Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone the Sindh local body elections and plans to challenge it in court.
PTI leader Ali Zaidi said the party condemns ECP’s decision, adding that the electoral body was already controversial. “The ECP decision will be challenged in the Sindh High Court,” he said.
The ECP announced the postponement of polls owing to Muharram and rainy weather.
PTI leadership decides to stick around in Lahore till the election of Punjab CM
Later, PTI Chairman Imran Khan postponed his Karachi visit ahead of Punjab’s chief minister election tomorrow, July 22.
“Before the postponement of polls in Sindh, a PTI spokesman insisted that it was the party’s consensus decision that Khan should focus more on Punjab, and because of this he couldn’t spare two days — July 21 and 22 — for Karachi and Hyderabad,” reports Dawn.
Lahore seeing a repetition of Sindh House horse-trading: Imran Khan
On July 20, Khan claimed that horse-trading was happening in Lahore with MPAs being offered Rs500 million to switch their loyalty.
“Today, Lahore is seeing a repetition of the Sindh House horse-trading episode that happened in Islamabad, with up to Rs500 million being offered to buy MPAs,” tweeted the PTI chairman. He alleged that PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari was the “main architect” behind this, adding that the former president has secured an “NRO for his corruption and purchases people with looted wealth”.
This is not only an attack on our democracy but also on moral fabric of our society. Had SC taken action & debarred these turncoats for life it would have acted as deterrent. Don’t Handlers of US regime change conspiracy’s Imported govt realise severe damage being done to nation?
“This is not only an attack on our democracy but also on the moral fabric of our society. Had Supreme Court taken action and debarred these turncoats for life, it would have acted as a deterrent,” claimed the PTI chairman.
Khan further claimed that after his government was “toppled with stolen money from Sindh and NRO 2 achieved, certified criminal Asif Zardari in cahoots with Sharif mafia now seeking to steal Punjab people’s mandate by trying to purchase MPAs”.
After Fed govt toppled with stolen money from Sindh & NRO2 achieved, Certified Criminal Asif Zardari in cahoots with Sharif mafia now seeking to steal Punjab ppl’s mandate by trying to purchase MPAs. Want to ask Honourable SC are they not cogniscant of the damage being wreaked?
“Want to ask the Honourable Supreme Court: are they not cogniscant of the damage being wreaked? Isn’t destruction of our democracy, Constitution and nation’s morality a fit case for Suo Moto action? Are the ‘neutrals’ not realising how our beloved country is literally being destroyed on all fronts by the Imported government brought in through US regime change conspiracy?”
PTI to move Supreme Court against horse-trading: Fawad Chaudhry
On the other hand, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the party will move the Supreme Court against horse-trading.
“We want Rana Sanaullah, Zardari, and Ataullah Tarar to get arrested and the court to conduct an immediate inquiry into the matter,” he added.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the “long-delayed judgment” in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) foreign funding case.
The premier took to Twitter today, urging the ECP to give the verdict in PTI’s foreign funding case, which was reserved on June 21.
“I urge the Election Commission of Pakistan to announce the long-delayed judgment on PTI foreign funding case,” said the PM.
I urge the Election Commission of Pakistan to announce long-delayed judgment on PTI foreign funding case. For long has Imran Niazi been given a free pass despite his repeated & shameless attacks on state institutions. Impunity given to him has hurt the country.
The prime minister said that for long, Imran Khan has been given a free pass despite his “repeated & shameless attacks on state institutions”.
“Impunity given to him has hurt the country,” added PM Shehbaz.
The ECP reserved the verdict in the case nearly a month ago on June 21, following a hearing by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.
On Monday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan criticised the ECP for being biased and demanded CEC Sultan Raja’s resignation over his alleged favouring of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
“We have no confidence in this Chief Election Commissioner, he should resign. He conducted the Senate election, the Supreme Court allowed him to verify the Senate vote, the Election Commission and all political parties know that money runs in the secret Senate polls but this Election Commissioner did not follow it,” said Khan.
