Ahsan Iqbal’s Theory
According to Daily Jang (16 September 2019), the PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal recommended that if PM Imran Khan were to follow his “cousin” Tahir-ul-Qadri and retire from politics, it would be the biggest gift for the Pakistani economy. He further claimed that the day when the PM left politics, the stock market would rise by 1,000 points.
Mistake?
It was reported by Daily Jang (16 September 2019) that in Khanewal, a labourer was tied to a motorcycle for six hours and made to drink sewage water by influential local people because he had gone to congratulate them on the birth of a daughter. The labourer was quoted as saying that he had been misinformed (ghalat-fehmi per mubarakbad denay chala gya tha).
Divergence
Former spokesperson for the CM of Punjab Shahbaz Gill, according to Daily Jang (17 September 2019), denied having differences with CM Buzdar. Meanwhile, in Manchester, Special Assistant to the PM Naeem ul Haque stated that Gill had been removed on the request of CM Buzdar, because the latter had some reservations.
Out
Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar, according to Daily Jang (18 September 2019), claimed that PM Imran Khan had clean-bowled India’s PM Narendra Modi on the issue of Kashmir (Imran Khan ne Kashmir issue per Narendra Modi ko clean-bowled kar diya).
Preventive measures
After the announcement of media tribunals on behalf of the federal cabinet, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan was quoted by Daily Jang (18 September 2019) as saying that in order to prevent misuse of the media (media ke ghalat istemal ko roknay ke liay), the relevant laws would be reformed along international lines. This, according to Awan, was necessary so that self-serving elements (mufad parast anasir) could not use the media as a tool.
On trash and governance
Daily Jang (19 September 2019) reported that Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry opined that the people of Sindh would have to decide whether they wanted to live with trash or change it. He further stated that where there is a trash government, there would be trash there (jahan kacchra hakoomat hogi wahan kacchra hoga).
Considered opinions
Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed, according to Daily Dunya (22 September 2019), expressed his view that Nawaz Sharif was miserly (kanjoos) and obstinate (ziddi) – and that he worsened matters due to his obstinacy. Shehbaz Sharif, on the other hand, was someone who sought compromise and was even now working towards a deal. As for Asif Ali Zardari, the Railways Minister claimed that he was a generous person who distributed as he himself ate (khullay dil ke aadmi hein, baant ke khatay hein). Sheikh Rasheed further claimed that Zardari’s team had already started returning money, but that he did not wish to ruin matters by taking names.
Nabbed on camera
Daily Dunya (21 September 2019) reported that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had decided to film the process of suspects being arrested, so as to record how the dignity of these political figures was maintained throughout.
No way
Hafiz Hussain Ahmed of the JUI-F was quoted by Daily Express (21 September 2019) as saying that PM Imran Khan was begging the national and international establishments for an NRO, but that he would not get it under any circumstances. He added that this time, rather than the umpire raising a finger, the Kakar Formula could be applied.
Wishes
Daily Dunya (22 September 2019) quoted Shahid Afridi as saying that he really felt like entering politics and there were many proposals for that (siyasat mein aanay ko dil bohat chahta hai aur kafi peshkash bhee aati hein).