Live: Elections 2024

This is the end of Dawn.com’s live blog for elections 2024.

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Scrutiny of nomination papers for 48 Senate seats, including 12 each from Punjab and Sindh, 11 from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and two from the federal capital, has been completed, APP reports.

In the federal capital, National Assembly members will elect representatives for one general seat and one seat for technocrats, including Ulema, in the Senate.

Meanwhile, members of the four provincial assemblies will elect senators, including seven for general seats, two for women seats, and two for technocrats, including Ulema, from each province.

Additionally, one seat for non-Muslims will be elected from both Punjab and Sindh provinces.

Polling for the Senate’s vacant seats from the federal capital will take place at Parliament House on April 2, 2024.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has notified Mahmood Khan as the chairman and Malik Afzal Din Khan as the vice chairman of the PTI-Parliamentarians following the party’s intraparty elections.

PTI Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand has questioned the government as to why it is scared of his party’s processions and rallies.

In a conversation on Geo News show ‘Capital Talk’, Mohmand said the permission sought by the party from Deputy Commissioner (DC) Irfan Nawaz Memon for the rally on March 23 in Islamabad was to understand the situation.

“We are seeing if they will allow us or not,” he said.

While answering about the PTI’s intentions for the rally, he said the party’s objective for the rally was to raise its complaints regarding the injustice being done.

“I don’t understand why they are scared and jealous of PTI rallies,” he said.

“Maybe it is because they cannot carry out such rallies which is why they are not allowing us either,” he said.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman has said he can not comment on the closure of social media platform X.

In a conversation with Dawn.com later today while answering a question regarding his meeting with the concerned government body on X’s closure, Rehman said that he did attend the meeting, however, he could not say anything regarding the ban.

PTI leader Parvez Elahi suffered a minor fracture after a fall in the prison toilet in Adiala Jail, according to a report from the prison superintendent presented during a hearing today in the Lahore anti-terrorism court.

The report added that the incident occurred on Sunday.

PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat has downplayed the alleged split in the party, adding that the decisions by the party are taken through “collective wisdom”.

“We have no differences between us. There is a difference of opinion on the decision or issue but you should not take that as a conflict between the leadership,” he said while speaking to the media outside Islamabad High Court, adding that the party is united for Imran Khan’s mission.

“There can be differences on specific issues,” he said.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman has said that authority had not received any written order from the interior ministry regarding the closure of X.

“There is just confusion for now,” he said.

While answering a question regarding Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s acknowledgement of the closure, Rehman stated that Tarar should be questioned for any information on X.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman has said a meeting took place on February 8 at 5am in Interior Secretary Aftab Durrani’s office where it transpired that there were security threats on election day.

“We were ordered to shut down the internet [on the day] and we formally tweeted about it as well,” he told Dawn.com.

He stated that it should be clarified whether X is shut or else someone should take responsibility for it.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman has said he will raise the issue of the closure of social media platform X with the interior ministry.

In a telephonic conversation with Dawn.com, he said: “Either the matter should be cleared or someone should take responsibility for it. The closure of social media forums is always directed by the interior ministry.”

When asked whether any instruction was issued regarding shutting down X in the country, the PTA chairman stated that there is just confusion for now.

“I have asked my staff that my internet is working even though I do not have a VPN,” he said, referring to a virtual private network.

British High Commission’s Political Counsellor Zoe Ware has called on PTI leader Asad Qaiser to discuss matters related to parliamentary politics, freedom of expression and mutual interests.

President Asif Zardari has highlighted the need to translate bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bahrain into a “mutually rewarding economic partnership”.

According to the President’s Secretariat, the head of state expressed these views while talking to Commander of the National Guard of Bahrain General Sheikh Mohammad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr today.

Zardari said Pakistan attached great value to its fraternal ties with Bahrain which were based on shared religion, culture and history.

“Welcoming the visiting commander, the president said Pakistan and Bahrain enjoyed excellent relations, which needed to be further strengthened in the areas of mutual interest,” the statement said.

“During the meeting, the commander of the National Guard of Bahrain felicitated the president on assuming the office for the second time and expressed the hope that Pakistan would move forward under his leadership,” it added.

The statement quoted the Bahrain commander as saying that “both countries enjoyed excellent defence cooperation and expressed his gratitude for the supportive role of the armed forces of Pakistan. “

General Khalifa also extended an invitation to President Zardari to visit Bahrain.

PTI leader Khurrum Sher Zaman has applauded the Sindh High Court for issuing a notice to Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja on a plea seeking contempt proceedings against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

PTI-backed candidates had sought contempt proceedings against the electoral watchdog for not deciding their complaints against provisional results of general elections.

“Kudos to SHC for issuing notice to CEC on PTI pleas,” Zaman said in a post on X.

