The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) showed concern that the upcoming polls could be delayed in the case of changing candidates’ symbols, despite the fact that symbols have already been allocated to them.
Pakistan’s general elections have already been postponed for several months, while some major figures are calling for additional delays for a variety of reasons. On the other hand, the Supreme Court has instructed officials to guarantee that elections are held on February 8.
In a statement, ECP said that the election symbols have already been allotted to election candidates, but politicians are “having them changed through various forums”.
“It should be noted that after the allotment of the election symbols, the election commission has ordered the printing of ballot papers to the three printing corporations and the printing work has started,” the statement said.
According to Geo News, if the high court allows independent candidates to change their electoral symbols, the ECP will postpone general polls in those specific constituencies.
The official version was along the lines as the ECP said: “If the process of changing the election symbols continues, then on the one hand, there is a fear of delay in the election because the ballot papers will have to be reprinted, for which the time is already limited, and on the other hand, the special paper ballot papers will be wasted.”
Every year, PSL songs take the limelight as fans get divided over the best Pakistan Super League song, comparing them to previous years, while artists take it as a challenge to put up their best.
This year, The Current has exclusive insights to a new controversy, which involves a seasoned artist – Ali Zafar.
A source who spoke to us claimed that Ali Zafar was, once again, trying to lobby for the PSL anthem.
According to a source, PCB was in talks with Ali Zafar to sing this year’s anthem but some PSL franchises pushed back saying the artist would tarnish the PSL brand because of the controversies surrounding him.
In response to our article previously published, Ali Zafar had this to say:
“I was indeed officially contacted by PCB to create the PSL anthem for this year. After working on it for two months, hiring musicians and music producers at my personal expense, I came up with three different versions of the anthem for the PCB to choose from. After one of them was finalized and the release was being planned, I was informed that PCB can’t go ahead with the anthem for reasons that I would not like to disclose at this point.
I wish the next team all the best with their endeavours.”
What Happened?
To show his social media strength and popularity to counter PCB’s reasoning, Ali Zafar went over to social media with a plan.
On January 12, Zafar posted on X (formerly Twitter), asking if an anthem by him will “enhance the image of the brand of PSL and PCB, deepen the connection with people, and bring more financial benefit to all stakeholders or will it prove to be otherwise?”.
Do you think that if I did the anthem of PSL this year, it will enhance the image of the brand of PSL and PCB, deepen the connection with people, and bring more financial benefit to all stakeholders or will it prove to be otherwise? Be honest with your votes. I have no ego and I…
This was followed by a poll, adding that “I will explain later, why I have posted this tweet”.
But when the results started to apparently turn against him, Zafar deleted his poll. This was followed by a post claiming that the polls were rigged with the help of bots.
“Told you to wait to see why I started the poll”, he said.
X users started trolling Ali Zafar because in the screenshots of polls he shared, the time stamp is the same throughout, indicating, according to users, that the pictures were photoshopped.
X (formerly Twitter) Reacts
Bhai images pe time stamps tau sahi tarah photoshop kar letay fazool excuses banaaney se pehlay.
Had to delete your own poll after your terrible plan backfired.
In January 2016, while performing at the launch event of the team Islamabad United, Ali Zafar released the team anthem “Chakka Choka” and performed it in the opening ceremony of PSL 2016 the following month.
Then in 2017, Zafar released the anthem for that year’s PSL “Ab Khel Jamay Ga”.
Controversy
In 2018, singer Meesha Shafi accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment which Zafar denied, taking the matter to court and filing a defamation case against Shafi for slander.
While the case is still ongoing, Ali Zafar has been under heavy criticism for his condescending tone towards Shafi in interviews, while award shows and the entertainment industry has been condemned for engaging him.
A stone-hearted father killed his newborn in Madhya Pradesh in India, reportedly because he desired a daughter.
The man named Anil Yuki already had two sons and was desirous of a daughter, police have said.
Anil was intoxicated when he beat his wife in a drunken state, snatched the 12-day-old newborn from her, and strangled him to death, as per media reports.
The police said that there were marks on the neck of the newborn. As soon as the incident was reported, the police arrested Anil and took the baby’s body, registering a case.
During the investigation, Anil confessed to his crime and said that he wanted a daughter but a son was born for the third time, upon which he became upset and killed the child in a fit of rage.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has on Monday allotted election symbols to 150 political parties that are contesting seats in the National Assembly (NA) and provincial assemblies for the upcoming general election set to take place on February 8, 2024.
