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Tag: Pakistan

  • 21 million more voters registered since 2018: ECP

    21 million more voters registered since 2018: ECP

    Compared to the statistics of the 2018 general elections, the number of voters in Pakistan has increased by 21 million 24 thousand and 863 voters.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that the total number of voters has reached 126,980,272, while the total number of voters in the country in the 2018 general elections was 105,955,409.

    The number of male voters in 2023 has increased to 68,508,258; while the number of female voters has increased to 58,472,014.

    This means that the number of male voters is 10,036,244 more than women.

    Province-wise increase in voters

    Punjab

    Voters in Punjab have increased by one crore 16 lakh 37 thousand (11,637,811).

    2018: 60,672,771

    2023: 72,310,582

    Sindh

    In total, an increase of 42 lakh 59 thousand (4,259,917) voters has been recorded in Sindh.

    2018: 22,391,244

    2023: 26,651,161

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    In total, 63 lakh 78 thousand (6,378,212) voters have increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    2018: 15,314,169

    2023: 21,692,381

    Balochistan

    The number of voters in the province has increased by 9 lakh 58 thousand (985,100) voters.

    2018: 4,299,494

    2023: 5,284,594 

    Islamabad

    Number of voters in the federal capital has increased by 2 lakh 76 thousand (276,107) voters.

    2018: 765,447

    2023: 1,041,554

    Age-wise voter statistcis:

  • 55 percent of polling stations ‘sensitive’, what does that mean?

    55 percent of polling stations ‘sensitive’, what does that mean?

    According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), 55 percent of polling stations have been termed ‘sensitive’ for the upcoming general elections next year.

    ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan said, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee, that around 55 percent of polling stations to be established are sensitive.

    A ‘sensitive polling station’ usually refers to a voting site that is disputatious or requires more attention due to specific circumstances or factors that could become hurdles in a free and fair voting process. 

    A sensitive polling station could be one located in an area with a history of political unrest, violence, or security threats. In such cases, the voting process can be made free and fair by providing extra security by the caretaker government.

    If a polling station is located in an area with a history of political unrest, violence, or security threats, it can be considered a sensitive polling station. On the other hand, if a polling station serves a vulnerable population, like elderly citizens or people with disabilities, it could also be counted as a sensitive polling station.

    Similarly, if any polling station is located in remote or difficult-to-reach areas, it can also be considered sensitive because of logistical challenges.

    “A total 91,809 polling stations will be established, of which 49,919 have been designated as sensitive or highly sensitive,” Omar Hamid Khan said.

    The ECP secretary stated that 17,411 polling stations are highly sensitive, 32,508 are justly sensitive, and 41,809 are designated as ‘normal’.

    Omar Hamid Khan also told the senate standing committee that there are 266 National Assembly constituencies and 593 provincial assemblies. He also observed that one million polling staff would be required for the general election next year.

  • Over 80,000 errors in medical prescriptions reported

    Over 80,000 errors in medical prescriptions reported

    On World Pharmacists Day 2023 on Tuesday, The News highlighted that 80,000 prescription errors have been reported in the past year at major health centres in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

    Prescription errors means that doctors either prescribed wrong medicine, incorrect dosage, or did not take into consideration the interaction between drugs, a potentially fatal error.

    “Of these 80,000 prescription errors, 96% errors were accepted and recognized by the prescribing physicians and surgeons and they rectified their prescriptions in consultation with clinical pharmacists to ensure patient safety”, Sardar Shabbir Ahmed, President of Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA), told a ceremony to mark the World Pharmacists Day 2023.

    He also highlighted that prescription error is the sixth leading cause of death in developed countries like America as 7000-9000 people die every year due to this mistake.

    He urged that there is an urgent need to “introduce clinical pharmacy services at all the public and private health facilities to prevent deaths and disabilities due to medication errors and adverse drug reactions”.

    A solution for that, as Shabir Ahmed provided, is pharmacovigilance centers across the country that will keep the prescription procedure in check by detecting, monitoring and preventing “adverse drug reactions” and keep patients safe.

  • Rocket launcher ‘accidentally’ explodes, killing eight in Sindh

    Rocket launcher ‘accidentally’ explodes, killing eight in Sindh

    A rocket launcher shell exploded inside a home in the Kandhkot area of interior Sindh on Wednesday, SAMAA has confirmed. Eight people, including five children, died in the explosion while six others were injured.

    Three individuals are Saif to be in a critical condition.

    The shell of the rocket launcher had been warehoused and suddenly exploded.

    According to the initial investigation, family members found the rocket launcher shell in a nearby farm field, and they took it to the house for safekeeping. However, children in the house started using the shell as a toy.

    Local authorities have been alerted, and police have cordoned off the affected area.

  • Wet autumn or dry winter? The forecast is here

    Wet autumn or dry winter? The forecast is here

    Last week’s spell of rain helped bid farewell to summers. So, what’s next? Will we have more rains to make autumn a wet one? Or are we heading for our traditional dry winters?

    Read on for details.

    One last spell of monsoon is about to hit the upper parts of Pakistan and will likely impact the entire country.
    A weather advisory issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that the westerly rain-producing wave is likely to enter upper regions of the country on the evening or night of Thursday, September 28.

    Under the system, moderate to heavy rains with wind and thunderstorms is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, areas of Kashmir including Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur, and areas of Gilgit Baltistan including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar from September 28 to 30.

    Isolated spells of rain and thunderstorm with hailstorms are also expected in Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Haripur, Kurram, Waziristan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, and Sheikhupura between September 28 and 29.

