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NA speaker defends decision to accept resignations of PTI lawmakers

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Raja Pervaiz Ashraf

National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Thursday defended his decision to accept the resignations of PTI lawmakers, saying he only did so after they were able to “satisfy him” by proving that it was a “voluntary decision and not under pressure”.

In an apparent bid to scuttle the PTI’s purported plan to bring a confidence motion agai­nst Prime Minister Shehbaz Sha­rif, Ashraf on Tuesday had accepted the resignations of 34 PTI lawmakers alongside Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid, resulting in their de-notification by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The ECP communiqué regarding the de-notification of the members, mostly the top brass of the PTI and former members of Imran Khan’s cabinet, came as a surprise for the PTI as well as political experts as only two weeks back, the speaker had refused to accept the resignations.

Meanwhile, PTI leader and former NA speaker Asad Qaiser had termed Ashraf’s move to be a “grave injustice” to the speaker’s office.

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“When you occupy a constitutional position, then you should make decisions keeping in mind the law and the Constitution. You have to act in accordance with the law [rather] than fulfilling the wishes of political people,” Qaiser had said.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, the NA speaker said he had accepted the resignations of those lawmakers who had satisfied him that they had tendered the resignations voluntarily as well as those who had made their stance on the matter clear in the media.

Ashraf said that several PTI lawmakers had contacted him, saying they were still pondering over the decision to resign from the lower house of parliament.

“Many PTI members spoke to me on the phone and said they were still thinking about it. They also told me that they were initially told that tendering resignations was only a pressure tactic.”

Ashraf said he became doubtful after hearing such statements and did not accept the resignations till he was completely satisfied. “Before I accept any resignation, I make sure that the person resigning made the decision according to their own will and conscience.”

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He said, “There is a hue and cry when I don’t accept resignations, and a hue and cry when I do.”

Ashraf rejected the claim that he accepted the resignations due to PTI Chairman Imran Khan hinting at the party’s return to the assembly.

“There is nothing as such. The process of accepting the resignations was initiated when the PTI delegation visited me,” he said, referring to the meeting held last month.

“We went over their media statements, their tweets, and their signatures before taking a decision regarding their resignations.”

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Interference in judiciary not acceptable: SCBA

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Interference in judiciary not acceptable: SCBA

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) released a statement regarding the letter written by six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) about interference in the judicial matters.

SCBA President Shahzad Shoukat stressed the association’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. He expressed strong displeasure over the incident mentioned in the judges’ letter.

“Interference in the judiciary is not only condemnable but also warrants decisive action,” said the SCBA president.

The Supreme Court Bar Association reiterated its belief in the independence of the judiciary. It emphasised that any actions perceived as undermining this independence would not be accepted by the association. 

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Pakistan’s HC to UK visits Russian embassy, condoles deaths in Moscow concert attack

Pakistan’s HC to UK visits Russian embassy, condoles deaths in Moscow concert attack

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Pakistan's HC to UK visits Russian embassy, condoles deaths in Moscow concert attack

Dr Mohammad Faisal, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, visited the Russian embassy in London to convey Pakistan’s condolences to the Russian people and government on the deadly terrorist attack in Moscow.

The death toll from last week’s Moscow concert hall attack jumped to 140 on Wednesday. The responsibility for the gruesome attack was claimed by the ISIS-K.

At the Russian embassy, Mohammad Faisal signed the condolence book, noting, “We strongly condemn the horrendous attack carried out at a concert hall in Moscow. We express our deepest sympathies with the families of the victims. In this difficult hour, we stand in solidarity with the people and government of the Russian Federation.”

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PTI announces candidates for by-election

PTI announces candidates for by-election

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PTI announces candidates for by-election

Pakistan Tehreek Pakistan (PTI) has nominated its candidates for the by-elections.

According to PTI leader Hammad Azhar, Shahzad Farooq will contest from NA-119, Lahore and Sardar Muhammad Hussain Dogar from NA-132.

Azhar highlighted that Hakim Nisar would contest from PP-22, Chakwal, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi from PP-32, Gujrat and Owais Qasim from PP-54, Narowal.

jaz Bhati would contest from PP-139, Sheikhupura, Hafiz Zeeshan from PP-149, Moonis Elahi from PP-158 and Yusuf Mayo from PP-164.

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In his message on social media site X, Azhar said the rest of the candidates would be announced soon while the PTI would put all its support behind candidates.

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