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Category: Politics

  • Election Commission adamant about ensuring timely elections

    Election Commission adamant about ensuring timely elections

    After completing consultations with political parties, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday announced that the delimitation process will be finalised by November 30. 

    A statement issued by the electoral body said the purpose of reducing the duration of the delimitation process is to ensure elections are held as early as possible.

    The ECP also said that a date for the elections will also be announced keeping in view the schedule for the delimitation process, adding that the date was announced after deliberation with the parties. 

    A day earlier, the Election Commission said that polls would be held by mid-February at the most or by January end if the delimitation of constituencies is completed earlier. 

    The Election Commission has held consultations with political parties including Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Muttahida Qoumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Jamiat Ulema Islam-Faiz (JUI-F) and others regarding the road map to general elections. 

    On August 17, the ECP announced the schedule of new delimitations to be carried out as per the new census approved by the Council of Common Interest (CCI) last month. 

    According to the schedule, the new delimitation of the constituencies was expected to be completed in December. However, the date has now been shortened to November. 

    Earlier, the ECP schedule had shown that the fresh delimitation would take nearly four months. 

    Last month, the CCI meeting chaired by then-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the final results of the 7th Population and Housing Census 2023 reporting the country’s population at 241.49 million with a growth rate of 2.55%.

    The CCI approval made it constitutionally mandatory for the ECP to hold elections following fresh delimitations in the light of the results of the 7th census.

    According to Article 51 (5) of the Constitution, the seats of the National Assembly to each province and the federal capital shall be allocated on the basis of population in accordance with the last preceding census officially published.

  • Parvez Elahi arrested again hours after being set free

    Parvez Elahi arrested again hours after being set free

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf President and former Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has been arrested again after his brief release today.

    Islamabad Police arrested Chaudhry Parvez Elahi from Canal Road in Lahore, leaving with him for the federal capital. Earlier today, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to release Parvez Elahi, after the accountability watchdog’s decision to arrest the former chief minister of Punjab was challenged in court through a petition.

    After Elahi was brought before the court, LHC Justice Amjad Rafiq announced the decision, telling NAB at the hearing today that if Elahi is not produced today, the court will issue a warrant against the director-general of the accountability body.

    On the NAB prosecutor’s reply, Justice Amjad Rafiq said that there will be a complete inquiry, ordering Parvez Elahi’s immediate release.

    It should be noted that when Parvez Elahi first filed an application in the Lahore High Court, the court granted him bail in all cases. But against the decision of the single bench of the court, the Punjab government filed an appeal before a two-member bench, which suspended the decision of the single-member bench.

  • PM Kakar nahi jantay kisko mil rahi hai muft bijli?

    PM Kakar nahi jantay kisko mil rahi hai muft bijli?

    Interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar recently gave a statement that only Wapda’s employees, including retired ones, get free electricity and there is no such facility available for anyone else including judges. This statement is factually incorrect.

    Truth is that not only utility bills (including electricity bills) of the serving judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are paid by the government, but the retired ones also get free electricity of up to 2000 units a month in case of an ex-SC judge and 800 units a month in case of a former high court judge, as per Ansar Abbasi’s report for Geo news.

    Not only this, the president and prime minister also enjoy free utilities including free electricity without any limits but in the case of the ex-president, he is provided 2000 units a month of electricity at the cost of taxpayers’ money.

    President’s Salary, Allowance and Privileges Act, 1975 as amended in 2018 says in Section 7 that the actual charges for electricity and gas consumption shall be paid in each year to the president. After retirement, the president also gets gas to the extent of monthly consumption of 10 HM3 and water, all paid by taxpayers.

    Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) also enjoys similar facilities as those of a Supreme Court judge, including free electricity. There is no confirmation of what the prime minister has claimed about services’ chiefs.

    In October 2020, Justice Faez Isa and his wife released income tax and asset details in which it was clearly written that post-retirement benefits of a Supreme Court judge include 2000 units of electricity, 25 HM of gas, water and 300 litres of petrol per month.

    High Court Judges (Leave, pension, privileges) order 1997 not only talks about the payment by government for provision of electricity gas and water but also says in Section 28 that a judge on retirement and after his death, the spouse shall be entitled to certain benefits including 800 units of electricity per month as well as 25 HM3 of gas per month.

    All those quasi-judicial public offices including the offices of NAB chairman, federal ombudsman etc where retired judges, or retired civil servants are appointed, the residence utility bills are also paid from the public funds.