Interior and Narcotics Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged to review laws governing social media in light of the prevailing disruption of X.

Speaking to the media in Lahore today alongside PPP leader Ali Haider Gilani, the security czar gave an example of how the US House passed a bill to ban TikTok.

“In a country like the US where such things (ban) are taking place, we will also need to review our law and make sure that there is ‘no ban’ on the freedom of expression,” Naqvi added.

The interior minister emphasised that the misuse of social media which results in levelling unfounded allegations “needs to be kept in check”.

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.

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.

The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has said that it was “impossible” for the country’s situation to improve unless its leaders “prioritised public interests over their own”.

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.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has appointed Zeeshan Malik as the special assistant to CM on political affairs, according to a notification shared by the PML-N on X.

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.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has appointed Saima Farooq as the personal secretary to CM, according to a notification shared by MPA Hina Parvez Butt on X.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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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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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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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.

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.

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.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Engineer Ziaur Rehman has filed his nomination papers for the NA-44 seat, which PTI’s Ali Amin Gandapur vacated after his election as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister.

PTI MNA Malik Amir Dogar has said that the decision of PTI-backed winning candidates joining the Sunni Ittehad Council — currently facing criticism from some party leaders — was taken with party founder Imran Khan’s permission.

Speaking to reporters outside the Islamabad High Court, Dogar said, “There is no dispute. Everything was done with consensus.

“When I had gone to meet Imran Khan *sahib — Ali Muhammad Khan and Barrister Gohar sahib, [Latif] Khosa sahib were with me — there was consensus,” he added.

“We had two to three options. Among those, we chose this with Khan sahib’s permission,” Dogar said on the matter of joining the SIC.

The PTI has shared videos of its party supporters chanting slogans in the favour of incarcerated ex-premier Imran Khan.

Party workers chanted “Neither is he rebel nor a traitor — prisoner 804” and “Release Imran Khan”.

PTI-Parliamentarian Information Secretary Ziaullah Bangash has termed PTI MNA Sher Afzal Marwat’s allegations regarding corruption in the former KP government as “baseless and false”.

In a post on X, he said former chief minister Mahmood Khan “outright rejected such unfounded accusations”, terming Marwat’s remarks as “childish”.

“Members from previous terms are also included in the current cabinet, so do not tarnish Imran Khan’s leadership,” Bangash added.

He urged Marwat to present evidence to the National Accountability Bureau if there was any.

PTI leader Taimur Jhagra has called out the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for using “delaying tactics” to prevent candidates’ petitions from being submitted before the election tribunals.

In a post on X, the former KP finance minister said the electoral watchdog’s behaviour will only raise “serious questions” about its role in the entire process.

“Candidates across 9 Peshawar seats having been ping-ponged across ROs, DROs, and ECP to try to get attested copies of the supposed Forms 45 that tally with the Forms 47 of the result. This is happening despite high court orders,” Jhagra alleged.

Ex-premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has called for the country’s politicians to hold a national dialogue to bridge the “divides”.

In an interview with DawnNewsTV, the estranged PML-N leader said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should hold talks with “everyone”.

“He will have to sit together. It is a reality — whether you accept it or not — that the PTI has won seats. The fight is on how many,” he said.

Abbasi further said, “May God guide the PTI so that they understand what is a parliamentary system. They have entered it [so] should [play the role as] opposition; they are in such huge numbers.”

The politician asserted, “Until a consensus is reached, the country cannot be run.”

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed candidates contesting Senate polls to submit their election returns of elections expenses on forms-C within 30 days, APP reports.

According to a notification issued by the electoral watchdog, the candidates need to comply with the directions within the allotted time or face action under Sections 136 (4) and 136 (5).

Former Senator Babar Awan and PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub have met Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed — party members who have been in jail in cases pertaining to the May 9 violence.

In a post on X, Awan termed the incarcerated women’s morale “higher than the Himalayas”. “Release Imran Khan and jailed women,” he added.

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that it was difficult for a government that has “questions on its mandate” to run the country’s affairs.

In an interview with DawnNewsTV, the seasoned politician said the previous PML-N-led government of 16 months did not have a “quarrel on mandate”. “Today, fingers are pointed at the mandate.”

He further said that the “divide” in the country needed to be eliminated, for which the entire political, judicial and military leadership needed to “sit together”.

Abbasi added that time would tell if the current system of the country’s economic matters being decided by the Special Investment Facilitation Council would prove to be fruitful.

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that the Sunni Ittehad Council — the new home of PTI-backed winning candidates — has the right to reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies.

In an interview with DawnNewsTV, the estranged PML-N leader said, “If they did not submit a list [of the candidates], there is a solution for that as well.