“The biggest regret I have in the Punjab by-elections is on the Chief Election Commissioner as he has done dishonesty, there is no merit in him, it was found that typing mistake took place and four million people were shown dead. Had this happened elsewhere in the world, he would have resigned. We had eight cases with which we went to the Election Commission and it rejected them while the courts gave verdicts against it, which means the ECP deliberately gave decisions against us,” claimed Khan.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept the Punjab by-elections by bagging a total of 15 out of 20 Punjab Assembly seats while the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) only managed to win four seats. An independent candidate won one seat.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday thanked the PML-N workers for their tireless efforts and said that Maryam Nawaz ran a great election campaign. “I would like to thank Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz for conducting peaceful elections in Punjab.”
میں ضمنی انتخابات کیلئے انتھک کوششوں پر پاکستان مسلم لیگ ن کے راہنماؤں اور ورکرز کا مشکور ہوں. مریم نواز نے پارٹی کیلئے بہترین انتخابی مہم چلائی. پر امن انتخابات کے انعقاد پر وزیرِ اعلی حمزہ شہباز کی قیادت میں پنجاب حکومت مبارکباد کی مستحق ہے.
Congratulating PTI for the big win, Chairman Imran Khan thanked his party workers and supporters of Punjab for what he called not just defeating the PML-N but the entire state machinery.
“The only way forward from here is to hold free and fair polls under a credible Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The PTI chairman said that now decisions would be taken by masses not in closed rooms,” said Khan.
I want to first thank our PTI workers & voters of Punjab for defeating not just PMLN candidates but the entire state machinery, esp harassment by police, & a totally biased ECP. Thank you to all our Allies, PMLQ, MWM & Sunni Ittehad Council. pic.twitter.com/TgFqQ7EDj0
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, on the other hand, called for introspection following the defeat of the ruling PML-N in its political heartland.
Maryam took to Twitter and said that the “defeat should be accepted with an open heart”.
“The PML-N should accept the results of the by-polls with an open heart as it is the decision of the masses,” Maryam Nawaz tweeted. She added that winning and losing were part of politics; therefore, the party should now focus on its weaknesses, identify them, and then overcome them. “God willing, everything will be fine,” said Maryam.
مسلم لیگ ن کو کھلے دل سے نتائج تسلیم کرنا چاہییں۔ عوام کے فیصلے کے سامنے سر جھکانا چاہیے۔ سیاست میں ہار جیت ہوتی رہتی ہے۔ دل بڑا کرنا چاہیے۔ جہاں جہاں کمزوریاں ہیں، ان کی نشاندہی کر کے انھیں دور کرنے کے لیے محنت کرنی چاہیے۔ انشاءاللّہ خیر ہو گی۔
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 17, 2022
PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif blamed the “difficult decisions” taken by the Centre for its failure, according to a Daily Jang report.
PTI’s Secretary General Asad Umar termed PTI victory in the high-voltage Punjab by-elections as a milestone in Pakistan’s political history.
Asad Umar also stated that PTI’s core committee meeting would be held today (Monday) with Imran Khan in the chair, where the PTI would take a future course of action.
Asad Umar also said that Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi would be elected as chief minister of Punjab on July 22, adding that Shehbaz Sharif is now only the “Prime Minister of Islamabad”.
Speaker Punjab Assembly and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that if Imran Khan asks him to dissolve the Punjab Assembly, then he will dissolve the assembly in two seconds without thinking.
Elahi further said that Imran Khan worked the hardest, and he [Elahi] had won many by-elections, but the strategy Khan made was perfect and he [Khan] used his energy to the fullest.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) de-seated 25 dissident members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in May. Out of these, five seats were reserved. Later, ECP notified PTI members on all five reserved seats while there will be by-elections on the rest of the 20 seats today (Sunday, July 17).
Why is it important?
The results of the by-elections will decide the fate of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz as the Supreme Court ordered a run-off poll for CM Punjab on July 22, five days after the by-polls are held. The magic number required to be the Punjab CM is 186.
Four Lahore Constituencies:
There are a total of four constituencies in Lahore.
1- PP-158
In PP-158, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Rana Ahsan Sharafat will contest against PTI’s Mian Akram Usman. The constituency falls under NA-129, where PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq is a Member of the National Assembly (MNA). PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s former close aide Aleem Khan won the constituency as a PTI candidate in 2018 but in these elections, he will not contest and will instead support the PML-N candidate.
In PP-167, PML-N’s Nazir Chohan will contest against PTI’s Shabbir Gujjar. In 2018, Chohan won the constituency as a PTI candidate. The constituency falls under NA-133, where PML-N’s Shaista Pervaiz Malik is MNA.
