ECP for action against mayors, deputy mayors over election laws violation

KARACHI: The Provincial Monitoring Coordinator and Joint Provincial Election Commissioner (Admin) Sindh has directed the Regional Election Commissioners & Regional Monitoring Coordinators and District Monitoring Officers across the province to strictly observe and take legal action against mayors, deputy mayors, chairmen and deputy chairmen of different local government councils, who were violating election laws.

In a letter to the aforesaid officials, they were informed that some complaints were coming from different corners that the mayors, deputy mayors, chairmen and deputy chairmen were participating and misusing their office resources in the election campaign of contesting candidates, which was the violation of para-18 of code of conduct issued by the ECP for conduct of general elections 2024.

The officials had also been directed to send audio, visual and documentary proof if any for necessary action.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also summoned the Punjab Election Commissioner and a candidate accused of harassing the returning officer (RO) and District Returning Officer (DRO) for a hearing in Islamabad on Tuesday.

In response to the seriousness of the matter, the election commission promptly took notice, and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) personally discussed the incident with the Chief Secretary of Punjab, DRO/Deputy Commissioner of Rahim Yar Khan, and the District Police Officer of Rahim Yar Khan, and obtained preliminary information.

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Stray bullet claims minor girl’s life in Karachi

KARACHI: A minor girl was killed after sustaining a stray bullet inside her home in Mominabad area of Karachi on Sunday, ARY News reported citing police and family sources.

The deceased girl is identified as six-year-old Aqsa Khalid. Her father said that at the time of the incident, they were having a meal inside their home. “Suddenly, my daughter was hit with a bullet in the head,” the father added.

She was rushed to the hospital where the doctors pronounced her dead.

The deceased girl was a student of KG-I and her father is a driver by profession.

Read More: Father, minor daughter killed in Karachi firing

Earlier in September 2023, in a horrific incident, a father and his 2-year-old daughter were killed in firing at Chamrah Chowrangi near Korangi Karachi.

The police officials said that two-year-old Anum was going on motorcycle with her father Tahir when they got injured in firing. Later it was reported that both daughter and her father succumbed to injuries.

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PPP focused on issues instead of politics of hatred: Bilawal

MULTAN: Chairman Pakistan People Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan People Party was committed to eradicate politics of hatred, division and partisanship as there were gigantic problems in the country and it wanted to address the issues to facilitate the masses.

He said this while talking to media persons at residence of Ex MNA Rana Mahmood ul Hassan.

Earlier, Ex MNA Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, former PML-N ticket holders Rana Iqbal Siraj and Rana Tahir Shabbir also announced to join PPP. They reposed complete confidence in the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Bilawal remarked that PPP would focus on issues like unemployment and inflation after coming to power. Highlighting PPP’s manifesto, Bilawal observed that PPP would provide 300 free electricity units. Salaries would be doubled, Bilawal added. Similarly, PPP will introduce Benazir Kisan Card, Benazir Youth Card and Benazir Labourer Card to facilitate the masses, he said.

He recalled that Ex-Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani ensured matchless development work not only in Multan but across the south Punjab.

The PPP Chairman stated that PPP was contesting election to solely serve the masses. However, the other parties are struggling to keep their leaders either away from prison or release from prison.

Responding to a query, he maintained that he was the only “Ladla” of masses. Bilawal also observed that PPP had started campaign however the other political parties did not initiate the campaign but watching toward some other quarters.

He criticized the PML-N and PTI leadership and stated that these parties were adamant on politics of revenge only. However, PPP was focusing on issues of the masses.

To another query, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hoped that the next Prime Minister would be from PPP.

About free, fair and transparent elections, the PPP Chairman stated that PPP would continue to combat in field in all circumstances. He however recalled that PTI had not supported PPP for electoral reforms.

Bilawal also hinted that PPP would give big surprise on February 8.

The PPP Chairman expressed wonder and stated that PTI lawyers could not present their case of intra-party elections effectively in supreme court.

To a question about the manifesto, Bilawal stated that PPP always honored pledges made with the public.

He recalled that NFC award, Benazir Income Support Programme and other promises were materialized by the party in the past. However, in future, PPP would fulfill its 10-point manifesto to facilitate masses.

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Election 2024: PML-N unveils candidates for Sindh

KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Saturday unveiled it’s candidates for Sindh ahead of general election 2024, ARY News reported. 

As per details, PML-N’s Bashir Memon will contest elections from NA-216 (Matiari) while PML-N’s Asghar Shah will contest from NA-205 (Naushehro Feroze-I).

PML-N will field its candidate from PS-5, PS-6 in Kashmore, PS-9 Shikarpur, and will support Irfanullah Marwat of GDA at PS-105

The PML-N also announced to contest polls from NA-229, NA-230, NA-231 and NA-232.

