Reforms
The leader of the Islami Jamhuri Ittehad, Allama Zubair Ahmad Zaheer, was quoted by Daily Express (22 January 2018) as saying that nobody can be permitted to promote indeceny (be-hayai) in the society by making changes in the educational curriculum.
A safer city?
Daily Express (22 January 2018) reported that Lahore police had taken effective action against the menace of kite-flying by arresting 25 kite-fliers. The police recovered some 60 kites, in addition to kite-string in the course of this action.
More on Sheikh Rasheed’s resignation
The leader of the Awami Muslim League, Sheikh Rasheed, was quoted by Daily Express (22 January 2018) as saying that it was a wrong impression that he or Imran Khan had run away to Dubai. He promised that his resignation would come within eight to ten days, and that it would coincide with the end of the Sharif family’s political involvement.
Accountability
According to Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (22 January 2018), former Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani took the view that NAB authorities cannot ask sardars (chiefs) for details of their assets. He asserted that sardars are not asked such questions, and that if NAB wished to investigate them, there would first have to be amendments to the NAB Ordinance.
Love-notes
It was reported by Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (22 January 2018) that the Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif had stated that he had been summoned by NAB, and that he would put the relevant facts before the media. He asserted that he would go home if any corruption allegations against him were actually proved. According to him, the notices sent to him by NAB were an expression of love for him (mujh se muhabbat ka izhaar kar rahay hein).
Cursing chairs
The PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah, according to Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (22 January 2018), stated that those who had been cursing each other were seen together at Tahir-ul-Qadri’s rally and that the empty seats on Mall Road were cursing them too (inn per laanat bhejti raheen).
Settling issues
Daily Dunya (24 January 2018) reported that a clash, involving exchanges of abuse and physical attacks, occurred in Qamar Zaman Kaira’s presence between PPP leaders. This took place during preparations for the party’s rally in Lahore. One of the participants in the fight, Asif Nagra, took the view that he had taught the other, Hafiz Ashraf, a lesson for misbehaviour (mazza chakhaa diya).
Personal vs political
Sheikh Rasheed, according to Daily Dunya (24 January 2018), stated that the issue of his resignation from the parliament was a personal matter (zaati masla), and that he was mentally prepared at any time to resign, but that it made no difference either way.
Raging Rajputs?
It was reported by Daily Dunya (25 January 2018) that members of the Karni Sena marched against the release of the film Padmaavat in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. After this, the participants of the demonstration ran amok, burning property and cars.
For now…?
Daily Dunya (25 January 2018) reported that Saudi Arabia had concluded its anti-corruption drive and some 90 individuals had been released. According to the report, a majority of those who came under investigation were content to reach financial settlements to avoid further proceedings.
Taking a potshot?
PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was quoted by Daily Jang (26 January 2018) as saying that he wanted to marry only once and that he would do so after putting adequate thought into it. He further added that he did not want, unlike some politicians, to keep marrying again and again.