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Category: Politics

  • Who is going to run under a PML-N ticket? Key announcements suggest surprising political shift

    Who is going to run under a PML-N ticket? Key announcements suggest surprising political shift

    In a strategic move ahead of the 2024 general elections, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has officially revealed its powerhouse lineup. The announcement was made by Ishaq Dar, who is the PML-N’s Head of Election Cell, marks a pivotal moment in the party’s preparations for the upcoming political showdown.

    Tickets fiasco?

    Former federal minister Daniyal Aziz, after his differences with the party, has decided to contest the 2024 elections as an independent candidate. His decision comes after PML-N released its list of election candidates.

    X (former Twitter) user Dilawar Hussain wrote, “Disappointed with PML N’s decision not to grant a party ticket to Daniyal Aziz in Narowal. His courage in facing oppression and commitment to party deserves acknowledgment. Wishing for a reconsideration at the senior party level. ”

    The only elected woman MNA from the PML-N in 2018, Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, didn’t get a ticket this time from Narowal (NA 77). Mehnaz Akbar has announced to contest the election as an independent candidate in NA 75, Shakargarh.

    Former PML-N MNA Ch Jaffar Iqbal from NA 106 didn’t get the ticket this time. Instead it was given to the air chief’s brother Naseer Sidhu as per Alag Digital.

    Ch Hamid Hameed from Sargodha didn’t get the ticket. User Mehr Mohsin wrote, “He
    @ChHamidHameed has 40 year’s affiliation with @pmln_org and has been victimised several times for his loyalty with party – I also witnessed 2018 – but no ticket in 2024, what you have learned through your political experience? @MaryamNSharif @NawazSharifMNS @CMShehbaz.”

    User Ali Zain commented, “Hamid Hameed has been winning elections with massive margins in NA 84 (Sargodha City) for the past two elections and yet #PMLN didn’t award a ticket to their best candidate!! This is a huge opportunity for #PTI now to win this seat!”

    User Samraiz Ali pointed out that Khawar Maneka’s brother has been awarded a ticket, “PMLN Ticket of NA 139 Ahmad Raza Maneka. Khawar Maneka’s brother Ahmad Raza Maneka is currently a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, and is affiliated with the PML-N.”

    While criticising the PML-N’s decision on awarding of the ticket to Ghulam Sarwar, user Najam Ali said, “This man bankrupted PIA and he gets the nod. I am speechless.”

    User Rowdy Rana said, “Nominated PMLN ticket holder PP-197 Sardar Masab Ali Dogar is still on bail in 9th May Terrorism FIR case pending.”

    User Israr Ahmed pointed out, “@pmln_org Supreme Leader @NawazSharifMNS awarded party ticket from PP-10 to illegal Blue World City Director Ch Nahim Ijaz for #GE2024 despite the candidate is involved in more than 200 criminals cases registered with @RwpPolice under multiple charges including terrorism, kidnapping, dacoity, robbery, firing on policemen, possessing illegal weapons and land grabbing. PML-N candidate is nominated in 49 FIRs out of 200.”

    Tickets Details

    Islamabad Capital Territory NA 46 Anjum Aqeel Khan, NA 48 Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry

    Rawalpindi Division

    District Attock NA 49 Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, PP 1 Jahangir Khanzada, PP 2 Iftikhar Ahmed Khan, PP 3 Hameed Akbar, NA 50 Malik Sohail Khan, PP 4 Sher Ali Khan, PP 5 Malik Aitebar Khan.

    District Rawalpindi NA 51 Raja Osama Sarwar, PP 6 Mohammad Bilal Yamin, PP 7 Raja Saghir Ahmed, NA 52 Raja Muhammad Javed Ikhlas, PP 8 Iftikhar Ahmad, PP 9 Shaukat Raja (Raja Shaukat Aziz Bhatti), NA 53 Raja Qamar ul Islam, PP 10 Chaudhry Naeem Ejaz, PP 11 Imran Ilyas Chaudhary, NA 55 Malik Ibrar Ahmed, PP 14 Malik Iftikhar Ahmed, PP 15 Malik Mansoor Afsar, NA 56 Mohammad Hanif Abbasi, PP 16 Zia Ullah Shah, PP 17 Raja Abdul Hanif, NA 57 Danyal Chaudhary, PP 18 Sajjad Khan, PP 19 Haji Pervaiz Khan, PP 13 Malik Umar Farooq.

