Tag: #election

  • ECP approves Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers from NA-130 Lahore

    ECP approves Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers from NA-130 Lahore

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) accepted the nomination papers of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif from NA-130 Lahore constituency.

    PML-N leader Bilal Yaseen submitted the nomination papers of the former prime minister.

    He also confirmed that ECP accepted the papers.

    Sharif has submitted nomination papers from Lahore and Mansehra constituencies.

    “By the grace of Allah, Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers were accepted from NA-130,” said Bilal Yaseen, adding that ECP has raised no objections as yet.

    “Nawaz Sharif will succeed from this constituency in the February 8 elections. He will be elected prime minister of Pakistan for the fourth time,” he added.

    Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer, Amjad Parvez, also told the media that “the returning officer has said that everything is complete from your side.”

  • Fugitive candidates will appear before ROs for scrutiny of nomination papers

    Fugitive candidates will appear before ROs for scrutiny of nomination papers

    Candidates who are in hiding or have been declared proclaimed offenders may face the risk of having their nomination papers rejected if they fail to appear before the respective returning officers (ROs) when summoned for scrutiny by December 30, as reported by The News on Sunday.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has confirmed that the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 2024 general elections will be conducted by the Returning Officers (ROs) in adherence to the rules, regulations, and guiding framework set by the electoral authority.

    The scrutiny begins today and is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, December 30. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the deadline for filing appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers is January 3, 2024.

    The Commission will publish a revised list of candidates on January 11, 2024, while candidates can withdraw their papers by January 12, 2024.

    Nomination papers of several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates linked to the incidents of May 9—sparked by the arrest of the party’s former chairman, Imran Khan—are expected to face challenges from opposing candidates during the scrutiny process.

    Their signatures on the original form could also be challenged, as some candidates have been declared proclaimed offenders and have been hiding since May 9.

  • PMLN aur IPP ka breakup ho gaya?

    PMLN aur IPP ka breakup ho gaya?

    Discussions between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP) about a potential electoral alliance have hit a roadblock.

    PML-N is hesitant to forge partnerships on a significant number of its seats, sources cited by The News have said.

    As per sources, PML-N is not ready to make adjustments on the seats where its top leaders will contest elections.

    Sources also disclosed that the party is cautious about entering into alliances on numerous other seats.

    IPP reportedly proposed adjustments on 50 provincial assembly seats and 26 National Assembly seats during talks between the two parties. However, negotiations have failed to yield any substantial breakthrough, leading to a standstill in the alliance talks.

    Maryam Nawaz and Aleem Khan will face each other in the election for NA-119 (Lahore-III), sources said. NA-119 is a stronghold of the PML-N as it won the seat back-to-back in 2013 and 2018 elections.

    To explore potential alliances, the PML-N is reportedly considering an electoral partnership on NA-117 (Lahore-I) for Abdul Aleem Khan and contemplating NA-127 for Aun Chaudhry. It can also go for an alliance on the Lodhran seat for Jahangir Tareen.

    Meanwhile, complications have also arisen in Karachi as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is reportedly hesitant to concede the NA-242 seat to PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif. In response, Shehbaz Sharif is anticipated to visit Karachi for crucial talks with MQM leaders, addressing this matter and other pertinent issues.

  • Imran Khan will contest elections from three constituencies

    Imran Khan will contest elections from three constituencies

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Wednesday that imprisoned founding chairman Imran Khan will contest elections from at least three constituencies on February 8 next year.

    PTI senator Ali Zafar told journalists that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) will soon announce its decision regarding the ToshaKhana case against Imran Khan, as the election schedule has already been released.

    “We want to inform you that Imran Khan will contest elections from at least three constituencies, and we hope that the IHC will announce its judgement soon in the Toshakhana case, as the election schedule has been issued,” he added.

    PTI’s petition requests the temporary halt of the former PM’s conviction in the Toshakhana case.

    The senator also encouraged party workers to submit their nomination papers, stating that the party will prioritise imprisoned workers.

    “Those [workers] who rendered sacrifices for the party, facing cases and braving difficulties will be allotted [party] tickets 100 per cent,” the PTI senator said.

    The PTI leader clarified that the final decision on ticket allocation will be made by the incarcerated party founder.

  • ‘Judges ligitimise the rule of military dictators,’ Nawaz Sharif

    ‘Judges ligitimise the rule of military dictators,’ Nawaz Sharif

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday lashed out at judges for legitimising military dictators and taking action against elected prime ministers.

    “Judges garland the ones (military dictators) who break the constitution, rather they legitimise their rule. When the parliament is dissolved and the prime minister is sent to jail, they (judges) endorse these actions,” Sharif said while addressing ticket aspirants from Faisalabad at the party secretariat in Model Town.

    Sharif specifically pointed to instances where judges allowed military dictators to amend the constitution, attributing such decisions to the current challenges faced by Pakistan.

    He asserted that responsibility for the country’s predicament lies with the nation itself, dismissing external factors such as India, the United States, or Afghanistan.

    Without directly naming him, Sharif indirectly referred to former ISI chief Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid, suggesting interference in the judicial process to deny post-arrest bail to himself and his daughter Maryam Nawaz. He claimed that pressure from certain quarters jeopardized their legal proceedings.

  • Nawaz Sharif comes up with a surprise move

    Nawaz Sharif comes up with a surprise move

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) head Nawaz Sharif, is set to contest elections from a constituency which is rather a surprise for many.

