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Updated 19 Mar, 2024 02:15pm

PTI’s Khurrum Sher Zaman raises questions over Nawaz chairing Punjab Assembly meetings as MNA

PTI leader Khurrum Sher Zaman has raised questions over PLM-N supremo Nawaz Sharif chairing Punjab Assembly meetings when he was only an MNA.

Questions were raised when Nawaz on Monday made a conspicuous appearance by chairing three administrative meetings of the Punjab government.

“In what capacity is Nawaz Sharif presiding over administrative meetings?” Zaman asked in a post on X.

“He is only an MNA, and that too with a stolen mandate,” the PTI leader added.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 02:59pm

Decision to join SIC was absolutely right: PTI’s Gohar

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has defended the party’s decision to have winning candidates backed by it join the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

Speaking to reporters, he said, “There is no difference with the SIC. The decision to join the SIC was absolutely right and the better decision.”

The PTI MNA emphasised, “ We kept striving for our party symbol and wanted to contest [the elections] on our [electoral] symbol.“

Gohar reiterated that it was the SIC-PTI coalition’s “right” to get reserved seats in the assemblies.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 02:35pm

Pakistan cannot ‘afford’ dynasty politics anymore: MWM chief Nasir

Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) leader Allama Raja Nasir has said that Pakistan cannot “afford” such politics where “power is transferred among generations”.

In a post on X, Nasir said that a “horde of losers from Britain is taking Pakistan towards destruction” — an apparent reference to the PML-N.

“The same people are responsible for this destruction who have occupied power for the past 40 years,” the MWM chief added.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 01:55pm

‘Lights, camera, action’: PTI claims Punjab CM projects only for ‘personal publicity’

The PTI, without naming, has alleged that all projects under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz were for “personal publicity and gathering false praises on social media”.

In a post on X, the party said, “Lights, camera, action”. It claimed that food packages were “taken back” after photographing people with it and shared a video of a few Punjabi-speaking residents claiming that “photo sessions” were held.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 01:23pm

Putin, Shehbaz ‘selected in same manner’, claims Fawad Chaudhry

Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “got ‘selected’ in the same manner” as Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently extended his rule for another six years after winning the elections.

In a statement posted on his X account attributed to him, Fawad also compared the premier to Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina Wajid.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 01:05pm

Iranian consul general congratulates Maryam on election as Punjab CM

Iranian Consul General Mehran Mowahid has met PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz and congratulated her on being elected as the Punjab chief minister, the party said on X.

During the meeting, it was decided that the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore would be decorated on the occasion of Nowruz on March 20.

 — X/@pmln_org
— X/@pmln_org

Published 19 Mar, 2024 12:51pm

Disruption of social media site X continues for over a month

Disruption of social media platform X has continued for over a month as civil society and rights activists raised their concerns about the situation.

Referring to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s recent comments on the disruption, BoloBhi Director Usama Khilji said, “Finally some acknowledgement.”

“When will [the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority] speak up as per its legal mandate?” he asked in a post on X.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 12:28pm

Gujranwala MNA lost seat to PML-N after votes ‘spoiled’ in recount: PTI’s Ayub

PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub has said that party-backed MNA Bilal Ejaz has lost his NA-81 seat from Gujranwala after a vote recount was held.

In a post on X, Ayub claimed, “The ECP allowed a vote recount, and his votes were reduced by putting double stamps on his electoral symbols.”

He said a PML-N candidate had been declared the winner now, adding, “The ballots were double-stamped to spoil the votes of Bilal Ejaz.”

“This is a complete farce and proves that the commissioners [of] ECP and Chief Election Commissioner should resign immediately,” the PTI MNA demanded.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 11:57am

SC orders fresh poll in PB-50 constituency

The Supreme Court has ordered re-election in Balochistan Assembly’s PB-50 constituency in Qilla Abdullah.

Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, a three-judge SC bench on Monday set aside the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order for re-polling at six polling stations in the constituency.

The bench, including Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, ordered the ECP to conduct a fresh election as per the law.

The ECP’s decision was challenged by Awami National Party’s Zamarak Khan, who contended that the turnout at many polling stations in the constituency remained low.

Read more here

Published 19 Mar, 2024 11:53am

PML-N’s Khawaja Asif says govt seeking economic consensus with all political parties

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the government is seeking economic consensus with all political parties to push the country towards economic prosperity, Radio Pakistan reports.

Speaking to a private news channel, he said PML-N’s manifesto included giving facilities to Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s interior areas and bringing them at par with major cities.

The minister said the government was also taking steps to overhaul the fragmented tax system, ensuring businesses pay their tax on time, and tackling electricity and gas theft to strengthen the economy.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 11:45am

‘Poison and hatred not just in PTI, others too’: Faisal Vawda

Former PTI leader Faisal Vawda has said that the politics of “hatred” was not just employed by the PTI but also by other parties.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, he said, “Venom and hatred are not just in the PTI but in the rest of the parties too.

