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Tag: Pakistan

  • Maryam Nawaz Makes History As First Female Chief Minister Of Pakistan’s Punjab Province. world news

    LAHORE: Maryam Nawaz, a prominent figure in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has made history by becoming the first woman chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province. The announcement came following a decisive victory in the election, where she secured a remarkable 220 votes, leaving her opponent, Rana Aftab Ahmad of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), without a single vote due to the boycott by SIC members.

    Opposition Boycott

    The Punjab Assembly session, overseen by the newly-elected Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, saw members of the Sunni Ittehad Council boycotting the proceedings. Speaker Khan, in response, restricted the session solely to the chief ministerial elections, disallowing any speeches by lawmakers. Efforts to resolve the boycott led to the formation of a committee tasked with persuading the boycotting legislators to return to the Assembly.

    Clear Majority Ensures Victory

    Maryam Nawaz’s candidacy faced opposition from Rana Aftab Ahmed of the Sunni Ittehad Council. Despite the competition, the PML-N’s significant presence ensured Maryam Nawaz’s triumph, securing a clear majority within the house.

    PML-N Dominance Punjab Assembly

    Prior to Maryam Nawaz’s historic win, the PML-N had already showcased its strength in the Punjab Assembly by securing victories in the speaker and deputy speaker elections. Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan clinched the speaker’s position with 224 votes, while Malik Zaheer Ahmed Channer secured the deputy speaker’s post with 220 votes, solidifying the party’s dominance.

    Maryam Nawaz: A Brief Background

    Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, began her journey in politics after being actively involved in the family’s philanthropic endeavors. Her political career gained momentum in 2012, and she played a pivotal role in the PML-N’s election campaign during the 2013 general elections. Despite facing challenges, including a brief stint as the Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, she continued to rise within the political sphere.

    Parliamentary Debut

    Maryam Nawaz’s victory in the 2024 Pakistani general election marked her parliamentary debut, as she secured seats in both the National Assembly of Pakistan (NA) and the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, further solidifying her position as a key figure within the political landscape of Pakistan.

  • Iran’s Second Surgical Strike On Pakistan Within 40 Days; Know All About Jaish al-Adl Terror Outfit | world news

    Within 40 days of carrying out a targeted missile attack on terrorist groups inside Pakistan, Iran yesterday once again carried out a surgical strike on its neighbour. Iran’s state-run media claimed that the country’s forces killed senior Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) militant group commander Ismail Shahbakhsh and other terrorists by entering the Pakistan territory. Iran’s forces, in an armed clash, attacked a militant group, one month after the two countries conducted air strikes on each other.

    Iran has accused Pakistan of inaction against terrorist groups alleging that these groups carry out terror attacks inside Tehran’s territory.

    Iran’s attack is going on in Pakistan! #Pakistan #Iran #Attack #WorldNews | @JournoPranay pic.twitter.com/0Jc8enH7mT — Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 25, 2024

    Who Are Jaish al-Adl?

    Jaish al-Adl is a Pakistan-based terror group formed in 2012. It has been designated as a ‘terrorist’ organization by Iran. It is a Sunni terrorist group that operates in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan. Iran shares around 900 km of border with Pakistan and is suffering from terrorism just like India due to Pakistan.

    Over time, Jaish al-Adl has carried out multiple attacks targeting Iranian security forces. In December, the group claimed responsibility for an assault on a police station in Sistan-Balochistan, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 11 police personnel.

    January 16 Missile Attack

    Tensions between Iran and Pakistan escalated following mutual missile strikes targeting alleged “terror units.” Iran conducted missile and drone strikes in Pakistan on the night of January 16, targeting two significant headquarters of Jaish al-Adl. Pakistan claimed that the strikes led to the unfortunate death of two children and the injury of three girls. In response, Pakistan withdrew its ambassador from Iran on January 17 and declared that the Iranian envoy, who was visiting Pakistan at the time, would not be allowed to return as a protest against what Islamabad deemed a ‘blatant breach’ of its sovereignty.

    The situation further intensified on January 18, when Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes inside Iran. Islamabad stated that the strikes targeted hideouts used by “terrorist militant organizations,” specifically mentioning the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).