“If they cannot do this either, then leave the [reserved] seats vacant,” Abbasi added.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership is indispensable for the progress and prosperity of the two countries, Radio Pakistan reports.

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong called on FM Dar in Islamabad today, where the latter reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to making joint endeavours for further deepening bilateral relations and to advance phase II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Ambassador Jiang underscored the special importance China accords to Pakistan and its firm support for the country’s socioeconomic development, and industrial and agricultural cooperation, the report stated.

He also agreed with Dar on the high-quality development of phase II of CPEC.

PTI’s estranged member Akbar S. Babar has urged Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to conduct an inquiry into the PTI’s alleged “secret” bank accounts abroad.

In a letter to Naqvi, a copy of which was also sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Babar recalled the years-long prohibited funding case against the PTI, in which the ECP ruled that the party did indeed receive prohibited funding.

He quoted details from the ECP order, including “private bank accounts of PTI employees illegally used to collect donations” and “grossly inaccurate and wrong” filing of signed certificates by ex-premier Imran Khan.

“There is a need to pursue with full vigour all instances of violations of law documented in the ECP of Aug 2, 2022,” Babar asserted.

The letter mentioned seven foreign bank accounts “identified” during the proceedings of the case and “admitted by PTI” — three Bank of America accounts, one in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, one in Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and two in Lloyds Bank. It further said three sources of funding were revealed — from PTI Finland, PTI Norway and Insaf New Zealand.

Terming “illegal funding of political parties” as a matter of national security, Babar urged the interior minister to “seek details of all PTI international bank accounts maintained abroad through the Mutual Legal Assistance arrangements” and to take action against the perpetrators.

PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan has termed it “shameful that X has remained blocked in the country for over one month now.”

“We fully endorse 28 civil society organisations’ demand for immediate removal of ban on the social media platform allowing free flow of information as should be the case in a democratic country,” he wrote in a post on X.

The statement by organisations had said: “We urge the incoming government, regulators and other public bodies to recognise that any action that affects the flow of information and limits has a direct and lingering impact on citizens’ human rights including the right to political participation.”

Signatories include Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, the Pakistan Press Foundation and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists.

The Supreme Court has ordered fresh elections in Balochistan’s PB-50 constituency of Qila Abdullah, declaring “null and void” the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order for re-polling in only six polling stations.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa heard the case today.

ANP leader Zamrud Khan’s win in the Feb 8 elections was challenged by PML-N leader Malik Nawaz in the ECP. Subsequently, Zamrud filed a plea against the electoral watchdog’s decision in the top court.

During the hearing today, the CJP cautioned against involving the court in election-related matters, pointing out that appeals should be filed in tribunals.

“The court cannot hear 400 election cases,” CJP Isa remarked. “If both parties are satisfied, they can conduct re-polling across the entire constituency.”

The court ordered re-polling in the constituency after all the parties agreed to it.

Privatisation and Board of Investment Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said that all development projects would be completed in a coordinated manner in accordance with the public interest to ensure their sustainability, Radio Pakistan reports.

Speaking at a ceremony in his NA-117 constituency in Lahore, Aleem said that before the construction of roads, sewerage and other essentials would be ensured so that the public exchequer could be saved.

The Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party leader pledged to address long-standing public interest issues being faced by the residents in his constituency on top priority.

The scrutiny of nomination papers filed for 48 vacant seats of the Senate will be carried out tomorrow, Radio Pakistan reports.

A revised list of the 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.

Russian Consul General Andrey Fedorov has congratulated PPP’s Murad Ali Shah on his election as the Sindh chief minister.

In a post on X, the Sindh CM House confirmed Fedorov’s meeting with Shah.

PTI leader Musarrat Cheema has pleaded with the government to end the “chain of oppression against its own citizens”.

“We appeal that this chain of oppression against our own citizens must come to an end,” she said in a post on X. “The betterment of the country lies within this.”

Cheema claimed that such “injustice and unfair treatment” meted out to political prisoners was “unparalleled in history”.

“In the bogus cases of May 9, hundreds of Pakistanis have been subjected to the worst injustice for over 10 months now,” she added. “Despite their illnesses, they are being forced to undergo hardships daily. Lives of thousands of families have been destroyed.”

A session of the Punjab Assembly is scheduled to be held at 2pm today, Radio Pakistan reports.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan will chair the session.

Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman will present the budget for the remaining next three months during the session.

The coalition of convenience between PTI and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) remains strained due to conflicting statements from leaders of both parties.

SIC chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza has warned PTI leaders that their criticism of the alliance will make Imran Khan “suffer more than anyone”.

Speaking to DawnNewsTV, Mr Raza said censuring the PTI-SIC alliance in public would benefit the current government. “Party discipline will also be compromised, and our attention will be diverted from Imran Khan’s cases,” he said.

