Bilawal, Maryam vying for PM’s post: Qureshi

PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan rearrested following his release on bail

LAHORE:

PTI leader and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday maintained that PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz and PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were in a race to secure the premier’s slot while leaving the “poor people on their fate”.

He was talking to media at an anti-terrorism court where his pre-arrest bail was extended till July 7 in three different cases pertaining to May 9 violence.

Four bigwigs of the PML-N and PPP have converged in Dubai to contemplate over a political strategy, triggering a debate of an imminent shake-up in the coming days back in the country.

The simultaneous presence of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif; his daughter Maryam, PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, and his son Bilawal in the city suggests that a political storm is surely on the horizon.

Qureshi said the presence of the top leadership of the PML-N and the PPP in Dubai meant that both the parties were in the race for the premiership.

Read ATC denies bails to 197 accused in May 9 vandalism

“Both Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maryam Nawaz are the candidates for the position,” he said, adding that “there is a lot of discussion about their meeting in Dubai these days.”

Every individual is talking about the destruction of the economy and wants to know who if anyone is concerned about improving the financial conditions but the politicians are holding meetings in Dubai on how to grab the premier’s slot rather than taking constructive measures to pull the state out from the current crises, Qureshi said.

He regretted that no one from the incumbent government responded to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement on Pakistan during his visit to the United States.

“The Indian prime minister says Pakistan is dying its own death. But the Pakistani prime minister is silent,” Qureshi regretted.

Referring to ISPR Director General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry's press conference, Qureshi said the matter of military trials was before the courts, noting that it would be premature to speak on it. “He [DG ISPR] did not name anyone. You know that I don’t comment on assumptions.”

Read more Qureshi demands Dar’s resignation

Meanwhile, PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan has been rearrested following his release on bail on Tuesday, Express News reported.

According to Express News, Khan was rearrested after his release on bail obtained from an anti-corruption court.
Earlier in the day, the court granted post-arrest interim bail to the incarcerated PTI leader in a case pertaining to alleged fraudulent hiring within the fisheries department, causing a loss of Rs2.3 million to the national exchequer.

The ATC granted the PTI leader interim bail against a surety bond worth Rs80,000. At the time, Khan was on judicial remand in Mardan Central Prison.

Following his release, the Anti-Corruption Establishment officials detained him in connection with a new case registered at the Mardan Anti-Corruption department just a day ago involving alleged embezzlement of funds in various contracts.