ECP dismisses Senate resolution on poll delay [Update on Post#234]

[FearlessRoar]

Ata Tarar to face Bilawal as PML-N announces candidates from Lahore

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has released the list of its candidates for the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly from Lahore District for the Feb 8 general elections, ARY News reported on Friday.

According to the list issued on X (formerly Twitter), the PML-N fielded veteran politician Sheikh Rohail Asghar for the NA-121 constituency in Lahore.

Meanwhile, Ayaz Sadiq — who was also eye to contest from the same constituency – will contest the election from NA-120 on the party’s ticket.

The country would witness another big contest in Lahore as the PML-N fielded former minister Attaullah Tarar against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari in NA-127.

Among other leaders, PML-N supremo to contest from NA-130, President Shehbaz Sharif from NA-123, Hamza Shehbaz from NA-118, Maryam Nawaz from NA-119 and NA-159 and Khawaja Saad Rafique from NA-122.

For the provincial assembly seats, Shehbaz Sharif will also contest polls from PP-164 and PP-158, while Hamza and Maryam from PP-147 and PP-159 constituencies, respectively.

Earlier, it was reported that differences among the PML-N ranks emerged as the party could not decide on its ticket holder from NA 143.

Sources said that most of the PML-N leaders in Sahiwal will contest the elections on 8th February 2024 as independents from national and provincial constituencies, if they do not get the party tickets.

In NA-143, most of the PML-N local leaders were unhappy with the seat adjustment with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). Tufail Jatt has decided to contest the poll as an independent party after not getting the party ticket.

PML-N’s Qasim Nadeem, Malik Amir and Mubashir Hasan will face each other in the upcoming election on PP-199. Likewise. Malik Arshad Khan will face the challenge of former Mayor Asad Khan Baloch.

Source: ARY

Ata Tarar to face Bilawal as PML-N announces candidates from Lahore

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has released the list of its candidates for the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly from Lahore

arynews.tv

 

[Cricket Warrior]

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has extended the nomination withdrawal time until 9pm Friday night for the convenience of political parties and candidates.

According to a statement from an ECP spokesperson, the extension in the nomination withdrawal time has been made to facilitate political parties and candidates.

The last day for candidate withdrawals was Friday, January 12th within office hours.


Source: Tribune

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Caretaker Privatisation Minister Fawad Hassan Fawad reiterated that the General Elections 2024 will be held on its announced date February 8 and the incumbent government would fully support the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in conducting the polls.

Speaking at ARY News programme “Aitraz Hai”, the caretaker privatisation minister pointed out that the interim government’s responsibility was to assist the electoral watchdog in holding elections.

He said that the previous federal government of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had empowered the caretaker government by amending the Election Act.

Fawad Hassan Fawad said that the Supreme Court (SC) has also made it clear that the general polls will be held on February 8. “As per the constitutional procedure, the caretaker government will remain in place until formation of the new elected government,” he noted.

“The Caretaker government will not go beyond its constitutional period even for a day,” he asserted.

The remarks came after another resolution was moved in the Senate of Pakistan today, seeking a delay in the general election 2024 for three months, citing security challenges.

Expressing concern about the rising

attacks on the candidates willing to contest the general election, the resolution moved in the Senate has demanded delaying the election for three months.
The Senate resolution urged the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Supreme Court to ensure a peaceful election.

It is to be noted that earlier this month, the Upper House of Parliament adopted a resolution, which was moved by independent Senator Dilawar Khan during a session with only 15 lawmakers in attendance. It sought polls delay in the light of extreme weather in hilly areas and the deteriorating security situation.

Source: Ary News

 

[YousafTheBeast]

To put into context for all those who aren’t aware…

It’s a cricket match between PTI and PMLN

PTI has xi players, all of them handicapped.

Pmln has xi players, and their own umpires, unlimited drs reviews, no restrictions on chucking, 6 stumps to aim at.

The handicapped team is still giving ganja Nawaz nightmares. Embarrassing.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Election 2024: ECP extends deadline to submit party tickets

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday extended the time for election symbols allotment to the political parties contesting in the general election 2024, ARY News reported.