Earlier, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz announced to launch its election campaign from January 15.

Read more: PML-N, four allied parties agree over seat adjustment in Sindh

Rana Sanaullah, former interior minister and President PML-N Punjab has shared that Nawaz Sharif will lead the election drive of the party, which will begin from Jan 15.

In a separate development, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) decided not to award the party ticket to senior leader Talal Chaudhry either for the national or provincial assembly for the February 8 General Elections 2024.

Sources privy to the development said that instead of fielding Talal Chaudhry in the general polls, the PML-N decided to make him a senator in the upcoming Senate Elections.

It is pertinent to mention here that the election schedule for general election has been in its advanced stage.

The election symbols will be allotted to candidates on Jan 13 (today) with polling for general election on Feb 08.

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Pakistan Army modernising systems in line with country’s requirements: COAS

KARACHI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Friday said that the Armed Forces of Pakistan were modernising their systems in line with country’s requirements to respond to any threat emanating against Pakistan, ARY News reported, quoting the military’s media wing.

The army chief made these remarks while interacting with the officers and troops at the occasion of witnessing firing of different air defence weapon systems during Exercise Al-Bayza-III, 2024 at Sonmiani today.

COAS Munir viewed integrated fire and battle maneuvers of Army Air Defence systems which includes High to Medium Air Defence Weapons System (HIMADS), Low to Medium Air Defence System, Short Range Air Defence system and Extended Short Range Air Defence system.

In a landmark achievement and milestone in enhancing the Air Defence of the aerial frontiers of Pakistan, HIMAD system in maiden fire was able to successfully engage the target at maximum ranges along with other layered weapon systems which were tested during the exercise.

Read More: COAS Munir calls NASTP as project of ‘national significance’

COAS Asim Munir also appreciated the remarkable achievement of engaging targets with precision and operational readiness of Corps of Army Air Defence.

Corps Commander Karachi, Commander Army Air Defence, Inspector General Training & Evaluation and Inspector General Arms also witnessed the exercise.

Earlier, the Army Chief visited Army Air Defence Center. He laid floral wreath at Yadgar e Shuhada and paid homage to martyrs of Armed Forces.

The Army Chief also installed Lieutenant General Muhammad Zafar Iqbal as Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Defence Corps.

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Pakistan supports South Africa’s application against Israel in ICJ: FO

ISLAMABAD: “Pakistan supports the application filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning Israel’s violations of its obligations under the 1951 Genocide Convention in relation to the Palestinian people in Gaza,” ARY News reported quoting MoFA.

“We consider this legal action timely and an important step towards holding Israel to account for its well-documented atrocities unleashed against Palestinian people since 7th October 2023,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson said during her weekly press briefing.

“Pakistan shares the concerns raised in the application by South Africa. Israel’s ongoing military aggression and actions against the Palestinian people constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity and amount to genocidal act,” she remarked.

She said, “We reiterate our call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire; an end to Israel’s unabated massacre of the Palestinian people; an uplifting of an inhumane siege; and expeditious delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.”

“Pakistan firmly believes that the only just solution to the Palestinian question is the creation of an independent, viable, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian State along the pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds-Al-Sharif as its capital,” she added.

It is pertinent to mention here that South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of engaging in “genocidal acts” in Gaza and asking the court to order the Israeli government to halt its attacks.

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SJC to continue action against Justice Mazahir Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Thursday decided to continue action against Justice Mazahir Naqvi who resigned from his post today, ARY News reported. 

Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi who has been facing the Supreme Judicial Council’s proceeding resigned from his post as Supreme Court’s (SC) judge.

As per details, the former Supreme Court judge will have the right to defend himself and he can either appear before the SJC himself or through his counsel despite his resignation.

SJC Chairman Justice Qazi Faez Isa said “This is a matter of Supreme Court and Judges reputation.” At this, the SJC meeting was adjourned till tomorrow 11:30 am.

Naqvi, who is facing ‘misconduct’ allegations in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) Wednesday forwarded his resignation to the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi and he accepted his resignation.

It was an honour to work as Lahore High Court and Supreme Court judge, Naqvi said and added he could not continue discharging his duties.

“I, therefore. effective today resign as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” the letter added.

Read more: Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi resigns as SC judge

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court (SC) rejected a plea to stay the Supreme Judicial Council’s (SJC) proceedings against Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi.

The complaint against Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi was filed in the judicial council, by Mian Dawood Advocate.

In April, Justice Isa and Justice Masood had written a judicial letter to Justice Bandial, then the CJP, to convene an SJC meeting to review these allegations.

In May, the then-CJP Bandial referred the matter to Justice Tariq Masood for a legal opinion.

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