Tag: Feburary 8

  • PM Shehbaz offers talks to Imran Khan

    PM Shehbaz offers talks to Imran Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has offered talks to incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan to resolve political differences.

    During his address to the National Assembly (NA), the PM emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation in leading the country towards economic growth and political stability.

    “In my first speech, I stressed the importance of the Charter of Democracy. Now, it is imperative that we agree on a Charter of Economy,” said PM Shehbaz.

    “If their [PTI] founder is facing troubles [in jail], then I reiterate: come, let’s sit down and talk,” Shehbaz Sharif said during his speech in the National Assembly (NA).

    Talking about the February 8 polls, PM Shehbaz said: “We joined the parliament despite the [rigged] polls. The sort of slogans that were raised during my first speech will always be remembered as a dark chapter in the history books.”

  • MPA who never won a general election, has never lost a by-election in entire career

    MPA who never won a general election, has never lost a by-election in entire career

    In the recent by-elections, one politician made a unique record as he won the by-poll for the third time on April 21. However, he is the only lawmaker who has never won a general election in his entire life.

    Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Shoaib Siddiqui has become the only politician who won the by-polls for the third time, and he contested three general elections but unfortunately lost them all for his provincial seat.

    Siddiqui has contested every election in the same constituency but on the ticket of a different political party every time. This time, he contested the by-election on the ticket of IPP from PP-149 Lahore. In the February 8 election, IPP head Aleem Khan won the election on provincial seat from PP-149.

    The present PP 149 comprises areas like Garhi Shahu, Empress Road, Basti Syden Shah, some sides touching Dharampura, and parts of the city that pertain to the Walton Board. Earlier, Shoaib Siddiqui won the by-election in 2004 and 2015.

  • By-polls: Punjab requests suspension of mobile internet on polling day

    By-polls: Punjab requests suspension of mobile internet on polling day

    Punjab has requested the interior ministry on Saturday to shut down mobile networks and internet services in 13 districts and tehsils of the province on April 21, citing security concerns.

    The request has been made to maintain law and order in the province and avoid any untoward incidents.

    The provincial home department wrote a letter to the interior ministry for the suspension of internet on April 21 as multiple districts and constituencies are set to witness the conduct of by-polls after more than two months of February 8 general polls.

  • PTI to start protest movement from Balochistan, says Omar Ayub Khan

    PTI to start protest movement from Balochistan, says Omar Ayub Khan

    On Friday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub Khan has announced that the former ruling party, along with a “grand opposition alliance,” would kick off a protest movement in Balochistan with the aim is to oppose alleged election rigging on February 8 and fight for the restoration of the constitution and democracy in the country.

    Earlier this month, PTI announced that it would start a nationwide movement against what they claim is rigging in general elections, starting from April 13. Asad Qaiser spoke to the media in Rawalpindi after meeting Imran Khan in Adiala jail, where he confirmed that the first rally of the protest movement would take place in Pishin district.

    The Khan-founded party believed that the incumbent rulers stole their mandate in the elections and the results were changed in Form 47s to benefit the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

    “Our mission is [upholding] the supremacy of the constitution and law,” Omar said.

    “We want the country to be strong.”

  • US diplomat Donald Lu to testify on Feb 8 polls before Congress

    US diplomat Donald Lu to testify on Feb 8 polls before Congress

    The Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, has been asked to appear before a congress panel to testify whether the February 8 polls in Pakistan were fair or not.  

    Lu will testify during a hearing on March 20 as the former prime minister Imran Khan accused him of playing a part in overthrowing his government in 2022.

    The subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia will hold a hearing called “Pakistan After the Elections: Analysing the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship.”

    State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, during a press briefing on Thursday, responded to a query, saying that any number of State Department officials testify all the time before Congress.

    “We see it as an important part of our jobs to help Congress do its job, both from a policymaking perspective and from an oversight perspective,” said Miller. 

    He stated that the State Department eagerly anticipates engaging in both informal and formal discussions with Congress, as well as the actual testimony provided by officials.

  • PTI to launch movement against alleged rigging in February 8 Polls

    PTI to launch movement against alleged rigging in February 8 Polls

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser said on Tuesday that his party is planning to launch a street movement against the “stealing” of their mandate by their opponents in the February 8 elections.
    “We will unite all political forces and will launch a movement within the law and Constitution,” said Qaiser while speaking to media persons in Islamabad on Tuesday.
    The PTI leader said that they are planning to take to the streets in all provinces so their demands are met, adding that they will snatch their rights. “Our movement will continue and will bring together all political forces,” he said, adding that they will forge an alliance.

    The former National Assembly (NA) speaker stated that they will peacefully protest because they don’t trust the government led by Shehbaz Sharif, which they consider fake.

  • Imran Khan confirms writing letter to IMF

    Imran Khan confirms writing letter to IMF

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has said on Friday that he has written a letter to International Monetary Fund (IMF), asking to look at the matter of poll rigging in Pakistan.

    “The letter to the IMF has been written and will be dispatched today. If the country gets a loan in such a situation, then who will return it,” Khan asked the media during a hearing of the £190 million reference at Adiala Jail.

    The former prime minister warned that taking the loan would cause more poverty, adding that unless the country invests in itself, its loans will continue to rise. 

    Khan’s update about the letter comes a day after PTI senator Ali Zafar announced that the party founder had decided to write a letter to the global lender, urging it to call for an audit of the February 8 election before it continues talks with Islamabad for a new loan programme.

    IMF has previously never commented on rigging allegations, nor is probing rigging part of its mandate. The Fund has reportedly said on Friday that it looks forward to working with the new government.

  • More than 120 million people will vote on February 8, says Murtaza Solangi

    More than 120 million people will vote on February 8, says Murtaza Solangi

    The Caretaker Information Minister, Murtaza Solangi, said on Monday that over 120 million people will vote on February 8, as the general elections are scheduled on the same date.

    According to PTV, he passed the remarks while addressing a ceremony.

    Murtaza Solangi also said that the caretaker government helped the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to make the election process smooth.

    “Elections are just two days away,” he added. “People will choose their representatives by exercising their right to vote.”

    The information minister also said that according to the constitution, elected representatives will run the country.

  • ECP ready to conduct polls on February 8, despite security challenges

    ECP ready to conduct polls on February 8, despite security challenges

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared on Thursday that it is determined and ready to conduct upcoming elections on February 8 as per schedule, despite facing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

    With only one week remaining until the February 8 polls, election preparations and campaigns are in full swing. However, the country is grappling with a series of violent incidents that have led to multiple deaths, particularly at political party rallies in the two provinces most affected by terrorism.

    Law enforcers have tightened security across the country to maintain law and order during the upcoming general elections.

    “The February 8 polls will take place on time. Though the security challenges exist but the election commission is fully ready [to hold the elections], and with the help of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and Pakistan Army, the elements involved in hindering the electoral process and disrupting security situation will be dealt strictly,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja said during the ECP’s security meeting.

    On Thursday evening, the electoral body held an important meeting on the worsening law and order situation in two provinces.

    After the meeting ended, the ECP released a statement saying that the CEC voiced concerns about the worsening security situation in KP and Balochistan. However, he emphasised that the electoral process will continue despite the challenges.

  • ECP calls emergency meeting over worsening law and order

    ECP calls emergency meeting over worsening law and order

    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.