According to the details, the ECP extended the time for the party ticket submission till 7 pm.

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) allotted an election symbol to Awami National Party (ANP) – a political party contesting in the upcoming general election 2024 in Pakistan.

According to the details, the ECP allotted an election symbol, lantern, to ANP for contesting in the general election scheduled to be held on February 08, 2024.

However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has granted an extension for the inter-party election for ANP, extending it until May 10, after imposing a fine of Rs 20,000.

It is pertinent to mention here that the ECP issued a notice to the president of ANP, Asfandyar Wali Khan while penalizing 13 other parties and delisting them for not holding inter-party elections.

Source: ARY

Election 2024: ECP extends deadline to submit party tickets

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday extended the time for election symbols allotment to the political parties contesting in

arynews.tv

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Army to assist in transport of ballot papers: ECP

The Election Commission of Pakistan clarified on Saturday that given the seriousness of the situation in some places, Pakistan Army personnel will also provide security during the transportation of ballot papers.

An election commission spokesperson, in a statement issued here, addressed reports in some newspapers about security in the process of delivering ballot papers to the offices of district returning officers.

He noted that after the printing of ballot papers in the printing press, it is the responsibility of the concerned DROs or their designated officials to safely transport them to the offices of District Returning Officers. These officers ensure secure transportation of ballot papers under their supervision and under the protective custody of local police officials. However, considering the seriousness of the situation in some places, Pakistan Army personnel will also provide security during the transportation of ballot papers.


Source: The News

 

[Bewal Express]

Army to assist in transport of ballot papers: ECP

The Election Commission of Pakistan clarified on Saturday that given the seriousness of the situation in some places, Pakistan Army personnel will also provide security during the transportation of ballot papers.

An election commission spokesperson, in a statement issued here, addressed reports in some newspapers about security in the process of delivering ballot papers to the offices of district returning officers.

He noted that after the printing of ballot papers in the printing press, it is the responsibility of the concerned DROs or their designated officials to safely transport them to the offices of District Returning Officers. These officers ensure secure transportation of ballot papers under their supervision and under the protective custody of local police officials. However, considering the seriousness of the situation in some places, Pakistan Army personnel will also provide security during the transportation of ballot papers.


Source: The News

Maybe they can assist NSs a little more and stamp them all. NS is a beghairat, a guy that sold his supporters the ideology of vote ki izzat do, and then conspired with the Establishment to overthrow democracy

 

[FearlessRoar]

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) excused itself on Monday from adhering to the latest resolution passed in the upper house seeking to delay general elections.

In a letter to the Senate Secretariat, the electoral watchdog stated that the resolution was reviewed and the ECP reached the decision that polls can not be postponed at this stage.

The letter stated that the ECP fixed the date of February 8, 2024, for general polls after consultation with President Dr. Arif Alvi, while the election body had also issued instructions to the caretaker federal and provincial governments in this regard.

ECP also stated that the commission had completed all necessary preparations for general elections and polls had taken place during winters in previous years.

The letter added that the ECP has also assured the Supreme Court regarding holding polls on the scheduled date.

Multiple resolutions have now been submitted in the Senate seeking a delay in polls, citing security and weather concerns.

Senator Dilawar Khan, in a letter to the Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, stated that despite the House passing a resolution on January 5 regarding election delay, no action has been taken yet on this matter.

Dilawar further wrote that postponing elections due to security and harsh weather conditions must be taken seriously, or the elections would not remain fair and transparent.

Express Tribune

ECP tells Senate polls to be held on Feb 8 | The Express Tribune

Electoral watchdog says all necessary preparations complete

tribune.com.pk

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Elections 2024: MQM-P, JUI-F strike seat adjustment on another constituency

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) managed to get the support of Jamiat Ulemae Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on another provincial assembly constituency from Karachi, ARY News reported.

Both the parties strike seat adjustment on PS-99 as JUI-F’s nominee Babar Qamar has withdrawn in favour of the MQM-P candidate. The JUI-F announced to support Farhan Ansari of the MQM-P from PS-99.

Babar Qamar and Farhan Ansari in their meeting also discussed issues of the constituency.