“The purpose of joining SIC was to bring PTI candidates under one umbrella, so the plans of other parties to pressurise candidates would not be successful,” he said, adding that the target was achieved as their votes in most elections in the parliament remained secure.

Read more here

PTI has cast fresh doubts on the participation of individuals who were members of the caretaker set-up in the upcoming Senate polls, saying that the Constitution does not allow it.

In a post on social media platform X, PTI-backed MNA Ali Mohammad Khan claimed that a minister, chief minister or prime minister of the interim caretaker set-up cannot contest elections which they supervised. Khan cited Article 224(1B) of the Constitution in support of his claim.

However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar rejected the PTI leaders’ contentions.

When contacted, Tarar told Dawn that Article 224(1B) did not apply to the caretakers contesting the upcoming Senate elections as the article bars them from becoming a member of the first assembly to be elected after the interim set-up.

He quoted the example of PTI leader Ali Zafar, saying he had been elected to the Senate soon after he served as caretaker law minister in 2018. “In fact, the PTI leader has wrongly interpreted Article 224 as his claim has no relevance with the said article,” the minister added.

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At the funeral of Lt Col Syed Kashif Ali and Capt Muhammad Ahmed Badar on Saturday night, President Asif Ali Zardari asserted that the blood of the martyrs would not go in vain and the country would avenge the deaths. The president said Pakistan would not hesitate to strike back if attacked by anyone at borders or inside its territory. He added that the army and the people were united to fight against terrorism.

“This noble sacrifice stands as another glorious testament to the unflinching resolve of our gallant sons, who have never hesitated to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the defence of our motherland. The entire nation stands in solidarity with our armed forces, APP quoted the president as saying.

Besides President Zardari, the foreign and interior ministers, the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, the chief of army staff, relatives of martyrs and locals of the area attended the funeral, APP added.

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said a comprehensive plan had been prepared for the restoration of law and order in the province, highlighting that it was the government’s top priority.

Speaking to the media today during his first-ever visit to Dera Ismail Khan after being elected as the chief minister, the PTI leader asserted that the security plan would be implemented soon as it was imperative for the progress of any area.

He said steps would also be taken for the safety of police and other forces in light of the rise in terror attacks last year.

The chief minister said the government will also bring back the Sehat Card facility. “We have to improve the treatment facilities at public hospitals,” he said, expressing hope that the people would not feel the need to visit private hospitals as the provision of all facilities would be ensured at public hospitals.

Commenting on the current wave of inflation, he said the provincial government will give Rs10,000 each to 850,000 deserving families of the province under the Ramazan package. “It will be handed over to them at their doorstep respectfully,” CM Gandapur said.

Read full story here

Former speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser visited Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) leader Allama Raja Nasir at his residence where the current political situation and the future political plan were discussed in detail.

MWM leader, in a post on X, said that the future course of action with the parties who have reservations about election results was discussed during the meeting.

PTI leader Raoof Hasan has said there is absolute clarity in Imran Khan’s thinking regarding party policies, adding that he did not believe in any conspiracy theories about the party.

While speaking to Geo News, Raoof said that the miscommunication was caused by PTI leaders’ inability to meet Imran in Adiala Jail.

“We have raised these complaints in front of the courts, the courts have given their orders [to allow PTI leaders to meet Imran], but the jail administration does not follow those orders,” he said.

He stated that there was absolute clarity in Imran’s thinking, however, the restrictions to the party’s movement in meeting Imran creates a “vacuum” which is then exploited to confuse.

“I am not the one to go for conspiracy theories,” he said, adding that the party has taken notice of the incidents.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that the elected government’s priority was to find a resolution for the problems of the masses, APP reports.

While addressing a ceremony in Lahore, he claimed the PML-N had always served the people with utmost dedication under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He thanked the people of his constituency for supporting him and stated that he would strive to solver their problems.

He stated that the people of Christian faith in his community also supported him in the general elections, adding that it was his responsibility to work for their welfare.

Tarar called for making Pakistan a citadel of peace where people from all faiths could live in peace and harmony.

Former provincial minister Faisal Amin Gandapur has submitted his nomination papers to contest the by-election from Dera Ismail Khan’s NA-44.

The PML-N has claimed that incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan “will disown (PTI’s) Sher Afzal Marwat just like Akbar S Babar for spitting facts”.

In a post on X, the PML-N also alleged that PTI was the “most corrupt political party” in the country’s history.

PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan has questioned if the federal government is using public VPNs to gain access to accounts on social media platform X.

Khan raised the matter while replying to a post from the government of Pakistan’s X account.

“If Twitter X is such a good and useful thing, then why is [it] closed?” he questioned, adding that if the opposite was true, why was the government using it themselves?