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Tag: Pakistan elections

  • DNA Exclusive: Analysis Of Bilawal Bhutto-Shehbaz Sharif’s ‘Deal’ To Form Government In Pakistan | India News

    New Delhi: In a surprising turn of events, Bilawal Bhutto, the chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has given up his ambition to become the prime minister of Pakistan and instead secured the president’s post for his father, Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the co-chairman of PPP. Bilawal has struck a deal with Nawaz Sharif, the leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), to form a coalition government in the country, ending the political uncertainty that prevailed for 12 days after the general elections.

    In today’s DNA, Zee News analyzed the deal between PPP’s Bilawal Bhutto and PML-N’s Shehbaz Sharif to form a coalition government in Pakistan, ending the political uncertainty that prevailed for 12 days after the general elections.

    DNA: Kingmaker Bilawal made father king! Inside Story of Bilawal-Shahbaz deal#DNA #DNAWithSourabh #PakistanPolitics @saurabhraajjain pic.twitter.com/yFCK2x7gTz — Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 21, 2024

    According to the deal, Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, will be the prime minister for the first three years, while Bilawal will be the deputy prime minister. In the last two years, Bilawal will take over as the prime minister, while Shahbaz will become the deputy prime minister. Zardari will be the president for the entire five-year term.

    The coalition partners have also decided to share the key ministries among themselves, with PML-N getting the finance, foreign affairs, defence, and interior portfolios, while PPP getting the information, law, energy, and railways portfolios. The coalition will also include the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), who have won 17 and 4 seats respectively in the National Assembly.

    The coalition has a comfortable majority of 150 seats in the 272-member National Assembly, while the main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan, has only 31 seats. The PTI has alleged massive rigging in the elections and has refused to accept the results. It has also announced that it will boycott the oath-taking ceremony of the new government and launch a nationwide protest.

    The coalition has been welcomed by the international community, especially by the United States and China, who are the major allies and investors of Pakistan. The coalition has also expressed its willingness to improve its relations with India, Afghanistan, and other neighboring countries, and to cooperate in the fight against terrorism and extremism. However, the coalition also faces many challenges, such as the economic crisis, the energy shortage, the security situation, and the judicial activism. It remains to be seen how the coalition will overcome these hurdles and deliver on its promises to the people of Pakistan.

    Watch Today’s DNA for a detailed analysis of Bilawal Bhutto-Nawaz Sharif’s deal to form government in Pakistan elections:

    Farmers Vs Government… War-like atmosphere. Inside story of Bilawal-Shahbaz deal.

    Watch #DNA LIVE with Sourabh Raaj Jain #ZeeLive #ZeeNews #DNAWithSourabh #KisanAndolan #PakistanPolitics #FarmersProtest #MSP @saurabhraajjain https://t.co/DI0NxpiqCN — Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 21, 2024

  • Pakistan Election Crisis Deepens As Top Official Confesses Rigging, Claims CEC, Chief Justice Involved | world news

    New Delhi: A shocking scandal has rocked the political landscape of Pakistan, as a former commissioner of Rawalpindi accused the chief election commissioner and the chief justice of being involved in rigging the recent elections. Liaquat Ali Chattha, who resigned from his post on Saturday, claimed that he was under immense pressure to manipulate the poll results in favor of the candidates who were losing. He said he was taking the responsibility for the wrongdoing and demanded that he and others who were part of the injustice should be punished.

    Chattha’s Explosive Allegations

    Chattha made his explosive allegations at a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where he said he could not sleep after stabbing the country in its back. He said he even contemplated suicide, but decided to expose the truth before the public. He appealed to the bureaucracy to not do anything wrong for the politicians, and said that the chief election commissioner and the chief justice were completely involved in the rigging.

    His remarks came amid nationwide protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, who alleged that their mandate was stolen in the February 8 elections.

    ECP, CM Reject Claims

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) strongly rejected Chattha’s claims, and said that no official of the commission ever issued any instructions to change the election results. It also said that the commissioner of any division had no direct role in the conduct of elections, and that the matter would be investigated.

    Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also ordered an impartial probe into the allegations, and formed a high-level committee to conduct an inquiry. He said that an independent inquiry would be held and the facts would be brought forward.

    Chattha Arrested, Shifted

    Following Chattha’s press conference, police arrived at the venue and arrested him. He was shifted to an unknown location by the security officials. The reason for his arrest and his current whereabouts are not clear.

    PTI Demands Re-Election

    PTI senior leader and Khan’s close aide Zulfi Bokhari reacted to Chattha’s revelation on X, and said that it was shocking and unacceptable. He blamed the chief election commissioner and the chief justice for being part of the crime, and said that Chattha was pushed close to suicide by the unbearable pressure to rig the elections.

