[🇵🇰] Pakistan General Elections -- 2024

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PML-N’s Ibadullah Khan notified as opposition leader in KP assembly​

PML-N’s Ibadullah Khan has been notified as the Leader of the Opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, APP reports.

The notification has been issued under Clause (1) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the provincial assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 1988.

 

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Cruel joke on the nation, says Shireen Mazari in response to ECP verdict on SIC reserved seats​

Former human rights minister Shireen Mazari has said that the Election Commission of Pakistan continues to violate people’s mandate and constitution.

“It is doling out reserved seats to those who have no right to them legally while those who have the right are being denied the same,” she said in a post on X.

“Usurper upon usurper — cruel joke on the nation,” she said.

 

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آخری لائن:
میں نے میٹھے چشمے کے پاس اپنا خلائی کھوتا باندھ کر سوتے ہوئے مؤرخ کی وکھی میں ٹھڈا مار کے اٹھاتے ہوئے کہا_
اٹھ تے لکھ . فارم 47 آلی مینڈیٹ چور حکومت نس گئی اے.​

 

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The Chief Minister Khabir Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur will meet the founding chairman tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the cabinet will be formed after meeting with the IK.
Not attending the PM Oath taking ceremony .
" Tell me whether it is really made by public mandate or made by RO, I think it is not right to go for oath taking".

Ali Amin Gandapur

"

 

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مریم کا دورہ سکول
مریم: بچوں کیا پڑھ رہے ہو؟
:بچے
Conjunctions (مطلب گرائمر)
مریم: اوہ جیوگرافی
نوٹ: ہنسنا منع ہے

​

 

[PakistanProud]

 

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PTV continues blackout of opposition lawmakers in NA coverage​

Kalbe Ali
March 5, 2024

PTI MNAs Asad Qaiser (L) and Omar Ayub (R) speak in the National Assembly on March 4. — DawnNewsTV
ISLAMABAD: The state-owned electronic media on Monday continued blocking speeches made by members of National Assembly (MNAs) belonging to the opposition. However, the authorities concerned expressed ignorance about the decision to black out the opposition.

Leaders of PTI, who are sitting under the banner of Sunni Itehad Council (SIC) in the lower house of parliament, have announced to submit a privilege motion against Pakistan Television (PTV).

 

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PTI to knock SC door after losing reserved seats​

Iftikhar A. Khan
March 5, 2024

• ECP turns down SIC plea as party didn’t submit list for reserved seats on time
• Commission to distribute vacant seats proportionally among other parties; one member dissents
• Nomination papers of Zardari, Achakzai accepted
• PTI rejects decision as ‘unconstitutional, against democracy’; wants Senate, presidential polls postponed

ISLAMABAD: After the Election Commission of Pakistan decided against the allocation of reserved seats to the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) for “having non-curable legal defects and violation of mandatory provision of submission of the party list for reserved seats”, the PTI decided to approach the Supreme Court against the 4-1 decision of the election watchdog.

The announcement of the decision coincided with the acceptance of nomination papers of ruling coalition-backed PPP candidate Asif Ali Zardari and PTI-backed PkMAP leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the upcoming presidential elections, set to take place on March 9.The final list of all eligible candidates will be released on March 5, though nominees can withdraw from the race until March 6.

 

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Rivals in agreement on judicial probes into thorny issues​

Bilawal endorses PTI call for inquiry into May 9; PTI-backed MNAs suggest investigation into alleged rigging, cipher issue.

 

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ECP publishes names of candidates for reserved seats in KP Assembly​

The Election Commission of Pakistan has published the names of candidates for reserved seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.

In a notification, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the electoral watchdog said one reserved seat was each allocated to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Pakistan, PML-N and PPP.

 

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SC rejects JUI-F plea seeking repolling in Ziarat​

The Supreme Court has rejected a petition filed by JUI-F leader Khalilur Rehman seeking re-elections at 11 polling stations in PB-7 Ziarat.

During the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa said the Constitution was clear that the Election Commission of Pakistan is a “constitutional institution” and should be respected.

 

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Will bring a system where no one’s mandate is stolen, says Gandapur after meeting with Imran​

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said the PTI will soon introduce a system which will prevent “mandate theft”.

In a media talk outside Adiala Jail after a meeting with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, he reiterated the demand for a judicial inquiry into the May 9 riots.