    District Chakwal NA 58 Maj. (Rid) Tahir Iqbal, PP 20 Sultan Haider Ali Khan, PP 21 Tanvir Aslam Malik.

    District Talagang NA 59 Sardar Ghulam Abbas, PP 23 Shehryar Mailk.

    District Jehlum PP 25 Chaudhary Nadeem Khadim, PP 26 Nasir Mahmood Lilla

    Gujranwala Division

    District Gujrat NA 62 Chaudhary Abid Raza, PP 27 Muhammad Hanif Malik, PP 28 Shabbir Ahmed, NA 63 Nawabzada Ghanznfar Ali Gul, PP 29 Nawabzada Haider Mehdi, PP 30, Maj (Rtd) Moin Nawaz Warraich, NA 65, Chaudhary Naseer Ahmed Abbas Siddhu, PP 33 Mohammad Ali, PP 34 Mian Tariq Mehmood.

    District Wazirabad NA 66 Nisar Ahmed Cheema, PP 35 Waqar Ahmed Cheema, PP 36 Adnan Afzal Chattha.

    District Hafizabad NA 67 Saira Afzal Tarrar, PP 37 Mian Shahid Hussain Khan, PP 38 Sheikh Gulzar Ahmed, PP 39 Mohammad Aoun Jahangir.

    District Mandi Bahauddin NA 68 Mushahid Raza, PP 40 Hameeda Mian, PP 41 Syed Tariq Yaqoob, NA 69 Nasir Iqbal Bosal, PP 42 Khalid Mehmood Ranjha, PP 43 Chaudhary Akhtar Abbas Bosal.

    District Sialkot NA 70 Chaudhary Armaghan Subhani, PP 44 Arif Iqbal, PP 45 Tariq Subhani, NA 71 Khawaja Muhammad Asif, PP 47 Mansha Ullah Butt, NA 72 Ali Zahid, PP 48 Rana Liaqat Ali, PP 49 Rana Muhammad Afzal, NA 73 Nosheen Iftikhar, PP 50 Chaudhary Naveed Ashraf, PP 51 Zeeshan Rafique, NA 74 Rama Shameem Ahmed Khan, PP 52 Chaudhary Arshad Javed Warraich, PP 53 Rana Abdul Sattar.

    District Narowal NA 75 Chaudhry Anwaar ul Haq, PP 54 Ahsan Iqbal, NA 76 Ahsan Iqbal, PP 56 Mannan Khan, PP 57, Khawaja Muhammad Waseem PP 58 Bilal Akbar Khan.

    District Gujranwala NA 77 Chaudhary Muhammad Bashir Virk, PP 59 Bilal Farooq Tarrar, PP 63 Muhammad Taufeeq Butt, PP 64 Umer Farooq Dar, PP 68 Chaudhary Muhammad Iqbal, PP 70 Amanullah Warraich, NA 78 Khurram Dastagir Khan, PP 60
    Moazzam Rauf Mughal, PP 61 Imran Khalid Butt, PP 65 Sahibzada Ghulam Fareed, NA 79 Zulfiqar Ali Bhindar, PP 66, Qaiser Iqbal Sindhu, PP 67 Akhtar Ali Khan, NA 80 Shahid Usman, PP 62 Muhammad Nawaz Chohan, NA 81Azhar Qayyun Nehra, PP 69 Irfan Bashir Gujjar.

    Faisalabad Division

    District Chiniot NA 93 Syed Muhammad Raza Bukhari, PP 94 Mehr Shah Behram Baral, NA 94 Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, PP 95 Muhammad Ilyas, PP 97 Muhammad Saqlain Anwar Sipra.

    District Faisalabad NA 95 Azad Ali Tabassum, PP 99 Muhammad Shoaib Idrees, NA 97 Ali Gohar Khan, PP102 Jaffar Ali Hocha, PP103 Muhammad Safdar Shakir, NA 98 Chaudhary Muhammad Shahbaz Babar, PP104 Arif Mahmood Gill, PP 105 Rao Kashif Rahim Khan, NA 99 Mohammad Qasim Farooq, PP 107 Khalid Pervaiz Gill, NA 100 Rana Sana Ullah Khan, PP 108 Muhammad Ajmal, PP 109 Chaudhary Zafar Iqbal Nagra, NA 101 Irfan Manan, PP 111 Chaudhary Fugir Hussain Dogar, PP 113 Ali Abbas Khan, PP 114 Sheikh Mohammad Yousaf, NA 102 Chaudhary Abid Sher Ali, PP 115 Mohammad Tahir Pervaiz, PP 116 Ahmed Shehryar, NA103 Haji Muhammad Akram Ansari, PP117 Malik Muhammad Nawaz, PP 118 Sheikh Ejaz Ahmad, NA 104 Raja Riaz Ahmed, PP 110
    Mehr Hamid Rasheed, PP 112 Israr Ahmad Khan.

