to Rs. 220 per liter," he said. He also accused the government of orchestrating a Rs. 92 billion sugar scandal, alleging that following the approval to export 765,000 metric tons of sugar, domestic supplies vanished from the market, sending prices soaring to Rs. 200 per kilogram. Addressing the May 9 cases, Akram claimed that the prosecution's position has collapsed following the withdrawal of a key investigating officer.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
CM Gandapur moves PHC for PTI recognition
K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has filed a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) seeking official recognition of PTI as a political party. The petition names the federal government, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and other relevant institutions as respondents. It challenges Section 94(4) of the Election Rules 2017, arguing that it contradicts the Election Act 2017. According to the petition, PTI is still a functional political party and currently holds a majority in the K-P Assembly. However, the ECP has excluded PTI from the definition of a political party, citing the absence of an electoral symbol.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Fate of suspended MPAs in limbo as talks stall
The negotiation committees of the treasury and opposition lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly met again on Thursday to resolve the matter of the suspension of 26 PTI MPAs. The two sides have yet to agree on what constitutes a rightful protest and what is a ruckus. The treasury has linked the restoration of the 26 suspended MPAs with the Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan's final ruling. However, the opposition has warned that its MPAs will not attend any assembly sessions until the suspended lawmakers are restored. In the third round of talks, the negotiation committee apparently agreed to run the house in accordance with the decisions of the business advisory committee and the Rule 223 of Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997. An insider wishing not to be named told The Express Tribune that the opposition did not fulfill the demand of the treasury to give documented assurance of the compliance of five conditions placed before them. The treasury's side was of the view that everyone speaking in the house must be given respect, heard without interruption, sloganeering and noise. The treasury said there should be no room for any abusive and violent conduct. The opposition said they discourage abusive and violent conduct but protest is their right. The treasury agreed with it but noted that there are democratic ways of protest which need to be adopted. Talking to the media later, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said the government and opposition sides agreed on few conditions. However, he said, assembly rules are very clear. "No one in the house including Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Opposition leader Malik Ahamd Khan Bhachar will be interrupted," he said. Bhachar in his media talk did not confirm that the opposition agreed not to stage any protest or chant slogans during anyone's speech in the house. Sources privy to this matter said it seemed the opposition was given a safe exit in the name of negotiation after strong pressure and criticism over suspension of 26 MPAs. He quoted opposition lawmakers saying that no one could stop them from exercising their right of protest. No doubt, rules restrain lawmakers from interrupting while someone is speaking but it does not mean that their right of protest will be snatched which the rules allow them. However, both sides termed the third round of talks as a successful round. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan suspended 26 PTI MPAs on June 27 for creating "disruption, ruckus and chanting indecent slogans" during the speech of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in the houseunder rule 210 (3) of the Rules of Procedure, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, 1997. After that the speaker received applications from some treasury lawmakers seeking disqualification of aforementioned MPAs under Article 63(2) read with Article 113 of the Constitution. Speaker Khan provided an opportunity of hearing to the suspended MPA, under Article 10-A of the Constitution, to the PTI's suspended 26 MPAs in his chamber at Punjab Assembly. Later on, a negotiation committee, consisting of PMLN, allied parties and PTI was constituted. The speaker on Tuesday issued a press release clarifying that members suspended under Rule 210 of the Rules of Procedure 1997 would be entitled to vote in the said election.