Gandapur also asserted that Imran “will soon be among us” and that the ex-premier was in “high spirits”.

While talking about the formation of the government in the Centre, Gandapur said he would work with PM Shehbaz as far as the provincial administration was concerned. “How can I accept the oath of a person who came to the position through mandate theft?” he asked.

The PTI leader further promised that he would work for the rule of law in KP, adding that a massive protest will be held on Sunday across the country.

 

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ECP uploads much-awaited Form 45s on website​

The Election Commission of Pakistan has uploaded Form 45s, Form 46s, Form 48s and Form 49s on its website, 26 days after the February 8 general elections.

 

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Imran wants reconciliation but not with those who ‘stole’ PTI votes, says Aleema Khan​

Aleema Khan, the sister of ex-premier Imran Khan, has said that the PTI founder supports reconciliation, but not with those who “stole” the party’s votes.

In a media talk outside Adiala Jail, she said: “If you want to hold dialogue with thieves then it will be better to open the doors of jail.”

On the other hand, PTI’s Barrister Umair Niazi said Imran has given a call for countrywide protests against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s verdict to deprive the party of reserved seats.

Earlier, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also reached Adiala Jail to discuss the formation of provincial cabinet with Imran.

 

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PTI’s Qaiser laments NA seats ‘stolen’ from SIC, warns taking to streets​

PTI leader Asad Qaiser has lamented the “180 seats stolen” from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the new home for PTI-backed lawmakers.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Qaiser said, “You have no respect for our mandate and the 30 million votes we got.”

“A fake prime minister is sitting on the seat right now. And how can a fake PM take this country out of crisis?” he questioned.

“We don’t consider Shehbaz Sharif a legitimate prime minister in any capacity. He himself knows he’s fake,” Qaiser said. “I am scared to think how this country will survive. God forbid there’s a revolution in this country,” he added.

Qaiser warned that the PTI will take to the streets to protest against the mandate “stolen” from them.

Asad Qaiser speaks to media

 

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Zardari, Bilawal meet Shehbaz, reiterate support for PML-N-led govt​

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has met ex-president Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

In a post on X, the PPP said that its leaders assured the PML-N president of their steadfast support for the coalition government for “Pakistan’s financial stability and development and prosperity”.

The PPP delegation, which also included Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, congratulated Shehbaz on assuming the role of the premier.

 

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Seven nomination papers accepted​

Appeals against acceptance of nomination papers could be filed till March 7

Our Correspondent
March 05, 2024

The Election Commission of Sindh on Monday approved the nomination papers of seven candidates from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SCI) for two general seats of the Senate from the province.

The nomination papers were filed for the two seats vacated by the PPP’s Jam Mehtab and Nisar Khuhro, who took oath as members of the Sindh Assembly, following their election in the February 8 general elections.

For the PPP, Aslam Abro, Jam Saifullah, Waqar Mehdi and Azam Dhamrah filed their nomination papers, while Shazia Sohail, Jameel Ahmed and Nazirullah filed their papers on behalf of the SIC. The papers were approved after scrutiny.

Appeals against the acceptance of the nomination papers could be filed till March 7 and the tribunal would decide on these appeals by March 9. The candidates would be able to withdraw from the contest on March 10. Voting on these two seats will be held in the Sindh Assembly on March 14.

 

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JUI-F steadfast on principles, will not accept rigging: Fazl​

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that his party was unwavering in its principles and would not accept rigging at any cost.

While speaking to the media in Lahore, he said the JUI-F believed that both the 2018 and 2024 elected were “rigged”.

“JUI-F is standing on its principles. There was rigging then, there is rigging now […] we did not accept it then, we will not accept them now,” he said.

 

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PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen condemns ‘suspension’ of social media services​

PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen has condemned the recent suspension of social media platforms in Pakistan, urging the government to restore the services as per court orders.

He stated that the internet disruption, which according to him has increased since yesterday, was done after the Election Commission of Pakistan uploaded Form 45s.

“The comments that are coming on them [form 45s] and the conversation that is going on, I think it is to avoid that,” he said in a media talk outside the Supreme Court.

 

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Governor administers oath to 18-member Punjab cabinet​

Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman has administered oath to the 18-member provincial cabinet.

The ceremony was held at the Governor House in Punjab where the newly appointed provincial ministers were sworn in. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also attended the ceremony.

