The Services and General Administration Department Punjab has issued a letter to government officers restricting them from expressing their personal opinions on social media and commenting on conventional as well as social media.
In view of the increasing trend of using social media among newly recruited government officers, the Punjab government has imposed a ban on Grade 17 officers, including assistant commissioners, on expressing their opinions on social media and media. The letter says that according to the civil services rules, giving statements in the media and social media based on one’s personal opinion is a violation of the rules.
The letter says, “The young officers of PAS/PMS in BS-17, posted against various slots in the field as well as in the Secretariat, are considered as the face of the Provincial Government. However, it has been observed with grave-concern that these officers often engage themselves with social media i.e. Websites, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microblogging, TikTok, YouTube etc, without taking into consideration of its fall out amongst public at large, especially using the social media in official capacity.”
It further states, “Often, the views/ comments/ conduct/ personal opinion of the officers, may either harm the national security; or offend public order, decency or morality; or amount to contempt of court or defamation or incitement to an offence; or propagate sectarian creeds and capable of embarrassing the government, which is tantamount to misconduct and inefficiency under the rules.”
It also warned that strict action will be taken against those violating the instructions.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recently made changes to Form 45, a document used for counting results.
According to the ECP, from now on, date and time will also be entered into Form 45. The Commission said that objections to the amendment can be submitted till October 20.
What is Form 45
Form 45, commonly known as the “Result of the Count” form, is a significant record in the Pakistani electoral process. It plays a pivotal role in documenting and revealing voting outcomes at specific polling stations. Here, we delve into the importance of Form 45 and its role in Pakistan’s electoral process:
Purpose: Form 45 is a cornerstone of transparency and accountability in Pakistan’s elections. Its primary goal is to create an official record of voting outcomes at specific polling stations. This documentation is indispensable for compiling and verifying results at the constituency level.
Contents: Form 45 includes details like the polling station number, constituency name, the total number of registered voters at that station, the total votes cast, and a comprehensive breakdown of votes garnered by each candidate.
Signatures: Form 45 is signed by the Presiding Officer responsible for overseeing the voting process. Additionally, representatives of candidates present at the polling station also sign the form as witnesses. These signatures are crucial for confirming the accuracy of recorded results.
Transparency and Verification: Form 45 is instrumental in maintaining transparency throughout the voting process. It empowers candidates and their representatives to independently validate results recorded at the polling station and cross-reference them with the final results. This robust verification process minimizes the potential for irregularities or manipulation in election outcomes.
Compilation and Reporting: After polling concludes, the Presiding Officer completes Form 45 and promptly submits it to the Returning Officer overseeing the respective constituency. The Returning Officer’s role is pivotal, as they collect and consolidate Form 45 from all polling stations within the constituency to determine final election results.
Public Accessibility: In a dedicated effort to promote transparency, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) mandates Presiding Officers to prominently display Form 45 outside polling stations for public scrutiny. This transparency measure enables voters, candidates, and their representatives to openly observe, verify, and validate election results, fostering confidence in the electoral process.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, announced that October 6 is his last day at the London office, indicating his imminent departure to Pakistan.
While talking to journalists, Nawaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to all reporters who have covered his activities in London, regardless of their stance, be it in favor or against him.
Recognizing the pivotal role journalism plays in society, Nawaz Sharif stressed the significance of the public’s reliance on journalists’ opinions. He underscored the importance of journalists avoiding sensationalism and defamation, instead calling for constructive criticism and reform.
Notably, Nawaz Sharif questioned the effectiveness of protests staged by Pakistanis in London over the past four years, particularly those involving figures like Maryam Aurangzeb. He suggested that if people wished to engage in protests, they should do so within Pakistan.
During a press conference in Lahore, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif stressed that the question regarding Nawaz’s return shouldn’t be repeated since he will be coming back.
He also redefined the party’s slogan of ‘vote ko izzat do’.
“Giving respect to the ballot doesn’t mean it is an anti-establishment slogan. It means serving the voters,” he said, asking whether raising anti-establishment slogans would help overcome the people’s problems.
