Reasonable
In response to Shehbaz Sharif’s criticism of the government’s handling of the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir, according to Daily Jang (07 August 2019), PM Imran Khan asked as to what it was that the opposition leader recommended – and whether the correct response was to go to war with India.
Maulana on Kashmir
Daily Jang (07 August) quoted Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman as saying that PM Imran Khan had “sold” Kashmir before Trump and even returned from the US empty-handed.
Mission accomplished?
Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar, according to Daily Jang (08 August 2019), claimed that PM Imran Khan’s address to the joint session of Parliament had removed the veil from Indian deception (makari) for the entire world to see.
Nothing to worry about
The Governor of Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar was quoted by Daily Jang (09 August 2019) as saying that the decision on who to arrest, and when and where to do so, was something that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) decided – not the government. So as to fight corruption, the Governor stated, the government was working to strengthen all institutions including NAB, but there was no question of any political victimization.
Elections soon, quoth he
It was reported by Daily Jang (09 August 2019) that Indian PM Narendra Modi assured that there would be elections very soon in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian PM further stated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would be able to choose their elected representatives just as they have in the past.
Sheikh Rasheed’s assurance
According to Daily Dunya (11 August 2019), Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed stated that if Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were to be sent to jail, he himself would start a movement (Bilawal Bhutto jail gae tou tehreek chalaoon ga).
Mughal-e-Azam Reloaded
Shehbaz Sharif was quoted by Daily Jang (07 August 2019) as saying that while Indian PM Narendra Modi had pushed the opposition up against the wall, Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan had actually pushed the opposition into the wall itself. Sharif further stated that just like Anarkali, he would respond to this (hum bhee Anarkali ki tarah jawab dein ge). The report further stated that his remarks made the PM smile slightly and he was telling his prayer-beads.
Revolutionary Road
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan, according to Daily Dunya (11 August 2019), declared Indian PM Narendra Modi to be a modern-day Adolf Hitler. She further stated that ending the imperialist system in the country (mulk mein samraji nizam) is the victory of PM Imran Khan and that the narrative of the imperialist system would also be defeated.
Locked and loaded
It was reported by Daily Dunya (11 August 2019) that Federal Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced his willingness to go and fight at the Line of Control in case it was necessary.
Ball-park figure?
The PPP’s Khurshid Shah, according to Daily Express (11 August 2019), dismissed claims of his assets adding up to some 500 billion rupees (500 arab) as being a laughable claim.