The ministers include Marriyum Aurangzeb, Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah, Muhammad Kazim Pirzada, Rana Sikandar Hayat, Khawaja Imran Nazeer, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Zeeshan Rafique, Bilal Akbar Khan, Sohaib Ahmed Malik, Azma Zahid Bukhari, Bilal Yasin, Ramesh Sindh Arora, Khalil Tahir, Faisal Ayub, Shafay Hussain, Sher Ali Gorchani, Sohail Shoukat Butt and Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman.

 

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PTI’s Omer Ayub Khan picked as opposition leader in NA: Barrister Gohar​

PTI’s Barrister Gohar Ali Khan says incarcerated leader Imran Khan has chosen Omer Ayub Khan as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.

In a media talk outside the Adiala Jail following a meeting with Imran, he said parliamentary affairs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were discussed with the PTI chief. Barrister Gohar said his party had reservations with the ECP verdict on allocation of reserved seats.

“We already filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court and will now also approach the Sindh and Lahore high courts,” he said.

 

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Pildat recommends thorough and impartial investigation into election-related matters​

The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) has recommended that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) conduct a “thorough and impartial investigation” into several election related matters.

These include delays in the transmission, consolidation and announcement of provisional results, and the failure to publish signed copies of forms 45, 46, 48 and 49 within 14 days of polling day as required under the Elections Act, 2017, and the lack of contingency planning to meet result issuance deadlines in case of the EMS inoperability.

Pildat further recommends that election tribunals should be allowed to resolve disputes on a case-by-case basis
“Pildat is deeply concerned that only two Election Tribunals have been constituted in Punjab compared to eight constituted after 2018 general election and nine reportedly requested by the ECP this time,” according to an assessment by the group.

It also demanded that a Commission of Enquiry be formed similar to the one formed to probe the 2013 election

 

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Feb 8 elections recorded lowest fairness score since 2013: Pildat​

The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has released its assessment of the 2024 General Election, indicating a concerning decline in fairness scores compared to previous election cycles.

The assessment was based on an independent analysis by Pildat, alongside a questionnaire scored by politicians, lawyers, activists, retired bureaucrats and military officials, and politically aware youth. The assessment was divided into three parts; the pre-polling process, polling on election day, and the post-polling process.

The report — a copy of which is available with Dawn.com — highlighted key issues including political repression, suspension of mobile and internet services on polling day, delay in announcement of election results, delay in publishing the results of Forms 45, 46, 48 and 49 on the website of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and a delay in allocating reserved seats to the Sunni Ittehad Council.

The pre-poll phase — which dealt with questions about the impartiality of key institutions such as the judiciary, the ECP, caretaker governments and intelligence agencies — scored 50 per cent, matching the score of the 2018 election but lower than 62 per cent scored by the 2013 election.

The overall score of the second phase stood at 40 per cent, matching the 2018 election score but significantly lower than the 2013 election score of 50 per cent. This phase assessed the voting process itself, as well as the counting of votes.

The post-poll phase also scored 40 per cent, an “an all-time low score which mirrored that of the 2002 general election which had seen unprecedented post-poll rigging in recent years,” the Pildat report said

 

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Outgoing senators call for strengthening democratic norms​

The outgoing senators have called for further strengthening the democratic norms and joint efforts to steer the country out of economic crises, Radio Pakistan reports.

In her farewell speech, Dr Mehr Taj Roghani stressed the need to adopt austerity measures to curtail the expenditure of the country. She said that there should be a complete ban on free petrol, electricity and other facilities being provided to the high officials.

Maula Bakhsh Chandio emphasised that the bitterness of the past should be set aside to move forward and put the country on the path of development and prosperity, the report stated.

Speaking on a point of order, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed emphasised the need for enhancing trade and economic relations with the neighbouring countries, especially Afghanistan.

 

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PTI’s Ali Muhammad advises incoming KP govt to never compromise on honesty, competence​

PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan has advised the incoming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet to “never compromise” on honesty, competence, protection of party ideology and consideration for the party workers and the public.
In a post on X, Khan congratulated the ministers-designate and said, “Hope you will never allow a compromise on these three guidelines in your respective ministries and provincial government.”

 

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PHC bars oath-taking of lawmakers on reserved seats denied to SIC till tomorrow


The Peshawar High Court has barred MNAs-elect, notified on reserved seats denied to the Sunni Ittehad Council, from taking oath until tomorrow.