    District Toba Tek Singh NA105 Chaudhary Khalid Javaid, PP 119 Uqbah Ali, PP 120 Abdul Qadeer Alvi, NA 106 Muhammad Junaid Anwaar Chaudhary, PP 121
    Amjad Ali, PP 122 Col. (Rtd) Muhammad Ayub Gadhi, NA107 Chaudhary Asad ur Rehman, PP 123 Nazia Raheel, PP124 Syed Qutab Ali Shah.

    District Jhang NA108 Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, PP 125 Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, PP 126 Mehr Muhammad Aslam Bharwana, PP 128 Khalid Muhammad Sargana, NA 110 Muhammad Asif Muawia, PP 129 Khalid Ghani, PP 130 Ameer Abbas Sial, PP131Faisal Hayat

    Lahore Division

    Nankana Sahib NA 11 Chaudhary Muhammad Barjees Tahir, PP 132 Mian Ijaz Hussain Bhatti, PP 133 Rana Muhammad Arshad, NA 112 Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharral, PP 134 Mehr Kashif, PP 135 Agha Haider Ali Khan.

    District Sheikhupura NA 113 Ahmed Attique Anwar, PP 136 Muhammad Hassan Riaz, PP 137 Muhammad Arshad, NA 114, Rana Tanvir Hussain, PP 138 Pir Muhammad Ashraf Rasool, PP 139, Rana Tanveer Hussain, PP 140 Mian Abdul Rauf, NA 115 Mian Javed Latif, PP 141 Amjad Latif, NA 116, Sardar Muhammad Irfan Dogar, PP 142 Mehmood ul Haq, PP 143 Mumtaz Mehmood Khan, PP 144 Chaudhry Sajjad Haider Guijar.

    District Kasur NA 131 Saad Waseem Sheikh, PP 176 Chaudhary Muhammad Ilyas Khan, PP 177, Muhammad Naeem Safdar, PP 178, Malik Ahmed Saeed Khan, PP 179 Malik Mohammad Ahmad Khan, NA 133, Rana Mohammad Ishaq Khan, PP 181Sheikh Alla Uddin, PP 182 Mehmood Anwar, NA 134 Rana Mohammad Hayat Khan, PP 183 Rana Sikandar Hayat, PP 184 Rana Mohammad Iqbal Khan.

    Sahiwal Division

    District Okara NA 135 Nadeem Abbas Rabera, PP 185 Javed Allauddin Sajjid, PP
    192 Ghulam Raza Rabera, NA136 Riaz ul Haq, PP 190 Mian Yawar Zaman, PP 191 Mian Mohammad Munir, NA137 Rao Muhammad Aimal Khan, PP 186 Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, PP 189 Ali Abbas, NA138 Mohammad Moeen Watto, PP 187 Chaudhry IRikhar Hussain Chachar, PP 188 Noor ul Amin Watto.

    District Pakpattan NA 139 Ahmad Raza Maneka, PP 197 Sardar Mansab Ali Dogar, NA 140 Rana Iradat Sharif, PP 195 Kashif Ali Chishti, PP 196 Farrukh Javed.

    District Sahiwal NA141 Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, PP 198, Walayat Shah, PP 199
    Qasim Nadeem, PP 200 Muhammad Arshad Malik, NA 142 Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf, PP 201 Naveed Aslam Khan Lodhi.

    Sargodha Division

    District Sargodha NA 82 Doctor Mukhtar Ahmed Malik, PP 71 Sohaib Ahmad Malik, PP 72 Mansoor Azam Sindhu, NA 83 Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, PP 73 Mian Manzar Hussain Ranjha, NA 84 Doctor Liaqat Ali Khan, PP 75 Abdul Razzaq Dhillon, PP 76 Mahr Ghulam Dastgir Lak, NA 85 Doctor Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, PP 78 Rana Munawar Hussain, NA 86 Syed Javaid Hussain, PP 79 Taimoor Ali Khan Baloch, PP 80 Sardar Mohammad Asim Sher Maken.

