Latest news with #ChaudhryUsmanAli
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PTI decides to file references against four ‘defectors'
ISLAMABAD: The embattled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday decided to file references with the National Assembly Speaker, seeking the disqualification of four of its MNAs who have now joined the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Talking to reporters, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser blasted the defectors, Chaudhry Usman Ali, Mubarak Zeb, Aurangzeb Khichi, and Zahoor Qureshi and branded them backstabbers who ditched party loyalty to join what he called the 'mandate theft regime.' 'These members secured their seats on PTI's platform, swore loyalty on the holy Quran, and now have shamelessly turned their backs,' Qaiser said, vowing that the party would file formal references for their disqualification with NA Speaker. He said the party had finalised action against the MNAs for breaking party discipline during the vote on the 26th Constitutional Amendment, adding the reference will be submitted to NA Speaker in the next few days. But insiders close to PTI admit there is little chance these actions will lead to any real consequences, given the prevailing political climate. Meanwhile, Asad Qaiser met with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in a diplomatic display underscoring Pakistan's continued reliance on its brotherly ally. He praised Saudi Arabia's rapid development under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and thanked the kingdom for its unwavering support during Pakistan's toughest moments. The ambassador, in turn, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to boosting economic ties and lauded the Pakistani diaspora – especially from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal regions – for their vital role in Saudi Arabia's growth. 'We consider Pakistan our second home,' Al-Malki said, stressing that stability and prosperity in Pakistan remain a key Saudi interest. A parliamentary delegation from the Saudi Shura Council is expected in Pakistan next month, signalling deepening ties despite Pakistan's ongoing political upheavals. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Potential defections: PTI to hold urgent moot of parliamentary party today
ISLAMABAD: The embattled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday called an urgent meeting of its parliamentary party on Wednesday (today), as concerns mount over potential defections following a Supreme Court verdict that stripped the party of nearly 80 reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies. Sources within the party told Business Recorder that PTI plans to re-administer loyalty oaths on the holy Quran to its lawmakers, particularly PTI-backed independents, amid mounting concerns over shifting allegiances in a rapidly changing political landscape. The move comes in response to the top court ruling last week that overturned a previous judgment granting PTI access to reserved seats, a decision that has significantly reshaped parliamentary power dynamics in favour of the ruling coalition. Party officials confirmed that all PTI-affiliated members of the National Assembly and provincial legislatures have been directed to attend the meeting in capital, which is expected to focus on the political fallout of the apex court's verdict and assess the shifting alliances in key provinces, notably Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In KP, where PTI-backed independents hold substantial influence, the leadership remains on high alert over possible overtures by rival parties. Thirty-five such independents are expected to reaffirm their allegiance through renewed oath-taking ceremonies. A similar exercise was conducted after the February 8, 2024 general elections, but new concerns over defections have prompted the party to revisit the measure. The Supreme Court ruling, issued last week, reversed a July 2024 decision that had reinstated PTI's parliamentary party status and its claim to reserved seats. The recent judgment bolsters the ruling coalition, led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), bringing it closer to a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly – a development with significant implications for constitutional amendments and legislative control. The urgency of PTI's decision to seek fresh oaths on the holy Quran from its lawmakers was underscored by a high-profile defection on Monday, when Chaudhry Usman Ali, a PTI-backed independent from NA-142 (Sahiwal-II), announced his decision to join the PML-N following a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Ali, who won the February elections with 107,494 votes against PML-N veteran Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf's 96,174, had campaigned openly as a PTI loyalist after the party was barred from contesting under its official symbol. He had repeatedly pledged loyalty to jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan and vocally opposed the ruling coalition. His defection, which includes support for the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment – a measure staunchly opposed by PTI – has drawn widespread condemnation and accusations of opportunism. Ali had previously sworn on the holy Quran not to abandon Khan or his cause, making his departure especially stinging for supporters. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