    Founding Editor of Khorasan Diary, Iftikhar Firdous, stated in a tweet, “PML-N’s supremo Nawaz Sharif will also be contesting elections from Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PMLN flexing its muscle in its once stronghold now lost to PTI while Nawaz’s previous partners from the area have abandoned the party.”

    Mansehra has witnessed a shift in political dynamics with PTI gaining ground in what was once considered the traditional bastion of Nawaz Sharif’s party. The decision to field Nawaz Sharif as a candidate from the area reflects the PML-N’s determination to regain political influence and challenge the current political landscape in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    The former Prime Minister’s constituency, NA-120 in Lahore, is a pre-partition locality, part of Lahore’s famed ‘old city’, with historic buildings — many of which have since been demolished and made into commercial plazas.

    The constituency also comprises the shrine of Data Darbar, the city’s biggest wholesale market (Shalmi), an electronics market (Hall Road), and the vehicle parts market (Bilal Gunj).

  • Election candidates can submit their nomination papers by tomorrow

    Election candidates can submit their nomination papers by tomorrow

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will start receiving nomination papers from expected candidates tomorrow as the upcoming general elections are set to take place on February 8 next year in the country, The News has reported.

    District Retuning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) will take oaths today as per the Election Act of 2017. After that, the process of receiving nomination papers will start.

    A day earlier, at least 859 ROs completed their training for the upcoming polls while 144 DROs will complete their training today. The training of DROs and ROs was halted on December 14 after the stay order of Lahore High Court (LHC) on a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) petition against the appointment of officers.

    However, the Supreme Court (SC) suspended the LHC order and directed the ECP to release the election schedule as well as restore the training of DROs and ROs.

    Candidates who want to take part in the upcoming general elections can submit their nomination papers to their respective ROs from December 20 to December 22.

  • ‘PTI may withdraw stay order against ECP’, says PTI Senator Ali Zafar

    ‘PTI may withdraw stay order against ECP’, says PTI Senator Ali Zafar

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has confessed that it was a misstep to secure a stay order from the Lahore High Court (LHC) against Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on appointing District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) from the bureaucracy for upcoming general elections.

    PTI senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said while speaking on Geo News’ ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ that PTI can approach LHC to request the removal of the stay order against the appointment of DROs and ROs for the forthcoming election set to take place on February 8, next year.

    “The PTI may withdraw the stay order to speed up the case hearing on merits to decide the fate of the appointment of DROs and ROs,” he remarked.

    The senator also said that the impression and criticism that PTI’s petition is delaying polls seems correct.

    However, the PTI leader also stated that the party’s stance on filing the petition against the appointment of officers from bureaucracy is right.

    “Even though we want elections to be held by judicial officers and the ECP probably wants them to be conducted by bureaucracy, whatever the results are, we should accept them as it is the mandate of the masses,” he said.

  • After court blocks appointment of DROs, ROs, election date could be delayed

    After court blocks appointment of DROs, ROs, election date could be delayed

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued an order on Wednesday to decline a notification to appoint Returning Officers (ROs) from bureaucracy. General elections, set to take place on February 8 2024, could be delayed as a result of the decision.

    Former secretary of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and current caretaker Punjab CM’s Adviser on Law, Kanwar Dilshad, told The News that polls are likely to be late after the LHC verdict, stating that a few days delay in the polls is expected as the issue regarding suspension of ECP notification for appointments of ROs and District Returning Officers (DROs) will soon be taken up and decided by a larger bench of the LHC.

    He also said that after the LHC judgment, ECP declined its December 11 notification regarding the appointment of DROs and ROs.

    The LHC, in its order, said, “On factual ground, the apparent absence of a level playing field for the political party of the petitioner is visible to all and has also been seriously noted by many independent groups. With top political leadership locked inside the jail or gone underground, the electioneering by his political party would be a big question mark. The apprehension of the petitioner of avoiding fair and free elections by the Election Commission of Pakistan appears to be well founded as some District Returning Officer, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers are appointed from the presently posted members of administration throughout the country with whom the petitioner’s political party does not inspire any confidence.”

  • Friendship ended with PPP, now PML-N and IPP are best friends

    Friendship ended with PPP, now PML-N and IPP are best friends

    The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) took a significant step on Thursday by submitting a list to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) committee, outlining its demands for seat adjustment ahead of the upcoming elections.

    The IPP is pushing for seat adjustments in 45 constituencies of the Punjab Assembly and 27 constituencies of the National Assembly.

    The deliberations unfolded during a joint meeting of the committees from both parties, hosted at the residence of former Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq. The meeting saw the participation of prominent PML-N figures including Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Atta Tarar, and Malik Ahmed Khan, while IPP was represented by Ishaq Khakwani, Aun Chaudhary and Nauman Langriyal.

    The discussions primarily revolved around seat adjustments for the National Assembly constituencies, with the IPP formally handing over its list to the PML-N committee. Both parties explored various options during the joint meeting, demonstrating a commitment to finding common ground.

    IPP has decided to field Jahangir Tareen from Lodhran, Aleem Khan and Aun Chaudhry from Lahore, Farrukh Habib from Faisalabad, Ghulam Sarwar Khan from Taxila, Aamir Kiyani and Ali Nawaz Awan from Islamabad, Firdous Ashiq Awan from Sialkot and Imran Ismail, Mahmood Maulvi will be party’s candidates from PML-N.

    Both parties agreed to continue talks on seat adjustment while another meeting is scheduled for Friday.