Vote count continues in restive tribal areas after landmark provincial assembly polls

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Women pose for a group photo after casting their vote in the first-ever provincial assembly election in Khyber tribal district on Saturday July 20, 2019 (Courtesy PTI Khyber District)
Updated 21 July 2019
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Vote count continues in restive tribal areas after landmark provincial assembly polls

  • Hundreds of soldiers stood guard inside and outside polling stations in area long marred by militant violence
  • Complaints of vote-rigging and influence peddling by candidates were reported by media in the run-up to the elections

PESHAWAR: A vote count continued late into the night on Saturday after polls closed at 5pm for the first-ever provincial assembly elections held in Pakistan’s seven previously lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
Last May, Pakistan’s parliament voted to merge these borderlands called the Federally Administered Tribal Areas into the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, granting the area’s five million majority ethnic Pashtuns the same constitutional rights as other Pakistanis. Previously, the area was ruled by draconian colonial era laws that denied people even basic rights.




Women pose for a group photo after casting their vote in the first-ever provincial assembly election in Khyber tribal district on Saturday July 20, 2019 (Courtesy PTI Khyber District)

Over the years, the lawlessness of the region has also seen it become a haven for militants, gun runners and drug smugglers, with residents complaining they are caught between the brutality of the militant groups that sheltered there and a state that has tried to combat them through military operations. Security remains precarious.
Though the result of Saturday’s election will have little direct impact on national politics, the exercise marks a significant milestone for an impoverished region that, without provincial status, had long suffered from a lack of national investment.
“It is really a historic moment and people are celebrating and jubilant in a manner as if it were Eid,” Sohail Khan, a spokesman for the provincial Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), told Arab News. “The only problem is that people of remote villages find it difficult to access polling stations, which might have a negative impact on voter turnout.”




An elderly man casts his ballot between armed security officials in Khyber tribal district as voting for the first-ever provincial election took place in Pakistan’s former tribal areas on Saturday, July 20, 2019. (AN Photo)

Complaints of vote-rigging and influence peddling by some of the candidates and their supporters were also reported by media in the run-up to the elections, though the ECP denies this.
“It’s the first time we are electing our representatives for the provincial assembly but unfortunately most of the candidates are lavishly spending money on their political campaigns and buying votes,” one tribesman, Bilal Rahman Afridi, told Reuters in Jamrud subdivision of Khyber tribal district.
Despite these challenges, including the inaccessibility of polling stations for people from remote corners of the mountainous region, there were reports of a large voter turnout. Reports on social media said cellphone signals and Internet were jammed through the tribal areas for most of the day. Many people complained that they were assigned polling stations 50 miles away when there were booths right outside their homes.
A total of 2.8 million voters, including 1.67 million men and 1.13 million women, are registered to vote at 482 polling stations reserved for men, 376 for women voters, and another 1,038 that are open to both. There are 16 seats up for grabs, and 285 candidates are contesting, a majority as independents.
ECP’s Khan said voting had started at 8am and would continue until 5pm, with strict security arrangements in place. No security related issues or complaints had been reported so far, he added in an interview in the afternoon, but local media reports said firing between supporters of two political parties in Mohmand had left two injured.
According to the Election Commission, polling is underway at 1,897 stations throughout the erstwhile tribal areas, with 958 of them declared normal, 584 sensitive and 455 marked as most sensitive.
As per the ECP’s plan, soldiers have been deployed inside and outside polling stations for all 16 seats in the provincial elections from July 18 to July 21 to assist the ECP in conducting free, fair and transparent elections. The military has been requisitioned by the ECP under Articles 220 and 245 of the Constitution.
After polling ends, security forces will escort ballot papers back to the district treasuries and ECP strong rooms as per the plan issued by the commission. Troops will remain at the offices of returning officers until the consolidation of elections results.
Security forces were also deployed at all venues where presiding officers, senior assistant presiding officers and polling officers were trained from June 24 to July 7.
Ikramullah Dawar, an engineer and resident of North Waziristan, said “large groups of people” were leaving their villages in the district’s main town, Mir Ali, to cast their vote. People had woken up early in the morning, he said, and long lines could be seen outside polling stations.
“Voters, including even elderly men, are heading to polling stations in Wana... to poll their vote,” said Muhammad Noor, a tribal elder from South Waziristan, referring to the district’s summer headquarters.
Despite reports of a strong morning turnout, it is the more than one million women voters of the conservative region who will bear the full weight of tradition as they try to exercise their right to vote.
“I saw around two dozen women heading to polling stations in Hurmaz and Noor Janat Gul areas,” Dawar said, referring to two villages on the outskirts of Mir Ali. But cultural limitations and poor campaigns that failed to mobilize or facilitate women, he said, would keep many women away from polling booths.