    District Khushab NA 87 Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, PP 82 Malik Mohammad Asif Bha Awan, PP 83 Muhammad Moazzam Sher, PP 84 Karam Elahi Bandial

    District Mianwali NA 89 Obaid Ullah Khan Shadikhel, PP 85 Amanat Ullah Khan, NA 90 Humair Hayat Khan Rokari, PP 87 Inam ullah Khan Niazi, PP 88 Malik Muhammad Feroz Joya.

    District Bhakkar NA 91 Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khel, PP 89 Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khel.

    Multan Division

    District Khanewal NA 144 Syed Mohammad Mukhtar Hussain, PP 205 Imran Iftikhar Hiraj, PP 212 Irfan Ahmad Alias Rana Irfan Mahmood Khan, NA 145 Mohammad Khan Daha, PP 206 Barrister Chaudhry Osama Afzal, PP 211 Rana Mohammad Saleem, NA
    146 Pir Mohammad Aslam Bodla Siddique, PP 207 Amir Hayat Hiraj, PP 208 Babar Hussain Abid, NA 147 Chaudhry Iftikhar Nazir, PP 209 Chaudhry Zia ur Rahman.

    District Multan NA 148 Ahmad Hussain, PP 214 Mian Shehzad Magbool Bhutta, PP
    215 Shahid Mahmood Khan, PP 218 Salman Naeem, NA 151 Abdul Ghaffar, PP 219 Doctor Mohammad Akhtar Malik, PP 220, Rai Mansab Ali NA, 152 Syed Javed Ali Shah, PP 221 Mian Tariq Abdullah, PP 222 Rana Ejaz Ahmad Noon, NA 153 Rana Mohammad Qasim Noon, PP 223 Mehdi Abbas Khan

    District Lodhran NA 154 Abdul Rahman Khan Kanju, PP 226 Malik Shah Mohammad Joya, NA 155 Siddique Baloch, PP 227 Umair Baloch, PP 228 Syed Mohammad Rafiuddin Bokhari.

    District Vehari NA 156 Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad, PP 229 Chaudhry Mohammad Yousaf Kasela, PP 231 Sardar Khalid Mahmood Dogar, NA 157 Sajid Mehdi, PP 230 Mian Irfan Aqeel Daultan, PP 232 Malik Nousher Khan Anjum Langrial, NA 158 Begum Tehmina Daultana, PP 233 Mian Mohammad Saqib Khursheed, PP 234 Mohammad Naeem Akhtar Khan, NA 159 Saeed Ahmad Minhias, PP 235 Mian Khaliq Nawaz, PP 236 Asif Saeed.

  • Four employees die in Kandhkot election commission office after gas leak

    Four employees die in Kandhkot election commission office after gas leak

    Four people have died after gas leaked in the rooms of Election Commission office in Tehsil Kundhkot, Geo has reported on Wednesday.

    The election commission office says that the four were employees of the Commission. They were sleeping in the room when they suffocated from the leaking gas.

    According to the election commission, three of employees who died belong to Larkana, while one belongs to Kandhkot.

    The deceased employees include election officer Mushtaq Magsi, data entry operator Farid Ahmed, data entry operator Majid Ali and Abdul Rauf.

  • Supreme Court upholds Pervez Musharraf’s death sentence in a treason case

    Supreme Court upholds Pervez Musharraf’s death sentence in a treason case

    The Supreme Court (SC) upheld the death sentence imposed on former President General (ret) Pervez Musharraf by a special court in 2019 in a high treason case.

    A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah conducted the hearing. 

    A special court awarded a death sentence in 2019 to the former dictator according to Article 6 of the Constitution. A high treason case was filed against Musharraf during Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) tenure for imposing an “unconstitutional” emergency in the country in 2007.

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) declared the verdict of special court to hear the case against Musharraf under Article 6 “unconstitutional” on January 13, 2020.

    After that, the Pakistan Bar Council and senior lawyers, including Taufeeq Asif, challenged the LHC decision in SC.

    The court announced its reserved decision today on the petition filed by the former dictator against a death sentence.

    “Pervez Musharraf’s heirs did not follow the case even on multiple notices,” the SC remarked while rejecting the former president’s appeal.

  • All you need to know about South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

    All you need to know about South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

    A case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been put in motion by South Africa in The Hague, Netherlands, asking the court to look into the genocide being committed by Israel against Palestinians.

    The imposition of charges do not only pertain to the crimes perpetrated during the last few months since October 7 that have killed more than 23,000 people till now, but also the 75-year long apartheid, 56-year hostile occupation, and 16-year blockade on Gaza.