Areas: Mainly Johar Town
3- PP-168
In PP-168, PML-N’s Malik Asad Ali Khokhar will be against PTI’s Malik Nawaz Awan. In the 2018 general elections, Khokhar won from this constituency. The constituency falls under NA-133 and NA-131, where PML-N’s Shaista Pervaiz Malik and PML-N’s Saad Rafique are MNAs respectively.
Areas: Walton, Cavalry, Kot Lakhpat, Kainchi
4- PP-170
In PP-170, it will be PML-N’s Muhammad Amin Zulqarnain versus PTI’s Zaheer Abbas Khokhar. Previously, in 2018, Zulqarnain won this constituency as a PTI candidate. The constituency falls under NA-134, where PML-N’s Rana Mubashir Iqbal is MNA.
Areas: Wapda Town, Valencia, Township, and some rural areas of Lahore
Who will win Lahore?
Talking to The Current, senior journalist Majid Nizami said that the PTI claims that it will win three seats out of the four in Lahore in the upcoming Punjab by-polls. They think that the PML-N will win PP-168. Similarly, the PML-N also claims that it will win three out of four seats in Lahore. They think that PTI will win PP-170. According to Nizami, it is quite likely that both parties will win two seats each. From PML-N, Khokhar in PP-168 and Nazir Chohan from PP-167 are the strong candidates. From PTI, Mian Akram Usman from PP-158 and Zaheer Abbas Khokhar from PP-170 are likely to give a tough time to their competitors.
5- Multan: PP-217
In Multan, PML-N’s Salman Naeem is standing against former Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s son Zain Hussain Qureshi. The constituency was previously won by Naeem in 2018 when he defeated Shah Mahmood and became a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA).
According to Majid Nizami, Naeem is likely to become MPA again this time.
6- Sahiwal: PP-202
Three candidates are contesting against each other in PP-202. From PML-N, there is Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial who is fighting against PTI’s Major Ghulam Sarwar and Independent Candidate Adil Saeed Gujjar. The constituency falls under NA-149, where PTI’s Murtaza Iqbal is MNA. PTI has a chance of winning this seat.
Areas: Chichawatni Tehsil
7- Bahawalnagar: PP-237
Under this constituency, there are two candidates. PML-N’s Fida Hussain Wattoo will fight PTI’s Syed Aftab Raza, who is contesting for the first time. It is pertinent to mention that Wattoo earlier won this constituency in 2018 as an independent candidate. He later joined the PTI. Despite the fact that in the past Wattoo was elected MPA thrice in a row, Majid Nizami says that there is going to be a tough competition between these two.
Areas: Minchinabad
8- Lodhran: PP-224
PTI’s Amir Iqbal Shah will contest against PML-N’s Zawar Hussain Warraich, who won the constituency in the 2018 general elections. Zawar is also considered close to Jahangir Tareen. This seat is likely to fall in the hands of the PTI.
Areas: Dunyapur
9- Lodhran: PP-228
PML-N’s Nazir Ahmed Baloch, PTI’s Captain Retired Izzat Javed Khan and Independent Candidate Pir Syed Rafi Bukhari are contesting. Baloch already won the constituency in 2018. The constituency falls under NA-161, where PTI’s Mian Muhammad Shafiq is MNA. Reports indicate that the PTI is in a tight position here. The tough competition will take place between Pir Syed and Baloch.
Areas: Rajapur
10- Rawalpindi: PP-7
PML-N’s Raja Sagheer Ahmed who won the constituency in the 2018 elections is going to fight against PTI’s Lt. Col. Shabbir Awan. The constituency falls under NA-57, where PTI’s Sadaqat Ali Abbasi is MNA. In this constituency, the PML-N is ahead of PTI.
Areas: Kahuta and Kallar Syedan
11- DG Khan: PP-288
The son of PTI MNA Amjad Farooq Khan Khosa, Abdul Qadir Khosa, is contesting on the ticket of the PML-N. He will be against PTI’s Saif-ud-din-Khosa who is ahead in the race.
Areas: Tehsil DG Khan, Shah sadar din and Ghaus Abad.
12- Khushab: PP-83
In PP-83, PML-N’s Ameer Haider Sangha is going to lock horns with PTI’s Hasan Aslam Awan and Independent candidate Malik Asif Bha. In this constituency, there is going to be a three-way fight.
