Current Final

Category: Election 2024

  • PTI denies news of alliance with PPP, Khattak’s party, announces nationwide protest on Saturday

    PTI denies news of alliance with PPP, Khattak’s party, announces nationwide protest on Saturday

    Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Barrister Gohar Khan, has announced plans for a peaceful protest nationwide on Saturday (Feb 17) to highlight what he perceives as the “marginalization” of the PTI.

    “We are extending invitations to all political parties, including the GDA, JI, JUI-F, TLP, ANP, or any other party that shares our concerns regarding the change in mandate and electoral rigging,” he stated.

    Gohar emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest and urged the public to join in. “These elections were crucial, and we are determined not to let our mandate be usurped,” he asserted.

    Regarding speculation about talks with the PPP, Gohar dismissed such reports.

    Furthermore, he announced that Mian Aslam will be PTI’s candidate for the position of Punjab’s chief minister. He also revealed Salar Khan as the candidate for Balochistan chief minister and Aqibullah Khan as the nominee for the speaker of the KP Assembly.

    Gohar assured the media that announcements of candidates for National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker would follow soon.

    As per Sher Azal Marwat, Imran Khan asked him to tell Pakistanis that their freedom has been taken away from them. He further added that if rigging can be done this way then the public won’t even have the power to vote in upcoming elections.

    He said, “The vote was stolen so that a criminal money laundering syndicate could be imposed on Pakistan.”

    Imran Khan also said that there can be no financial stability without political stability and remittances from overseas Pakistanis can stabilize Pakistan.

    Refuting rumors of forming a government with the PML-N, PPP, PTI-B and MQM-P, Gohar reiterated PTI’s commitment to not engage in power-sharing with these parties. He emphasized that PTI’s politics revolve around serving the public and upholding the mandate and democracy.

    “We will continue to offer strong opposition until we secure the full mandate, although we are in a position to form governments in Punjab, KP, and at the Centre,” Gohar asserted.

    He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan and the judiciary to expedite the PTI’s cases and address what he termed as “fake mandate,” claiming that PTI had won 180 seats according to their records.

  • Firdous Ashiq Awan apologises for slapping a police officer

    Firdous Ashiq Awan apologises for slapping a police officer

    Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has formally apologised for slapping a police officer during the general elections.

    In a hearing held at the Election Commission, chaired by Nisar Durrani, Awan expressed regret for the incident and sought forgiveness in a written statement submitted to the commission. The affected police officer also submitted a written response during the hearing.

    During the inquiry, a member of the Election Commission questioned Awan, asking who she thought she was to take the law into her own hands.

    Awan responded to the inquiry by stating that she apologizes for her actions, clarifying that the polling stations were in a chaotic state and that she was merely trying to ensure order.

    She further stated that the police were a passive spectator and she felt threatened by the crowd.

    The incident, which sparked widespread criticism on social media, has been under scrutiny by the Election Commission.

    The commission has stated that it will issue further directives regarding the hearing at a later date.

    On February 12, Awan said that she slapped a police officer as the person in uniform was facilitating one political party on election day. The IPP leader also said that if the law does not take its course, then citizens will teach corrupt police officers a lesson.
    The video was widely slammed on social media, with users calling out the IPP leader for resorting to violence.


    Read more: ‘Thappay par thappa’, Firdous explains why she slapped a police officer

  • Imran Khan wants to talk with PPP, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman

    Imran Khan wants to talk with PPP, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is ready to engage in discussions with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regarding the formation of government at the center, Geo News has reported on Thursday.

    PPP leader Kasim Gillani wrote in a post on his X (previously Twitter) that “Imran Khan’s call for talks with PPP, Pakistan’s sole political party with representation across all four provinces, the senate, and the National Assembly, is a positive and welcome change.”

    PTI leader and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, said that PTI’s senior leader, Omar Ayub Khan, will be the party’s candidate for Prime Minister.

    Asad Qaiser also said that the PTI founder tasked him to talk to other political parties that are protesting against rigging in general elections. He also said, Imran Khan gave permission to talk with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam- Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    The former speaker also said that the general election was completely rigged and no one will accept this election.