    He also said that the entire Pindi Division’s elections were rigged and null and void, and that the situation in other divisions could be worse. He demanded that the elections should be re-held and that the people’s will should be respected.

  • Pakistan Elections: Imran Khan Loses Despite Winning? Army Pulls Strings As New PM ‘Selected’ world news

    New Delhi: Two days have passed since the elections in Pakistan, but the picture of the new government is not yet clear. The suspense on who will be the next PM remains. Despite being in jail, Imran Khan’s charisma in Pakistani politics remains intact, and the election results have also testified to this. Imran may be ahead in numbers, but Nawaz is trying to spoil the game of the mandate with the help of the army. After the army’s approval, the coalition government in Pakistan is gaining momentum.

    Bilawal Bhutto can play the role of kingmaker in this entire political equation of Pakistan. Nawaz’s dream of ascending the throne of power can be shattered without Bilawal’s PPP alliance. According to sources, this time Bilawal Bhutto wants to play the role of king rather than kingmaker. However, the army is the last truth of Pakistan. It is being said that this time Nawaz Sharif’s coronation is fixed in the army’s slip. In such a situation, Nawaz’s side can be heavy on Bilawal.

    The results of 255 out of 265 seats in Pakistan have come. 101 independents supported by Imran Khan’s PTI have won. At the same time, Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN has got 77 seats. Bilawal Bhutto’s PPP is at the third position, which has won 54 seats so far. After this, Altaf Hussain’s MQM-P is at number four, which has 17 seats.

    How Imran Khan Lost Even After Winning?

    On the one hand, the military government in Pakistan is preparing to seat its new pawn on the prime minister’s chair, while on the other hand, a new atmosphere is being created in the whole of Pakistan in support of Imran Khan, because Imran has lost even after winning. The meaning is clear that what Army Chief Munir wanted is happening in Pakistan.

    The army has trapped Imran Khan in its googly with carrot and stick. As per the instructions of Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif met Bilawal Bhutto’s father Asif Ali Zardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman. It is possible that Nawaz’s party PML-N and Bilawal’s party PPP may come together to form a new government. That is, despite scoring a century in the Pakistani Political League, Imran Khan has lost the match.

    Arithmetics Of Forming The Government

    It is clear from the results that no party has got a full majority, so now all the parties are engaged in maneuvering to form the government. Nawaz Sharif is trying to form the government at any cost, while Bilawal wants to sit on the throne. So what can be the mathematics of forming a government?

    To form a new government in Pakistan, any party needs to win 133 out of 265 seats in the National Assembly, but no party has been able to touch this figure on its own. In such a situation, Nawaz’s Muslim League and Bilawal’s People’s Party are ready to come together to form the government.

    So far, Nawaz’s PML-N has won 73 seats, while Bilawal’s PPP has won 54 seats. Whereas, Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F has won only 2 seats. After the alliance, the total number of seats is 129 and 133 are required for majority. So 5 more seats are needed, while the results of 10 seats are yet to come.

    Now if the alliance does not get a full majority, then they will need independent candidates. Nawaz Sharif has already made preparations for this. He reached out to the public even before the full results came and started trying to woo the Imran-backed candidates.

    Where Did Imran Khan Go Wrong?

    Contrary to the expectations of PMLN and PPP, Imran’s supporters are overjoyed and are making fun of Nawaz and Bilawal through memes. Even though Imran is in jail, his party PTI claims that Imran Khan will decide the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. PTI may claim that PM Imran Khan will decide, but it is certain that the army in Pakistan will dampen PTI’s hopes, as Imran and the army are currently bitter enemies.

    Civil War-Like Situation In Pakistan

    While Nawaz and Bilawal are busy trying to form a government, Pakistan has started to simmer after the results. Imran Khan’s supporters are on the streets and are openly challenging the army. The question now is whether the outcome of the elections in Pakistan is a civil war, because what was claimed for Pakistan before the elections seems to be coming true.

    Videos of rigging have surfaced. Pictures of violence have emerged after the results, which are proving the prophecy to be true. The International Crisis Group had claimed before the elections that if there was rigging in the elections, a civil war could break out in Pakistan.

  • Pakistan Elections: Re-Polling Ordered At Several Booths Amid ‘Rigging’ Claims | world news

    New Delhi: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to conduct re-elections at various polling places across the country after verifying complaints of voting material being snatched and damaged, as reported by Geo News. The election authority is in the last phase of announcing the results vote as the compilation process has been going on for 48 hours, after overcoming all the challenges in holding nationwide elections on February 8.