Source: ARY News

 

[BouncerGuy]

PML-Q says no merger, only seat adjustment with PML-N

LAHORE/GUJRAT: Senior leader of PML-Q Chaudhry Shafay Hussain says his party is not being merged into any other political entity.

In a statement issued in Lahore on Sunday, the former federal minister in the PDM government said his party would maintain its separate identity instead of merging with the PML-N. However, both the parties could strike seat adjustments in the general election, he said.

Shafay added that the PML-Q candidates would contest on the election symbol of tractor.

Meanwhile, PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat says the people of Pakistan have pinned many hopes on the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the future government would have to work for the restoration of the economy, eliminating unemployment and price hike. He says the country needs national harmony and reconciliation more than ever and one should let bygones be bygones and move forward instead of indulging in politics of vendetta.

On the other hand, PML-Q leader and former federal minister Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain and his son ex-MNA Hussain Elahi criticised the economic policies of PML-N during its 16 months in the federal government, saying it was only due to the strict action initiated by Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir that the national economy and currency had started to improve a bit.

The criticism of the PML-N by both the former PML-Q lawmakers and close family members of the party chief, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, has surfaced just when the leadership of both factions of the Pakistan Muslim League are hinting at making a seat adjustment in the election on Feb 8, 2024.

Speaking to a gathering of party workers at his Nutt House in Gujrat, Wajahat said the masses were witness to the statement of PML-N leadership regarding being the beggars and that wherever they went to seek financial assistance, the other side would consider them as beggars.

Wajahat announced to kick off the election campaign of his son, Hussain Elahi, and two Punjab Assembly candidates of his party, Abdullah Yousaf Warraich and Khalid Asghar Ghural, asking his supporters to work for their victory.

Rejecting the anti-army narrative, Hussain Elahi, who returned from a self-imposed exile of 10 months the other day, said the PML-N had stopped the uplift schemes of his constituency in Gujrat during its 16 months tenure. He vowed to relaunch these projects after winning the next election for which he had started to reach out to the people for electioneering. He announced to contest the next election under the leadership of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on the party symbol of tractor.

Sources say that by criticising the PML N policies, the Wajahat camp has tried to attract the PTI vote bank with an anti-PML-N narrative as his traditional rival, Nawabzada family, has already been in the PML-N and the voters might not be easily won by the PML-Q in that constituency. They say Hussain Elahi would assess the ground position of his constituency for the future course of action.

It’s pertinent to mention that both Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain and his son Hussain Elahi were in the PTI before the May 9 incidents when many of the party leaders had started quitting the party. The duo also quit the PTI and joined the PML-Q.

The PML-N Gujrat chapter has already opposed the seat adjustment with the PML-Q whereas Punjab PML-N president Rana Sanaullah has told the media his party is ready to make adjustments for the PML-Q in Gujrat and Bahawalpur and also hinted at accommodating the scions of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Tariq Bashir Cheeema.

However, settlement between both the parties about the constituencies in question is yet to be made while PML-N may not field its candidates to extend support to the PML-Q in Gujrat district.
​

DAWN

Not more than four seats in Punjab, PML-N tells Q League

GUJRAT: Rift between the PML-N and the PML-Q over seats adjustment has deepened further after the ‘N’ allowed its potential candidates to form an independent panel (backed by the PML-N) against the scions of ‘Q’ chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on an NA and two PA seats of Gujrat.

A senior party leader told Dawn in Lahore the ‘Q’ leadership has been clearly conveyed that it could not be given more than four seats.

The party has given a green signal to Aleemullah Warraich from NA-64 (Gujrat-Kunjah), former mayor Haji Nasir Mehmood from PP-31 (Gujrat city) and ex-MPA Haji Imran Zafar from PP-32 (Kunjah) to contest as independent candidates.

Following the direction, the three have got the election symbol of `bear’ but group leader Haji Nasir Mehmood said they would launch campaign once the Punjab PML-N president Rana Sanaullah gave them a go ahead. He said Rana Sana had him to wait for two to three days.

