pakistan

Elections should be held after proper delimitations: GDA

Published

9 months ago

September 1, 2023

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Elections should be held after proper delimitations: GDA

The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) on Friday expressed unwavering support for the election commission’s fresh delimitation plan, emphasising that a transparent election process hinges on proper delimitation.

A GDA delegation, during their meeting with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday, pressed for the suspension of Sindh Local Governments (LG) and the installation of administrators to ensure transparency in the upcoming general elections.

They also recommended revising the electoral rolls to guarantee accurate and up-to-date voter information.

The GDA delegation emphasised the importance of adhering to the Election Commission’s directives for transferring and appointing provincial officers. They noted that despite the chief election commissioner’s letters to the caretaker chief ministers, the transfers have not been carried out.

They also proposed the appointment of unbiased returning officers, and if feasible, district election commissioners and officers from federal services could assume the role of returning officers.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief election commissioner affirmed that conducting transparent elections within the bounds of the constitution and the law is the foremost duty of the Election Commission.

He recognised the GDA’s recommendations and pledged that the election commission would thoroughly evaluate these proposals and make decisions in full compliance with the constitution and the law.

Furthermore, he provided assurance that the delimitation process would be conducted transparently. The chief election commissioner conveyed to the delegation that the election commission has scheduled a crucial meeting on Friday with various political parties. Considering the consultations and feedback from these parties, the election commission will proceed to announce the election schedule.

This announcement will follow a further reduction in the duration of the delimitation process. Members Election Commission, Secretary ECP and other senior officers also attended the meeting. Ms Fehmida Marza, Dr Safdar Ali Abbasi, Kashif Nazamani, and Ibn Muhammad represented the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), while Sardar Abdul Rahim and Irfanullah Khan Marwat attended the meeting remotely via video link.

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pakistan

Court reserves verdict on PTI founder’s bail plea in May 9 case

Published

20 hours ago

May 16, 2024

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Court reserves verdict on PTI founder's bail plea in May 9 case

The Islamabad district and sessions court has reserved verdict on the bail plea of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder in the May 9 case.

Judicial Magistrate Omar Shabbir heard the case against the PTI leader registered in Shahzad Town police station.

Naeem Haider Panjhota, Sardar Masroof and Amina Ali appeared before the judge as counsel for the PTI leader.

The lawyers said the case against the PTI founder had not been pursued by an authorised officer. All cases against him had been instituted on the basis of politics and should, therefore, be quashed, they demanded.

The court after listening to the arguments reserved the verdict.

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pakistan

Rawalpindi court bins plea for initiating case against former commissioner Liaquat Chattha

Published

20 hours ago

May 16, 2024

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Rawalpindi court bins plea for initiating case against former commissioner Liaquat Chattha

The Rawalpindi Sessions Court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking the registration of a case against former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Hakim Khan issued a two-page written order on the petition.

In its order, the court observed that apart from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), a departmental inquiry was also being conducted against the former commissioner.

If the allegations were proven in the ECP and departmental inquiries, a legal action was certain, the order stated, adding that in this situation, there was no justification for registering a separate case against the former Rawalpindi commissioner.

Two lawyers from Rawalpindi had filed the petition seeking the registration of a case against former commissioner.

In a Feb 18 presser, the former commissioner admitted that elections in his division were “rigged”.

The commissioner accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja of being complicit in the rigging and asserted that he, along with the CEC and Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, deserved punishment, even the death penalty, for their injustice.

Chattha expressed remorse for forcing his subordinates to engage in wrongdoing and admitted that winning candidates were made to lose on 13 seats in the Rawalpindi division.

Later on Feb 23, Chattha retracted his earlier statement in a written statement submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

In the statement, Chattha confessed to having supported the narrative of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) about rigging in the general elections and maligning state institutions in exchange for a lucrative position in the future.

He stated he had been made this offer by a Lahore-based PTI leader with whom he had developed a close friendship.

Chattha alleged that “this entire planning had been formulated after consultation and approval of the senior leadership of PTI”.

He stated that this proposal was made by the said [PTI] individual in consideration of the fact that he was about to retire from service after having remained a part of the services for 32 years and enjoyed all the perks and privileges.

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pakistan

IHC orders Zartaj Gul to appear before court with record in ECL name removal case

Published

20 hours ago

May 16, 2024

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IHC orders Zartaj Gul to appear before court with record in ECL name removal case

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought the record from Zartaj Gul’s counsel on a petition seeking the name removal of PTI leader and MNA Zartaj Gul from the Exit Control List (ECL).

IHC’s Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri heard the case on Zartaj Gul’s name removal from ECL.

During the hearing, the state counsel stated that Zartaj Gul’s name has been included in the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL).

Upon inquiry from the court, the state counsel informed that Zartaj Gul’s name was included in PNIL on the order of Islamabad and Punjab police, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was responsible for including the name in PNIL.

Also read: PTI’s Shibli Faraz, Raja Basharat, Zartaj Gul secure bail in May 9 cases

State counsel added that five cases were registered against Zartaj Gul in Islamabad and Punjab.

The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Usama, disclosed that Zartaj Gul has been granted bail in those cases. He reiterated that the name was being included in the PNIL list despite being on bail.

During the hearing, Justice Tariq Jahangiri inquired about how many cases Zartaj Gul has been granted bail in and ordered the petitioner to appear before the court in the next hearing.

Consequently, IHC has adjourned the case hearing until next week by directing Zartaj Gul’s counsel to appear before the court in the next hearing with records.

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