The directive was issued on a petition filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) — the new home of the PTI — against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to reject the allocation of reserved seats to the party.

The SIC plea was taken up by a two-member PHC bench today. The court issued a pre-admission notice to the ECP and directed it to submit its response in the case. It also halted the oath-taking of lawmakers until tomorrow.

The bench further referred the case to the PHC chief justice for the formation of a larger bench.

It must be noted that the National Assembly is set to convene tomorrow and lawmakers on reserved women and minority seats are expected to be sworn in.

 

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ECP seeks PML-N’s nominations for women reserved seats in NA​

The Election Commission of Pakistan has sought additional lists for women reserved seats in the National Assembly from the PML-N, APP reports.

The PML-N’s priority list for NA in Punjab was depleted, prompting the ECP to seek nomination papers for nine more seats. These papers will be accepted based on the new priority list provided by the PML-N.

Earlier, the ECP released a schedule pertaining to the allocation of extra women reserved seats after it refused to allocate the same to the Sunni Ittehad Council.

According to the schedule, the issuance of the public notice is set for Thursday, with PML-N’s nominated candidates to submit their nomination papers to the Joint Election Commissioner of Punjab by March 9.

The preliminary list of candidates is slated for release on March 10, followed by the completion of the scrutiny of nomination papers by March 12. Appeals regarding the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers can be lodged till March 14.
The Appellate Tribunal will announce its verdict on the appeals by March 16.

The revised list will then be published on March 18, and candidates will have until March 19 to withdraw their nomination papers

 

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PHC bars oath-taking of lawmakers on reserved seats denied to SIC till tomorrow​

The Peshawar High Court has barred MNAs-elect, notified on reserved seats denied to the Sunni Ittehad Council, from taking oath until tomorrow.
The directive was issued on a petition filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) — the new home of the PTI — against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to reject the allocation of reserved seats to the party.
The SIC plea was taken up by a two-member PHC bench today. The court issued a pre-admission notice to the ECP and directed it to submit its response in the case. It also halted the oath-taking of lawmakers until tomorrow.
The bench further referred the case to the PHC chief justice for the formation of a larger bench.
It must be noted that the National Assembly is set to convene tomorrow and lawmakers on reserved women and minority seats are expected to be sworn in.

 

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PPP seeks applications for Senate elections from party candidates​

The PPP has sought applications from its party leaders aspiring for its ticket for the upcoming Senate elections.

In a post on X, the PPP said leader Nayyar Hussain Bukhari has sought the applications by March 10 for federal and provincial Senate seats.

It also directed the candidates to submit a bank draft of Rs100,000 along with the applications.

 

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Sunni Ittehad Council moves PHC for allocation of reserved seats​

The Sunni Ittehad Council — new home of the PTI — has filed a petition in Peshawar High Court (PHC) against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to reject the allocation of reserved seats to the party.
In its plea, the SIC prayed that the ECP’s verdict be set aside and the party be given its “due right” to reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies.
The petition has been fixed for hearing and will be taken up by a two-member bench comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Shakeel Ahmed

 

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Dialogue with Imran mandatory, says Elahi​

PTI president claims that his party’s candidates lost the Feb 8 polls due to the alleged tampering of Form 45

Our Correspondent
March 06, 2024

Former Punjab CM Parvez Elahi. SCREENGRAB

ISLAMABAD: Citing the formation of “fake cases” and underlining the necessity of “return of PTI’s real mandate”, party’s Central President Parvez Elahi has emphasised that the government’s “proposal for reconciliation” holds no significance.

Talking to media after appearing before the anti-corruption court, the PTI president claimed that his party’s candidates lost the Feb 8 polls due to the alleged tampering of Form 45.

“The country is being pushed towards a dire crisis by disregarding the public mandate. The election commission has reached the ‘height of cruelty and injustice’ by allocating our reserved seats to the Pakistan Democratic Movement,” he said.

The PTI leader stressed that the only way to steer the country of the current crisis was to hold “direct and meaningful dialogue” with Imran Khan.
“Government’s offer for reconciliation holds no meaning [in the wake of] fabricated cases and until the return of PTI’s real mandate.”

