The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to conduct a crucial meeting today, focusing on the worsening state of law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, as general elections are set to take place on February 8, The News reported on Thursday.
In the past few weeks, there has been a significant increase in attacks on political rallies, camp offices, and candidates, as well as terror incidents, especially in the two restive provinces.
The ECP directed KP’s chief secretary and inspector general of police to submit a detailed report on the murder of independent candidate, Rehan Zeb Khan, contesting for the National Assembly (NA) seat from NA-8 Bajur.
The unidentified persons gunned down the young political activist on Wednesday in his hometown while he was canvassing for votes.
An ECP notification stated that “The scheduled meeting in Islamabad on Thursday at 3pm will be attended by the minister and secretary of interior, chief secretaries, inspectors general of KP and Balochistan, and officials from intelligence agencies.”
ECP also asked for an immediate report from the Balochistan chief secretary and inspector general of police on the bomb attack at a political party’s election office.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the caretaker government disclosed an adjustment in the pricing of petrol and diesel, elevating their rates to Rs272.89 and Rs278.96 per litre, respectively.
The revised figures indicate an increment of Rs13.55 per litre for petrol and Rs2.75 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD).
The updated prices are slated to come into effect on February 1, 2024. Prior speculation by Business Recorder suggested a potential surge in petrol prices ranging from Rs8 to Rs11 per litre and an increase of Rs2 to Rs7 per litre for HSD.
This decision follows the government’s recent review, during which a notable reduction of Rs 8 per litre was declared for petrol while the HSD rate remained unaltered.
The move has garnered attention and stirred discussions within various sectors.
In a recent Bloomberg survey conducted among Pakistani finance professionals, incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan emerged as the leading choice to oversee the country’s economic recovery.
Despite being barred from contesting the upcoming February 8 election, Khan’s enduring popularity was cited as a crucial factor by respondents, who believe he could implement market-focused reforms in the long term.
The survey, which included 12 traders, economists, and analysts from major brokerages, placed three-time former premier Nawaz Sharif in the second position. Respondents acknowledged Sharif’s experience in government and speculated that his alignment with the powerful military contributed to his standing.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, a member of the influential Bhutto clan, secured a distant third place, with some survey participants expressing reservations about dynastic politics.
Bloomberg Economics conducted an analysis of Pakistan’s misery index, combining inflation and unemployment rates, revealing that Sharif’s party had a better track record in managing the economy over the past three decades compared to rivals, including Khan.
Despite Khan’s three court convictions and election disqualification, questions about the legitimacy of the upcoming polls are surfacing among independent observers and voters.
With almost 129 million eligible voters set to cast their ballots, concerns are growing about the electoral system’s integrity in the absence of the country’s most popular politician.
Pakistan’s National Assembly has completed a full term only three times in its 76-year history, and political observers note rising discontent with the electoral system in Khan’s absence.
Khan, convicted of graft in August, received another jail sentence on Tuesday for his involvement in publicising a classified diplomatic cable. On Wednesday, he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 14 years in jail for a case related to the illegal selling of state gifts.
As Khan faces legal challenges, Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz are gaining support from voters. Sharif’s return from exile last year, widely seen as a deal with the military, has boosted his popularity, particularly in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province.
The respondents to the Bloomberg survey unanimously agreed that Pakistan’s economic survival hinges on a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. Half of them believe the country can withstand six months without a bailout, while the ongoing nine-month IMF programme is set to conclude in March, with about $1 billion in dollar-denominated debt due in April.
Key findings from the January survey include expectations of 2.65 per cent economic growth in the fiscal year starting July, the government’s estimate of 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent expansion in the current fiscal year, a forecasted moderation of inflation to 25.05 per cent by the fiscal year ending June (currently at about 30 per cent), and a consensus that Pakistan cannot survive for more than a year without an IMF bailout.
In a recent announcement, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) declared that banks across the country will remain closed on February 5 (Monday) in commemoration of Kashmir Day. The central bank issued a statement on Wednesday, confirming the closure of the State Bank of Pakistan on this day.
“The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on 5th February, 2024 (Monday) being a public holiday on the occasion of ‘Kashmir Day’ as declared by the Government of Pakistan,” the statement from the SBP read.
Kashmir Day is observed annually on February 5 in Pakistan to honour and remember the struggles and sacrifices of Kashmiris in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Last week, the federal government officially declared February 5 as a national holiday throughout the country. The Cabinet Division’s decision includes a national observance with a one-minute silence at 10 am on Kashmir Day.
In addition to the nationwide recognition, the Sindh government also issued a notification today to observe Kashmir Day.
