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Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday defended the nomination of Sardar Usman Buzdar as his party's candidate for the Punjab chief minister post.
The newly-elected prime minister took to Twitter saying that he has done his "due diligence over the past two weeks and have found him [Buzdar] to be an honest man".
Buzdar has "integrity and stands by my vision and ideology of Naya Pakistan," the premier tweeted.
Imran Khan issued the statement after news regarding Buzdar's alleged involvement in corruption and criminal activities surfaced on local media.
A section of the press reported that the PTI’s nominee for Punjab CM had allegedly paid blood money to resolve a murder case against him after a court found him and his companions guilty in January 2000.
"He [Buzdar] belongs to an area of Punjab that is the most backward, people there have no water or electricity or hospital," Imran had said.
"The special thing about Sardar Usman is that he is well acquainted with how people live in those areas and secondly, he is aware of how the poor lead their lives. When he will assume the office of the chief minister he will know the nature of the plight that faces the underprivileged people of Pakistan."
Later in the evening, PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhary also issued a video statement clarifying that the accusations levelled against Buzdar were baseless and ill-intended.
Buzdar's nomination papers accepted
Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervez Elahi on Saturday accepted the nomination papers of Buzdar after scrutiny for the post of Punjab CM.
He will be facing off against PML-N candidate Hamza Shahbaz for the post, whose nomination papers were also accepted by Elahi.
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On DawnNews
Aug 18, 2018 07:12pm
Sir Khan Shahib, two week investigation is not enough for his big post.
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Aug 18, 2018 07:14pm
Sorry PM sahb i bet u have to change your decision near future
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Aug 18, 2018 07:16pm
This selection is not on merit, Punjab needs an experienced CM...
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Aug 18, 2018 07:20pm
Poor selection. You needed someone well educated with integrity and energy. This is massive let down for me as a PTI supporter.
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Aug 18, 2018 07:20pm
Pushtoon CM for KP, Baloch CM for Balochistan, SIndhi CM for Sindh and a A Baloch tribal Sardar for CM Punjab?.
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Aug 18, 2018 07:21pm
They need a Sanjrani for Punjab. The real CM would be Tareen.
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Aug 18, 2018 07:27pm
A person who father n grand father were MPA and MNA in their time n he himself was couldnt get some vadic facilities in his home town speaks loud of his competency level. Have a good time Punjab. Enjoy tabdeeli
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Aug 18, 2018 07:28pm
I think this is purely political, I believe PTI knows exactly what it's doing, they know Buzdar is corrupt and will be ineffective. After 6 months of corruption and weak performance they will remove him and make an example of him, showing that they are absolutely against corruption.
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Aug 18, 2018 07:34pm
The best thing about politicians is that they make a blunder, and they defend it too. Bravo.
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Aug 18, 2018 08:02pm
Blood money! Meaning accepting to killing. This is what I call jungle law. Can the lawmakers rid this law!?
Khan calls him a simple man...a simple murder, simple blood money. No justification.
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Aug 18, 2018 08:02pm
He is the best choice by IK as a unifying force between the federating units and to alleviate the sense of deprivation of Southern Punjab.
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Aug 18, 2018 08:07pm
Wait untill he changes his statement.................as usual
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Aug 18, 2018 08:12pm
Single mistake sank Titanic!
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Aug 18, 2018 08:26pm
Why couldn’t IK get someone who has no controversies?
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Aug 18, 2018 08:27pm
Blunder after blunder. Is Imran ready to lead the country? One wonders after this decision, perhaps the worst choice he could have made.
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Aug 18, 2018 08:32pm
Sardar Usman does not sound like the name of a commoner. And getting someone from a backward area does not mean you pick a hustler, murderer, or racketeer.
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Aug 18, 2018 08:35pm
No one would’ve imagined this 2 years back
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Aug 18, 2018 08:46pm
Sardar Usman Buzdar is NOT 'sadiq and amin'. Your are nominated dishonest person just like your ownself.
Sardar Usman Buzdar paid blood money to resolve a murder case against him after a court found him and his companions guilty in January 2000.