Senior PML-Q leader Chaudhry Salik Hussain had issued a statement a few days ago, blaming the PML-N for not fulfilling the Q’s demand. Sources said the PML-Q had sought at least four NA and eight PA seats but the PML-N gave just two NA (Gujrat and Bahawalpur) and as many PA seats which was not acceptable to the Q-League.

Publicly, the PML-Q has never identified the constituencies it is interested in. Party sources said that it might be wanting all those seats it had won in 2018 under a seat adjustment with the PTI. At that time, Q had strong candidates.

President of PML-N’s Gujranwala division ex-MNA Abid Raza Kotla told Dawn that he had conveyed the party leadership’s message to Haji Nasir Mehmood and others to contest as independent candidates with a same symbol.

He said despite the PML-Q’s taunt, asking the ‘N’ leadership to issue party tickets to its candidates in Gujrat, the PML-N had shown restraint and did not issue tickets.

But now the party, Kotla said, would not stop its candidates from contesting as independent aspirants and, if required, the PML-N leadership would publicly own the independent panel being led by Mr Mehmood, a party old guard who had earlier announced to respect the decision of Nawaz Sharif.

Salik Hussain is PML-Q candidate from NA-64 and PP-32, whereas his elder brother Shafay Hussain is contesting from PP-31.

Earlier, the PPP withdrew Mian Fakhar Mushtaq Pagganwala from PP-31 on the request of PML-Q leadership.

Source said the PML-N leadership might wanted to put pressure on `Q’ by allowing its (N) candidates to go as independent in response to the Q’s statement of exerting pressure on N’s leadership.

The PML-N has issued party tickets to nine candidates from 12 seats of the district — NA-62, 63 and 65 as well as from PP-27, 28, 29, 30, 33 and 34.

The PML-Q has also fielded candidates from 3 NA seats, including 62, 63 and 64 and at least 8 PA seats of the district.

DAWN

 

[BouncerGuy]

Ballots to have distinct watermarks

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) tasked the Printing Corporation of Pakistan on Monday with producing 250 million watermarked ballot papers for the February 8 polls.

According to sources, the ECP sanctioned the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming general elections during its meeting.

Distinctive watermarks will adorn the ballot papers, which are set to be printed using three different machines. Rigorous security protocols have been ensured for the Printing Corporation premises during the ballot paper production.

The use of watermarked ballot papers was initiated in the country during the 2018 general elections, marking a significant milestone.

Three printing machines will be utilised for this task, such as the Security Printing Corporation, the Pakistan Postal Foundation, and the Printing Corporation of Pakistan sharing the workload.

Security is tightened, considering potential army deployment inside and outside printing facilities. The decision focuses on ensuring the integrity and security of the electoral process, with a detailed plan for secure transportation from printing machines to designated officials.

ECP assigns electoral symbols to 150 political parties for general elections

Meanwhile, the ECP allotted electoral symbols to around 150 political parties competing for seats in the upcoming general elections for both the National and provincial assemblies.

According to the list uploaded on ECP’s website, the PML-N received the ‘tiger’ symbol, the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, ‘arrow’; the Pakistan Peoples Party, ‘sword’; the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Nazriati, ‘batsman’; the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, ‘eagle’; the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, ‘kite’; the JUI-F, ‘book’; JI. ‘scale’; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians, ‘turban’; the BNP, ‘axe’; the ANP, ‘lantern’; Balochistan National Party Awami, ‘camel’; and the Balochistan Awami Party received the symbol ‘cow’.

Also, ECP spokesperson Syed Nadeem Haider affirmed the ECP’s preparations for the upcoming general elections 2024.

Talking to Pakistan Television News, he said that preparation for the elections of national and provincial assemblies across the country were completed.

He said the election symbols had been alotted and election officials, including returning officers, were fulfilling their responsibilities and added that the next phase was the commencement of the ballot paper printing.

Haider said that Election Commission Secretariat and Monitoring cells have been established at the provincial level to ensure transparency in the election process. Monitoring teams have been working to ensure compliance with the code of conduct in every constituency.