On this day, the nation sends a resounding message of solidarity and support to the people living in the Indian-occupied valley. The Kashmir issue continues to be a significant point of contention between Pakistan and India. Islamabad consistently calls on the international community to organise a plebiscite in the disputed territory.
The conflict gained global attention after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to unilaterally revoke Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on August 5, 2019, which granted special status to the IIOJK. Pakistan has emphasised that normalising ties with India is contingent on the restoration of Kashmir’s special status.
General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) presided over the 262nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held at GHQ, today. Forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of Shuhadas including officers and men of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies and the citizens who have laid their lives for ensuring peace and stability in the country.
Forum resolved that terrorists, their facilitators and abettors, working on behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan, will be dealt with full might of the state. COAS stated that Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are sacrosanct and inviolable. Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence with all states, however, there would never be any compromise over country’s sovereignty, national honour and aspirations of Pakistani people.
The forum was briefed on the callous Indian campaign of extra-territorial and extra-judicial killings, perpetuating state-sponsored terrorism and targeting Pakistani citizens. The forum agreed that blatant violation of international laws by India and its real face be exposed to the world. The international community has already shown serious concerns over the criminal behaviour of India and its use of state apparatus for killing spree around the world.
The forum reiterated unequivocal support for Palestine and the people of Gaza while noting the extremely negative fallout of the conflict and the potential to spill over in the wider region. The immediate need for a permanent ceasefire and enduring solution to the Palestinian question was unanimously recognised. In the same vein, Pakistan’s resolve to support the people of IIOJK for their right of self determination was reiterated.
Pakistan would continue to morally, politically and diplomatically support Kashmir brothers and sisters till justice is served in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions. The forum also discussed deployment of Pakistan Army to assist Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the peaceful conduct of General Elections 2024.
Pakistan Army will perform assigned duties as per the Constitutional mandate, under the guidelines of ECP. No one would be allowed to indulge in violence in the name of political activity and sabotage the quintessential democratic exercise of conduct of free and fair elections. The forum acknowledged and appreciated the steps taken against spectrum of illegal activities and criminal mafias including smuggling, hoarding, money laundering, power theft and illegal aliens. The participants emphasised that such actions and their positive impact on the economy and well being of the people need to continue without any let up. The forum was briefed on operational preparedness of the formations. COAS asked formation commanders to continue their focus on the training, administration and morale of the soldiers.
*ISPR* General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) presided over the 262nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held at GHQ, today.
Forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of Shuhadas including officers and men of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement… pic.twitter.com/pJDIqopyB5
After being sentenced by the Accountability Court in the Toshakhana case, former First Lady Bushra Bibi reached the jail to surrender herself for arrest.
The Accountability Court has earlier todat sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife to 14 years imprisonment with hard labor in the Toshakhana case, while the court has also disqualified Imran Khan for 10 years.
According to sources in Geo, Bushra Bibi is currently sitting in the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Jail, and she has not been arrested yet.
A day earlier, Imran Khan and senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each in the cipher case.
Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the cipher case and delivered the verdict at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has on Wednesday ordered equal media attention for all candidates taking part in the February 8 general elections, including jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Lahore High Court issued a directive in response to a plea filed by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who claimed there was a ban on media coverage of his speeches.
Earlier this month, the LHC disposed of the PTI founder’s petition with the observation that directions with regard to telecasting the speeches of the PTI leader would be issued in a detailed judgement.
LHC’s Justice Shams Mirza Mehmood issued a 10-page written verdict on Imran Khan’s appeal regarding a ban on media coverage.
The LHC verdict stated that, according to Article 17, every citizen has freedom of speech.
The LHC also said that running an election campaign and promoting a party’s manifesto are fundamental rights of political parties.
You knew Taylor Swift was influential, but Republicans are now crediting the singer with James-Bond-villain-level powers in a wacky conspiracy theory claiming the singer’s romance with NFL star Travis Kelce is really a plot to rig the Super Bowl and get President Joe Biden reelected.
The relationship between the pop powerhouse and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end has gripped the nation for weeks, with TV cameras repeatedly panning from the field during the team’s surging NFL season to a cheering Swift in the stands.
Fascination peaked this weekend when the Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens to book their berth in February’s Super Bowl and, in the midst of celebrations, Swift descended onto the field to kiss Kelce, fresh from playing one of the best games of his life.
It’s not much of a fairytale for Republicans in America.
Right-wingers — who, like their leader Donald Trump, increasingly see conspiracy theories under every stone — detected not a love story but a deep-state psychological operation against the American people and the November presidential election.
Fox News hosted a discussion with a former FBI agent asking: “Is Taylor Swift a Pentagon asset?”