    Failed Peace Attempt

    After both the countries hit each other, they mutually agreed to expand security cooperation. They agreed on the return of ambassadors of both countries to their respective posts and also decided to mutually work for the ‘de-escalation’ of tensions. Both Iran and Pakistan stated that they can resolve ‘misunderstandings’ fairly quickly. The two countries also agreed to fight terrorism in their respective areas and allay each other’s concerns, he added. However, yesterday’s surgical strike again shows that those were mere rhetoric and Iran doesn’t trust Pakistan on terrorism.

  • Iran Forces Kill Jaish al-Adl Commander In Pakistan Soil A Month After Air Strikes: Report | world news

    New Delhi: Iran’s military forces killed senior Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) militant group commander Ismail Shahbakhsh and some of his associates in the Pakistan territory, news agency ANI reported, citing Iran International English. In the latest development, Iran’s forces, in a gunfight, assaulted a militant group, one month after the two countries exchanged air strikes. Jaish al-Adl, formed in 2012, is a Sunni terrorist group that operates in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, and is labeled as a “terrorist” organization by Iran, ANI reported, citing Al Arabiya News.

    Jaish al-Adl has carried out numerous attacks on Iranian security forces over the years. In December, Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for an attack on a police station in Sistan-Balochistan that killed at least 11 police personnel.

    However, last month, weeks after launching missile strikes against “terror units” in each other’s territories, Pakistan and Iran agreed to enhance security cooperation, The News International reported. The agreement was announced during a joint press conference by Pakistan Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the Pakistan Foreign Office.

    Jilani said that both Iran and Pakistan can settle “misunderstandings” fairly quickly. The two countries also agreed to combat terrorism in their respective areas and address each other’s concerns, he added. However, the recent attack showed the opposite. Notably, tensions between the two nations rose after Tehran and Islamabad conducted missile strikes against each other targeting ‘terror units’.

    Iran carried out missile and drone strikes in Pakistan on the late night of January 16, to destroy two “important headquarters” of Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice). Islamabad claimed that the strikes killed two children and injured three girls, Al Arabiya News reported, citing Tasnim News Agency. Pakistan pulled out its ambassador from Iran on January 17 and announced that it would not allow the Iranian envoy visiting his home country at that time to return to protest a “blatant breach” of its sovereignty.

    The next day, on January 18, Pakistan launched strikes inside Iran in a retaliatory attack. Islamabad said it targeted the hideouts used by ‘terrorist militant organizations,’ namely the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). However, later, both countries agreed on the return of ambassadors of both countries to their respective posts and also decided to mutually work for ‘de-escalation’ of tensions, Geo News reported.

  • Pakistan: PML-N And PPP To Form Coalition Government; Shehbaz Sharif To Be PM, Asif Ali Zardari President | world news

    After almost two weeks of poll results, two key political parties in Pakistan have agreed to form a coalition government, bringing an end to the deadlock and keeping Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf in the opposition. Addressing the media, PML-N President and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the parties have agreed on a power-sharing formula.

    As per the deal, it has been decided that Shehbaz Sharif will be the joint candidate for both parties for the slot of Prime Minister and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari will be the joint candidate for the President’s slot, informed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

    Shehbaz Sharif said that the independent candidates, who emerged victorious in the majority by securing more than 100 seats, were invited to form the government, but they failed to achieve the required numbers. He added that other parties such as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, the Pakistan Muslim League, and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party supported PML-N and PPP in the government-making endeavour.

    The upcoming government will work together to pull the country out of the ongoing crises, said Shehbaz Sharif, expressing the hope to be able to deliver. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto said the details of the sharing of key constitutional offices between the PPP and PML-N will be announced in the coming days.

    Previously, the Election Commission of Pakistan released the outcomes for 265 out of 266 seats in the National Assembly following the general elections held on February 8. No single political party attained a simple majority, necessitating alliances among parties to establish the central government for the next. five-year term.

  • Amid Poll Rigging Allegations, Twitter (X) Services Down Across Pakistan; ECP Orders Probe | world news

    As Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf continue to protest claiming rigging in the national election aided by former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha’s claim that he declared losers as winners by changing ballots under pressure, social media platform across Pakistan as users are facing difficulty in loading the page. Liaquat Ali Chatha also alleged that the chief election commissioner and chief justice were involved in the malpractice.

    The interruption in services is attributed to the “escalating unrest and protests” surrounding allegations of election fraud, according to the Internet tracking organization NetBlocks.

    Responding to the allegations, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has established a high-level committee to investigate the claims of rigging made by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha.