    The hearing will take place on January 11th and 12th in which a 15-judge panel will hear and deliberate the case.

    South Africa filed an 84-page suit with the court on December 29, quoting proofs and references of atrocities being committed by Israel in Gaza, asking the Court – a United Nations body established for settling interstate discords – to pronounce Israeli breaches of responsibilities under international law since October 7.

    “No armed attack on a State’s territory no matter how serious — even an attack involving atrocity crimes — can, however, provide any possible justification for, or defence to, breaches of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention’ or ‘Convention’), whether as a matter of law or morality.”, read an excerpt from the suit.

    While the rulings are intended to be “binding”, a number of countries do not recognise its results. To give an example, the previous ICJ rulings of Russia invasion of Ukraine, and China’s claims in the South China Sea, were disregarded by China and Russia, consequently affecting ICJ’s credibility.

    Additionally, an NGO called Protect Palestine, an Action Guide, writes that according to experts, while South Africa “will make a strong case, it still may not be enough to rule against Israel. Israel will likely continue claims that “Hamas is embedded with civilians”, and that they “try to warn civilians”.

    The votes for and against, however, can pave the way to additional challenges for Israel and further affect the legal global standing of the country.

    Who is supporting South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel?

    The 57-member bloc known as the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) which includes Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Morocco; Malaysia; Turkey; Jordan; Bolivia; The Maldives; and Namibia.

    A number of advocacy groups and civil society groups across the world including Terreiro Pindorama in Brazil, Asociación Nacional de Amistad Italia-Cuba in Italy, and Collectif Judeo Arabe et Citoyen pour la Palestine in France.

    Previously, Bolivia had filed a request to International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan alongside South Africa, Bangladesh, Comoros, and Djibouti to probe into the matter in Palestine.

    Read more: Can South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel stop war in Gaza?

  • Legal fraternity criticises Justice Naqvi’s resignation over expected perks

    Legal fraternity criticises Justice Naqvi’s resignation over expected perks

    Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, who has been facing allegations of misconduct, has resigned from the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday. The esteemed justice cited circumstances that had become “a matter of public knowledge” as the reason behind his resignation.

    The resignation letter, obtained by Dawn.com, was formally addressed to President Dr. Arif Alvi. Justice Naqvi expressed gratitude for the honor of serving as a judge, both in the Lahore High Court and later in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

    “In the circumstances, which are a matter of public knowledge and to some extent public record, it is no longer possible for me to continue to serve as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” stated Justice Naqvin

    Acknowledging the importance of due process, he added, “Considerations of due process also compel. I, therefore, effective today, resign as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.”

    Mian Dawood, a Lahore-based lawyer, one of the complainants against Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, declared the resignation a win for lawyers and asserted that they would challenge his resignation in the Supreme Court.

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) leader Khwaja Asif demanded that assets of the judge and his children should be investigated in the same manner as is done for politicians.

    Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii took tok X (former Twitter) and said, “This resignation should be rejected. He should face the SJC and the truth should out. If he is guilty of the accusations against him, he should not have the choice to take a million rupee a month pension off into the sunset like other supposedly compromised agents before him.”

    Lawyer Nighat Dad also criticised the move and said, “Pakistanis should only focus on the perks #JusticeMazaharAkbarNaqvi he and his family will be enjoying from our tax money after resignation. His pension amount will be determined on the basis of years of service. He will have one driver and one orderly. A police guard at residence. 300 free local calls, 2000 units of electricity, 25 HM of gas, water and 300 litres of petrol per month.”

    https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1745028741779304547?s=20

    Journalist Matiullah Jan also questioned the merits of resignation.

    The Case

    In October last year, the SJC had issued a show-cause notice to Justice Naqvi in connection with 10 complaints lodged against him and directed the judge to submit a reply within two weeks.

    The ten complaints include the complaints of Mian Dawood, a Lahore-based lawyer, Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) Lawyers Forum, Punjab, PBC Vice Chairperson Haroon Rasheed and Council’s Chairperson Executive Committee Hasan Raza Pasha and Advocate Ghulam Murtaza Khan, for amassing illegitimate assets and misconduct.

    In his response, Justice Naqvi raised issues with the SJC inquiry against him and called for Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and two other judges to recuse themselves from the matter.

    On Nov 20, Justice Naqvi contested the SJC proceedings against him and also challenged the show-cause notice issued to him by the council, stating the initiation of proceedings was coram non-judice and without lawful authority.