He urged the citizens to cast their votes on February 8 to strengthen the democratic process.
​

Ballots to have distinct watermarks | The Express Tribune

ECP orders 250m watermarked ballots, tightens security, allocates symbols for 150 parties in prep for Feb 8 elections

tribune.com.pk

 

[Cricket Warrior]

ECP directs officials to refrain from changing electoral symbols amid printing of ballot papers

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday directed officials overseeing poll management to avoid altering candidates’ electoral symbols since the printing of ballot papers is in progress.

The ECP issued directives to returning officers, district returning officers, and other election officials a day after allegations from political parties — PPP and PTI — accusing the electoral watchdog of either denying or assigning wrong symbols to their candidates.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had on Monday claimed that returning officers had allotted the wrong electoral symbols to his party’s candidates in Punjab “under pressure from PML-N”.

The PPP leader vowed to take the matter to the election commission and courts, adding that the PML-N wanted to contest elections “by keeping its opponents out of the ground”.

A similar concern was raised by the party’s Punjab leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed who alleged that the ECP had made the forthcoming polls controversial by denying the party’s electoral symbol to seven of its candidates.

Likewise, several independent candidates belonging to the PTI had challenged the decision of the returning officers to issue different election symbols to them, and made the ECP, returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) respondents in the petition

In the petition before the Peshawar High Court, former federal minister Shehryar Afridi, who is contesting elections on NA-35 Kohat, had petitioned the court against the allocation of the election symbol ‘bottle’.

Today, the ECP issued a statement, asking RO, DROs and election officials to refrain from changing symbols for poll aspirants.

“All provincial election commissioners, ROs, and DROs have been directed to refrain from altering electoral symbols at this stage. If changes are necessary, seek permission from the ECP, as the printing of ballot papers has begun and changing symbols may not be possible,” the electoral watchdog said in a notification.

ECP directs officials to refrain from changing electoral symbols amid printing of ballot papers

ECP directions come to light after PTI, PPP accuse electoral watchdog of granting wrong symbols to their candidates.

www.dawn.com

 

[The Bald Eagle]

MQM-P blames PPP for beating party workers in Karachi’s Hyderi

In a ***-for-tat action, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also got a first information report (FIR) registered against the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers, alleging the latter of taking away its workers and beating them, ARY News reported.

As per reports, the workers of the MQM-P and the PPP came face to face in Hyderi area with both the parties holding each other responsible.

According to the FIR registered on complaint of one Kiran Masood, the MQM-P workers were distributing pamphlets near Hyderi market when they were abducted.

“The PPP men took the MQM-P workers to their election office and tortured them,” the complainant said. In the FIR, eight People’s Party workers and 40 unknown persons have been nominated.

The MQM-P asked the police to take action against the ‘attackers’.

Earlier, the PPP also registered the FIR against MQM-P at Hyderi police station.

Earlier on Sunday, People’s Party Karachi President Saeed Ghani demanded of the authorities to arrest the people involved in attack on the PPP’s election office and launch an inquiry about those who orchestrated the attack.

“They could not tolerate the PPP’s election office in their stronghold after eyeing a clear defeat in the elections,” he said

Source: Ary News

 

[hassan918]

Pakistan grants special permits to international media for election coverage​

(Web Desk) – The Pakistani government has granted special permits to foreign media for the coverage of the upcoming 2024 general elections scheduled for Feb 8.

As per an official statement, the government has already issued permits in the initial phase to 49 foreign journalists hailing from 13 countries.

These journalists represent a diverse set of nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, China, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Serbia, Sweden, France, Germany, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore.

The statement reveals that 136 foreign journalists applied for permission to cover the elections, and those who are yet to receive permits will be granted permission passes shortly.

Delegations from the European Union and Commonwealth countries are expected to observe the election, the statement adds.

According to reports, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has printed 200,000 accreditation cards for the event.

Source: Dunya News

 

[hassan918]

I hope this international media helps in making the elections fair because I am not sure if Pakistani people have great trust on our local media.

 

[hassan918]

ECP carries out 'successful' test of Election Management System ahead of Feb 8 polls​

With the February 8 polls less than two weeks away, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Saturday carried out a "successful" mock test of its Election Management System (EMS) with useful and encouraging results.