After the Supreme Court’s ‘bat’ symbol verdict announced late on Saturday, former ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was missing from the list of published on the ECP website.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has been allotted ‘tiger’ symbol, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) ‘arrow’, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ‘sword’, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Nazriati (PTI-N) ‘batsman’, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) ‘eagle’, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) ‘kite’, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) ‘book’, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI) ‘scale’, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P) ‘turban’, Balochistan National Party (BNP) ‘axe’, Awami National Party (ANP) ‘lantern’, Balochistan National Party Awami ‘camel’ and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) ‘cow’.
Last week on Saturday, the ECP issued a notice to returning officers to not allot an election symbol to any election candidate who belongs to another political party.
The five-member bench of the commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, issued the order, which said: “Therefore, in exercise of powers, conferred upon the commission under Section 4 of the Elections Act, 2017, the commission hereby, directs that no symbol of any political party be allowed to any such candidate who is member of another political party and seeks allocation of symbol of other political party.”
Electoral authorities had already allotted poll symbols to 117 independent candidates.
Famous actors from ‘Game of Thrones’ read excerpts from South Africa’s case filed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israeli genocide of Palestinians.
Among dozens of readers were the megahit series’ stars Charles Dance, Lena Heady, Liam Cunningham, and Carice van Houten. Other notable names include Hollywood veteran Susan Sarandon, comedy film star Steve Coogan, Tobias Menzies, and Tunde Adebimpe.
Game of Thrones stars and other actors read South Africa’s case file charging Israel with genocide at the #ICJpic.twitter.com/iRkHvoFVb3
Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), with co-stars from Game of Thrones and other actors, read South Africa’s case file charging Israel with genocide at the #ICJpic.twitter.com/1MzdCgAi9A
The actors read excerpts in support of South Africa’s charges against Israel. The hearing of the first day, January 11, was not aired by the mainstream western media when South Africa laid out its case.
The case put in motion by South Africa in The Hague, Netherlands, called for the court to look into the genocide being committed by Israel against Palestinians and impose emergency measures, putting a stop to the offensives at urgent basis.
100 days back, on October 7, 2023, Hamas took Israel by surprise in a move that came as a consequence of more than seventy years of occupation, killings, destruction, and displacement of the Palestinians.
Israel took this instance of response as an excuse to go all out in attempts to exterminate Gazans from their land: On October 8, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Hamas and butchered, internally displaced, detained, and tortured thousands of Palestinians in Gaza as well as the Occupied West Bank.
Since October 7 alone, more than 23,600 people have been killed and more than 58,000 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Widespread use of and access to social media across the world has exposed Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians more than ever. A number of Palestinians have been reporting from the targeted strip, giving the world insights to the heights of atrocities touched by the Israeli military.
As the Irish lawyer Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, representing South Africa in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on January 11 deemed it as “The first genocide in history where its victims are broadcasting their own destruction in real time in the desperate, so far vain hope that the world might do something.”
Nonetheless, the international community has collectively failed to ensure a ceasefire amidst all the loss and blatant violation of human rights..
While the breaches and enormities by Israel are innumerable and immeasurable to say the least, here are some of the most important moments and developments to have taken place the past 100 days.
Israel had declared a “complete siege” on Gaza on October 9 2023, hindering the supply of electricity, food, water and fuel into the strip. While a few aid trucks were permitted on 21 October 2023, the aid has been inadequate, and starkly lower than the quantity sent before October 2023.
Additionally, fuel imports are “well below the minimum requirements for essential humanitarian operations”.
The UN Secretary-General has asserted that the level of destruction in Gaza is now so catastrophic that “[t]he conditions for the effective delivery of humanitarian aid no longer exist . . . But even if sufficient supplies were permitted into Gaza, intense bombardment and hostilities, Israeli restrictions on movement, fuel shortages, and interrupted communications, make it impossible for UN agencies and their partners to reach most of the people in need.”
No Facilities
The majority of Gazan hospitals are out of order due to the Israeli air raids and the blockade. According to WHO, 15 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functional; nine in the south and six in the north.
Additionally, there is lack of electricity, desalination facilities, and bakeries to shut down and contributed to telecommunications blackouts.
Looming Fears of Famine and Diseases
Credit: Reuters
Due to lack of health facilities and access to water and sanitation, WHO has warned that Gaza is now heading towards proliferation of disease. As of January 1, nearly 200,000 respiratory infections and tens of thousands of cases of scabies, lice, skin rashes, and jaundice were reported whereas the number of diarrhoea cases among children under five has increased 20-fold since October 7.
Additionally, the World Health Organization has warned that “[a]n unprecedented 93% of the population in Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger, with insufficient food and high levels of malnutrition” and that “[a]t least 1 in 4 households are facing ‘catastrophic conditions’:
“Israeli forces are deliberately blocking the delivery of water, food and fuel, while wilfully impeding humanitarian assistance, apparently razing agricultural areas, and depriving the civilian population of objects indispensable to their survival,” Human Rights Watch has stated.