    In a press release issued yesterday, the electoral watchdog announced that the committee would include senior election commission officials such as the secretary, special secretary, and additional director general of law. The committee is tasked with recording statements from returning officers and district returning officers and is expected to submit a report to the commission within three days.

    Despite the rigging allegations made by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha, a group of five district returning officers, including four male officers and a female officer, rejected the claims during a press conference alongside the new Pindi Commissioner Saif Anwar. They also urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations, asserting that they were not influenced by any external pressures and conducted the polls in accordance with the Election Act and the directions provided by the electoral watchdog.

    Meanwhile, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa commented that baseless allegations lacking evidence hold no weightage. The chief justice made these remarks in response to claims by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha, who asserted that the chief election commissioner and the chief justice were “also completely involved” in alleged election rigging.

  • Delayed Election Results Reminds Pakistan Of EVMs’ Efficiency | world news

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Arif Alvi expressed his frustration on Saturday over the postponed election results and stated that if the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) had been in use during the general elections on February 8, the nation would not be facing this current crisis, Geo News reported. Despite the commission’s lofty claims, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) new Election Management System (EMS) failed, he said.

    Notably, the election regulator has yet to release the preliminary results for every constituency, nearly seventy-two hours after the polls closed. In a post on social media platform President Alvi recalled the fight for the EVMs waged by the previous PTI-led government, saying that the entire endeavor–which involved more than 50 meetings at the presidency alone–was abandoned.

    “Remember ‘our’ long struggle for EVMs. EVM had paper ballots that could be counted separately by hand (like it is being done today) but it also had a simple electronic calculator/counter of each vote button pressed,” he said. The president, according to Geo News, said that the totals of every candidate would have been available and printed within five minutes of the closing of the poll if the machines were used.

    On February 10, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) staged a protest over alleged rigging and alteration of results in Sindh’s PS-22 constituency. “Our [JUI-F’s] the candidate was made to lose via [deliberate] change of results,” JUI-F leader Rashid Mehmood Soomro said. “We have won by [margin of] 7,000 votes as per the Form 45s in our possession,” he said while calling for fresh elections in multiple constituencies, according to Geo News.

    Amid the delay in the publication of Pakistan’s election results, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has given a call for a nationwide protest on Sunday to protect the sanctity of the vote as independent candidates are in the lead with 100 seats. According to the report, the decision comes after the party’s core committee meeting was held and it was announced to hold ‘peaceful protests’ across the country to protect the sanctity of the vote. The meeting also deliberated on election results and the future course of action.

    The core committee also discussed matters related to affiliation with specific political parties. Important decisions were made during the meeting, which the party said would be implemented after consultation with PTI founder Imran Khan.

  • Imran Khan’s PTI-Backed Candidates Spring Surprise; Nawaz Sharif Loses From Mansehra | world news

    The counting of votes is underway in Pakistan for the country’s national and provincial elections. The polls did not bring good news for Nawaz Sharif who is said to have the backing of the Pakistani army. While Sharif was expecting a win, in an unexpected turn of events, independent candidates receiving support from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) appeared to be gaining momentum in the initial results released late on Thursday, creating ripples throughout the political landscape. This surprising development unfolded despite the continued imprisonment of the party’s founder, Imran Khan, and amid concerns about an uneven playing field.

    The situation is such that Nawaz Sharif, who contested two seats – Lahore and Mansehra – faced defeat from one of them. Sharif won the Lahore seat but lost to PTI-backed independent candidate Yasmin Rashid from the Mansehra seat.


    Despite assurances from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the timely disclosure of election results, not a single constituency’s result was announced by 2 o’clock, causing frustration and heightened uncertainty in an already tense political environment. The results were to be declared by 2 am but the same has not been achieved even by 1 pm today. Since the counting was halted, PTI alleged rigging of votes in favor of PML-N.

    However, in the early hours of Friday, as a limited number of results started to emerge, supporters of all PTI-backed independent candidates gathered at the party’s central secretariat, initiating celebrations labeled as victory. PTI Chairman Gauhar Khan asserted that their candidates were leading on 150 National Assembly seats. Sharif’s PML-N and Bilawal Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party were leading on 47 seats each.