    Meanwhile, Zhob, Barkhan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar are also expected to witness similar weather conditions during the said period.
    Moreover, snowfall is expected over the high mountains of the upper areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan during this period.

    Under the possible impacts, the Met Office has also predicted a significant drop in the temperature in the areas affected by the spell.
    PMD advised farmers and tourists to manage their crop activities and remain cautious to avoid any untoward situation during the period, respectively.

    Meanwhile, the general public has been advised to stay at safe places during windstorms, lightning, and downpours as loose structures like electric poles, solar panels, billboards etc. may be damaged by the gusts.

  • Power company in Punjab wants to set power price at record-breaking high of Rs77.3 per unit

    Power company in Punjab wants to set power price at record-breaking high of Rs77.3 per unit

    In a noteworthy development that has captured significant attention and ignited considerable debate, the Kot Addu Power Company (KAPCO) has formally submitted an application to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for the endorsement of what could potentially become the nation’s most costly electricity generation tariff. 

    This significant step has unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing deliberations concerning the escalating expenses associated with electricity production within Pakistan. 

    The Kot Addu Power Company has put forth a bold proposition, aiming to establish the electricity tariff at an unprecedented Rs77.31 per unit, attributing the primary rationale for this request to substantial hikes in production costs. 

    Notably, the present initial tariff offered by the independent power producer (IPP) company stands at a modest twenty-eight rupees per unit, underscoring the magnitude of the escalation should their proposal garner approval. 

    Adding a layer of complexity to this unfolding narrative, IPP Kot Addu Power, the entity responsible for electricity generation, has been granted a sixteen-month extension during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) administration.  

    However, this extension has not been without its share of controversy, with the Senate Power Committee recently deeming it unlawful, further intensifying the discourse surrounding this matter. 

  • ‘This Barbie will win the world cup’: Shaheen Afridi’s viral picture in pink suit is winning the internet

    ‘This Barbie will win the world cup’: Shaheen Afridi’s viral picture in pink suit is winning the internet

    This Barbie is a cricket icon!

    Shaheen Afridi will remain the internet’s golden boy because of how precious he is. The fast bowler recently shared a picture announcing that he was the brand ambassador of the real estate organisation AH Group, and in the picture, he can be seen wearing a bright pink suit.

    Looks like Barbie fever is still not over for Pakistani fans as they soon began launching hilarious memes in the quote tweets and we’re sharing all of our favorite ones here.

  • Ali Zafar, Danny Zee’s new song is NOT getting good reviews

    Ali Zafar, Danny Zee’s new song is NOT getting good reviews

    Singer Ali Zafar and his brother Danny Zee released a rap song on September 22 titled ‘Sushi // Woofer Paar De!’, featuring the rapper Mykko Montana. However, the internet isn’t really feeling the vibe this time. The song is going viral on social media with many users criticising the lyrics as “cringey”, particularly a line rapped by Daniyal that says, “I nut so thick she burpin’”.

    A user on X posted a screenshot of the music video with this lyric and wrote: “as if danyal zafar couldn’t get more disgusting …”

    Soon, several other users joined in and expressed their distaste.

    “i nut so thick she burpin” is a horrendous bar and he should be locked up just for that”, wrote a user.

    Users began sharing other lyrics they found horrendous on the same tweet.

  • ‘Imran more popular than rivals’: Miftah Ismail cites survey

    ‘Imran more popular than rivals’: Miftah Ismail cites survey

    According to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Miftah Ismail, the chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, is more popular than his political rivals, The News has reported.

    The PML-N leader also disclosed that he conducted a survey in July to get public opinion, and according to that survey, Imran Khan is more popular than his political rivals.

    Miftah Ismail also said that PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former member of the Senate Mustafa Nawaz Khokar agreed that there is space for a new political party in the country. “The question now is whether they have the capacity to attract people to join a new political party or not,” he added.

    However, the PML-N leader told The News that no decision has been taken about the launch of a new political party, stating that they are seriously thinking about the matter.

    Miftah Ismail also criticised the policies of former finance minister Ishaq Dar, alleging that his criticism of Dar’s policies alienated him from the Sharifs.

    Earlier, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that there is a space for a new political party in Pakistan.

    According to the sources of The News, Mustafa Nawaz Khokar is more keen to launch a new political party than Abbasi and Miftah. The other two are not completely sure yet whether to go for it or not.

  • New tax to be imposed on citizens soon

    New tax to be imposed on citizens soon

    The local government has unveiled a new tax that has drawn mixed reactions from citizens. 

    This latest tax, to be imposed in lieu of garbage collection, will be collected from households, shops, petrol pumps, and industrial units on a monthly basis.

    Starting from October, Multan and its neighboring areas will see this sanitation tax in effect. The tax rates are set at Rs50 for houses, Rs200 for shops, Rs1,000 for petrol pumps, and Rs2,000 for industrial unit owners on a monthly basis. 

    The government anticipates an annual revenue boost of approximately Rs4.28 billion through this tax initiative. However, the move has not been met with unanimous approval among citizens, many of whom have criticised it. 

    Meanwhile, amid ongoing discussions concerning the surging costs of electricity production in Pakistan, the Kot Addu Power Company has submitted an application to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), seeking approval for what could potentially become the country’s most expensive electricity generation tariff.

    The proposal suggests an electricity tariff of Rs77.31 per unit, a significant increase from the current rate of twenty-eight rupees per unit. The power company attributes this substantial hike to rising production costs.

    Notably, the Kot Addu Power Company recently secured a sixteen-month extension during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) administration. However, this extension has not escaped controversy, as the Senate Power Committee has declared it illegal, further fueling the debate over electricity tariffs in the country.