A Trump media booster, Laura Loomer, told her more than 800,000 followers on X, the former Twitter, that “The Democrats’ Taylor Swift election interference psyop is happening in the open.”
And Vivek Ramaswamy, a failed Republican presidential candidate now fully behind Trump’s bid for a second term, suggested there is a plot to boost Biden through a faked Swift-Kelce relationship and a rigged Chiefs victory in the Super Bowl.
“I wonder who’s going to win the Super Bowl next month. And I wonder if there’s a major presidential endorsement coming from an artificially culturally propped-up couple,” he wrote on X. “Just some wild speculation over here, let’s see how it ages over the next 8 months.”
A major pro-Trump broadcast personality, Mike Crispi, said it all even more clearly: “EVERYONE knows Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce is fake and the Super Bowl is rigged. You’re a whacko at this point if you DON’T believe it.”
Swift will appear on stage at the Super Bowl halftime show, he said, and endorse Biden.
The nutty furor has roots in long-running hatred on the right for Swift, who is not only a global entertainment megastar but openly liberal and against Trump. She endorsed Biden in his successful 2020 bid to unseat Trump and flexed her muscles again last September by urging fans to register to vote -tens of thousands did.
Kelce, something of a legend for his outsized personality off the field and heroics during games, has become an unlikely target of the right himself after promoting Covid vaccines and, now, for being the boyfriend of an even bigger female celebrity.
The saga has already veered into distinctly dark territory. AI-faked pornographic images made to look like Swift got millions of views on X before being removed last week.
And things may get weirder.
The Chiefs will face the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl on February 11 and the right-wing media-sphere is lining up behind the Californians – even though their team represents one of the most liberal cities in the world.
“I know we’ve all been roasting your city for years,” posted Rogan O’Handley, a hard-right personality with 1.3 million X followers.
“For 2 weeks, 99% of America will be 49ers fans but in return you MUST defeat the Chiefs,” he wrote. If they don’t, Biden will get reelected and “WW3 will likely follow.”
Update: The DPO in Sadiqabad issued an order for departmental action while suspending the ASI for misbehaving with a foreign cyclist.
Explaining the incident, DPO Rahim Yar Khan Rizwan Omar Gondal said that 3 foreign cyclists entered Sadiqabad from Rahim Yar Khan limits from Sindh on Saturday and they were provided security as per SOP.
The cyclists were adamant that no security should be provided to them, upon which the fight took place, says the DPO.
According to the police spokesperson, the foreign cyclist sprayed the ASI in anger, on which the ASI slapped the foreign tourist.
Moreover, departmental action is being taken against the concerned police official by suspending him for inappropriate behavior.
Previously, it was reported three foreign tourists cycling in the Sadiqabad area of South Punjab have raised serious allegations of assault and sexual harassment against the Punjab police. They claim to have entered their jurisdictions on January 25.
A video of the attack on the tourists surfaced on Saturday where a policeman was seen using foul language and snatching the camera from the one documenting it. It was one of many alleged assaults that the cycling tourists, namely Alex Sidney of Italy, Charlie West of the UK, and Motahhareh Abbasi of Iran, had been facing since they entered Punjab. They have always been having a Punjab police escort supposed to ensure their security but the police allegedly attacked them.
Dawn talked to the tourists and the details narrated by them included horrific details of abuse and being manhandled brutally by a policeman, earlier identified as ASI Liaqat. Alex said the situation escalated as the officers reportedly grabbed him by the hair and subjected him to physical abuse.
Regarding the version of police, the tourists were stopped from going to Kashmore, Sindh, an unsafe area, when the confrontation happened. However, Alex said they were not going towards Kashmore but Lahore. He said they had cycled in Sindh, mostly escorted by police, but did not face any such incident there. In Punjab, he claimed, they had taken the same route as was told by police. According to him, it was not the first assault by police. “We entered Punjab on January 25 and started having assaults and harassment from January 26. In earlier assaults, we were hit by police vehicles and motorcycles as they continued telling us that we were going the wrong way. We told them that we were going to a hotel on the national highway. They would try to knock us down.” Motahhareh said the policemen in Punjab would drive their vehicles or ride motorcycles very close to her, sometimes making her get off the road. “On January 26, I fell down and got injured when a policeman stopped his motorcycle suddenly in front of her. And it was quite deliberate. I fell down and injured my leg while my heavy bags fell on me.” Motahhareh later got medical treatment for her leg.
About this alleged assault, Alex said they went to Ahmedpur Lamma Police Station and asked the policeman on the desk to register a complaint, but he refused to do so, asking them to take help from social media.