    Subsequently, the SJC issued a fresh show-cause notice to Justice Naqvi on Nov 22, with a direction to come up with his defense by filing a reply within a fortnight.

    On December 4, Justice Naqvi had again approached the apex court and expressed his intent to pursue the constitutional petition he had moved earlier seeking to quash the revised show-cause notice issued by the SJC.

    Two days later, Justice Naqvi had invited the attention of the SC committee comprising three senior-most judges to the silence over his petitions challenging the issuance of the show-cause notice (SCN) despite the lapse of time as stipulated in the Supreme Court (Practice & Procedure) Act, 2023.

    Justice Naqvi had also written a separate letter to the SJC secretary, asking the latter to furnish a number of documents without which, the judge said, he would not be in a position to prepare his reply to the show-cause notice within time.

    On December 15, the SJC, in an open hearing, had given two weeks to the top court judge to respond to the misconduct allegations and directed him to submit a reply to the show-cause notice by January 1.

    On January 8, Justice Naqvi had withdrawn his objection to the three-judge bench hearing his plea challenging the issuance of a show-cause notice to him.

  • Ecuador president orders gangs ‘neutralised’ after gunmen storm TV studio

    Ecuador president orders gangs ‘neutralised’ after gunmen storm TV studio

    QUITO – Ecuador’s president gave orders on Jan 9 to “neutralise” criminal gangs after gunmen stormed and opened fire in a TV studio, as bandits threatened random executions on a second day of terror in the country.

    Gangs declared war on the government when President Daniel Noboa announced a state of emergency following the prison escape on Jan 7 of one of Ecuador’s most powerful narco bosses.

    Mr Noboa ordered military operations to “neutralise” criminal gangs, as the country exploded into what he called an “internal armed conflict”.

    Long a peaceful haven sandwiched between top cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru, Ecuador has seen violence explode in recent years as rival gangs with links to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control.

    In the port city of Guayaquil, men wearing balaclavas and waving weapons stormed a state-owned TV station during a live broadcast, taking several journalists and staff members hostage on Jan 9.

    At least 10 people have been killed in a series of attacks blamed on gangs – eight in Guayaquil, and two “viciously murdered by armed criminals” in the nearby town of Nobol, police said on Jan 9. Three other officers were wounded in Guayaquil.

    After the escape of Jose Adolfo Macias, aka “Fito” – leader of Ecuador’s biggest gang Los Choneros – Mr Noboa on Jan 8 declared a countrywide state of emergency and nightly curfew.

    Gangs retaliated, taking police officers hostage, setting off explosions in several cities.

    On Jan 9, they stormed a studio of state-owned TC Television in Guayaquil with guns and explosives.

    Hooded attackers fired gunshots during a live TC broadcast as a woman could be heard pleading: “Don’t shoot, please don’t shoot.”

    The intruders forced terrified crew onto the ground and a person could be heard screaming as the studio lights went out but the broadcast continued.

    Police entered the studio after about 30 minutes of chaos.

    ‘You will get war’

    Mr Noboa, 36, who was elected last year on a pledge to fight drug-related violence, ordered the military operations against gangs he described as “terrorist organisations and belligerent non-state actors”.

    Authorities reported multiple explosions and cars set alight on Jan 9, including in the capital Quito, and said seven police officers had been kidnapped.

    A video circulating on social media showed three of the kidnapped officers sitting on the ground with a gun pointed at them as one was forced to read a statement addressed to Mr Noboa.

    “You declared war, you will get war,” the visibly terrified officer read. “You declared a state of emergency. We declare police, civilians and soldiers to be the spoils of war.”

    The statement added that anyone found on the street after 11pm “will be executed”.

    There was panic on the streets, with shops and businesses in various cities closing early and residents rushing home as face-to-face classes were suspended nationwide until Jan 12.

    The head of Ecuador’s Joint Command of the Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Jaime Vela, said that gangs had “committed bloody acts without precedent”.

    “Despite their brutal wickedness, this attempt will fail,” he told media after a Security Council meeting in Quito headed by Mr Noboa.

    Mr Brian Nichols, the top United States diplomat for Latin America, said Washington was “extremely concerned” by the violence and kidnappings, and pledged to provide assistance and “remain in close contact” with Mr Noboa’s team.

    Peru put its border with Ecuador under a state of emergency.

    China’s embassy and consulates in Ecuador announced on Jan 10 that services to the public were suspended.

    “The reopening to the public will be announced in due course,” the embassy said in a statement shared on Chinese social media.