    These projections came as a shock for the party of three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, similar to the ECP, the PML-N also maintained a reserved stance without making any public statements. Voters will elect 266 candidates to the Pakistan National Assembly, who will later, by a majority vote, elect the next prime minister.

  • Rohit Sharma will likely be extraordinarily upset together with his dismissal towards Pakistan: Gautam Gambhir

    Former India opener Gautam Gambhir stated that captain Rohit Sharma can be upset together with his dismissal within the Asia Cup 2023 Tremendous Fours fit towards Pakistan.

    Rohit and Shubman Gill placed on a 121-run opening-wicket stand prior to the Indian captain chipped a Shadab Khan supply to Faheem Ashraf at long-off. Gill was once then outfoxed via a slower ball from Shaheen Shah Afridi and ended up providing a tame catch to Agha Salman at covers.

    India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Colombo Climate: Are living Updates

    “I believe he’ll be extraordinarily upset. The way in which Rohit Sharma were given out, it was once an especially dangerous shot. He himself is aware of that shot merits to be criticized as a result of Pakistan had been down and out at that degree,” Gambhir stated whilst reviewing the day’s play on Superstar Sports activities.

    Rohit scored a 49-ball 56 as India posted 147/2 in 24.1 overs prior to rain pressured the Asia Cup Tremendous 4s fit into the reserve day in Colombo. The sport will resume from the similar level on Monday, the reserve day.

    “At one level, it gave the impression India may rating 370-375. Rohit Sharma performed a foul shot and Shubman Gill were given out within the very subsequent over. You do not need to provide even the slightest window to a bowling assault like Pakistan,” Gambhir added.

    Gambhir identified that the Indian captain’s dismissal allowed Babar Azam and corporate to make a comeback within the recreation.

    “At one level, it gave the impression India may rating 370-375. Rohit Sharma performed a foul shot and Shubman Gill were given out within the very subsequent over. You do not need to provide even the slightest window to a bowling assault like Pakistan,” Gambhir defined.

    Gautam Gambhir was once much more upset via Rohit Sharma’s dismissal towards Shadab Khan. “You gave a window and also you performed that shot towards the bowler you had hit for 30 runs in two overs. If it were a bowler who were bowling neatly, it will had been alright as you had been underneath power. In case you had simply stood there, he would have given you one or two dangerous balls each over.”

    Printed On:

    11th of September, 2023

  • 18 useless as bus catches fireplace after hitting van in Pakistan’s Punjab

    A minimum of 18 folks, together with ladies and youngsters, have been killed and 16 others injured when a passenger bus stuck fireplace on Sunday in Pakistan’s Punjab province after colliding with a pick-up van sporting a gas tank.

    The bus en path to Islamabad from Karachi carried about 40 passengers when it collided with the van at Pindi Bhattian segment of Faisalabad highway, some 140 kilometres from Lahore, round 4:30 am, the police mentioned.

    “At the Pindi Bhatian segment of the highway, the bus hit a static van which used to be sporting a gas tank. The bus hit it from the rear and each cars stuck fireplace instantly, killing no less than 18 passengers,” Inspector Basic (IG) Highway Police Sultan Khawaja mentioned.

    Every other 16 individuals with burn accidents have been shifted to within sight hospitals.

    The dying toll might upward push additional because the situation of one of the injured is alleged to be vital, the IG mentioned.

    The IG additional mentioned the passengers who controlled to leap off the bus survived.

    Others didn’t get an opportunity to get off as fireplace engulfed each the cars, he mentioned, including that the drivers of each cars have been additionally killed within the coincidence.

    IG Khawaja additionally mentioned the reason for the coincidence used to be but to be ascertained “whether or not the bus motive force fell asleep on the time of the coincidence or the crash happened on account of rushing”.

    He mentioned each the cars wouldn’t have stuck fireplace had the van no longer been sporting a gas tank.

    He added that the identification of those that misplaced their lives can be ascertained via DNA exams and then the our bodies can be passed over to their households.

    Punjab caretaker leader minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed grief over the lack of lives within the coincidence and directed the government involved to give you the highest remedy to the injured.

    Highway injuries that are commonplace throughout Pakistan declare a large number of lives day by day.

    5 folks, together with a girl and two minors, have been killed and 20 others injured when a bus overturned within the Fazilpur space of Punjab’s Rajanpur district again in July.

