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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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The PPP requests the image of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on currency notes.

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The resolution was passed during a seminar named ‘Bhutto Reference and History’, which focused on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The resolution praised the Supreme Court’s admission that the PPP founder’s trial, which resulted in his execution, was unfair and urged that the federal government confer on him the title of “Quaid-e-Awam” (Leader of the People) and the highest civilian honor, Nishan-e-Pakistan.

Aside from demanding that Bhutto’s image be used on currency notes, the resolution also asked for the construction of a fitting monument in his honor and the designation of his mausoleum as a national shrine.

Furthermore, it demands for the reversal of Bhutto’s unjust death sentence and the creation of a “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Award” for democracy activists who have given their lives for the cause.

In March, the National Assembly passed a resolution characterizing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s trial as judicial murder.

The Supreme Court released its reserved opinion on the presidential reference against the ‘controversial’ death sentence imposed on PPP founder, stating that the former prime minister was denied a “fair trial”.

A nine-judge court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa revealed its decision on the long-pending presidential reference to determine if it can reconsider its verdict, which the PPP and jurists perceive as a historic error.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was sentenced to death under former military dictator General (retired) Ziaul Haq’s administration.

The first elected prime minister of the country was charged with the murder of a political competitor, Nawab Mohammed Ahmed Qasuri, and a trial was held.

Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979, despite requests and appeals for leniency and pity from various heads of state.

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The ‘clinics on wheels’ initiative is introduced by CM Maryam.

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Punjab is heading toward progress and prosperity, according to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Speaking at the ‘clinics on wheels’ project celebration, the chief minister emphasized how this project will improve public health and change the health system.

She emphasized that all of the essential medical facilities were included in the Clinics on Wheels scheme. There would be multiple locations for the 200 mobile clinics. Gynecology services, screenings, immunizations, and medical testing will all be offered at the clinics.

There will be ultrasound equipment available at 50 of the 200 mobile clinic locations. Up to 4 million people will be helped by this endeavor, especially in places without hospital services.

First choice for local physicians to volunteer for this project will be granted to those from 36 districts. Consideration is also being given to the lack of paramedical and nursing personnel.

The project, which was started by Nawaz Sharif and put on hold by the previous administration, is being restarted, according to the chief minister. According to her, her government’s goal is to deliver healthcare right to people’s doors.

Additionally, she revealed that eight districts in Punjab would have the construction of modern cardiology hospitals.

With Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Imran Nazir, and Health Secretary Ali Khan in attendance, CM Maryam officially launched the clinics on wheels project.

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Governor-rule attempt that is intolerable: Gandapur

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Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of KP denounced the incident on May 9 and promised that those in charge will face national scrutiny.

While eight FIRs have been filed against him in eight different districts, Gandapur stressed that none of the accusations have been validated.

Proving he was going nowhere without a fight, Gandapur issued a warning against tampering with democracy.

Any attempt to obstruct progress will be greeted with strong resistance, he warned, so avoid using disruptive tactics.

Gandapur declared, “We will seize the governor’s mansion and I will not keep quiet about the chief minister’s seat if governor law is imposed.”

With the media there to ensure transparency, the Chief Minister boldly challenged his predecessor, Pervez Khattak, to participate in a public discussion in the Kaaba.

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