  • PTI-backed candidate claims ‘being forced to join PPP or MQM-P’.

    PTI-backed candidate claims ‘being forced to join PPP or MQM-P’.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidate Shanawaz Jadoon has claimed that he was declared the loser in Karachi’s PS-115 (Keamari) constituency when he refused to join the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) or the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

    The politician said in a video statement that he was threatened by unknown persons that he would lose his provincial assembly seat if he did not join the PPP or MQM-P. 

    “I’ve been receiving phone calls since morning asking me to leave Imran Khan. I told them that I won’t leave Imran Khan under any circumstances,” he said in the video statement.

    Shanawaz Jadoon has said that he is standing with Imran Khan and party workers, who struggled day and night to get him elected as a Member Provincial Assembly (MPA).

    “I will die, but never leave Imran Khan’s side. Thousands of such seats can be sacrificed for Imran Khan and the people of my constituency,” he said, adding that he has no interest in becoming a member of the provincial assembly.

  • More voters, less turnout: FAFEN on Feb 8 polls

    More voters, less turnout: FAFEN on Feb 8 polls

    The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has reported that around 60.6 million Pakistanis voted in the country’s 12th general elections, held on February 8. This number was higher than 2018 elections, in which least 54.8 million citizens participated. The number this increased by 5.8 million voters, according to FAFEN post-election analysis report.

    The election watchdog reported that fewer people voted in the recent general polls compared to the total number of registered voters. In 2018, 52.1 percent of registered voters participated in the polls whereas this year, only 47.6 percent turned out to vote.

    The decrease in turnout, however, can be largely attributed to the increase in registered voters from 106 million in 2018 to 128.6 million in 2024. A considerable rise of 22.6 million registered voters between the 2018 and 2024 elections was highlighted in the report.

    The report suggested that the turnout might have been affected by several factors, including severe winter in some areas, concerns about violence and terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, and uncertainty regarding how the elections would be conducted.

    The analysis report on voter turnout reveals that KP had the lowest turnout. The report also notes that voter turnout varies across National Assembly (NA) constituencies, with Islamabad Capital Territory recording the highest turnout.

  • Will PTI secure reserved seats in National Assembly?

    Will PTI secure reserved seats in National Assembly?

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has confirmed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will not get reserve seats despite an alliance with other political parties, including Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), ARY News reported on Wednesday.

    ECP sources revealed that the MWM did not submit a list of reserved seats for women as required by Section 104 of the Election Act, and they missed the submission deadline.

    Furthermore, it was revealed that political parties are allowed to submit the list of reserved seats until the deadline for the submission of nomination papers. 

    However, once the deadline passes, no political party can submit a list of reserved seats.

    A day earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced plans to form an alliance with MWM to create a government in the centre.

  • ‘Nawaz will oversee PML-N-led governments’: Maryam Nawaz

    ‘Nawaz will oversee PML-N-led governments’: Maryam Nawaz

    Maryam Nawaz, the Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), has dismissed speculations suggesting that party head Nawaz Sharif has withdrawn from active politics following his nomination of younger brother Shehbaz Sharif for the prime ministerial post.

    Maryam Nawaz has been nominated as the party’s candidate for Chief Minister of Punjab.

    In a statement shared on X (former Twitter), Maryam emphasized that Nawaz Sharif is poised to remain actively engaged in politics for the next five years. She declared that Nawaz Sharif will not only participate in political affairs but will also oversee the PML-N-led administrations in both Punjab and at the federal level.

    Addressing concerns over Nawaz Sharif’s future role, Maryam pointed out that her party has secured clear mandates in the three previous governments under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership.

    She highlighted Nawaz’s explicit stance during election speeches, affirming his intention to refrain from joining any coalition government.
    “… he has made it clear in his election speeches that he will not be a part of any coalition government.”
    She added that those who are aware of Nawaz’s nature know his principled stance.
    “Shehbaz Sharif and I are his soldiers, bound by his orders and will work under his leadership and supervision. May Allah grant us success. Ameen,” Maryam said.
    Maryam Nawaz’s statement comes amid widespread speculation regarding Nawaz Sharif’s political future, with many expressing disappointment over his decision to step back from the prime ministerial race in favor of Shehbaz Sharif.