 

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PHC extends bar on oath-taking of reserved seats MNAs till March 13​

5-member larger bench takes up joint plea of PTI, SIC; summons AGP Awan again at next hearing.

 

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Army commands respect as defender, not decision-maker: Fazl​

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter
March 7, 2024

LAHORE: “I don’t accept this electoral mandate and I hold those responsible who have done it, not those for whom it was done,” said chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, here on Wednesday.

Inaugurating lawyers’ wing of his party, he insists if the establishment sabotages the electoral process and interferes in the democratic procedures, resolutions of Corps Commanders’ Conference cannot deter criticism of it. The army as a defender of Pakistan is respected, but not as a political decision-maker.

Berating the judiciary, he wonders how can this judicial system accept 100 cases in a week’s time against a person fallen out of favour of the military establishment and decide in favour of another 100 against a person, who has won favour of the army?

 

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Perturbed at audio leaks, MQM-P dissolves key decision-making body​

Imran Ayub
March 7, 2024

• Forms seven-member ad-hoc committee to run party affairs
• No decision yet on whether to support Asif Zardari in presidential election

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Wednesday dissolved its top decision-making forum known as coordination committee a week after it claimed that the party had found “someone from MQM-London”, who had sneaked into its ranks and was working for its founder Altaf Hussain, when audio clips of its senior leaders were leaked turning the spotlight on the party.

It formed a seven-member ad-hoc committee with Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui as convener and Mustafa Kamal, Dr Farooq Sattar, Nasreen Jalil, Anis Qaimkhani, Kaiful Wara and Rizwan Babar as its members.

It all came up last week when audio clips of senior party leaders Mustafa Kamal and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori got leaked on social media one after another giving strength to the impression of alleged rigging in general elections

 

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IHC issues notice to ECP on MWM plea​

Malik Asad
March 7, 2024

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan on a petition filed by Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) seeking a directive for the ECP to upload Forms 45 and 47 on its website.

IHC Justice Aamer Farooq heard the petition.

Advocate Imaan Zainab Mazari, appearing on behalf of the MWM, argued before the court that the ECP was under obligation to upload these forms as well as other documents related to constituency-wise election on its website in 14 days under the Elections Act.

She said the ECP had failed to comply with the statutory provision of uploading the Form 45 and Form 47 on its website.

She pointed out that the ECP uploaded these forms on its website for a while, but removed them later.
She requested the court to order the ECP to upload these forms on its website.

Justice Farooq also clubbed an identical petition filed by PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen and issued the notice to the ECP and adjourned the hearing till next week.

 

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Federal cabinet to be decided after presidential vote: Rana Sanaullah​

PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah has said that the federal cabinet would be decided after the new President takes oath on March 10.
Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, the former interior minister said: “I think it will be done by March 10-11.”
When asked why the cabinet formation was being delayed and if the delay was because PML-N leader Ishaq Dar’s role could not be decided so far, Sanaullah explained that everyone was focusing their attention to the presidential vote.

 

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Bilawal says Zardari’s presidential role similar to Queen of England’s​

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that the presidential nominee and his father Asif Ali Zardari will have a role similar to the one Queen of England had in the United Kingdom.
While addressing the media after a meeting of the coalition government, the former foreign minister said that it would be the first time that a civilian would hold the presidential office twice.
He said that because of the 18th amendment, all the responsibilities of the president had been transferred to the parliament and national assembly, which was a “huge victory” in Pakistan’s political struggle.
“Now I tell him that this time around, your role would be that of the Queen of England in the United Kingdom,” he said.

 

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Zardari assures PM Shehbaz of allies’ support in face of prevailing challenges​

Former president Asif Ali Zardari has said that coalition parties are standing alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the wake of prevailing challenges being faced by the country.
Addressing the media today with PM Shehbaz, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other allied party leaders, Zardari said: “We will use [all our strength] whenever the need arises, will give them electoral and even international help when needed.”
He also suggested that the country could be a force multiplier for China if they uplift agricultural techniques, fix canal linings and make a dam.

 

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SIC petitions LHC over ECP decision to reject reserved seats allocation​

Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza has challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to reject the party’s plea seeking allotment of reserved seats in the Lahore High Court.
On behalf of Raza, Advocate Ishtiaq A Khan filed the plea, which listed the electoral watchdog as the main respondent.
The petition pointed out that the ECP was neither a tribunal nor a court, adding that the SIC should be allotted the reserved seats based on their representation in the National Assembly.

