Category: Politics

News stories of Politics, for the topics that matter the most to young professionals and college students, political news reported with a different angle.

  • PPP wants Yusuf Raza Gillani as Chairman Senate

    PPP wants Yusuf Raza Gillani as Chairman Senate

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has made a decisive move in selecting former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani as its nominee for the position of Senate chairman.

    Gilani, who recently resigned from the Senate and subsequently took oath as a member of the National Assembly, has emerged as the party’s top choice for the role of Chairman Senate.

    Despite the resignation, PPP leadership remains steadfast in their decision regarding Gilani’s candidacy for the Senate chairmanship, according to a report by The News on Saturday.

    The Bilawal Bhutto-led party is actively consulting its legal and political experts to determine the most appropriate path for Gilani’s re-election to the Senate.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled Senate by-elections for March 14 to fill vacant seats, but the timetable for the upcoming main Senate elections, due to the retirement of half the senators on March 11, has not yet been announced.

    PPP insiders reveal that the party’s legal team is weighing the options available for Gilani’s return to the Senate, whether through the by-election or the subsequent Senate elections for a six-year term.

    The final decision, expected within a day or two, will hinge on the advice of PPP lawyers, who will obtain nomination papers for the Senate by-election on the seat vacated by Gilani.

    If approved by the party leadership, Gilani will file his nomination for the Senate by-election from Islamabad, the constituency he won after resigning from the Senate.

    However, this course of action may change if PPP leadership opts for Gilani to contest the main Senate elections instead.

    Sources within the PPP also indicate that Gilani remains a top contender for the Senate chairman position, with details of his candidacy finalized in coordination with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Gilani has entrusted the decision to PPP’s top leadership.

    If elected as Senate chairman, Gilani would achieve a unique distinction, having served in the top three constitutional posts in the country: Speaker of the National Assembly, Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Chairman of the Senate.

    While Gilani previously contested the Senate chairman election in 2021, he narrowly missed out on victory after seven of his votes were deemed invalid, leading to the election of Senator Sadiq Sanjrani as Senate chairman.

    He won the seat of the National Assembly in general elections which was contested by his rival. On February 11, after the recount in National Assembly constituency NA-148, the number of votes obtained by the former PM increased.

    Upon the request of Independent candidate Barrister Taimur Malik, the process of verification of Form 45 was carried out in the RO office.
    Resultantly, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani secured victory with 67,377 votes, while Taimur Malik remained runner-up with 67,047 votes. According to Form 47, Gilani had defeated Taimur Malik by a lead of 293 votes previously in the first count. After recounting, Gilani’s lead increased to 330 votes.

  • PPP’s Sarfraz Bugti elected CM Balochistan unopposed

    PPP’s Sarfraz Bugti elected CM Balochistan unopposed

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sarfraz Bugti was elected on Saturday as the unopposed leader of the house in the Balochistan Assembly. The newly-elected chief minister got 41 votes.

    Bugti will take the oath today, with the swearing-in ceremony to be held at the Governor House at 3 p.m, where Balochistan Governor Abdul Wali Kakar will administer the oath.

    Sarfraz Bugti’s nomination was announced in the Balochistan Assembly’s session today.

    The former federal minister submitted his nomination papers after instructions from PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardrai and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

    He is also supported by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, including Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri and Sardar Sarfaraz Chakar Domki.

  • Mahmood Khan Achakzai nominated for President by Sunni Ittehad Council after fiery speech

    Mahmood Khan Achakzai nominated for President by Sunni Ittehad Council after fiery speech

    Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has put forward the name of Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the leader of Pashtun­khwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), as their candidate for the upcoming presidential election in Pakistan.

    The announcement was made on Saturday by the SIC, endorsing Achakzai to vie for the country’s highest constitutional position against Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman, who is backed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other allied parties forming a coalition government.

    Achakzai, who secured a National Assembly seat from Balochistan’s NA-266 constituency, received backing not only from his party but also from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, Imran Khan. Despite Khan’s current incarceration in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, he urged his party members to support Achakzai’s candidacy.

    In 2014, Khan had made fun of Achakzai in a public rally during his dharna, mimicking the Baloch leader’s shawl with a duppata.

    Confirming the nomination, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan affirmed their support for Achakzai in the presidential poll. This move comes following PTI’s efforts to gather political support against alleged electoral irregularities, with a recent meeting between PTI representatives and Achakzai, along with Balochistan National Party (Mengal) chief Akhtar Mengal.

    During the meeting, Achakzai expressed his party’s commitment to support any political entity advocating for constitutional supremacy and parliamentary empowerment.