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Aug 18, 2018 08:47pm
Any one who has been a member of whosoever was in power, knows the tricks of the trade and is likely to remain faithful until the next elections.
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Aug 18, 2018 08:50pm
A very sketchy and unconvincing explanation. He didn't have necessarily to be the Chief Minister to take care of the backwardness of his area which he could effectively do as MPA. His humble background might be a virtue but that is probably not enough to qualify him to be the chief executive of the largest province of the country, encompassing host of other important issues for which he lacks the requisite experience and expertise to tackle. He could be a staunch supporter of Khan's vision but to do justice to the assigned responsibilities he needs be a visionary himself.
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Aug 18, 2018 09:06pm
Really bad choice - why select a person who comes with so much unwanted baggage? And it’s not as though he is highly qualified for the role in other respects.
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Aug 18, 2018 09:07pm
If he is sardar of most Backwards area then he should be punished sevearly instead of awarding CM slot really stupid and shame decision
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Aug 18, 2018 09:08pm
11th century lifestyle will stimulate 21st century
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Aug 18, 2018 09:28pm
The Sardar Sb is already nominated in a murder case, the village already has electricity and he is a song of a wealthy landlord. I do not know why we lie!
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Aug 18, 2018 09:31pm
Is this a revelation when we know that Buzdar is one of the richest landlord in Punjab???
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Aug 18, 2018 09:40pm
Please mention the conviction and allegation against Sardar Usman Burdar.
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Aug 18, 2018 09:41pm
Politically a good choice and a very good and rewarding move by the PM Imran Khan. A heavyweight CM in the vital Punjab Province would have created a state of too many cooks spoils the food. Now their are two distinct spheres to operate one operational / administrative under the CM,while political sphere to be handled by the duo Pervez Elahi and Ghulam Sarwar. A CM from the south Punjab also takes out the wind from the issue of separate province of South Punjab atleast for the time being as an MPA from a less developed area of the South has been made the CM of the entire Province.The hue and cry of the opponents is understandable.
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Aug 18, 2018 09:43pm
So the mud slinging begins...
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Aug 18, 2018 09:47pm
Remember those from underprivileged society are tempted by money. It's a thin fine line. Select on competence, administration acumen and learned.
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Aug 18, 2018 09:47pm
Senior Buzdar was Punjab MPA for three terms. What did he do for the area and the electorate. will Buzdar junior bring any change? I don't think so. It will be Mr. Tareen pulling the strings and Buzdar speaking spitting his words.
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Aug 18, 2018 09:55pm
Does not look like he is from an ordinary background. His sun glasses worth $500.
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Aug 18, 2018 09:56pm
Even both Shabaz Sharif and his son Hamza Sharif are accused of corrupt practices and facing NAB's hearings. The PTI's nominee for CM Punjab has been involved in a minor case that happened during 1998 and he was cleared - it's appears this is another dirty trick of PMLN to confuse public and MNA's, but their plan will not work and be rejected as others!
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Aug 18, 2018 09:58pm
If CM Punjab need to be poor to eradicate poverty in the province then slot of PM must go to the most poor MNA in the Parliament so that he could eliminate poverty from the country.
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Aug 18, 2018 09:59pm
Excellent Choice. At last we have someone who will try to make the rest of Punjab livable, not just Lahore.
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Aug 18, 2018 10:00pm
In 1998, a murder case was registered against Buzdar and his father for their involvement in a firing incident during an election campaign in which at-least six people were killed. An anti-terrorism court in Dera Ghazi Khan found Buzdar guilty and convicted him in January 2000.[3] Following which, Buzdar and his father paid Rs 750,000 as blood money to the victim's family to settle the matter (Wikipedia).
Imran Khan could have selected some one with much cleaner background for CM position of Punjab. He is also a professional turn coat politician.
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Aug 18, 2018 10:03pm
A clear cut lie. It was part of agreement for South Punjab lawmakers that CM would be from South Punjab. Now no matter what IK says people already know that IK haf compromised country to save himself. First KP was unfortunate and now Punjab will be having CM with no vision and no track record for even single performance. Its unfortunate that now Punjab had to suffer like KP un tgr hands of drastic performance.
