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Nawaz Sharif returns as PML-N President (Second Lead)
Islamabad, Oct 3 (IANS) Ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made a comeback on Tuesday as head of Pakistan’s ruling PML-N through a controversial legal reform, more than two months after he was disqualified from holding office by the country’s apex court on charges of corruption in the Panama Papers case.
He was elected unopposed a day after the National Assembly dropped a clause from the “Election Act 2017” which prohibited disqualified Members of Parliament from becoming leaders of political parties.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz used its majority in Parliament to pass the reform amid protests from opposition members who tore copies of the bill and said they will challenge the reform in court, Dawn online reported.
Sharif’s party later amended its constitution to implement the new law immediately.
The country’s Supreme Court had disqualified Sharif on July 28 for not declaring income from an overseas company owned by his son.
“I have been removed from power repeatedly but you keep bringing me back,” Sharif told his cheering supporters at the Convention Centre in Islamabad after being re-elected as PML-N chief.
“I love you too,” the three-time Prime Minister said in response to raucous chants of “I love you” by his supporters.
Sharif also accused the Supreme Court of subverting the will of the Pakistani people. “If there was nothing in the Panama (Papers) then people should have been told this… that Nawaz Sharif did not misuse any public funds.”
“Despite being elected by the people thrice, I was disqualified. Not because of any corruption or malpractice but for not taking a salary from my son,” said the ousted premier.
“I believe the only way to consolidate democracy is to respect the mandate given by the people,” he said. “The use of the law to change the mandate of people must end.”
Sharif promised his supporters that his party will fare even better in the 2018 elections, adding that the people will give their decision regarding (his) “eligibility” then.
Earlier in the morning, PML-N leader Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry submitted Sharif’s papers for party President in the Election Commission while none other candidate from the party contested the election.
The formal announcement was made at the party’s General Council meeting here by the PML-N’s chief election commissioner Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal.
The meeting was attended by all senior PML-N leaders including Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
Addressing the crowd, Abbasi termed the occasion as a “historic day”. The Premier said he was proud to be among the few people who witnessed the moment Sharif took his place as party Chairman for the first time.
Abbasi presented an “open challenge to all the dictators and PPP” to compare the development work carried out by them with that of the PML-N.
Sharif, his children — Hassan, Hussain, Maryam — and son-in-law Captain Safdar are facing investigations related to ownership of properties in London and the firms Azizia Steel as well as another 16 offshore companies.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.