The EMS, an automated and modern management system developed for tabulation of the election results, would be used by the ECP in the upcoming general elections to transmit and compile election results from presiding officers to returning officers.

During the exercise involving Returning Officers' (RO) offices at 859 locations across the country, as per the electoral body's spokesperson, presiding officers were able to deliver results satisfactorily.

The exercise saw the effective accomplishment of result transmission by presiding officers and subsequent compilation and tabulation by ROs without any issue, the spokesperson said, adding that if a presiding officer encounters difficulty in transmitting results to the RO via mobile phone, they are instructed to personally deliver the election results to the RO’s office.

With the exercise involving fibre/DSL connectivity, EMS app log-in, usage, and the steps for results transmission and editing, the spokesperson acknowledged that the activity did face connectivity challenges causing minor issues in transmitting results to some presiding officers.

However, the official said that the aforesaid connectivity issues are being promptly addressed.

The development comes as elections in Pakistan have been marred with allegations of irregularities and rigging with political parties also raising questions on the ECP's mechanism of transmitting, compiling and tabulating the poll results.

During the 2018 general elections, the electoral body utilised its Results Transmission System (RTS) which, as per an ECP statement, suffered a "technical glitch" as it was being updated with election result data — leading to an overall delay in the announcement of poll results.

The delay drew ire from political parties who have since then termed the polls as "RTS elections" — a political jibe against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) which triumphed in the 2018 general elections.

However, it is to be seen how the electoral body's EMS performs on February 8 for which the ECP has envisaged a total of 90,675 polling stations with 276,402 polling booths for more than 128 million voters who will be electing their representatives on the said day, reported The News.

In Punjab, 50,944 polling stations will be established for the general elections, followed by 19,006 in Sindh, 15,697 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 5,028 in Balochistan.

Source: GEO

 

[FearlessRoar]

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said on Monday that no solid reason had yet come to the fore to justify a delay in the general elections, assuring that the government was committed to holding polls as freely and fairly as possible.

The prime minister, in an interview with a television channel, said the candidates were canvassing and all the rumours would fall to rest by the evening of February 8 – the date for general elections in the country.

Regarding the usual complaints of rigging before or after the elections, he said that learning lessons from the past, the parliament needed to address all the flaws regarding the laws, administration, or the Election Commission.

He said the observers would monitor and local and international media would report on the activity, assuring that as per the standards in the region, the elections would by and large be free and fair.

The premier observed that the political parties were also involved in poll rigging by making fake ID cards and casting votes of deceased persons.

He said voting time would be from 9 am to 5 pm on February 8 and everyone should use their constitutional right to ensure a good turnout.

Emphasising the key focus on the improvement of the national economy, he said unfortunately no political party had yet come up with an agenda to boost the country’s economic health. Kakar said all the electoral claims made by the parties including jobs, shelters, cheap electricity, food security, and others were directly related to a stable economy.

The prime minister added that the political parties needed to come up with a plan for revenue generation and widen the tax net.

Exemplifying a 91% tax-to-GDP ratio in the Scandinavian countries, he said Pakistan’s ratio stood at just 9%, adding that enhanced taxation would also make the government accountable to the masses.

Responding to a question about his foreign visits, he recalled that soon after assuming the office, he attended the UN General Assembly session – “a forum which cannot be ignored” and later interactions in Europe where he had a stopover for refuelling. He also mentioned attending the BRI Forum in China, the ECO Summit, and the COP28 session where he got the opportunity to interact with world leaders and sign bilateral agreements.

He explained that the caretaker government had to play a role to run day-to-day affairs, including foreign policy matters.

About the repatriation of illegal foreign nationals, he said Pakistan had expelled only those with no identity and record and that such individuals would be allowed to return after obtaining valid passports and visas.

Talking about social media, he called it a challenge that empowered individuals irrespective of their educational and mental capability had advocated for its regulation like the mainstream media.

He said the criticism of the caretaker government for doing things beyond the mandate was not genuine as all of its actions were legitimate and vetted by the Law Division besides the backing of the cabinet’s approval.