 

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MQM-P announces to vote for Asif Ali Zardari in presidential election​

BR Web Desk

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Thursday announced to vote for the ruling coalition’s joint candidate Asif Ali Zardari in the presidential election.

This was announced by party’s convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui after a meeting with a delegation led by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in the federal capital.

“Thanks for coming. We are with you. We will support Zardari Sahab in the presidential election and will vote for him,” Siddiqui told reporters in joint-presser with Bilawal.

The meeting was held after a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for coalition partners. He described MQM-P’s demands as genuine and urged them to vote for Zardari.

 

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Oath-taking of MNAs ‘contempt of court’, says PTI’s Omer Ayub​

PTI-backed MNA Omer Ayub Khan has said that the lawmakers who took oath today on reserved seats committed “contempt of court” and their swearing-in should be declared “void”.

Speaking on the floor of the lower house of the Parliament, he stated that PTI leaders were not being allowed to meet incarcerated party chief Imran Khan by the Adiala Jail superintendent.

“We should be told if the jail superintendent is answerable to the court or to the government,” Ayub demanded.

“Today, on behalf of all my opposition members, I demand that the oath taken today should be declared null and void as it has no legal standing,” he said, adding that the opposition would continue to protest until SIC members on reserved seats took oath.

PTI-backed Omer Ayub Khan speaks on the floor of the National Assembly. — DawnNews

 

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ICYMI: Polling for presidential elections to commence at 10am tomorrow​

Polling for the presidential elections will begin at 10am tomorrow and conclude by 4pm, state-run Radio Pakistan reports.

Asif Ali Zardari, the joint candidate of PPP and the PML-N, and Sunni Ittehad Council’s nominee Mahmood Khan Achakzai are vying for the office of president.

It must be noted that the president is elected by an electoral college comprising members of the Senate, National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies. Voting is held through a secret ballot.

A joint session of the Parliament will be convened in Islamabad tomorrow during which the members of the National Assembly and the Senate will exercise their right to vote. Similar sessions will also be held in the provincial assemblies

 

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PHC order applies to eight women reserved seats, clarifies AGP Awan​

Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan has clarified that the Peshawar High Court’s order pertaining to the stay on oath-taking of MNAs on reserved seats applied to eight lawmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

As the National Assembly session convened today, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq administered oath to some MNAs on reserved seats — a move that was contested by the PTI.

However, the AGP stated that none of the MNAs sworn in today were from KP

 

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NA did not receive any notice on oath-taking of MNAs on reserved seats, says speaker Ayaz Sadiq​

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has said that the house did not receive any notice or order from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the oath-taking of MNAs on reserved seats.

He passed these remarks after PTI-backed lawmaker Barrister Gohar Ali Khan highlighted that MNAs on reserved seats could not be administered oath in light of the order of the Peshawar High Court.

It must be noted that a day earlier the PHC had deferred the oath-taking of nine women lawmakers, who had been awarded the reserved seats claimed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC)

 

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All political parties except ‘cartoons’ want to take country out of crisis: Maryam​

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the public wanted politicians to work for them instead of fighting amongst each other.

Addressing Punjab MPAs today, she said: “The poor are looking towards us. What will they say if these people see us fighting and not doing anything for them?”

CM Maryam said all serious-minded political parties except one whom Bilawal termed as “cartoons” want to take the country out of crisis. “The problems are so serious and intense that no party can solve them alone.

 

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Newly elected MNA on reserved seats take oath​

A number of newly elected lawmakers on reserved seats in the National Assembly have been sworn in.

They were administered oath by NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq amid slogans by PTI-backed lawmakers.

It must be noted that the Election Commission of Pakistan earlier this week rejected the allocation of reserved seats to members of the Sunni Ittehad Council — new home of PTI — and distributed those seats among other parties. mainly the PML-N and PPP.

 

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Bilawal hails Maryam for ‘making history’ as first female CM of Pakistan​

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has hailed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for assuming office as the first female provincial chief executive in Pakistan.

Addressing a PPP-PML-N parliamentary party meeting in Lahore, Bilawal said: “Your election [as the CM] is a message for Pakistan and Punjab. All the women are looking towards you as an example.”

The former foreign minister also praised CM Maryam’s decision to announce a Ramazan package for the poor segments of the society.