    Former spokesperson for Nawaz Sharif, Mohammad Zubair, expressed his disappointment saying: “He was the one who inspired me to join politics. Whatever name I made in politics & positions earned were all due to his confidence. Sad to see him go like this. The votes N got were all due to him but the party did not do justice to him. Was this his last political battle?”

  • Jamat-e-Islami will not join hands with PTI to form government in centre

    Jamat-e-Islami will not join hands with PTI to form government in centre

    Jamat-e-Islami (JI) confirmed on Wednesday that they will not form a government with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), despite PTI-backed independent candidates leading with higher number of seats in the February 8 general elections.

    JI leader Amir Liaqat Baloch said while talking to Geo News that his party is not going to join hands with the PTI for the formation of a government in centre.

    “There is no reason for us to form an alliance with PTI only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” said Baloch, adding that talks with PTI were related to both governments — federal and provincial. 

    PTI leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said that there is no point of forming a government with JI as it has no representative in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
    A day earlier, the PTI founder said that his party will not talk with mainstream political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

  • Zardari might be our next president; Bilawal wants Murad as CM Sindh

    Zardari might be our next president; Bilawal wants Murad as CM Sindh

    In a recent development reported by Geo News, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has expressed his preference for Murad Ali Shah to serve as the Chief Minister of Sindh for the third consecutive term.

    Sources revealed that alongside Shah, other names under consideration for the Sindh CM post include Faryal Talpur, Nasir Hussain Shah, and Sharjeel Memon.

    It’s noted that some leaders within the PPP advocate for Faryal Talpur to potentially become Sindh’s first woman chief minister, adding an intriguing dynamic to the selection process.

    Furthermore, amidst political alliances forming in the country, a six-party coalition consisting of PML-N, PPP, MQMP, PML-Q, IPP, and BAP has been announced.

    This alliance, reminiscent of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), aims to form the next government at the federal level.

    Notably, Asif Ali Zardari, the former president, is expected to lead the country for the second time, pending the coalition’s success.

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari affirmed PPP’s support for PML-N in electing its prime minister, though without direct involvement in the federal government.

    However, discussions surrounding key constitutional posts, including the National Assembly speaker, Senate chairman, and president, have ensued. Bilawal expressed his desire for Asif Ali Zardari to assume the presidency, citing the need for experienced leadership in addressing the country’s challenges.

    In addition to the presidency, PPP is reportedly eyeing the post of Balochistan chief minister, with Sarfraz Bugti briefing the party on the province’s political landscape.

    Sources suggest that PML-N leadership has agreed to support Zardari for the presidency in exchange for PPP’s backing of Shehbaz Sharif for the prime minister’s post, potentially shaping the future political landscape with a PML-N prime minister and a PPP president.

    Meanwhile, PML-N senior leader Rana Sanaullah said PPP did not not demand the top constitutional post of president.
    In a statement, Sanaullah said that Shehbaz had experience of working with allies, while Asif Ali Zardari has the political acumen to take prudent decisions.

    He said that neither the PPP demanded the position of the president nor did they make any commitment. “We hope that [JUI-F chief] Fazlur Rehman will become part of the government,” he added.

  • ‘PTI can talk to all parties to solve country’s problems’; Ali Muhammad Khan offers olive branch

    ‘PTI can talk to all parties to solve country’s problems’; Ali Muhammad Khan offers olive branch

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported independent candidates are currently leading in numbers after the recent general elections. However, the party’s leadership seems unsure about their stance on discussions with other political parties in the context of forming a government in Islamabad.

    A day earlier, former Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his party will not talk to mainstream parties, including, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

    On the other hand, PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan said in an interview with Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ that PTI can talk with all political parties to solve the country’s problems, offering an olive branch as opposed to his party’s hard-line stance.

    “We have no personal fight with these parties,” Ali said pointedly, adding that PTI is ready to sit with other political stakeholders, as soon as “tomorrow morning”.