He also clarified a comment which was “wrongly attributed” to him. “I had never said that I am a darling of the (military) establishment. Actually, a journalist during a media interaction the other day had said that I had been a darling of the establishment for decades.”
It is pertinent to know that the former three-time prime minister will return to Pakistan on October 21 and address a public gathering at 6 p.m. at Minar-e-Pakistan on the same day, senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah revealed on Tuesday.
Just days ahead of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s anticipated return to Pakistan, a new medical report has been submitted to the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday by the legal team of the former Prime Minister, Geo has said.
Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had been granted permission by the LHC in November 2019 to travel abroad for medical treatment based on his deteriorating health.
Since then, Nawaz Sharif has resided in London. The court, meanwhile, has ordered him to regularly submit medical reports to keep authorities updated about his health conditions.
In September 2023, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif announced that his elder brother would be ending his self-imposed exile of four years and returning to Pakistan on October 21.
The latest medical report, filed by Nawaz Sharif’s legal team, features insights from Professor Carlo di Mario of London’s Royal Brompton Hospital, who has been providing medical care to the former Prime Minister throughout his stay in London over the past years.
Professor Carlo di Mario, an expert in Interventional Cardiology, detailed Nawaz Sharif’s medical history, stating, “We initially attempted medical treatment, strengthening his antianginal therapy.”
However, due to persistent anginal symptoms and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was made to perform an angioplasty in November 2022 to cure a blocked left circumflex artery.
The procedure included rotational atherectomy, intravascular lithotripsy, and the deployment of multiple stents under IVUS guidance. Despite these interventions, the medical report indicates that Nawaz Sharif still experiences some residual anginal symptoms, and continuous monitoring is recommended.
The report also highlights the complexity of Nawaz Sharif’s medical condition, mentioning “diffuse distal coronary disease in a patient with diabetes and multiple other comorbidities that would require frequent follow-up investigations both in London and Pakistan.”
With this fresh medical report submitted to the Lahore High Court, Nawaz Sharif’s health status remains a focal point as the date of his return to Pakistan draws nearer.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a directive instructing the Chief Secretary of Sindh to immediately withdraw security, privileges and protocols from former members of the provincial cabinet and government officials. The decision follows the conclusion of the provincial government’s tenure and the upcoming general elections scheduled for the beginning of next year, after the delimitation process.
In a letter addressed to the provincial secretary and inspector general, Election Commission Secretary Omar Hamid highlighted that former officials and cabinet members were still benefiting from the perks and privileges associated with their former positions.
The letter stated, “You are, hereby, advised to withdraw protocol/security and perks and privileges from those former provincial cabinet members and political appointees of equivalent status and send a note of compliance within three days. This matter may be treated as most urgent.”
The ECP had earlier on August 15 sent a letter to provincial authorities for withdrawal of the official protocol of the then members of former Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah-led cabinet and government officials.
Additionally, in a separate communication to the Balochistan chief secretary, the Election Commission directed the immediate replacement of existing officials with new appointees for specific positions.
The letter states, “As you are aware the Election Commission of Pakistan is charged with the Constitutional duty to organize and conduct elections in terms of Article 218 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and “to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against. Therefore, it has been desired that the following senior officers be immediately reshuffled:
Social media users are questioning the decision by the ICC to let India host the World Cup when there is no opening ceremony and barely any spectators in the first match.
Interestingly, when the Asia Cup was being partially hosted by Pakistan, some Indians criticized the ‘empty stadium’ in Multan. Now, the tables have turned, India is the host, the first match is between New Zealand and England, finalists of the last World Cup, and the stadium is empty. There was no opening ceremony for ICC World Cup 2023 and honestly, we can’t see spectators either.
This one’s hilarious, to be honest, does this remind you of Asif Zardari too?
Tendulkar waving hand at Empty Stadium reminds me off Asif Ali Zardari in Punjab. pic.twitter.com/Xk16eTBAge
Osama highlighted multiple issues regarding the World Cup being hosted in India
Opening ceremony canceled, scheduled changed numerous times, ticketing issues, visa delays for participating team, warm up to be played behind closed doors due to security, completely empty stadium in the opening match, is India really the right venue to be hosting global event?