Areas: Jauharabad, Khushab city and Hadali
13- Layyah: PP-282
Tahir Randhawa, on a PML-N ticket, is now fighting against PTI candidate Qaiser Abbas Magsi. Magsi contested the 2008 and 2013 elections on a PML-N ticket and won as MPA. Despite this, Randhawa is ahead of Magsi.
Areas: Chowk Azam and Chaubara Tehsil
14- Muzaffargarh: PP-272
Syeda Zehra Bukhari will be against PTI’s Moazzam Khan Jatoi. Zehra is the wife of PTI MNA Basit Sultan Bukhari and she won in 2018 from this constituency. Meanwhile, Jatoi is a former minister and MNA. Syeda Zehra has a stronghold.
Areas: Shaher Sultan
15- Muzaffargarh: PP-273
PML-N’s Muhammad Sibtain Raza is going to be up against PTI’s Yasir Arfat Jatoi. Raza won the constituency as a PTI candidate in the previous elections. However, this time Jatoi is likely to become MPA.
Areas: Ali pur Tehsil
16- Bhakkar: PP-90
PML-N’s Saeed Akhbar Khan Nawani will fight against PTI’s Irfan Ullah Khan Niazi who just joined the party. Nawani won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. Here, Nawani is said to be ahead of Niazi.
Areas: Darya Khan Tehsil
17- Faisalabad: PP-97
The former Provincial Minister in Punjab, PML-N’s Ajmal Cheema is up against PTI’s Ali Afzal Sahi in Faisalabad. Although, Cheema won the constituency in 2018, Sahi is likely to win this seat. Sahi is the son of the former speaker of the Punjab Assembly Muhammad Afzal Sahi.
Areas: Chak Jhumra Tehsil
18- Jhang: PP-125
PML-N’s Faisal Hayat Jabboana will be competing against PTI’s Mian M. Azam Cheela and Independent candidate Iftikhar Ahmad Khan Baloch. Jabboana won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. PML-N candidate is likely to leave his contenders behind.
Areas: Athara Hazari Tehsil
19- Jhang: PP-127
In PP-127, PML-N Mehr Aslam Bharwana is going to fight against M. Nawaz Bhawarana. In 2018, Aslam Bharwana won as an independent candidate. There is going to be a tough competition between the two.
Areas: Jhang Tehsil
20- Sheikhupura: PP-140
PTI’s Khurram Virk is going to fight against Mian Khalid Mehmood who won the MPA seat from this constituency in 2018. The constituency falls under NA-121, where PML-N’s Javed Latif is MNA. However, Virk is likely to win this seat. It is pertinent to mention that according to Majid Nizami, a TLP candidate is also contesting against these two and has a pretty strong position.
Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan made a request to Pakistan’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja for a secret meeting. However, Raja refused to meet Imran Khan secretly, reports Umar Cheema for The News.
Khan had asked Raja to hold a secret meeting by sending many messengers to him. A constitutional official also made a special trip from Islamabad and held a meeting with Raja and asked him to meet the former PM.
According to a person with knowledge of the meeting between Raja and the official, Raja was willing to meet any politician in his office, even the prime minister. But he stressed that he would not meet in secret or in the PM’s Office. The constitutional office-holder also offered Raja a prized position if he left his post as CEC.
Imran Khan recently accused Raja of holding a “secret meeting” in Lahore with Maryam Nawaz and Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shehbaz. A source close to the CEC has denied the allegations.
Fawas Chaudhry and Azam Swati accused the CEC of accepting a bribe and serving as a spokesman for the then-opposition. Both of them privately approached Raja to ask for forgiveness, according to a source of The News.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday suspended Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz’s electricity relief package, “Roshan Gharana Programme”, which offers free electricity to households that consume up to 100 units till July 17.
A three-member bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja issued a stay order against the implementation of the CM’s announcement.
The ECP sought a reply from the provincial chief executive on July 7.
The reply submitted by Hamza’s counsel stated that the CM’s relief package is for the entire province except for the constituencies where the by-polls are being held.
“No election is being staged in areas where Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) supplies electric power,” Hamza’s counsel maintained.
At this, CEC Sultan asked why Hamza held a separate press conference if the programme was already included in the budget.