Source: Express Tribune

PM says no solid reason yet to justify polls delay | The Express Tribune

No political party has yet come up with an agenda to boost the country’s economic health, says Kakar

tribune.com.pk

 

[BouncerGuy]

MQM-P blames PPP for beating party workers in Karachi’s Hyderi

In a ***-for-tat action, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also got a first information report (FIR) registered against the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers, alleging the latter of taking away its workers and beating them, ARY News reported.

As per reports, the workers of the MQM-P and the PPP came face to face in Hyderi area with both the parties holding each other responsible.

According to the FIR registered on complaint of one Kiran Masood, the MQM-P workers were distributing pamphlets near Hyderi market when they were abducted.

“The PPP men took the MQM-P workers to their election office and tortured them,” the complainant said. In the FIR, eight People’s Party workers and 40 unknown persons have been nominated.

The MQM-P asked the police to take action against the ‘attackers’.

Earlier, the PPP also registered the FIR against MQM-P at Hyderi police station.

Earlier on Sunday, People’s Party Karachi President Saeed Ghani demanded of the authorities to arrest the people involved in attack on the PPP’s election office and launch an inquiry about those who orchestrated the attack.

“They could not tolerate the PPP’s election office in their stronghold after eyeing a clear defeat in the elections,” he said

Source: Ary News

Two teenagers wounded in another clash between PPP, Muttahida workers in Karachi

Two teenage boys were shot at and wounded in a clash between activists of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan in New Karachi late on Friday night, police said on Saturday.

The police claimed to have arrested around 30 suspects belonging to both sides.

Both the parties held separate press conferences and levelled allegations and counter allegations, holding each other responsible for the breakdown of law and order.

One of the boys suffered a bullet wound in the head and his condition was said to be critical. A third victim of the clash suffered injuries when both sides pelted each other with stones.

A police officer, who wished not to be named, said that the election offices of both the parties were located in the same area. On Friday night, some PPP workers removed and tore a banner of the MQM-P and this led to a scuffle between them. Later, both sides resorted to aerial firing, resulting in bullet injuries to two boys.

The officer said that the wounded teenagers originally hailed from South Punjab. They were just passers-by and not associated with any party, he added.

Terrorism case against MQM-P workers

The New Karachi police said that PPP worker Mohammed Yusuf lodged an FIR against MQM workers, stating that his party had set up an election office in Sector 11-J, New Karachi, where he and many party workers were present when several MQM-P activists came there and resorted to aerial firing. He said when PPP workers confronted them they extended threats and opened fire on them.

As a result, the complainant stated, his maternal nephew Abdul Rehman, 12, and his relative Aziz Rehman, 16, suffered bullet wounds and were taken to a hospital for treatment.

A case was registered under Sections 147 (rioting), 324 (attempted murder and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act against several named and unnamed MQM-P workers.

Over 30 held

Following the violent clash, the police and Rangers conducted raids in the area and apprehended over 30 suspects, said Central SSP Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqi.

He said that the held persons belonged to ‘different political parties’.

This was the second violent clash between workers of the both parties. On January 29, a senior worker of the MQM-P was shot dead while a worker of the PPP was wounded in an armed clash in Nazimabad.

MQM-P, PPP trade charges

The MQM-P accused the PPP of “patronising armed gangs” mainly in Central district only to harass voters and other parties’ workers.

“Whether it’s Saeed Ghani, Waqar Mehdi or Masroor Ahsan none of them has any stake or interest in district Central but they are only igniting fire,” senior MQM-P leader Faisal Subzwari told a press conference. “In an organised way, they have very recently patronised armed gangs in New Karachi and other areas to put them against the MQM-P. Because they know that they even can’t win a councillor seat in this district in a free and fair election. So they have decided to harass our workers and voters through violence.”

Later in the day, PPP Karachi president Saeed Ghani rejected the MQM-P allegations and came up with a “charge sheet” against the rival party, demanding a “judicial inquiry” in the two violent incidents of Naziamabad and New Karachi.

“What else one should expect for a fair justice? I ask the MQM-P to demand a judicial inquiry into both the incidents. The MQM hasn’t learned anything despite facing serious challenges within the party.”