    Chile, Colombia and Brazil sent messages of support for Mr Noboa.

    ‘Return peace to all Ecuadorians’

    A manhunt is under way for Fito, who had been serving a 34-year sentence for organised crime, drug trafficking and murder.

    The 44-year-old is believed to have escaped just hours before police arrived to conduct an inspection of the Guayaquil prison where he was held.

    On Jan 9, officials said another narco boss – Los Lobos leader Fabricio Colon Pico – also escaped since his arrest on Jan 5 for alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate Ecuador’s Attorney-General.

    Unrest has broken out at several penitentiaries, and on Jan 9 the SNAI prisons authority said 125 guards and 14 administrative officers were being held by inmates in five cities.

    Unverified videos circulating on social media purported to show captives armed with knives executing at least two guards. SNAI has not commented on the images.

    The security forces, in turn, have sent out videos of numerous prison raids since Jan 7, with hundreds of inmates amassed in courtyards in their underwear, hands on their heads.

    Mr Noboa had vowed on Jan 8 to “not negotiate with terrorists nor rest until we return peace to all Ecuadorans”.

    Drug violence has taken a heavy toll on the South American country since it became a key stop on the US- and Europe-bound cocaine trade.

    The murder rate quadrupled from 2018 to 2022 and a record 220 tonnes of drugs were seized last year.

    Since February 2021, clashes between prisoners have left more than 460 dead, many beheaded or burnt alive. AFP

  • PML-N to release final list of candidates by today or tomorrow, says Rana Sanaullah

    PML-N to release final list of candidates by today or tomorrow, says Rana Sanaullah

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah has said on Wednesday that the party has finalized the list of its candidates for general elections 2024, and will release the names by today evening or tomorrow morning.

    “We will issue the list today evening or tomorrow,” Sanaullah said during an appearance on Geo News show Geo Pakistan.

    He also confirmed that the matter of seat adjustment between PML-N and the Jahngir Tareen-led Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has been settled.

    The former interior minister also stated that PML-N has now agreed to provide seven National Assembly (NA) seats and 11 provincial assembly seats, against the IPP’s demand for 13 NA seats and 22 provincial seats.

    PML-N has also agreed on seat adjustments with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), he acknowledged.

    “PML-N will hold 60 rallies in the country,” said Sanaullah while sharing details of the party’s election campaign, confirming that party head Nawaz Sharif will start his own election campaign on January 17.

  • Tribunal declares Imran Khan ineligible to contest polls from NA-122 Lahore

    Tribunal declares Imran Khan ineligible to contest polls from NA-122 Lahore

    An election tribunal established at the Lahore High Court (LHC) has validated the returning officer’s (RO) decision to dismiss Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s nomination papers from the NA-122 constituency in Lahore.

    The lawyer of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) argued before the tribunal that Imran Khan is not eligible to contest the election and his proposer didn’t reside in the constituency.

    Justice Tariq Nadeem of the appellate tribunal announced the decision after hearing all the parties.

    On December 30, 2023, Imran Khan’s nomination papers were rejected for National Assembly (NA) seats from Lahore and his home town, Mianwali.

    The former prime minister and PTI founder had submitted nomination papers from Lahore’s NA-122 and Mianwali’s NA-89 for the upcoming polls set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mian Naseer raised objections to Imran Khan’s nomination papers, mentioning that the PTI founder is disqualified for five years in Toshakhana case, and the ECP found him guilty of corrupt practices under Section 167 of the Elections Act, 2017.

    After viewing the objections, the RO rejected the nomination papers of the former prime minister.

  • Bat is back for PTI

    Bat is back for PTI

    The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has restored Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election symbol ‘bat’ after hearing PTI’s petition against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision revoking the party’s election symbol and declaring its intra-party polls “unconstitutional”.

    A two-member bench of the PHC was hearing PTI’s writ petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision declaring the intra-party election as null and void and revoking their symbol of a cricket bat, a sign that depicts the party’s founder, Imran Khan’s career in the sport.

    In its verdict, the court termed the ECP’s decision “incorrect”.

    A two-member PHC bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Arshad Ali announced the verdict today. 

    A day earlier, the court heard the arguments by the counsels of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the PTI.

    Earlier today, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Barrister Gohar Khan, said that the party is withdrawing its plea seeking the ‘bat’ symbol from the Supreme Court (SC), adding that the party is hopeful that Peshawar High Court (PHC) will give a favourable decision in the matter.