    According to a NAB document, “i) Chairman NAB shall be entitled without payment of rent to the use of a residence provided by the Government throughout his term of office maintained at Government expenses with all utilities to be paid on actual basis by the Government. ii) In case of non-availability of Government accommodation or the Chairman chooses to reside in a private residence, the expenses on maintenance and all utilities as per actual, will be paid by the Government, in addition to house rent allowance.”

  • Court orders release of PTI’s Parvez Elahi

    Court orders release of PTI’s Parvez Elahi

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to release the president of Pakistan Tehrrek-e-Insaf (PTI), Parvez Elahi, on Friday, after the accountability watchdog’s decision to arrest the former chief minister of Punjab was challenged in court through a petition.

    After Elahi was brought before the court, LHC Justice Amjad Rafiq announced the decision, telling NAB at the hearing today that if Elahi is not produced today, the court will issue a warrant against the director-general of the accountability body.

    On the NAB prosecutor’s reply, Justice Amjad Rafiq said that there will be a complete inquiry, ordering Parvez Elahi’s immediate release.

    It should be noted that when Parvez Elahi first filed an application in the Lahore High Court, the court granted him bail in all cases. But against the decision of the single bench of the court, the Punjab government filed an appeal before a two-member bench, which suspended the decision of the single-member bench.

  • ECP will keep an eye on election campaigns and expenses

    ECP will keep an eye on election campaigns and expenses

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said on Thursday that it will keep an eye on election campaigns and expenses in the upcoming general elections, stating that the decision has been taken after consultations with political parties.

    According to ECP, the services of the army, police, and other law enforcement agencies will be sought to ensure a safe and peaceful environment at polling stations.

    The electoral watchdog has said that this matter came up in the meeting about the upcoming general elections with Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) and Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam) PML(Q)

    Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, ECP secretary, and other senior officers were part of the meeting.

    The TLP’s delegation comprised of party leaders Chaudhry Rizwan, Mohammad Qasim, Ziaur Rahman, and Chaudhry Azhar, whereas the PML-Q was represented by Mohammad Tariq Hussain, Farukh Khan, Ghulam Mustafa, Rizwan Sadiq, and Hafiz Aqeel Jalil.

  • Court throws out ECP review petition against May 14 election decision

    Court throws out ECP review petition against May 14 election decision

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday threw out the review petition of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) about the May 14 polls order, The News has reported.

    “The court will intervene whenever there is a constitutional violation,” Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said.

    In April 2023, a three-member bench of the apex court headed by CJP Bandial, comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar declared the decision of the ECP to hold elections on October 8 instead of April 30 “illegal” and directed the ECP to hold elections in Punjab on May 14.

    In its 14-page petition, ECP said that the apex court should review its decision as the court “doesn’t have the authority to give the date of elections”.

    “Such powers exist elsewhere under the Constitution but certainly not lie in a court of law,” the ECP had said, citing various legalities and reasons behind its statement.

  • Elections to be held before mid-February: ECP

    Elections to be held before mid-February: ECP

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has assured the Awami National Party (ANP) that elections will be held by end of January or mid-February at the most, depending on the completion of delimitation of constituencies.

    According to Geo News, ECP met with representatives of ANP, Balochistan National Party (BNP) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) to discuss the upcoming general election.

    According to ANP leaders, the commission assured them of speeding up the process of delimitation, telling them that elections will not be delayed beyond mid-February.

    In a statement released by the commission, ANP insisted on a date and schedule for the electoral exercise if elections were not being carrying out within 90 days. ANP believes that ECP should have consulted political parties before carrying out delimitation because under the constitution, the commission can not reduce or increase the seats given in the provinces.

    On the contrary, the BAP delegation supported the initiation of delimitation, stating that not going for delimitation as per the new census would be an insult to political parties, candidates and the public, reported Geo News.

    However, BNP representative Agha Hassan Baloch urged ECP to hold elections within 90 days. He highlighted that the new census seems to be faulty since the population of Balochistan has been reduced. “Therefore, our party believes that there is no use of new delimitation. If the election commission believes that delimitation is necessary, then the process should be corrected,” he said.

    While speaking to the media, Mian Iftikhar of the ANP said that the electoral body will complete delimitation of constituencies soon in order to hold general elections no later than mid-February.