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Aug 18, 2018 10:07pm
The implications are others are less than honest! Hmm
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Aug 18, 2018 10:07pm
Wowwww
The CM nominee doesn't have electricity at his house but he is a billionaire
And was involved along with his 3 times MPA elect father in murder of 6 people and paid 7.5 lacs as blood money. Is this the change public wanted?
To be governed by a murderer??
Disappointing decision
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Aug 18, 2018 10:15pm
Disappointed with iks choice of CM for Punjab and kpk.
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Aug 18, 2018 10:42pm
Wow a criminal record holder !!!
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Aug 18, 2018 11:05pm
Poor choice, does not show wisdom to appoint unknown person with little qualification. Punjab and Punjabis need to be careful in supporting politicians with little sympathy or knowledge of Punjab.
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Aug 18, 2018 11:48pm
Big question mark on selection
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Aug 18, 2018 11:57pm
If bbuzdar hails form a backward area, then he is responsible for it as his father returned to punjab assenlt at least thrice. Mr. Buzdar also served as tehsil nazim in the the same area. he shares the ersponsbility for the neglect of the area. he is rewarded for neglecting his own people for more than two decades.
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Aug 18, 2018 11:59pm
If AZ agreed to support Naya Pakistan will he also be let go.This guy was found guilty of.murder and should not be allowed to be CM ofPunjabs C M
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Aug 19, 2018 12:06am
He is a convicted murderer, so much for a Naya Pakistan you promised to the people of old Pskistan.
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Aug 19, 2018 12:07am
For us the muslims our Ideology is Islam one can follow the PTI or Naya Pakistan ideology as long as its principles and ideals are aligned to Islamic ideology!
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Aug 19, 2018 12:08am
Being from an under developed area is not a problem but please note we need an educated professional with vision and determination to bring real change as well as focus on progressing economy. With all due respect Mr Buzdar may not be suitable for the challenges being faced by this heavily populated province!
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Aug 19, 2018 12:25am
His past is more like a PMLN representative than PTI. He and his father are in politics for decades and has done nothing fit his people as still they are living without basic necessities. He remind me of feudal lords who intentionally keep their people Poor and illiterate so that they don,t challenge them.
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Aug 19, 2018 12:55am
One thing is clear.. PTI doesn’t need opposition. We PTI supporters are enough keep us on track.
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Aug 19, 2018 01:09am
Why is it so difficult for Imran to accept his mistake?
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Aug 19, 2018 01:26am
As of yesterday, I was supportive of Imran's choice although Buzdar's lack of experience in running a large organization was of concern. HOWEVER, today's news are very disturbing that he along with others, was found guilty of murder in 2000 and paid blood money. This should automatically bar any person from holding any public office. He is a convicted felon. Weather a murderer pays blood money as is Pakistan's custom or serves 25 years for his crime, as in other countries, it does not change the fact that he is a murderer or at least an accomplice in a murder. There should be no place for him even if he turned into an angel afterwards. It sets a horrible example, and I am very surprised that no suo moto notice was taken when the CJP is trigger happy to take action in trivial matters . Pakistan ousted an jailed an elected PM for not being able to account for his income , yet it seems a convicted accessory to murder is allowed to hold the highest office of a province.
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Aug 19, 2018 01:37am
Well done .
Congratulations on the appointment of advisors
Especially Mr. Ishrat Hussain .
He is very qualified , not corrupt and uncoruptable .
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Aug 19, 2018 01:39am
He will NEVER be accepted by central Punjab. PTI is already weak here and may loose this area forever.
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Aug 19, 2018 01:46am
This is exactly the type of person Naya Pakistan needs.
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Aug 19, 2018 01:50am
Saying that he belongs to a backward district having no facilities is not the justification i wanted to hear from newly elected PM. Dear PM nominating a murderer of 6 people who was acquitted after releasing a compromise with the family of those who were killed brutely and paying the blood money to them as they didn't have the strength and power to fight against these landlords is itself a disgrace to your vision that you are claiming to endeavoured for. At the last let me add one thing, the appointed CM himself doesn't belong to a backward family , he belongs to a feudal landlords having control and influence over the people in DG Khan and this is due to his that district is still backward. It was entirely his responsibility to provide better basic facilities there. Is this is the' naya Pakistan' you are envisioning for?