Trendulkar hopes that the stadium will fill up after office hours
Currently, the stadium in Ahmedabad looks empty for the World Cup opener. Hope it gets gradually filled up after office hours.pic.twitter.com/VsBCZahnwg
Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has approached the Islamabad High Court seeking protection for her husband and expressing concerns about his safety in jail. She has requested permission for homemade food for Imran Khan, while his legal team has claimed that his life is in danger.
The IHC has issued notices to respondents in Bushra Bibi’s case and is considering her request to provide homecooked food to Imran Khan. The court has adjourned the hearing until next week.
Imran Khan, the Chairman of PTI, has taken his case to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in an effort to suspend a trial court’s verdict in the Toshakhana case. This move comes after the IHC previously suspended his three-year sentence in the same case about a month ago.
In August, a trial court in Islamabad found Imran Khan guilty of “corrupt practices” related to concealing details of state gifts and sentenced him to three years in prison. While Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar had ordered the capital police chief to arrest Imran, he was instead arrested by the Punjab police, who took him to the Attock district jail. The Supreme Court later acknowledged “procedural defects” in Imran’s conviction by the trial court, suspending his sentence.
Following the suspension of his Toshakhana case sentence, Imran Khan was detained in the cipher case and has been in judicial remand, which was extended until October 10. Recently, he was moved to Adiala jail from Attock jail under the IHC’s directives.
Imran Khan, represented by senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, has filed a petition with the IHC seeking the rectification of the order that suspended the Toshakhana case verdict. The petition requests the suspension of the order until the final appeal decision and also seeks permission to make the state a respondent in the appeal.
The petition argues that the IHC has the authority to suspend the impugned order and sentence under the relevant sections of the Criminal Procedure Code. It highlights an omission in recording the counsel’s request for suspension of the trial court verdict, which has affected Imran Khan’s rights, including his disqualification from elections by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The petition further alleges mala fide intentions on the part of the ECP in disqualifying Imran Khan and mentions attempts to remove him from the leadership of PTI and prevent him from participating in general elections.
In a related development, the Special Court (Official Secrets Act) handling the cipher case against Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is expected to indict both leaders on October 9. The case involves the disclosure of classified diplomatic information.
During the trial behind bars, the prosecution requested in-camera proceedings, but the judge ruled that the trial would commence after framing charges against the suspects and that proceedings were already being conducted inside Adiala Jail. The IHC rejected the FIA’s request for an in-camera hearing of their post-arrest bail petitions in the cipher case.
Today is Imran Khan’s 71st birthday and as much as PTI followers are missing his birthday celebrations, we miss him the most when we are cutting birthday cake, waiting to eat it all by ourselves.
Of course, he is the one who we miss today as ICC World Cup is starting. Many are drawing parallels with 1992 when Pakistan Won the World Cup under Imran’s captaincy.
All pet lovers know that Khan is indeed a pet lover and he used to spend a significant time with his dogs.
For me, another cute memory is him having a fun time with Pervez Khattak in a chair lift.
For all the right reasons, we can’t forget his romantic and protective side for his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Nothing can be said about Imran Khan without mentioning Jemima, his first wife. For a few years, they did give a lot of young couples a happy ideal marriage to emulate.
Kamran Shahid, the anchor of On the Front on Dunya News, filmed a highly anticipated interview at his ancestral ‘Haveli’, airing it on Wednesday night.
Usman Dar, one of the stalwarts of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the former head of PTI’s Tiger Force, an organization comprising young volunteers, appeared on the show to talk about who was the mastermind behind the May 9 riots. On the said day, after PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from Islamabad High Court, protests broke out throughout the country, leading to armed clashes between them and law enforcement agencies. Jinnah House in Lahore, GHQ building in Rawalpindi, airbases and other state installations, along with monuments honouring martyred military men, Askari Tower, Military Library, residences of the armed forces officers, army selection center, petrol pumps, were attacked or set ablaze.
