Fighting words
Ahsan Iqbal of the PML‐N was quoted by Daily Dunya (07 October 2019) as saying that even the world’s weakest ruler did not say that it was impossible for them to fight a war (kamzor se kamzor hukm‐raan bhee ye nahin kehta jang nahin larr sakte). He further added that if the government today had been led by Nawaz Sharif, then Indian PM Narendra Modi would not have dared to look in the direction of Kashmir.
Transition
It was reported by Daily Dunya (07 October 2019) that even after the expenditure of Rs. 400 million (40 crore) by the government, some 25 ministries could not complete their move to the planned E‐governance system. While the E‐governance system was partially implemented, none of these ministries had succeeded in ending their reliance on physical filing systems.
Parliamentary water supplies
Daily Jang (07 October 2019) reported that drinking water supplies to the Parliament House and Parliament Lodges were found to be harmful for health. The report stated that five out of eight samples from the Parliament House and three out of four samples obtained from the Lodges were found to be unsafe for human consumption.
Where’s Tipu?
Siraj‐ul‐Haq of the Jamaat‐e‐Islami was quoted by Daily Jang (07 October 2019) as saying that the people were ready to confront India but the ones who had described themselves as Tipu Sultan were not coming out.
Keeping dharna traditions alive
According to Daily Jang (08 October 2019), the JUI‐F had decided, like other political parties, to turn towards music (mauseeqi) so as to keep supporters entertained and in high spirits during the protests planned for the near future. The party has also decided to turn to the use of social media, particularly Twitter, to get its message out. The report told readers that the JUI‐F had chosen similar means of entertaining and inspiring its supporters as parties that it opposed, despite itself being a Parliamentary water supplies religious party.
Suicidal route?
Federal Information Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah was quoted by Daily Express (10 October 2019) as expressing his opinion that Maulana Fazal‐ur‐Rehman would not go to Islamabad, since that would be suicidal (inka Islamabad aana khudkushi hogi).
It’s out now
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan, according to Daily Express (13 October 2019), opined that Nawaz Sharif’s statements had meant that the cat had come out of the bag for Maulana Fazal‐ur‐Rehman’s planned march to Islamabad (Nawaz Sharif ki guftagu se Maulana Fazal‐ur‐Rehman ke march ki billi thailay se bahir aa gaii hai). She further predicted that letters written from jail would meet the same end as those written by the Qatari prince.
No such thing
Naeemul Haque of the PTI noted that PM Imran Khan’s government are aware of the problems of journalists and press employees, and are trying their best to solve them, according to Daily Jang (10 October 2019). He further stated that he was not aware of any media tribunal, nor was any proposal to establish media tribunals being considered at the highest level.
Hospitality advice
According to Daily Express (11 October 2019), the PPP’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that PM Imran Khan had promised to provide a container and food to those wishing to hold a dharna protest, and so he ought to begin the cooking now. He further advised that the PM ought to start having biryani prepared, since Maulana Fazal‐ur‐Rehman was coming to Islamabad.
A march after his own heart
Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar, according to Daily Dunya (13 October 2019), suggested that if there had to be a march, then it should be one for the elimination of poverty in the country, for ending ignorance, for doing away with unemployment and for the improvement of healthcare and educational facilities. He further stated that he himself would join such a march.