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Aug 19, 2018 02:01am
He is a Feudal and looks like a Street Sweeper not a CM of Punjab! If IK will pick such Feudals then he will lose all support from the young voters that voted IK to Victory!!
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Aug 19, 2018 02:03am
Dear IK i am your die hard supporter but a logical on as usually the typical ptians are, well its not just honesty that is required for the seat, you need a blended version, with a touch of everything, cm ship is a leader sort of role, a person needs to be not just honest but should have vision, exposure , and attitude towards improvisation , buzdar sb is honest person i agree, but kindly some times dont think too deep as i have my own experience when i concentrate too much i make things go wrong. well on top of it keep existing minister porfolio same as last times, as old one had expereince and now they can take thing move fwd from where they left dont bring new ones who will take months and years to undrstand what it is..and will waste time.
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Aug 19, 2018 02:05am
He is from a poor area but himself is a Sardar, his father and grandfather were sardars and they have been in politics for ages. I am pretty sure he himself does not face any of the problems his poor subjects face. Now, every party selects Sardars and Waderas but only PTI can claim it to be a great choice for poor backward and downtrodden people.
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Aug 19, 2018 02:38am
Oh dear - a messy start
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Aug 19, 2018 02:49am
Not bad selection he only killed 6 and paid money to settle the case,at least he is not corrupt yet.
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Aug 19, 2018 02:52am
He has to understand the problems of his district. How could he not know about them?
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Aug 19, 2018 02:55am
He joined PTI only 40 days before the election where as there are so many genuine and dedicated PTI law makers in Punjab. This guy was sentenced for murdering six innocent people and only got off the hook after paying blood money.
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Aug 19, 2018 04:07am
Ultimate hypocrisy by our Naya PM. All evidence seems to show that this Buzdar is a typical feudal of South Punjab, with all personal lands, wealth, privilege and negative feudal attitudes. He and his father have remained MPs from their area for decades and if it's still in pathetic condition, then they are largely to blame. Apparently, the truth is that this feudal takes PM Imran out for "shikar' (hunting) and also sends him gifts of 'shikar' to eat in Bani Gala. So, pleasing a buddy is the main aim. The more 'Naya' we get, the older and fossilized we really become.
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Aug 19, 2018 04:10am
How are the allegations 'baseless' if a court found him guilty in 2000? Also, how is Imran Khan elevating disadvantaged classes of society by nominating a sardar?.
If the court case can be verified, then he should be replaced as CM. If Imran Khan's only criterion is that someone should be from a poor neighborhood, then there are lots of people qualified to be CM of Punjab.
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Aug 19, 2018 06:25am
He is a stubborn man, whatever he has achieved in his life is because of this. He didn’t listenes unless he is asked to by someone more stuuborn.
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Aug 19, 2018 06:44am
Shows the compromises IK had to make to get to the top
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Aug 19, 2018 07:16am
It implies that others are dishonest. The selection criteria is loyalty not competence and fitness for the job.
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Aug 19, 2018 07:27am
Buzdar was part of PPP and the PML-N. He joined PTI just 40 days before the election. Naya Pakistan.
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Aug 19, 2018 07:36am
poor selection. This guy appears to be very incompetent.
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Aug 19, 2018 08:25am
another bad decision
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Aug 19, 2018 10:30am
Let's bygones be bygones... Or should we?
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Aug 19, 2018 11:32am
The only problem Mr Khan is that you are making it up. We expect you to stand by a man of your own mentle calibre.
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Aug 19, 2018 10:40pm
A murderer, a money launderer and a corrupt are different variables of the same equation of “disqualification” from the public office. PTI was supposed to be clean and free of such elements where merit-based nominations were expected without discrimination as promised by Imran Khan. Did he not consult PTI’s core committee for the nomination of Punjab CM as he did in case of Sheikh Rashid in his decision-making process about the interior ministry?
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Aug 20, 2018 07:40pm
Good decision by the PM.
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