Internally Displaced
Among the total population of 2.3 million, 1.9 million Palestinians — approximately 85 per cent of the total population — have been internally displaced. People living in Northern Gaza were initially forced to flee their homes on short notice for “safety” to the south, but they were bombed again in the so-called safe south, and were once again forced to flee to
further south or the south west, and have been to live in makeshift tents with no water, sanitation or other facilities.
This situation has thus been declared as the Second Nakba as it resembles the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by the Israelis in 1948.
Women of Gaza
Credit: Al Jazeera
The United Nations has estimated 50,000 pregnant women presently living in Gaza, with more than 180 births taking place every day despite the lack of health facilities.
Similarly, women have also resorted to norethisterone tablets (that are usually prescribed in times of severe menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, and painful periods) as they are internally displaced, living in poor conditions among a large number of people with no privacy, and having no access to water or menstrual hygiene products like sanitary napkins and/or tampons.
November was deemed as the deadliest month for journalists when at least 50 were killed. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP), as of January 11, 79 journalists and media workers have been killed among whom are 72 Palestinian, 4 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese whereas three journalists are reported missing and 21 arrested.
Additionally, multiple assaults, threats, cyberattacks, censorship, and killings of family members have also been recorded.
Moreover, literary figures like Heba Abu Nada and Dr Refaat Alareer, who were vocal against Israel, have also been killed in targeted attacks.
Hostages
Hamas took Israeli hostages on October 7 in order to prompt Israel to return Palestinian hostages who have been in Israeli captivity since years.
While Israel has portrayed Hamas as barbaric, Israeli hostages released have had different stories to tell. Danielle Aloni and her daughter Emilia were held hostage by Hamas for 49 days and on their release on November 24, Aloni wrote a “thank you” letter to Hamas saying, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your extraordinary humanity shown towards my daughter, Emilia.”
Similarly, in an interview, Hin and Ajam, another mother-daughter duo, told that they were kept together and that the militants were respectful to them, taking every precaution to make them comfortable.
On the contrary, Palestinians have returned from Israeli captivity physically and mentally tortured while some have reportedly died in detention.
Back in December, Israeli troops even “mistakenly” killed three Israeli hostages in the course of combat with Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Friday.
As of January 11, the arrests of Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank reached up to 5,810 since October 7.
According to figures released in December, at least 8,800 Palestinians, including 80 women, were held at Israeli prisons.
These arrests are reportedly “marked by abuse, severe beatings, and threats against detainees and their families, in addition to widespread acts of sabotage and destruction of citizens’ homes”. Many are even targeted and shot by the Israeli soldiers.
Additionally, in November 2023, it was reported that around 390,000 Palesinians jobs were lost — 182,000 in Gaza and 208,000 in the occupied West Bank.
In December, the US State Department approved the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition — a sale of 13,981 high-explosive 120mm tank cartridges and related equipment worth $106.5 million.
The State Department said the secretary of state had determined that “an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel” of the weaponry, thereby waiving the normal requirement of Congressional review.
Israel vs Middle East
Since the war began, Hezbollah, a close ally of the Palestinian group Hamas, and Israel have been engaged in intense fighting.
In December, The United States announced a 10-nation coalition to end Houthi attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea, with Britain, France, Bahrain and Italy among countries joining the “multinational security initiative.”
The U.S. and British Air Force, in fact, have launched airstrikes against Yemen in retaliation which the American president Joe Biden called it a success, adding that he will “not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”
On the other hand, Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fires across the Lebanese border, the West Bank since 7 October.
On Day 60 since October 7, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in a rare move, invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter “to bring to the attention of the Security Council a matter, which in my opinion, may aggravate existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security.” He also reiterated his call in the letter he sent to the rotating president of the Council for a “humanitarian ceasefire” and urged the Council to “avert a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Nonetheless, like any other UN action, it was merely a political move with no legal implications — same as the UN Resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza the past few months since October 7. With more than 100 countries voting in support of the ceasefire, the resolution ended in vain since the US and a couple of its allies chose to vote against it.
On the other hand, while powerful Muslim countries have sided with Palestine, their support has, however, been shallow. For instance, in November, the Saudi Minister of Investment, Khalid bin Abdulaziz al-Falih, remarked that the Kingdom was still willing to consider normalising relations with Israel, depending on a peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue. And when asked if Saudi Arabia would use economic devices like oil to push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, he reportedly laughed and replied: “This is not on the table today. Saudi Arabia is trying to achieve peace through talks that seek peace.”