    Edited Via:

    Sudeep Lavania

    Revealed On:

    Aug 20, 2023

  • Pakistan arrests 2 major suspects in assaults on church buildings in Faisalabad

    Pakistani police have arrested two high suspects concerned within the exceptional assaults on 21 church buildings and just about 3 dozen houses of the minority Christian group over blasphemy allegations, Punjab caretaker Leader Minister Mohsin Naqvi has mentioned.

    He praised the efforts of the Punjab leader secretary and inspector normal of police, announcing either one of them performed a key function in making sure the arrests of the important thing suspects.

    An enraged mob ransacked and torched 21 church buildings and 35 houses of Christians on Wednesday over blasphemy allegations in Jaranwala the town of Faisalabad district, 130 km from Punjab’s provincial capital Lahore.

    “Primary leap forward within the Jaranwala Incident – each major accused now in CTD Custody. Appreciation for Leader Secretary Punjab and IG Punjab for his or her relentless efforts…,” Naqvi posted on social media platform X, previously referred to as Twitter, on Thursday.

    In a separate submit on Friday, he wrote that mosques throughout Pakistan’s Punjab province can have Friday sermons focussing at the rights of minorities.

    “As of late Friday’s sermons throughout Punjab will center of attention at the Rights of Minorities, teachings from the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” he mentioned.

    “Amid difficult instances, let’s emphasise that such incidents will have to now not be colored via faith. Interfaith team spirit is one of the elementary teachings of Islam. Thankful to non secular students for his or her endurance and toughen in unmasking the ones looking for to disrupt our country’s peace,” he mentioned.

    Punjab police arrested a minimum of 140 folks and registered 5 circumstances on Thursday, an afternoon after the violence broke out.

    Amongst the ones arrested via the police come with the primary suspect Muhammad Yasin, recognized via a video wherein he was once noticed making a statement on loudspeakers of mosques to incite Muslims towards the non secular minority.

    The individuals of the extremist crew Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had been additionally amongst the ones arrested in reference to the violence.

    The Jaranwala incident evoked fashionable condemnation, with nationwide leaders and world organisations calling for justice for the folks whose houses and puts of worship had been ransacked and destroyed.

    Military leader Basic Asim Munir on Thursday termed the incident “extraordinarily tragic and completely insupportable” and pledged that perpetrators concerned within the assaults shall be dropped at justice.

    “There is not any house for such incidents of intolerance and excessive behaviour via any section of the society towards any individual, specifically towards minorities,” he was once quoted as announcing via the Inter-Services and products Public Family members (ISPR) – the media wing of the military.

    US State Division spokesman Vedant Patel informed newshounds that his nation was once “deeply involved” over the targetting of church buildings and houses in line with reported Quran desecration in Pakistan.

    “We urge Pakistani government to habits a complete investigation into those allegations and make contact with for calm,” he mentioned.

    Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi apologised for the Jaranwala violence and reaffirmed the dedication to offer protection to “our Christian brothers”, the Crack of dawn newspaper reported.

    “We’re ashamed. We didn’t fulfil our accountability as an elder brother â€æ we search forgiveness,” he mentioned at a press convention right here.

    Amnesty World, in its remark, has demanded that the “government will have to make sure that [the] coverage of the minority Christian group”.

    Rehab Mahamoor, the intervening time regional researcher for South Asia at Amnesty World, mentioned the government will have to additionally be sure that the ones answerable for the arson and assaults on Church buildings and houses are held responsible.

    Blasphemy is a delicate factor in Pakistan, the place any individual deemed to have insulted Islam or Islamic figures can face the demise penalty. Ceaselessly an accusation could cause riots and incite mobs to violence, lynching and killings.

    In keeping with the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), until August 16, 2023, round 198 individuals had been accused of blasphemy, 85 in step with cent of them Muslims, 9 in step with cent Ahmadis and four.4 in step with cent Christians.

    It mentioned Punjab province recorded over 75 in step with cent of the abuse of blasphemy regulations circumstances previously 36 years.

    “The mixture accused contains 52 in step with cent of minorities in spite of their proportion (3.52 in step with cent) within the inhabitants of Pakistan,” the CSJ posted on X.

    Minorities together with Christians and Hindus had been steadily subjected to blasphemy allegations and a few attempted or even sentenced beneath blasphemy in Pakistan.

    Edited Via:

    Sudeep Lavania

    Printed On:

    Aug 18, 2023