    Geo News reported that the commission acted on the complaints from different parts of the country about incidents of voting material being snatched and damaged at various polling stations, which led the local election officials to suspend the voting processes. The top electoral body has recently announced that re-polling will be held at multiple polling stations on February 15.

    The results from these polling stations will be declared after the re-polling event is over. The following is the list of constituencies and the number of polling stations where re-polling was ordered, according to Geo News.

    NA-88 Khushab-II – Punjab Re-polling will be done at 26 polling stations after voting materials were destroyed by a mob of angry people

    PS-18 Ghotki-I –Sinh Re-polling will take place in two polling stations of the constituency after voting material was snatched by unknown individuals on February 8.

    PK-90 Kohat-I – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The ECP has ordered re-polling at 25 polling stations in the constituency due to voting material being damaged by terrorists on election day.

    The electoral body has also asked the regional election commissioner to submit a probe report within three days about the complaints of vandalism at a polling station in NA-242 Karachi Keamari-I-Sindh.

    Earlier, several parties with previous parliamentary roles had expressed doubts about the reliability of the results due to delays, despite the election commission’s assurances of releasing the official results on time. Both the caretaker government and the top electoral body have denied the allegations of intentional delay in compiling and releasing the final results.

  • 25 Dead, 40 Injured In Twin Blasts In Balochistan Day Ahead Of Pakistan Elections | world news

    Balochistan: As many as 25 people were killed and more than 40 injured on Wednesday in two separate explosions targeting election candidates in Balochistan, just a day before general elections, according to Geo News. One of the two blasts took place outside the election office of an independent candidate in Balochistan’s Pishin, said reports.

    At least 25 people killed and over 40 others injured in two separate explosions targeting election candidates in Balochistan, just a day before general elections, reports Pak’s Geo News. — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2024


    Deadly Blast Targets Independent Candidate’s Office

    The blast ripped through the political office belonging to Asfand Yar Khan Kakar, an independent candidate vying for seats in the upcoming elections. Situated in Pishin’s Khanozai area, the office bore the brunt of the explosion, casting a pall of grief over the region.

    Rising Toll and Critical Condition

    As the injured poured into Tehsil Hospital Khanozai, the gravity of the situation becomes apparent. Dr. Habib, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, confirms the grim reality: most of the wounded are in critical condition, battling for their lives.

    Emergency Response Amid Chaos

    In the wake of the blast, emergency measures have been swiftly activated across hospitals in Quetta. Additional medical personnel have been summoned to bolster the response efforts, ensuring that every possible resource is mobilized to aid the victims.

    Election Commission Takes Action

    Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sprung into action. Mandating a thorough investigation, the ECP has demanded a comprehensive report from the Balochistan chief secretary and Inspector General of Police (IGP), signaling a zero-tolerance stance towards such heinous acts.

    Candidate’s Harrowing Account

    Amid the chaos and devastation, Asfand Yar Khan Kakar, the targeted candidate, recounts the harrowing moments leading up to the blast. Speaking to Geo News, Kakar reveals the chilling details: the explosion occurred on a motorcycle parked outside his election office, claiming the lives of eight dedicated workers and leaving numerous others wounded.

    Calls For Justice Amidst Tragedy

    As the nation grapples with this senseless act of violence, calls for justice reverberate across the political spectrum. With the perpetrators still at large, there is a collective resolve to ensure that those responsible for this reprehensible attack are swiftly brought to justice.

    Recovery and Reckoning

    In the aftermath of this tragedy, Balochistan stands united in grief, yet resolute in its determination to overcome adversity. As the wounded fight for survival and the nation mourns its fallen, there is a solemn vow to emerge stronger from this dark chapter, refusing to be cowed by the forces of terror.

  • Leaked file implies US involvement in Imran Khan’s ouster: Document

    America could have influenced the no-confidence movement in opposition to former Pakistan High Minister Imran Khan in 2022 because of his impartial stance at the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in step with a leaked Pakistani executive file got via The Intercept.

    The categorised Pakistani file describes what came about in a gathering involving the Pakistani ambassador to the United States, Asad Majeed Khan, and two US State Division officers, together with Donald Lu, on March 7, 2022, as in line with the record via The Intercept.

    An afternoon after the assembly, a no-confidence movement was once fielded in opposition to Imran Khan on March 8, 2022. Then, on April 10, Khan was once ousted from energy.

    WHAT WAS IN THE LEAKED DOCUMENT?

    The USA’ Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, criticised Pakistan’s impartial place on Ukraine, in step with the file got via The Intercept.