South Africa vs Israel
Credit: Al Jazeera
South Africa filed a case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, asking the court to look into the genocide being committed by Israel against Palestinians.
The imposition of charges did not only pertain to the crimes perpetrated during the last few months since October 7 that have killed more than 23,000 people till now, but also the 75-year long apartheid, 56-year hostile occupation, and 16-year blockade on Gaza.
Israel was accused of committing genocidal acts during their military operations which included mass killings of Palestinians, bodily and mental harm, forced displacement and food blockade, destruction of the healthcare system, and preventing Palestinian births.
It is, however, pertinent to note, that while this case can take years, an “interim measure” intended to halt Israel’s attack in Gaza can be taken “within weeks”. If the interim measure is implemented, Israel will be legally obligated to put an end to its offences. And while the “court’s rulings are final”, it has no authority to impose them, nonetheless.
On the other hand, if the court does not implement an interim measure, “it could still decide it has jurisdiction and proceed with the case”.
Post-war Gaza Plans
Israel’s defence minister publicly presented proposals for the post-war administration of Gaza i.e. after it has dismantled Hamas’s “military and governing capabilities” and secured the return of hostages.
According to the minister, after the objectives are achieved — for which the proposal sets no timeline — Palestinian “civil committees” will begin assuming control of the territory’s governance.
“Hamas will not govern Gaza, (and) Israel will not govern Gaza’s civilians,” the plan said, while offering little concrete detail.
“Palestinian bodies will be in charge, with the condition that there will be no hostile actions or threats against the State of Israel.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) suffered a significant setback as the Supreme Court (SC) overturned the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) January 10 decision, stripping the former ruling party of its ‘iconic’ electoral symbol, the bat. This development comes just days before the upcoming general elections, Geo reported on Saturday.
A three-member bench — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali — announced the verdict after a day-long hearing.
The election commission had on December 22 barred the PTI party from keeping its ‘bat’ symbol for the upcoming February elections, citing irregularities in their internal polls that did not comply with the party’s own constitution and election laws.
Instead of mentioning constitution provisions, Supreme Court’s order just narrated the facts and deprived one larger party from its elections symbol. pic.twitter.com/GD6TZVQkM2
The leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Nazriati (PTI-N), Akhtar Iqbal Dar, has leveled serious accusations against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging the submission of fake tickets by PTI candidates under the banner of PTI-N.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Dar expressed bewilderment at the emergence of PTI candidates allegedly utilizing PTI-N tickets.
پی ٹی آئی نظریاتی کے چئیرمین اپنی اصلی پارٹی ٹکٹ دکھا رہے ہیں۔
دوسری جانب وہ ٹکٹیں جو PTI نے جعلی طور پر پی ٹی آئی نظریاتی کی ازخود جاری کروائیں۔
He adamantly declared, “I do not know from where the PTI candidates got our tickets. PTI submitted our fake tickets; I issued tickets to PTI Nazriati candidates.”
Accusing PTI of forgery, Dar underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that candidates from one political party cannot exploit the platform of another. He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and take appropriate action against instances of electoral forgery.
Dar asserted the distinct identity of PTI-N, stating, “PTI-N has its own manifesto, its own constitution; our slogan is the death penalty for corruption.” He called for transparency in the electoral process and adherence to ethical standards.
Responding to rumors circulating since midnight, Dar revealed that the distinguishing mark on PTI-N tickets is the unmistakable ‘batsman’ symbol. He claimed that Returning Officers (ROs) had inquired about their tickets, and PTI-N clarified that their tickets bear the clear mark of the regular ‘batsman,’ a symbol consistent with their 2018 election tickets.
Journalist Murtaza Ali Shah took to X (former Twitter) and said, “ECP has stopped the retuning officers not to allow the candidates to get the Batman symbol while deceiving to be the members of an other party – after PTI decides to get Batman symbol of PTI-N”
ECP has stopped the retuning officers not to allow the candidates to get the Batman symbol while deceiving to be the members of an other party – after PTI decides to get Batman symbol of PTI-N pic.twitter.com/qwe0wJjw8x
Displaying a PTI-N ticket to the media, Dar said, “This is our ticket. PTI has submitted our fake tickets. The ECP has issued a clear and blunt order that no candidate of any party can use the ticket of any other party.”
Dar explained the genesis of PTI-N, stating, “In 2007, I felt the need to discourage rigging, hooliganism, money politics, electorate politics, and promote transparency. That’s why PTI-N was formed, and I must be a part of PTI-N.” PTI-Nazriati was formed by Akhtar Iqbal Dar in 2012 after differences with PTI founder Imran Khan. Like many past members, he alleged that the party established in the name of justice had become a party of turncoats with the inclusion of politicians from other parties.