SOURCE: https://www.dawn.com/news/1811036/t...lash-between-ppp-muttahida-workers-in-karachi

 

[hassan918]

Bilawal accuses Nawaz of pressuring caretakers to skew ballot in his favour​

KARACHI (Dunya News) – PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has, two days ahead of the general elections in the country, accused former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif of pressuring the caretakers to skew the ballot in his favour.

In an interview with a foreign media outlet, the former foreign minister asserted that it would be difficult for his party to ally with the PML-N led by Nawaz Sharif.

“It is not possible for me to work with them in future,” Bilawal said, contending that the PML-N with which the PPP had signed a Charter of Democracy (CoD) was distinctly different from the one which is not ready to give respect to the vote.

The PPP chairman, while charging Nawaz Sharif with exerting pressure on the administration to manipulate the outcome of the elections, warned him of employing such undemocratic tactics. He hoped that neither the caretakers nor the administration would succumb to this undue demand.

Bilawal, however, expressed his suspicion that the caretakers would side with the Sharifs, mentioning that it was former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and former opposition leader in the National Assembly Raja Riaz who had come up with the appointment of Anwaarul Haq Kakar to lead the caretaker set-up.

“The same Raja Riaz is now contesting election on PML-N ticket,” he added.

Asked about the establishment’s involvement in politics, Bilawal noted that the politics in Pakistan was still evolving and politicians responsibly needed to initiate drastic steps in this respect.

The Bhutto scion held the view that politicians should keep their personal differences away from the realm of politics, and must practise politics within the defined political boundaries.

Asked if the incident of May 9 [when PTI workers went berserk and resorted to violent riots following the arrest of the party founder] was within the political limits, Bilawal responded in the negative.

The PPP leader opined the people should not be seeing the same faces again and again at the helm, when asked about the possibility of Nawaz Sharif assuming the role of prime minister for the fourth time. He emphasised that now was the time the role for the representation of the country was passed onto the young generation.

Bilawal doubted that the PML-N would change its political approach under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, blaming the former premier for sticking to the same old politics of division and hate.

Bilawal said he was hopeful of his party’s victory in the elections if the electoral exercise is carried out transparently and fairly.

Source: Dunya News

 

[hassan918]

Govt hints at suspending internet services on Feb 8 polling day​

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Interior Minister Dr Gohar Ejaz on Tuesday said that the government would consider suspending the internet services on February 8 only if it gets a request from a district or province in view of the security situation.

"So far, there has been no decision made regarding the suspension of internet services at any place," said the minister during a presser in Islamabad alongside caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi.

A day earlier, Solangi turned down the possibility of an internet shutdown on February 8, saying that local administrations have the authority to decide on an internet shutdown in light of the law and order situation, however, he stressed that no such situation has so far been reported.

On Sunday, caretaker Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai announced that the internet service will remain temporarily restricted in the sensitive polling booths in the province on election day.

Ejaz, while talking about the law and order situation today, said that the government was making efforts to hold peaceful elections without any loss of lives.

"The election atmosphere in Sindh is full of excitement and it does not seem that any political party has enmity with another," said Ejaz, adding that he did not see any tension between the candidates in Balochistan during his visit.

He said that we do not want to take the law into our hands in Sindh, "The parties contesting the polls in Sindh have known each other for years."

The interior minister said that the government will provide security in three layers. "The commandos will be deployed in Balochistan to respond in the shortest possible time," he said.

"Police, civil armed forces and army will give you protection. We will not let anyone raise an eyebrow against the integrity and independence of Pakistan," he said.

Ejaz said that there are 90,777 polling stations across the country of which over 40,000 have been declared normal. Meanwhile, 20,985 polling stations have been declared sensitive and 16,766 have been declared most sensitive.

At least seven to eight law enforcement officials will be posted at every polling station across the country, he said, adding that over 137,000 law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the country.

"Pakistan Army troops will be deployed as quick reaction force (QRF)," said Ejaz.

The minister further said that people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — which suffers the most at the hands of terrorism — should come out and vote on February 8.

Ejaz said that it was government's duty to protect the lives of all citizens.

Source: GEO

 

[hassan918]

If government suspends internet on the election day then it will only raise more questions about the fairness of the election.