“The announcement garnered more reaction than the programme’s approval in the budget. There was no need to make a separate announcement for it if was already a part of the budget,” the CEC remarked.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he knows the names of those who were involved in the conspiracy to oust his government but said he is quiet for the sake of the country as he doesn’t want to harm Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Khan claimed that he has recorded a video that involves information about those who have committed “treason”. He said, “Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega“, (I have recorded a video. If something happens to me, it will be made public). He added that if “they keep sidelining and harassing us, I will tell everything”.
— Bakhtawar Gillani (@BakhtawarGillni) July 5, 2022
About the cases registered against Khan and his party members, he said this is being done to “shut them up”.
“I have never seen such fascism in Pakistan, such a situation is leading Pakistan towards anarchy,” he said. Khan further added that the government can control the media but not social media. “Everyone has a voice now.”
I have never seen a fascist government intimidating and threatening its people but this is the age of social media in which you cannot stop the voice, their actions are leading the country towards anarchy. Chairman @ImranKhanPTI#PakistanUnderFascismpic.twitter.com/E5f55ZEffv
Khan also condemned the recent incidents of attacks on journalists. He posed a question, ” I ask the judiciary, has martial law been imposed? I ask them whether human rights have been suspended in the country?” Khan said that terrorism cases have been registered against them to keep them quiet.
Criticising the incumbent government, the PTI Chairman said, “They will accept Israel as a state, will provide Pakistan’s bases to the United States, and will discard the Kashmiri people to establish better relations with India.”
Moreover, Khan urged the public to come out to vote on July 17 in the Punjab by-elections. “PTI has to win the by-elections despite the election rigging,” adding that this is “jihad ” for the country.
Khan said that Pakistan can only be saved from this crisis through transparent elections while saying that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot be trusted.
The first phase of Sindh local government in 14 districts has been completed. According to unofficial results, the provincial ruling party Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is ahead of all the parties with the highest number of winning candidates as 885 out of 946 representatives were already elected unopposed when the polling started.
The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) came second, independents third, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) fourth, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) secured the fifth position.
According to media outlets, several complaints of missing ballot papers and changes in the election symbols were reported from many districts of the province, which eventually led to chaos.
However, the provincial government ruled out such a possibility and described the demand as an “escape” from Opposition parties after they “failed” to field candidates in all districts, reports Dawn.
Voting started at 9am and ended at 5pm on Sunday. The elections in the rest of the districts of Sindh will be held next month, i.e. July 24.
Violence at the scene:
During the election polling when clashes broke out between political parties, it led to deaths and multiple injuries. Two people, including the brother of a PTI candidate, were killed and at least 20 people were injured.
PTI’s divisional president from Tando Adam, Mushtaq Junejo, said, “I can confirm the death of Qaiser, the brother of our party’s candidate Asghar Gandapur in Tando Adam.” The candidate was contesting in ward-13 of the Tando Adam municipal committee.
In Nawabshah, the situation became tense when a group of armed people attacked social security. Later, the group fled the polling station along with the election material.
Kashmore was among the most-affected districts in terms of violence.
In Durrani Mahar, reports were received that around 10 polling staff members were kidnapped. However, the issue was resolved and police tried to cover up the issue as the polling staff was only released after successful negotiations between the police and the kidnappers.
Misprinting of ballot papers:
On Sunday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that some districts had incorrect candidate names printed on the ballot papers. In a tweet, the ECP said that polls in these regions would be postponed and a new schedule would be presented for them.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have decided to jointly contest the Punjab by-election which will be held on vacant seats of the Punjab Assembly (PA) next month.
Punjab minister Attauallah Tarar confirmed the development to Dawn, saying, “The PML-N and PPP leadership agreed to jointly contest by-polls on 20 Punjab Assembly seats.”
Earlier, PPP’s Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz met on Tuesday in which other members of the parties also participated. The decision reportedly took place during the meeting.
Zardari congratulated Hamza on assuming the CM’s office. According to The News, the two parties also discussed other issues related to cabinet expansion in Punjab and federal, water issues, petroleum prices, and the upcoming budget. Moreover, Zardari held a meeting to sort out his party’s differences with PML-N over desired ministries in Punjab.
Currently, PPP has seven seats in the Punjab Assembly (PA) and they were promised four ministries and two adviserships. However, in the Punjab Cabinet, there are only two members of PPP, but they are inactive due to non-allocation of their portfolios.
