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‘Not true’: Miftah Ismail dispels reports of joining PPP

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  • I have for now stepped back from politics, says Miftah. 
  • A local publication had claimed that Miftah would be joining PPP. 
  • The former finance minister had left the PML-N last year. 

Former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Miftah Ismail on Monday dismissed media reports claiming that he was joining the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Miftah said that there was a “newspaper report in Tribune today” and a TV report aired a day earlier claiming he was joining the PPP.

“The news is not true. I have for now stepped back from politics and am not joining any political party,” said the former finance minister.

Earlier today, The Express Tribune citing sources had reported that Miftah would join the PPP ranks and his talks with the Bilawal Bhutto-led party were in the final stages.

“Miftah Ismail will soon officially announce joining PPP,” sources had told the publication.

In June of this year, Miftah announced that he was stepping down as PML-N’s Sindh general secretary and all other party positions.

Miftah had announced the decision after months of bitterness over his removal and the subsequent appointment of Ishaq Dar as the finance minister in September 2022.

The former finance czar announced his resignation from the party office in a letter to Ahsan Iqbal, PML-N secretary general.

Since he relinquished the finance ministry portfolio, Ismail was criticising the current political system, with much of it aimed at his successor as he failed to steer the country out of the economic crises.

But while Miftah castigated Dar openly, the PML-N was not happy with his attitude as Shehbaz Sharif, the party president and the prime minister, said there’s no space for people criticising the finance minister.

In his resignation letter, Miftah said given the upcoming reorganisation of the party structure, “I think it’s time for me to make official what is already true and move on”.

“I, therefore, tender my resignation as General Secretary of PMLN Sindh and also resign from all party committees,” Miftah, who has served as the finance minister twice, said.

Ismail mentioned that he was thankful to the party leadership for entrusting him with responsibilities not only in the party but also in the government.

Since his departure from government, Miftah along with former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former PPP leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar kicked off a nationwide debate called “Reimagining Pakistan”. 

The seminars addressed a wide range of issues and expressed regret over the failure to adequately address the issues. The trio held several seminars in different cities. 

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PTI suggests resuming talks with government over judicial commission issue.

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Barrister Gohar, Chairman of the PTI, has claimed that the party’s founder has suspended negotiations, emphasizing that the government should declare the commission within seven days.

He emphasized the PTI’s openness to rethink if the government makes headway and establishes the commission.

Barrister Gohar told the reporters, “Seven days were enough to announce the commission.” We are ready to reconsider, but the government must first announce the commission.”

He stated that the PTI approached the negotiations with an open mind. “The PTI founder has halted the negotiations. “The government had eight laws on their agenda, while we only had two demands,” he stated.

The PTI chairman went on to say that even after seven days, no progress had been made in forming the commission. He encouraged the government to reconsider the decision and proceed with the announcement.

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PTI will declare February 8 to be “Black Day,” sparking protests across the country.

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According to reports, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intends to hold rallies nationwide on Wednesday in support of its decision to declare February 8, the one-year anniversary of the general elections, a black day.

According to media sources, PTI founder Imran Khan has instructed all party lawmakers—including MPAs and MNAs—to plan and take part in demonstrations in their local communities on February 8 in order to draw attention to their complaints and issues.

In a recent meeting with legal advisors on Wednesday, Imran Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the party’s Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram. The meeting emphasized the importance of party discipline and gave stern directives to abstain from any criticism of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the JUI-F.

It has also been suggested that the PTI engage opposition leaders in the demonstrations in order to win their support.

Party insiders revealed that the founder has urged leaders to ensure effective coordination and mobilised efforts in preparation for February 8.

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In 13 cases involving the D-Chowk demonstration, Bushra Bibi granted temporary release until February 7.

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Bushra Bibi, the wife of the PTI chairman, was granted temporary release by the Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in 13 counts pertaining to the November 26 D-Chowk protest. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra ordered the police to produce all pertinent documentation by February 7 and granted bail against surety bonds of Rs. 5,000 apiece.

Additionally, Bushra Bibi was given temporary release until February 7 in the Rangers’ accident case. During the hearing, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra expressed disappointment over the behavior of the defense counsel on two occasions. Addressing the lawyers, he remarked, “You demand VIP protocol everywhere, but this is not possible. Prepare your files properly before coming to court.”

Three cases at the Secretariat Police Station, two each at the Margalla, Karachi Company, and Ramna Police Stations, and one each at the Tarnol, Kohsar, Aabpara, and Khanna Police Stations are among the numerous charges against Bushra Bibi.

In addition, the judge chastised the defense team for requesting that Bushra Bibi sign and thumbprint blank documents. He said, “The accused must sign and thumbprint the court orders, not blank sheets.”

Bushra Bibi also went to the Islamabad High Court to have her biometrics verified in relation to her appeal to be exonerated in the Toshakhana-II case. On Monday, Bushra Bibi and the PTI chairman submitted their acquittal petitions. After finishing the biometric procedure, she departed right away.

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