    “Today, our petition was fixed at the Supreme Court, but we have withdrawn it,” he said while talking to media outside the apex court, adding that the decision from PHC will be issued in the party’s favour.

    Earlier, the PHC had accepted ECP’s review petition and restored the electoral authority’s ruling on intra-party polls and election symbol of the PTI.

  • Blinken to meet Palestinian president after warning Israel civilian toll ‘too high’

    Blinken to meet Palestinian president after warning Israel civilian toll ‘too high’

    Tel Aviv (AFP) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to hold talks Wednesday with the head of the Palestinian Authority, which Washington hopes could govern Gaza after Israel’s attacks end.

    The United States’ top diplomat was on his fourth crisis visit to the Middle East since the war in the Gaza Strip began, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

    Blinken told a news conference afterwards that the United States would continue to support its ally, but also called on Israel to do more to protect those trapped in the besieged Palestinian territory, saying the “daily toll on civilians in Gaza, particularly children, is far too high”.

    Washington has floated a post-war scenario in which a reformed Palestinian Authority, currently led by president Mahmud Abbas, governs Gaza in addition to the West Bank.

    The authority currently exercises limited rule in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967.

    “Israel must stop taking steps that undercut Palestinians’ ability to govern themselves effectively,” Blinken said Tuesday, emphasising the importance of progress towards a two-state solution.

    “The Palestinian Authority also has a responsibility to reform itself, to improve its governance — issues I plan to raise with president Abbas,” he added.

    Netanyahu, however, has shown no interest in reviving negotiations towards a Palestinian state, and an early post-war plan outlined by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant envisions local “civil committees” governing Gaza after Israel has dismantled Hamas.

    Blinken declined to say on Tuesday whether Netanyahu’s views had shifted in their discussions.

    Multiple attempts at reconciliation have failed, but Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said last week he was “open to the idea” of a single Palestinian administration in Gaza and the West Bank.

    Jordan’s royal palace, meanwhile, said King Abdullah II would host Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday for talks on Gaza, including efforts to “push for an immediate ceasefire”.

    ‘We see no hope’

    Israel has responded with relentless bombardment and a ground invasion of Gaza since October 7 that have killed at least 23,210 people, mostly women and children, the health ministry said Tuesday.

    The ministry announced Wednesday morning that another 70 people were killed and more than 130 wounded in overnight attacks.

    The Israeli army announced the death of another soldier early Wednesday, bringing the total killed since its ground invasion began to 186.

    The war has displaced the vast majority of Gaza’s population, and dire shortages of food, water and medicine have left hundreds of thousands at risk of famine and disease, the UN and WHO have said.

    AFP footage on Tuesday showed a crowd of Gazans rushing towards aid trucks carrying flour and canned goods into Gaza City, in the territory’s devastated north, with some climbing up the sides of the vehicles and tossing down food.

    “We’ve been listening to the news for 98 days, hoping that the war will end, but due to this difficult situation we see no hope,” Ibrahim Saadat told AFP from a camp for displaced people in the southern border town of Rafah.

    “Due to the lack of water, we shower just once per month. Psychologically we are suffering, and diseases have spread everywhere.”

    The WHO warned on Tuesday that its ability to provide aid and support to Gazan hospitals was “shrinking”.

    During his visit, Blinken called for “more food, more water, more medicine” to be delivered to the territory, and said that Israel had agreed to a UN assessment in the north to “determine what needs to be done to allow displaced Palestinians to return safely”.

    Israel says it has largely achieved military control over northern Gaza and that operations are focussing further south.

    In the southern city of Khan Yunis, wounded people, some of them children, were rushed to hospital on Tuesday after a strike hit displaced Palestinians living in tents at Al-Mawasi camp.

    “We were chatting under a palm tree, and suddenly we saw stones and shrapnel everywhere,” young Lama Abu Gemmayzeh told AFP.

    “Some of us started running, and others were on the ground, and we started screaming for ambulances.”

    Fears of escalation

    Since the war started, fears have grown of an escalating conflict between Israel and its other regional enemies, a loose alliance of Iran-backed armed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

    Defence Minister Gallant told Blinken on Tuesday that intensifying pressure on Iran was “critical” and could prevent a regional escalation, an Israeli government statement said.

    Hours later, Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen “launched a complex” drone and missile attack in the southern Red Sea, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

    American and British forces shot down 18 drones and three missiles in the latest attack, CENTCOM said, adding no injuries or damage were reported.