    The file confirmed that he had hinted at a no-confidence vote to rectify the placement all through the assembly with the then Pakistani ambassador to the United States.

    As in line with the file, Lu stated, “Folks right here and in Europe are moderately taken with why Pakistan is taking such an aggressively impartial place (on Ukraine), if one of these place is even conceivable. It does no longer appear one of these impartial stand to us.”

    He then went on to mention that if the High Minister was once changed, “all can be forgiven in Washington,” in step with The Intercept’s record.

    “I believe if the no-confidence vote in opposition to the High Minister succeeds, all might be forgiven in Washington since the Russia seek advice from is being checked out as a choice via the High Minister,” Lu stated, reported The Intercept, quoting the leaked file.

    Consistent with The Intercept, the file confirmed that the controversy ended with the Pakistani ambassador pronouncing he was hoping the Russia-Ukraine conflict would not harm Pakistan’s dating with the United States.

    “I’d argue that it has already created a dent within the dating from our viewpoint,” Lu stated.

    “Allow us to watch for a couple of days to peer whether or not the political scenario adjustments, which might imply that we shouldn’t have a large war of words about this factor and the dent would leave in no time,” the United States State Division legitimate stated, as quoted via the file got via The Intercept.

    Based on the accusations in opposition to the United States for its alleged function in Imran Khan’s ouster, Mathew Miller, the State Division spokesperson, stated that the allegations have been false.

    “We had expressed fear concerning the seek advice from of then-PM Khan to Moscow at the day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and feature communicated that opposition each publicly and privately,” he stated, as quoted via The Intercept.

    IMRAN KHAN’S ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE US

    On March 27, 2022, Khan, who’s in prison after being convicted in a corruption case, had alleged that “overseas forces”, which he later stated was once “Washington”, had orchestrated a plan to oust him from place of business and brandished the cypher or the categorised diplomatic file at a public rally to again his claims.

    In July this 12 months, Pakistan’s Federal Minister, Khawaja Asif, stated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader used a “diplomatic cypher for political functions and he may well be charged with treason for the usage of the Pakistan executive’s categorised file for vested pursuits”.

    Khan may well be going through fees of treason within the Cypher case, he added.

    Revealed On:

    Aug 10, 2023

  • Hamza Sharif to be ‘trustee’ Punjab province CM until Monday, laws Pakistan’s Excellent Court docket

    Pakistan’s Excellent Court docket on Saturday allowed Hamza Shehbaz to stay because the “trustee” Punjab province Leader Minister until listening to resumes on Monday, however barred him from the use of his powers for “political positive aspects” all the way through this era.

    Shehbaz, the son of Pakistan Top Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Saturday took oath because the Leader Minister of the Punjab province, an afternoon after he was once re-elected to the put up via simply 3 votes amidst prime drama that sparked protests within the nation and brought about the rival candidate Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to transport the apex courtroom.

    A 3-member bench of the Excellent Court docket comprising Leader Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhter took up the case on Saturday.

    The courtroom after listening to arguments dominated that “Hamza will proceed to paintings as a trustee leader minister until Monday,” including that he must paintings as consistent with the Charter and regulation all the way through the period of time, and now not use his powers for political positive aspects.

    Hamza, 47, was once declared the winner within the election even though his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) birthday celebration didn’t have a majority within the Meeting after key by-elections hung on July 17.

    He controlled to retain the put up of Punjab Leader Minister via the barest of margins after Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari rejected 10 votes of Elahi’s birthday celebration Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q), an best friend of ousted high minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), mentioning Article 63-A of the Charter.

    Throughout the listening to, Justice Bandial remarked that prima facie, the deputy speaker’s ruling was once towards the apex courtroom’s verdict within the Article 63-A reference.

    Within the 368-member Punjab Meeting, Hamza’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won 179 votes, whilst Elahi’s birthday celebration garnered 176 votes.
    Ten votes of Elahi’s PML-Q weren’t counted at the pretext that they’d violated the orders in their birthday celebration leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

    The orders got here beneath sharp grievance from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), with its vice-president Maryam Nawaz pronouncing the birthday celebration would not “bow its head” in entrance of “one-sided” choices, alleging that the “area of justice got here beneath the power of bullying and threats”.

    “It time and again makes particular choices via the similar bench, negates its personal choices, [and] places the entire weight in the similar scale,” she tweeted, including that political chaos and instability would outcome with this courtroom choice.

    Khan’s birthday celebration, PTI, is hoping the apex courtroom would instruct Deputy Speaker Mazari to incorporate the ten votes which he had rejected mentioning Article 63-A of the Charter, which might pave the way in which for Elahi’s appointment because the Punjab province Leader Minister.