The federal Ministry of Interior has confirmed on Thursday morning that internet services on mobile data across the country have been suspended after a dramatic surge of terror attacks just a day before the country goes to polls.
“Recent surge in terrorist activities resulting in precious lives have stirred security environment in the country. In the light of deteriorating security situation and to mitigate potential security threats, need has risen to take by measures to safeguard against it. Therefore, it has been decided to temporarily suspend the mobile services across the country,” a statement issued by the ministry said.
However, WiFi services have not been suspended and remain operational.
The news has been met by dismay on social media as users say it hinders the voting process and blocks candidates from communicating with their polling staff.
On Wednesday, two attacks just a short while apart from each other, killed 27 people in Balochistan while more than 50 people were injured. A grenade attack in Karachi got foiled when the ammo detonated in the hands of the motorcyclist carrying it, while JUI-F’s Hafiz Hamdullah was attacked by gunfire in an assassination attempt that failed.
Pakistan’s political landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the country prepares for critical elections. The young, energetic youth, a demographic powerhouse, holds significant potential to shape the country’s political future, making their thoughts, worries, and aspirations crucial.
Youth Voter Turnout 2018:
According to empirical Analysis of Elections in Pakistan done by Gallup Pakistan, average Youth voter turnout estimates are a mere 31.5% compared to 40% for women voter turnout and 53% for average national voter turnout during the last two elections in 2013 and 2018.
Youth Driven Digital Democracy:
To help the voices of the future, we also need to explore the influence of social media on political opinions and decisions driven by the youth. In the diverse society we are living in, social media is the strongest tool at the disposal of Pakistani political parties which can have a profound effect on youth’s minds and political parties and vice versa. Social media platforms enable young people to participate in conversations, express their opinions, and contribute to an active online political dialogue. Hashtags and trending topics frequently serve as vehicles for political speech, emphasizing certain concerns and establishing a virtual arena for political discourse.
Critical issues for upcoming 2024 election:
The 2024 elections survey by The Current Forum in Pakistan raised important concerns: 51.8% prioritized economic stability, 32.6% emphasized governance and accountability, 8.5%% focused on social services such as education and healthcare, 3.5% were conscious of climate change, and 3.5% were concerned about national security. Instagram polls echoed similar sentiments: 45% prioritized governance and accountability, 42% emphasized economic stability, 11% supported education and healthcare, and 2% were concerned about climate change. These findings highlight the different electorate objectives, emphasizing the necessity for policymakers to develop comprehensive policies that meet several issues
Request for political candidates for immediate impact on universities and student bodies:
The Current Forum’s 2024 elections survey found a wide range of student demands: 40.4% emphasized active engagement in decision-making for inclusive governance, 32.6% requested immediate financial assistance, and 24.8% increased funding for education. Notably, 2.1% prioritized increased campus security. According to Instagram surveys, 43% priorities student assistance, 34% advocate for student involvement in decision-making, 19% demand increased education financing, and 4% emphasize enhanced campus security.
Concerns about the electoral process in Pakistan that need attention and improvement:
Initiatives or strategies that could encourage greater political awareness and participation among the youth in Pakistan:
The study indicates a variety of opinions on improving political engagement among Pakistani young. Notably, 29.8% prefer youth-focused political participation events, while 30.5% support greater young representation. 18.4% favor expanding civic education programs, while 21.3% support easily available information platforms.
According to Instagram polls, 25% prefer greater civic education, while 24% support youth-focused engagement activities. A majority (35%) advocate for expanded youth representation, while 16% support accessible information platforms.
Immediate Priorities for Universities and Students: Requests toPolitical Candidates in Pakistan’s 2024 Elections
The survey responses highlight a range of concerns and requests from students in Pakistan for political candidates to address in the 2024 elections. Key issues include the restoration of student unions, regulation of private institution fees, compulsory on-campus jobs, and student policies that positively impact the student body. The lack of governance in certain regions, particularly in Balochistan, is also a concern. Students advocate for changes in grading systems, tackling harassment issues, ensure affordable fees, and creating job opportunities post-graduation. They also advocate for free education, scholarships, and support for those unable to afford fees. The survey participants urged candidates to address the specific needs and concerns voiced by the student community, fostering a more responsive and accountable approach to policymaking.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while talking to GEO News, said that he had a good working relationship with Shehbaz Sharif. The former foreign minister also said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are doing ‘politics of hate’.
Bilawal also stated that the politics of hate needs to end, as all politicians should respect each other. On the question of missing persons in the country, a young politician said his party will try to resolve this issue He was also not satisfied with what the caretaker federal government did to the Baloch Long March protesters in December.
At least 28 people have been killed and 40 injured in two separate blasts in Balochistan on Wednesday afternoon, just a few short hours before polling starts on election day.
The first attack claimed at least 15 people’s lives while over 30 were injured after an explosion took place outside an independent candidate’s office in Balochistan’s Pishin. The second blast took place outside a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) office in the Killa Saifullah district. The Pishin blast happened outside the political office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar in the Khanozai area.
Injured people have been shifted to the Tehsil Hospital Khanozai, while the bodies have also been transferred, the hospital’s MS Dr Habib told Geo News.
Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has promised to change the map of Karachi if he comes into power after winning the upcoming general elections set to take place on February 8.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman promised to ensure Karachi receives its fair share of rights by securing representation in both the provincial and national assemblies.
“Other parties are contesting polls for their benefits, but the PPP will work for Karachi and protect its mandate,” he said.
Bilawal Bhutto also stated that everyone other than PPP is engaged in the politics of hatred and revenge.
Just days before the February 8 general elections, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari launched criticism at all opposing political parties as election campaigning reached its peak.
While addressing an election rally in Hyderabad, Bilawal asked his audience to vote for arrow, the symbol of the PPP, if they want to block the lion, the symbol of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Stressing the need for hard work, the ex-foreign minister asked the participants, “You just get PPP to win [elections]. I will handle this lion.”
The PPP chairman also criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P). “If people ask you to vote for ‘kite’, then tell them, ‘We will not vote for those who raise anti-Pakistan slogans.’”
Reply that the kite will be ripped apart, he added. The PPP leader urged the people not to waste their vote on any independent candidate — an apparent reference to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidates.
PTI candidates are taking part in the upcoming general elections as independent candidates after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) didn’t allot them their election symbol (bat).
As February 8, the date set for general elections in the country, approaches, Pakistani celebrities are using social media to tell their followers to vote. They say it’s super important for everyone to join in and choose who leads the country next, especially with all the economic and political challenges. Pakistani stars like TV’s veteran actress Bushra Ansari and actor Haroon Shahid talked to fans about why voting is important. Check out some of our favorite celebrities talking about why you should vote:
8th of February! Vote for 🦁🏹⚖️ or whoever you support. Send a text to 8300 with your CNIC and find out where you'll be voting. Pakistan Zindabad ❤️🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/AfpKPJ4bLj
It’s people vs the system now. They can ban everything but not what our heart says. Please find out your constituency & vote! Pata tou chal gaya hoga kisko karna hai ab tak
Pakistanio, we need to show them the power of people against a corrupted system.
The trial court at Adiala jail today sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to seven-year prison terms each in the “un-Islamic nikah” case.
Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah pronounced the verdict. Yesterday, the case was heard inside the jail premises for 14 hours.
The judge announced the court’s decision about the plea Khawar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, made. He claimed that her marriage to the former prime minister was against Islamic law and illegal.
The complainant’s counsel, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, Khan’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, and Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Usman Gul, also gave their final arguments a day earlier.
Maneka accused Bushra and Khan of committing fraud in their nikkah ceremony, claiming that they got married while Bushra was still in her iddat period.
“That above said nikah, and the marriage ceremony was neither legal nor Islamic as it was solemnised without observing the iddat period,” read the petition available with Geo.tv.
1. The proceedings + convictions in the “iddat case” (or specifically, “going through a marriage ceremony fraudulently without being lawfully married”) are a damning blot on our justice system
Horrifying the State stooped this low seemingly just to humiliate IK, Bushra Bibi
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif criticised supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying in a rally that the country’s “real youth” stands behind his party, if not the “mummy-daddy” ones.
PML-N and other political opponents have always accused PTI of attracting “privileged youth” or “wannabes,” who they say lack traditional values and commitments. They use phrases like “mummy-daddy” to suggest that the party’s supporters aren’t genuine.
“Some people say the youth support someone else. But no, youth, not the mummy-daddy ones, are with Muslim League Noon. The real Pakistani youth. That’s why Nawaz Sharif loves you,” the ex-prime minister told a rally in Faisalabad on Friday.
Nawaz Sharif is aiming to become prime minister for the fourth time, after receiving legal relief from courts in multiple cases. After the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision, the PML-N supremo is now eligible to contest elections.
The competition in the upcoming general elections is seemingly between PML-N and its former ally, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), as the popular PTI is seemingly out of the election race, with it’s candidates contesting as independents. The founder of PTI, Imran Khan, is currently in Adiala jail.
Earlier, an accountability court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, to 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana reference.
Islamabad police are currently looking into the reported abduction of Najeebullah, Deputy Assistant Director at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
Asadullah Khan, a resident of Islamabad, lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Ramna police on January 31, stating that his brother left for duty at 9 pm on January 30, and has not returned since.
According to the FIR, Najeebullah contacted his family the following morning via WhatsApp, stating that he was en route to Peshawar and assured them of his imminent return. Asadullah, however, noted a distressed tone in his brother’s voice and expressed concern as Najeebullah reportedly had no acquaintances in Peshawar.
Subsequent communication with Najeebullah intensified the concerns, as he conveyed suspicions of being held against his will. The family is now apprehensive that his disappearance may be linked to an ongoing case.
According to sources of Hum News, NADRA is cracking down on foreign nationals illegally residing in Pakistan who have managed to obtain fake national identity cards.
During a meeting held at the Ministry of Interior, it was revealed that a significant number of non-residents managed to acquire properties worth billions using fake Pakistani identity cards.
A senior police officer shared that an investigation is underway after taking footage from Safe City security cameras.
A NADRA spokesperson stated that they were monitoring the situation closely and were in contact with the officer’s family.