He also recalled his cordial relations with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s Mustafa Kamal, Rauf Siddiqui and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 11:30am

Senate elections: Scrutiny of nomination papers to conclude today

The scrutiny of nomination papers filed for 48 vacant seats of the Senate is under way and will conclude today, Radio Pakistan reports.

A revised list of candidates will be issued on March 26 and candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by the next day. Polling will be held on April 2.

In Islamabad, MNAs will elect members of the Senate against one general seat and one seat for technocrats, including Ulema.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has constituted five appellate tribunals to address appeals regarding the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers submitted by candidates for the vacant Senate seats.

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Published 19 Mar, 2024 11:10am

RO issues schedule for by-election on NA-8 in Bajaur

The Election Commission of Pakistan has appointed Lower Dir additional deputy commissioner (finance & planning) Jan Mohammad as the returning officer for the by-election on NA-8 in Bajaur tribal district.

After his appointment as RO, Jan Mohammad issued a notification, fixing March 16 to 18 for the filing of nomination papers by the candidates for the by-poll to be held on April 21.

He fixed March 21 for the scrutiny of nomination papers and March 25 for filing of appeals against the decision of the returning officer regarding the rejection or acceptance of the nomination papers.

Similarly, March 28 was set for a decision on appeals by the appellate tribunal.

Read more here.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 10:56am

PPP MNA congratulates Aseefa on ‘entering electoral politics’

PPP MNA Nafisa Shah has congratulated Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari for filing her nomination papers to contest the by-election from NA-207 Nawabshah-I.

Aseefa, the the sibling of PPP Chair­man Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, had filed her nomination paper on Sunday, after the seat was vacated by her father, Asif Ali Zardari, who was elected president.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 10:03am

PTI’s Dogar says decision to join SIC was taken with Imran’s permission

While talking to media outside the Islamabad High Court, PTI MNA Malik Amir Dogar expressed hope that PTI leaders would be “acquitted” today.

He said the judges’ observations during the detailed hearing on Monday indicated that the case is nearing conclusion.

He also commented on the decision of PTI-backed winning candidates to join the Sunni Ittehad Council and said it was taken with Imran Khan’s permission.

Published 19 Mar, 2024 09:32am

Envoys call on Asif Zardari, congratulate him on becoming head of state

Presi­d­ent Asif Ali Zardari emphasised the need for boosting trade ties with the US and the United Arab Emirates and invited businessmen of the two countries to invest in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

US Ambassador Donald Blome congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on assuming the office of president for a second time.

Later, Ambassador of UAE to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi called on President Zardari.

Talking to the UAE ambassador, President Zadari stressed the need for boosting trade ties between Pakistan and the UAE.

The ambassador congratulated President Zardari on becoming the president for the second term and extended best wishes on behalf of the leadership and people of UAE. He invited Mr Zardari to visit the UAE, which the president accepted.

Read more here

Published 19 Mar, 2024 08:23am

ECP notifies appellate tribunals for Senate polls

The Election Commission of Pakistan has notified appointment of five appellate tribunals for the Senate elections 2024, consisting of high court judges.

According to a notification issued here, an appellate tribunal has been constituted for the federal capital comprising Justice Saman Rifat Imtiaz.

Likewise, an appellate tribunal, headed by Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan for Punjab, the appellate tribunal for Sindh will be headed by Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, the appellate tribunal for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be headed Justice Shakil Ahmed.

According to the notification, unlike the other three provinces and the federal capital, two appellate tribunals have been formed for Balochistan, comprising Justice Ejaz Swati and Justice Nazeer Ahmed Langove.

Read more here

Updated 19 Mar, 2024 10:23am

Questions raised as MNA Nawaz chairs Punjab govt meetings

After mostly staying away from public view since the Feb 8 general elections, PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif made a conspicuous appearance on Monday by chairing three administrative meetings of the Punjab government.

The move has raised many eyebrows since Nawaz holds no official position in either the provincial or federal government and is officially only a National Assembly member.

An official handout issued after the meeting said the PML-N supremo issued directions to ministers and officials regarding different infrastructure projects, including the underground train and metro bus, farmers’ plight, electric bikes for students and Ramazan relief package.

Read more here

Published 18 Mar, 2024 10:33pm

PTI’s Latif Khosa downplays alleged party split over joining SIC

PTI leader Latif Khosa has downplayed the alleged split within the party over the decision to join the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

Speaking on Geo News show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, he said: “Nothing is happening. When you ask different people then they will give their own opinion.”

He instead hinted at the issue allegedly being perpetuated by the PTI’s opposition and the former caretaker government.

Published 18 Mar, 2024 08:35pm

Punjab unveils budget worth over Rs4,480bn

Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman has presented the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 worth Rs4,480.7 billion in today’s Punjab Assembly session, Radio Pakistan reports.

Read more here.

Published 18 Mar, 2024 08:31pm

PTI’s Barrister Gohar defends decision to join Sunni Ittehad Council

PTI’s Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has defended the party’s decision to join the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), saying that it was a “very correct and serious decision”.

He said the SIC was the most suitable party in comparison to other political parties present in Parliament to avail the reserved seats.