    The presidential election, scheduled for March 9, is set to follow a stringent timeline outlined by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The deadline for the submission of nomination papers is today, with scrutiny scheduled to be completed by March 4. Candidates have until March 5 to withdraw their nominations, following which the final list of candidates will be published on March 6, preceding the polling.

    The current President, Dr. Arif Alvi, completed his five-year term on September 8, 2023, making him the fourth democratically elected president to do so. However, due to the absence of the required electoral college, he continues to hold office until his successor is elected.

    According to constitutional provisions, the president is elected by members of the National Assembly, Senate, and the four provincial assemblies. The oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected president will be administered by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa following the election process.

    During his fiery speech yesterday in parliament, Achakzai asked the speaker to have four resolutions passed from the house including, “This parliament announces that there will be no role of Establishment and intelligence institutions in the politics of Pakistan. This parliament will be the representative of internal and external affairs of Pakistani politics. No General will come in between.”

    He accused certain individuals of attempting to turn the parliament, representing 220 million people, into a marketplace. He emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution and resisting any efforts by the establishment to manipulate it and further stated that just as Nawaz Sharif advocated for respecting the vote, Imran Khan has also risen to power through the people’s support.

    The PKMAP leader raised concerns about attacks on the parliament, stating that the recent attempt was futile as the people had thwarted it. He called for accountability for those seeking to undermine the democratic process.

    The presidential candidate for SIC also criticized the military and intelligence agencies’ involvement in politics, stating that they must refrain from such interference and focus on their designated roles.

    In his impassioned speech, Achakzai underscored the importance of honoring judges who did not support martial law by recognizing them as heroes, while suggesting that those who did support such measures should have their salaries revoked.

  • Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is making a new party

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is making a new party

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has made headlines by announcing the launch of a new political party, emphasizing the importance of avoiding accusations of corruption among political factions.

    In a media interaction addressing the prevailing political scenario, Shahid Khaqan underscored the absence of constructive dialogue on Pakistan’s issues within existing political circles. He cited this deficiency as the driving force behind his decision to establish a new political entity.

    During his conversation with the media, the former prime minister lamented the lack of discourse on the nation’s challenges by established political parties. He noted that even during the recent election campaigns, pertinent issues facing Pakistan were not adequately discussed.

    The former prime minister further said that political parties are talking about national issues. ‘We all have to stop calling each other corrupt’, he highlighted.

    Speaking to the media, he said that the February 8 election has become such a controversial election that it will harm the country, because when people lose confidence in the system, then there is only harm.

    Abbasi said that the condition of the election is that even the winners have lost today. The only solution is that if all the stakeholders sit together, then the country will move forward otherwise there will be loss.

    It is pertinent to mention that Abbasi resigned as Senior Vice President (SVP) of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) in February 2023 and pledged to work for the country’s well-being through the forum of ‘Reimagining Pakistan’.

    At that time he dismissed claims of advocating for a second extension for former army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, revealing that he had advised Nawaz Sharif during a London visit that resigning from the government would be preferable to succumbing to pressure for an extension.

  • PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq elected speaker National Assembly

    PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq elected speaker National Assembly

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq has been elected as the new speaker of the National Assembly (NA) on Friday afternoon.  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported candidate Amir Dogar was in competition with PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq for the position of speaker NA.

    Sadiq won the contest with 199 votes, gaining a majority from the members of the PML-N, PPP and other lawmakers backing his nomination in the lower house. 

    The counting of votes is being done by the NA Secretariat staff in the presence of polling agents for both candidates.

    The NA session was held today to elect the speaker and deputy speaker. However, the elected PTI-backed MNAs chanted slogans against alleged rigging in the February 8 polls.

    The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Raja Parvez Ashraf chaired today’s session of NA.

    Raja Parvez Ashraf will also take oath from the speaker and deputy speaker of the NA. After taking the oath, the new speaker will take charge of the lower house.

  • Barrister Gohar Khan elected PTI Chairman unopposed

    Barrister Gohar Khan elected PTI Chairman unopposed

    Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has won the intra-party elections unopposed as the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). This is the first time in PTI’s history that he is the only person to hold the top position in the party twice.

    “At the conclusion of the withdrawal phase of candidates/panels, there is only one candidate/panel remaining,” the PTI said in a statement late Thursday.

    Member of the National Assembly (NA), Omar Ayub Khan, was elected as the PTI’s central general secretary after intra-party polls.

    Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Haleem Adil Sheikh were also among party leaders who were elected unopposed to the positions of the party’s presidents for Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Sindh respectively, as no candidate came forward to contest against them.

    The former ruling party will organise intra-party elections in Quetta to elect the president of Balochistan.

    “The final result of the election will, however, be declared by the Federal Election Commissioner on March 3, 2024, at the conclusion of the election process,” read the statement.

  • Bye bye Dr Alvi; ECP announced presidential election date

    Bye bye Dr Alvi; ECP announced presidential election date

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially released the notice and announced schedule for the upcoming presidential election, set to take place on March 9.

    “In pursuance of the provisions contained in paragraphs 1 and 3 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 read with clauses (3) and (4) of Article 41 of the Constitution, Public Notification for election to the office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is hereby issued and in relation thereto the following programme for receipt of nomination papers, scrutiny of nomination papers, withdrawal of candidature, publication of list of validly nominated candidates, retirement and the polling day,” read the notification issued today (Friday).

    Nomination papers for candidates vying for the country’s highest constitutional position must be submitted by March 2 before noon to the presiding officers located in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta.

    Scrutiny of the nomination papers by returning officers is scheduled for March 4, with the opportunity for candidature withdrawal the following day.

    The ECP will then publish a list of validly nominated candidates on the same day, while March 6 has been designated as the date for the retirement of outgoing officials.

    Presidential polling is slated for March 9, during which voting will take place at the National Assembly and all provincial assemblies from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

    The announcement of the election schedule marks a significant step in Pakistan’s democratic process, with anticipation building as the nation prepares to select its next head of state.

  • After Punjab gives control to a woman, all hail women deputy speakers in KP, Balochistan

    After Punjab gives control to a woman, all hail women deputy speakers in KP, Balochistan

    After Maryam Nawaz was given the charge of Chief Minister in Punjab, other provinces are also stepping up and recognizing the position of women in politics. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have also elected women for the post of deputy speakers in their respective assemblies.

    PTI-backed member from Chitral, Suraiya Bibi has been elected as the Deputy Speaker in KP Assembly after securing 87 votes.

    Suraiya Bibi is from the constituency of PK-1 Chitral, representing the Banu, Chitral, and Lower Dir regions. She has served as the Vice President of the Malakand Women’s Wing of the Tehreek-e-Insaf. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology. However, it is important to note that she is the second woman in the province to have been elected for this post. The first was Mehr Taj Roghani from Mardan, who is now a senator.

    In Balochistan, Ghazala Gola has been elected unopposed as the deputy speaker of the Balochistan Assembly.

    She belongs to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and according to her Twitter bio has served as a provincial minister on women’s development in Balochistan.

    Additionally, Sindh Assembly has elected Anthony Naveed from PPP as the deputy speaker. Naveed is from a minority community and is a former Special Assistant To Chief Minister Sindh – Pakistan on Interfaith & Harmony.

  • Won’t vote for top positions in National Assembly: JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman says about five party seats

    Won’t vote for top positions in National Assembly: JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman says about five party seats

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced that his party will not take part in the electoral process for the top political slots, including president, prime minister, and National Assembly (NA) speaker. It is important to note that JUIF has five national assembly seats.

    The senior politician told journalists in Islamabad on Thursday that his party will sit in opposition and party members will not vote in forthcoming polls in the National Assembly (NA).

    In response to a question regarding JUI-F’s strategy for a protest movement, he said, “Wait for it. We will represent the nation soon.”

    “I haven’t met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) quaid Nawaz Sharif so far. A delegation arrived yesterday which comprises representatives of the PML-N, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).”

    “We had a pleasant conservation as we were already very frank with them,” the senior politician said, regarding dialogues with major parties that formed a strong coalition to rule the country.

  • Who was wearing Imran Khan mask in National Assembly today?

    Who was wearing Imran Khan mask in National Assembly today?

    In today’s oath-taking ceremony at the National Assembly (NA), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported candidates appeared wearing Imran Khan masks. Newly-elected members took oath today at the inaugural ceremony of the 16th NA.

    In solidarity with former Prime Minister Imran Khan, PTI leaders Ali Muhammad Khan, Sher Afzal Marwat, Zartaj Gul, and Shandana Gulzar, were wearing masks in today’s session at the lower house.

    Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), joined by independent candidates from PTI, began chanting slogans during the inaugural ceremony.

    The session is being held today under Article 91(2) of the Constitution, with President Arif Alvi refusing to sign an earlier summary for summoning the session on the reported grounds of non-allocation of reserved seats to SIC.