The polls will be on 20 vacant seats of the PA on July 17. The seats are vacant due to the disqualification of PTI’s Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) who switched sides and voted for Hamza as CM.
It is pertinent to mention that out of the 20 seats, eight are from southern Punjab where the PPP has a strong foothold.
The joint session of Parliament that took place on Thursday passed the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill 2021 with a majority in National Assembly (NA).
The bill will be presented in the Senate today for approval. Once passed from the Upper House, the bill will apply to all cases, being probed by NAB since 1999. The key points of the bill are as follows:
1- The NAB chairperson’s term has been reduced from four years to three years and will not be eligible for reappointment or an extension.
2- Consultation for the chairperson of NAB will begin two months prior to the retirement of the previous chairperson.
3- If the leader of the House and Opposition do not agree on a name for a chairperson, then the matter will go to a parliamentary committee. That too is now time-bound and the committee has 30 days to recommend a name.
4- A closed inquiry cannot be reopened without permission from the courts and all inquiries by NAB have to now be completed within six months.
5-People who initiate false or fabricated cases will now be punished with imprisonment of either five years or a fine.
Federal Minister of Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar presented this bill. Speaking about the NAB law, he said it had been used to influence politicians, adding that “judges had also said that the NAB was used to corner politicians”.
Supreme Court asks how cabinet members make amendments to law for own benefits
Following the news of amendments in the NAB law and Election Act taking place in the House, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) took notice of the situation.
The apex court inquired how could federal cabinet members make amendments benefitting themselves and directed the government to present the details of the cabinet members whose names have been removed from the Exit Control List (ECL).
The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial asked Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf, “At whose behest did the Cabinet amend the rules pertaining to people involved in corruption and defaulters. Did the federal Cabinet approve the amendment in rules?”
Responding to it, AGP Ausaf said that he would present the minutes of the Cabinet meeting for approval.
Similarly, SC Justice Mazhar Naqvi was of the view that the cabinet members benefited from the amendment they approved.
The AGP maintained that he would find out if the members who were on the no-travel list were part of the committee that approved the amendments or not.
Justice Mazhar also observed how a minister facing allegations could make amendments to benefit himself.
No electronic voting machines will be used in elections: Assembly passes bill
The NA also passed the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2022 on Thursday with a majority, seeking to remove the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming general elections.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi presented the bill, which was only opposed by Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA). The bill is expected to be sent to the Senate today.
GDA lawmaker Ghous Bakhsh Mehr said that Pakistan should at least try using EVMs. “If not the whole country, then use them in some areas,” he said.
Under the new bill, two amendments were being made to Sections 94 and 103 of the Election Act:
1- In Section 94, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) may conduct pilot projects for voting by overseas Pakistanis in by-elections to ascertain the technical efficacy, secrecy, security, and financial feasibility of such voting and shall share the results with the government, which shall, within 15 days from the commencement of a session of a house after the receipt of the report, lay the same before both houses of parliament.
2- In Section 103, the ECP may conduct pilot projects for the utilisation of EVMs and biometric verification system in the by-elections.
Azam Nazeer Tarar said that these amendments will ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. He added that ECP had also raised objections to the use of EVMs.
About the matter of Overseas Pakistanis’ vote, the federal minister said, “Overseas Pakistanis are a precious asset of the country and the government does not believe in snatching their right to vote.”
Similarly, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) argued that the amendments will not deprive Overseas Pakistanis of their voting right.
Such misleading reporting from Dawn. Overseas Pakistanis haven’t been “deprived” of voting. They are welcome to come vote. If resident Pakistanis need to travel to their constituencies to vote, then why the preferential treatment for overseas Pakistanis? https://t.co/p1Mk7UYAgv
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s Focal Person on Digital Media Abubakar Umer also issued a clarification via Twitter on the matter. He said, “The overseas Pakistanis voting right remains intact. Only voting through EVM has been discarded due to ECP objections on some technical aspects.”
[CLARIFICATION]
Today some media outlets have misreported on the issue of overseas Pakistanis right to vote.
The right remains intact.
Only voting through EVM has been discarded due to ECP objections on some technical aspects.
The details of the expenses for the upcoming general elections were also presented in the NA session. The elections would cost approximately Rs47.41 billion, of which around Rs15 billion would be for ensuring security.
