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Only 1 out of 9 PMs from 1999-2022 was able to get re-elected for next NA

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LAHORE: Pakistani politics is known for the turmoil it goes through and interestingly only one out of nine prime ministers from 1999-2022 has been able to return to the National Assembly after fresh elections, reported The News on Thursday.

Every outgoing prime minister except one out of the total 9 has not been able to return to the lower house of Parliament either because they lost the election, were disqualified or some other reason.

Between 1999 to 2022, the former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif (twice), Zafar Ullah Jamali, Shujaat Hussein, Shaukat Aziz, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf could not qualify for the very next National Assembly. Now Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has also joined the list as his papers have been rejected due to his disqualification.

Among all these former prime ministers, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is the only one who took oath as PM and was able to return to the very next National Assembly. However, his return was likely due to the NA seat he was able to win in the by-poll in Lahore after suffering defeats from Murree and Islamabad in the 2018 elections.

Abbasi had almost missed the next NA after suffering defeats in the 2018 general elections but he was fortunate to have won the NA-124 by-polls from Lahore due to which he returned to the NA.

Had he not won the by-polls then nine out of nine former PMs between 1999 to 2022 would have missed the next NA that came into being after the one which made them prime minister.

It remains to be seen whether the number would reach one out of 10 or not as former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was elected PM last, is contesting polls for two National Assembly seats.

On October 12, 1999, then PM Nawaz Sharif was removed after a coup by then army chief Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

By 2000, Nawaz had left Pakistan and he was not part of the National Assembly that came into power following the October 2002 polls.

Between 2002 to 2007, Shaukat Aziz, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Zafar Ullah Jamali served as PM. However, all of them failed to return to the National Assembly that was elected after the 2008 polls.

Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani of PPP served as the PM between 2008 to 2012 and after the Supreme Court’s ruling disqualified him he could not contest the next polls and was out of the next NA.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who replaced Gilani as the new PM, lost the 2013 general elections and like his predecessor could not become the part of the next NA that was elected for 2013-2018.

Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N supermo who became PM in 2013 had to face disqualification through court in 2017 and after being convicted by the court, he was unable to contest the next general election and could not become part of the National Assembly that continued between 2018 to 2013.

Quite contrary to this, between 1988 to 1999, the tradition was different. Benazir Bhutto became Prime Minister in 1988.

In the next National Assembly that came in 1990, Nawaz became PM but Benazir Bhutto was part of that NA and she also served as Opposition leader. Benazir Bhutto became Prime Minister in 1993 while Nawaz Sharif was part of that NA and also served as the Opposition leader. Even in the 1997 Assembly while PPP had only 17 seats, Benazir Bhutto remained part of that NA from where Nawaz took oath once again.

In Pakistan, for last 25 years that every politician except one who has taken oath as Prime Minister of the country has missed the next National Assembly.

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Reaction to the PTI protest call by Fazlur Rehman

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Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on a private television station, said that the PTI is always coming to the streets, which really lessens the impact of a protest.

He also suggested to the PTI leadership that rather than carrying on with the agitation, it should finally put a hard hand down, which would be the final nail in the coffin.

He continued, citing the JUI protests as an example, saying, “We had a strong grip over our protesters and workers, so neither road was closed nor any property damage occurred during protests.”

The PTI has the right to protest, but Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the party’s agitation strategy as insufficient, stating that it is currently being “exposed which maynot be a good sign’.

Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, promised not to go back home unless the PTI founder was freed. During their demonstration, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, encouraged the party officials to come up with strategies to avoid being arrested.

According to an alleged audio recording, she stated that November 24 will be a loyalty test for PTI members.

Additionally, the government of Islamabad has enforced section 144 for a period of two months, which prohibits processions, rallies, demonstrations, and meetings of five or more individuals in the city.

As per the notification, the prohibition forbade meetings in any public space inside the boundaries of Islamabad, including the Red Zone, which encompasses important government buildings, diplomatic missions, and other sensitive sites.

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PTI representatives conjecture in the media over Imran’s approval of bail: FIA investigator

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The hearing on the PTI founder’s bail application in the Toshakhana-2 case has resumed at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), with Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb serving as the presider.

The hearing was attended by the defense attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, and FIA prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi.

Judge Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb told the FIA prosecutor to “leave the media alone and exempt yourself from them” in order to avoid commenting on the media. The statement followed the prosecutor’s assertion that the bail would be granted, which had previously been reported by media sources.

In addition, the court questioned whether the receipts in question were issued in the name of Bushra Bibi or the PTI founder itself. Bushra Bibi’s name was on the receipts listed in the challan, according to Barrister Salman Safdar.

Defense arguments
The defense expressed displeasure about the case’s 3.5-year registration wait. The prosecution has swore in Sohaib Abbasi and made Inamullah Shah a crucial witness without requiring them to take an oath.

Barrister Salman Safdar highlighted that multiple agencies, including NAB, FIA, Police, and the Election Commission, have initiated actions related to the Toshakhana case, suggesting procedural redundancy.

Regarding a phony Toshakhana receipt, he contended, the Kohsar Police Station has also filed a case.

Position of the prosecution
The FIA prosecutor, Umair Majeed Malik, maintained that the valuation of the jewelry set mentioned in the case would be explained in the prosecution’s evidence.Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked, “If the media does not spread sensationalism, how will they conduct their business?” He dismissed rumors about his health, stating that he was present and hearing the case despite such reports.

Status of Co-Accused
The court was informed that Bushra Bibi, a co-accused in the case, is currently on interim bail and awaiting a decision by Judge Afzal Majuka. Barrister Salman Safdar expressed hope that Judge Majuka would soon announce his verdict.

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Naqvi visits Fazl to express gratitude for contributions to the 26th amendment.

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Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi convened with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to deliberate on issues of shared concern and the current political landscape in the nation.

In today’s meeting in Islamabad, Mr. Naqvi asked about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s health and sent his best wishes for the JUI chief’s well-being and future pursuits.

Naqvi extended his appreciation to Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his crucial contribution to the enactment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he characterised as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s legislative history.

Following the meeting, Naqvi commended Mr. Fazlur Rehman’s commitment to the nation, asserting, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman has consistently prioritised Pakistan’s interests, and his contributions to the country are indispensable.”

The experienced politician reaffirmed his dedication to Pakistan and its populace, stating, “Our priority has consistently been Pakistan and the well-being of its citizens.”

Senator Kamran Murtaza attended the meeting.

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