Motahhareh also raised serious allegations of sexual harassment against police in Pakistan. “Many times, they asked me for my WhatsApp number and kept on insisting. When I asked them the reason, they would start insulting me. At the start I gave my phone number to some of them and they started asking for pictures and sending creepy messages. For the last one month, I have been receiving creepy messages from Pakistani policemen.” She alleged that policemen from all three provinces they travelled in harassed her and the situation was worse in Punjab.
A policeman in Punjab held her hand forcibly for many minutes, said Alex. When asked whether there was a language barrier between the policemen and the tourists, Alex said some of the policemen spoke good English. “Whenever we stopped at some point to have a break, they would continue telling us it’s not safe here and it would be safe after a few kilometers. In fact, they wanted us to go out of their jurisdictions quickly but the next escort would do the same, telling us lies about the route as well.”
Alex said they felt safer without police as the common Pakistanis were very good and hospitable towards them and added that many times in Sindh, they did not have police escort and it was very safe.
Alex said they were staying in Sadiqabad near the site where they were assaulted by police as Motahhareh’s leg was recovering, rejecting the earlier police report that they had left the area for Lahore. He said he wanted to cycle through Punjab and meet the people who are very good. He said they felt safe when they were on their own without police and were in fact more in danger in presence of their escort, which ironically was there to protect them. Charlie West wanted to cycle separately towards Lahore as he rides it fast but the situation is unclear now.
Police in Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad have not provided their official version. However, Dawn’s sources in Rahim Yar Khan police said the tourists had left Sadiqabad hotel they were staying in on Saturday and now they were staying at a restaurant along a filling station in the middle of Sadiqabad and Rahim Yar Khan. The sources denied the allegations of assault but insisted that police escort was there for the tourists’ security.
Alex started his travel on bicycle from Italy in 2022 and cycled through Europe during the last two years. He was joined by Mohtahhare in Tehran when he was travelling towards Pakistan. They entered Pakistan from the Balochistan-Iran border and cycled through Balochistan and Sindh. In Karachi, they were joined by Charlie West who landed in Karachi from the UK.
In a tragic turn of events, Rehan Zeb Khan, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and independent candidate from NA-8 Bajaur, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in the Siddiqabad Phatak Bazar area on Wednesday.
The district police officer and SHO Rashid Khan have confirmed the news of the PTI leader’s murder.
Khan, who was contesting as an independent, was also a candidate for the provincial assembly seat PK-22. Reports suggest that he had tried to get a PTI ticket but had been refused by the party.
Rehan zaib, a fabulous young & passionate upcoming PTI leader was martyred today by so called unknowns. He was threathned so many times but he never backed down.
The official candidate for PTI from NA 8 is Gul Zafar Khan, as per a reply from Imran Khan’s Facebook page message, “Halqa: NA-8, Bajaur, Candidate: Gul Zafar Khan, Symbol: SHOWER شاور”
The incident occurred when Khan was at Siddiqabad Gate, engaging in canvassing activities for the upcoming general elections. The assailants targeted him while he was in his vehicle, marking a disturbing incident of violence against a political figure.
This unfortunate incident comes on the heels of another attack on PTI’s electioneering within the past 24 hours. A day earlier, a bomb detonated at a PTI rally in Sibi, claiming the lives of at least four people and injuring five others, as reported by both police and witnesses.
Saddam Tareen, the PTI candidate for the National Assembly constituency of NA-253, who was leading the rally on Jinnah Road in Sibi, fortunately escaped unharmed. The injured individuals were promptly transported to the Sibi district headquarters (DHQ) hospital for urgent medical attention.
Unidentified Persons shot dead Awami National Party (ANP) local leader Zahoor Ahmed and injured another in a firing raid attacking the ANP office, in Chaman district, Balochistan as per officials.
ALERT: Unidentified Persons shot dead Awami National Party (ANP) local leader Zahoor Ahmed and injured another in a firing raid attacking the the ANP office, Chaman district, Balochistan: Officials pic.twitter.com/46VOK044Kf
At least three were injured in a grenade attack on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) election office in Quetta, ARY News reported.
According to police officials, the attack occurred on Saryab Road Quetta where a hand grenade attack was launched on the PPP election office that injured three people.
At least 3 injured in a grenade attack on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) election office in Quetta. According to media reports, the attack occurred on Saryab Road Quetta where hand grenade attack was launched on PPP election office that injured 3 people.https://t.co/RpD3Ssy1CE
Reacting to the incident, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) took notice of the attack and sought a report from the chief secretary and IG Balochistan.
The ECP spokesperson said that suspects involved in such incidents will be tried under the election laws.
The incidents underscore the growing concerns over the safety of political candidates and campaigners as the general elections approach.