Dar reappeared in public after 147 days to announce on the show that not only was he leaving PTI but also bidding farewell to politics forever. Dar started off by mentioning that he had been missing his passionate arguments with Kamran Shahid on his programs, moving on to say he joined PTI because he genuinely believed that Imran Khan was a leader who could provide a platform for “clean politics.”
Dar termed the aftermath of May 9 for PTI workers an “earthquake”, stating that the day did not unfold incidentally but happened after a significant build-up. After the PTI government was removed, there were two types of mindsets in the party, Dar revealed. Murad Saeed, Azam Swati, and Hammad Azhar were the ones who believed in the politics of collision while Asad Umar, Omar Ayub, Ali Muhammad Khan, Shafqat Mahmood, and Dar himself believed in the politics of reconciliation.
“Those who believed in the collision were convinced that this confrontation would generate results. Unfortunately, Imran Khan supported that group more. He is anyways more of a leading from the front type, and he likes front liners,” said Dar, unveiling what went on in Zaman Park, where Imran Khan was bunkered down.
He further stated that the beliefs of the collision group prevailed more within the party and Imran Khan supported this policy. He also explained how workers from Punjab and KPK were called on and off to Lahore to provide Imran Khan with a ‘human shield’ to avoid arrest. Duties, timing, and days were divided among leaders and workers to stop something as “unique” as Imran Khan’s arrest.
Dar stated that workers had a feeling that they had to save Imran Khan at all costs. Imran Khan was supporting the anti-state narrative that was being developed among workers. “Imran Khan started with General Bajwa and then on to [Chief of Army Staff] Asim Munir. I believe any Army Chief would leave, like today General Asim Munir is there instead of General Bajwa but the institution remains there,” he said.
He also explained that the long march organised by PTI in November 2022 was to oppose General Asim Munir’s appointment. “I think Imran Khan had some information from within the institution that probably the long march would hinder the appointment of General Asim Munir,” Dar said, confirming what many political pundits had suspected since long.
Dar also said that he’ll appear in court to state all this under oath if he has to.
After May 9, the lives of PTI workers have changed entirely and their families are suffering, the Sialkot based Dar observed. Finally, he said he is disappointed in Imran Khan.
Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, has voiced his profound disappointment and discontentment with President Dr. Arif Alvi for not yet announcing the date for upcoming elections, his sister Aleema Khan has said while talking to the press after a court appearance in Lahore.
Aleema Khan, who has been implicated in the May 9 riots case, appeared before an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday, where her’s and former Finance Minister Asad Umar’s interim bails were extended until October 16. The judge instructed their legal representatives to present final arguments in the Jinnah House attack case.
Aleema Khan later told the media that Imran Khan was disappointed with President Alvi’s perceived failure to fulfill his constitutional obligation of announcing an election date, especially during a critical time for the nation.
Imran Khan is disappointed at the role and character of president Arif Alvi: Aleema Khan pic.twitter.com/0KzaszDyhs
The issue of the election date has been a subject of contention in recent times. The PTI’s core committee issued a strong statement last month, reminding President Alvi of his constitutional responsibilities and urging him to promptly announce the election date. The committee asserted that failure to do so would amount to a violation of the Constitution and the basic democratic rights of the people.
The core committee argued that announcing the election date would bring an end to political uncertainty and chaos that had gripped the country since the “regime change conspiracy” in April 2022.
After the court hearing, Aleema Khan addressed the media and expressed concerns about her brother’s deteriorating health. She mentioned that Imran Khan had lost a significant amount of weight and highlighted the lack of opportunities for him to exercise or even take a walk. She also expressed apprehensions about potential efforts to prolong Imran Khan’s detention in the cipher case.
It’s worth noting that the caretaker government has emphasized that only the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the authority to make such an announcement. Initially, President Alvi had invited Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja in an attempt to get him to agree on a date. However, Raja declined the request, asserting that only the ECP possessed the authority to announce the date, citing amendments made in the ECP Act of 2017.
Before the amendment to Section 57(1) of the act, Raja had explained that the president was required to consult the ECP before appointing an election date. However, after the amendment, the commission was empowered to announce the date or dates for the general election, he noted.