  • Nothing left for Imran in Pakistani politics: Kamran Tessori

    Nothing left for Imran in Pakistani politics: Kamran Tessori

    Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori has said that after the events of May 9, there is nothing left for former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Pakistani politics, Geo has reported.

    Addressing a press conference in London, Tessori said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) attacked Jinnah House and other military installations on May 9, shocking Pakistan. The governor claimed that the attacks on May 9 were comparable to those at the Peshawar Army Public School.

    Tessori, who is in London on a private family visit, said: “The elements involved in the 9 May attacks are left behind and the nation has come on one page. No decent and civilised society allows the destruction and arson of its important national monuments such as the residence of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, mosques and corp headquarters; people don’t burn their police stations in the world. These people burnt down their Corp Headquarters and attempted attacks on military installations. After all of this, I think there is nothing left for Imran Khan in Pakistani politics.”

    The Sindh governor also advised those that are still part of the PTI to, “think of Pakistan first and then the leader. The nation comes first, no harm in following any leader but not at the cost of Pakistan.”

  • The court bars Imaan Mazari arrest in any FIR registered after August 20

    The court bars Imaan Mazari arrest in any FIR registered after August 20

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered not to arrest human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari in any First Information Report (FIR) registered after August 20.

    Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb of the IHC heard the case in which Shireen Mazari, former federal minister and the mother of Imaan Mazari, submitted a request on her daughter’s behalf through her lawyers, Zainab Janjua, Salman Akram Raja and Qaisar Imam.

    The Interior Secretary is to submit a report to the court detailing the number of cases that have been filed against Imaan Mazari in the country.

    Earlier, On Sunday, August 20, human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and former lawmaker Ali Wazir were arrested for attending the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) protest in Islamabad.

  • President Alvi ko chahiye mazeed salary

    President Alvi ko chahiye mazeed salary

    President Dr Arif Alvi is seeking an increase in his salary. Official documents show that the president has asked for two raises, first with effect from July 1, 2021 and second with effect from July 1, 2023, as per Geo News.

    Currently, the president draws a monthly salary of Rs 846,550 and wants a two-step raise to Rs 1,024,325 and Rs 1,229,190 per month with effect from July 2021 and July 2023 respectively.

    In a letter written to the Secretary Cabinet through his Military Secretary earlier this month, the President’s Secretariat has desired amendment in the Fourth Schedule of President’s Salary Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act, 2018 to allow the president’s salary, a) Rs 1,024,325 per month with effect from July 1, 2021, and b) Rs 1,229,190 per month with effect from July 1, 2023.

    The letter stated, “In Pursuance of para 3(2) of President’s Salary, Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act 2018, published in the Gazette Notification (Part I), the remuneration of the President shall be a symbolic one rupee higher than the salary of any holder of Public Office in relation to affairs of the Federation. Accordingly, pay of the honorable President was fixed at Rs 846,550/- per month in 2018 as reflected in the Fourth Schedule of the Act ibid.”

    The letter further pointed out that the salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan being a holder of Public Office was increased twice in the last 2 years through Presidential Orders. Pay of Chief Justice of Pakistan was fixed at Rs 1,024,324/ per month w.e.f 01 July 2021 and subsequently at Rs 1,229,189/ per month w.e.f. 01 July 2023. As per the rules, the salary of the President was not enhanced in relation to the laid down principle of one rupee higher than the salary of any holder of public office i.e. Chief Justice of Pakistan.

    On the basis of the above, the Presidency sought changes in the Fourth Schedule of President’s Salary Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act 2018 accordingly.

    The Cabinet Division referred the case to the Law Ministry, which on August 18 advised the former to process the case for a raise in Alvi’s salary.

    The Law Ministry stated, “The Federal Government by virtue of section 3(2) of the same Act has the power to amend that Schedule by way of a notification in the official gazette henceforth in relation to the issue at hand the Federal Government is competent to amend the Fourth Schedule by way of gazette notification and no amendment in the Fourth Schedule is required via an amending Act to effectuate a revision in the salary of the President.”

    The matter was also referred to the Finance Division, which on August 22 also supported the proposed increase in the salary of the president through amendment in the Fourth Schedule of the President (Salary, Allowances & Privileges) Act, 1975.

    The matter is expected to be presented before the cabinet for approval. The president, besides getting the desired increases, will also get a hefty amount as arrears as the two-step raises will be allowed with effect from July 2021 and July 2023 respectively.