PTI-N was registered with the country’s top electoral authority in 2016 after accepting an application from Dar. At that time, the Khan-led party had filed an application in the Lahore High Court against the decision which was rejected.
The PTI-N fielded 35 candidates in the 2018 elections. Although, they did not win any seats they secured over 21,000 votes from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The party has a base in Punjab.
It’s not just the symbol and name; both parties also have the same flags.
In June 2022, PTI had urged the ECP not to grant the symbol to PTI-Nazriati, citing potential confusion among voters. However, the ECP did not entertain PTI’s request.
Earlier today, PTI initiated a “plan B” by aligning with its splinter group, PTI-Nazriati, to secure the “batsman” symbol for its candidates, as the fate of its long-held “bat” symbol hangs in the balance pending a Supreme Court hearing.
جن افراد کے پاس ”تحریک انصاف نظریاتی “کے ٹکٹ ہیں وہ فوری طور پر جمع کروا دیں
Amidst the Supreme Court’s deliberations on the Election Commission of Pakistan’s petition challenging the restoration of PTI’s “bat” symbol by the Peshawar High Court, PTI instructed its candidates to submit PTI-Nazriati tickets to Returning Officers. The move comes as a backup plan in case the iconic “bat” symbol is denied.
The official PTI account posted on X, stating, “Whoever has PTI-Nazriati tickets should immediately submit them and take any kind of hindrance to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and high courts.”
The move to secure an alternative symbol gained traction following Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa’s remarks during a recent hearing.
ہر پولٹیکل پارٹی کی پہچان اس کا نشان ہوتا ہے پاکستان میں کسی پارٹی نے ایسے الیکشن نہیں کروائے جس طرح پی ٹی آئی نے کروائے لیکن الیکشن کمیشن کے پاس دو چشمے ایک سے تحریک انصاف اور دوسرے سے باقی پارٹیوں کو دیکھتا ہے – پاکستان کی تاریخ میں کبھی اس طرح کسی پارٹی سے اس کا نشان نہیں… pic.twitter.com/qrb1T9pxbO
While the Supreme Court’s decision is pending, tensions rise within the political landscape. PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen submitted a plea to the ECP, requesting acceptance of PTI Nazriati tickets for candidates. However, the ECP issued a statement warning against attempts to deceive the commission through such requests.
The evolving situation poses challenges for PTI-Nazriati candidates who have already received tickets in constituencies where PTI is fielding its candidates. The uncertainty surrounding the electoral symbol deadline adds further complexity to the political landscape, with the Supreme Court expected to announce its decision soon.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has awarded four party tickets for general seats in provincial and national assemblies to minority candidates.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has given one party ticket to minority candidate Lalchand Malhi from NA-213 Umerkot Sindh.
The PPP nominated Sakhawat Masih, a ground worker from Narowal, for NA-76 Narowal, along with giving tickets to Doctor Mahesh Kumar Malani from Tharparkar for NA-215 Mithi/Tharparkar.
Malani was the only Hindu MNA on general seat in the National Assembly from 2018–2023.
PPP is also fielding Seth Hari Ram Kishori Lal from Mirpurkhas, for P.S-45 Mirpurkhas-I.
He was also the only Hindu member of the provincial assembly (MPA) on a general seat from 2018–2023.
Dr. Saveera Parkash from PK-25 Buner is also a PPP candidate, the first female Hindu candidate from the region.
In the currency markets, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) maintained its winning streak for the 9th consecutive week, appreciating by 1.04 rupees against the US dollar.
The local unit closed at PKR 280.36 per USD, showcasing resilience in the face of economic fluctuations. During today’s trading session, the PKR experienced fluctuations, reaching an intraday high bid of 279 and a low ask of 281.5.
Exchange companies in the open market quoted the dollar at 279.15 for buying and 281.50 for selling, reflecting the ongoing strength of the PKR against the greenback.
Notably, the PKR also demonstrated gains against major currencies, gaining 78.58 paisa against the Euro, closing at 307.85.
The British Pound saw a decrease of 58.38 paisa, settling at 358.18, while the Swiss Franc experienced losses of 1.41 rupees, closing at 329.08.
However, the Japanese yen posed a slight challenge, as the PKR lost 0.09 paisa, closing at 1.934 against 1.933 from the previous session.
Overall, the PKR’s robust performance against the US dollar and several major currencies underscores the resilience and stability of Pakistan’s currency in the global financial landscape.