Pakistan tells OIC conference Israeli military actions driving Middle East instability

Updated 21 June 2025
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Pakistan tells OIC conference Israeli military actions driving Middle East instability

  • Ishaq Dar tells Istanbul conference Israeli strike on Iran ‘not an isolated event,’ reflects ‘continued impunity’
  • He calls on the OIC to play its role in shaping a more just and stable global order for the Muslim world

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday voiced alarm over escalating tensions in the Middle East, blaming Israel’s military actions in Gaza and recent strikes in Iran for deepening instability and humanitarian crisis in the region.

Addressing the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated his country’s condemnation of Israel’s attack on Iran.

The high-level conference comes at a moment of crisis for several OIC member states. Two of the bloc’s key countries — Pakistan and Iran — have recently experienced military escalations with regional rivals.

While Pakistan’s brief but intense standoff with India ended in a ceasefire last month, Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, launched more than a week ago, have shown no signs of de-escalation.

“Israeli aggression against Iran is not an isolated event,” Dar said in his address to the forum. “It is part of a dangerous and consistent pattern of militarism that Israel has demonstrated across the Middle East.”

“Pakistan remains deeply concerned at the escalating tensions, deepening instability and humanitarian crises across the Middle East,” he added. “What underpins many of these situations is the continued impunity with which Israel is undermining peace and stability of the broader region.”

The Pakistani deputy PM condemned Israel’s “unprovoked aggression” against Iran as a violation of international law and the UN Charter, warning that such actions posed a grave threat to both regional and global peace.

“We can all feel the reverberations of this instability,” he said.

Turning to Gaza, Dar said Israel was waging a “genocidal campaign” against Palestinians, pointing out that over 55,000 people, mostly women and children, had been killed since the start of the conflict in October 2023.

He noted Israel was deliberately blocking life-saving humanitarian aid and targeting relief workers, leaving millions displaced and entire neighborhoods in ruins.

Calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, Dar said that lasting peace in the region was impossible without a viable, sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.

He also referenced last month’s military standoff between Pakistan and India, telling the conference participants that Pakistan had shot down six Indian fighter jets in the confrontation.

He said that his country was committed to regional stability and warned that India’s unilateral actions — including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — were further escalating tensions.

“Pakistan will not allow India to stop water for our people,” he said. “It will be treated as an act of war.”

Dar also urged the OIC to assert itself as a collective voice for the Muslim world.

“The OIC has a crucial role to play in streamlining the rapidly evolving and deteriorating global order to the benefit of the Muslim world,” he added.


Pakistan highlights India’s ‘brazen disregard’ for international law over Indus treaty stance

Updated 21 June 2025
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Pakistan highlights India’s ‘brazen disregard’ for international law over Indus treaty stance

  • Pakistan says India’s treaty suspension shows it cannot be trusted to honor legal obligations
  • The statement follows Indian home minister’s threat to divert river waters, ‘starve’ Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday accused India of showing a “brazen disregard” for international agreements after New Delhi said it would not restore the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty and divert river waters for internal use.

India put into “abeyance” its participation in the 1960 treaty, which governs the distribution of the Indus river system between the two countries, after 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir were killed in an April gun attack.

India blamed Pakistan for the incident, though it denied any involvement. The accord remains dormant since then despite a ceasefire agreed upon by the two nuclear-armed neighbors last month following their worst fighting in decades.

Islamabad’s statement over the issue came after Indian Home Minister Amit Shah gave an interview to the media, saying New Delhi would not reinstate the treaty that guarantees water access for 80 percent of Pakistan’s farms through rivers originating in India.

“The statement reflects a brazen disregard for the sanctity of international agreements,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement. “The Indus Waters Treaty is not a political arrangement, but an international treaty with no provision for unilateral action.”

“India’s illegal announcement to hold the Treaty in abeyance constitutes a clear violation of international law, the provisions of the Treaty itself, and the fundamental principles governing inter-state relations,” he continued. “Such conduct sets a reckless and dangerous precedent — one that undermines the credibility of international agreements and raises serious questions about the reliability and trustworthiness of a state that openly refuses to fulfill its legal obligations.”

The statement further said India’s attempt to “weaponize water for political ends” was irresponsible and in violation of established norms of state behavior.

It called on India to “immediately rescind its unilateral and unlawful stance” and restore the “full and unhindered implementation” of the treaty.

“Pakistan remains firmly committed to the Treaty and will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and entitlements under it,” the spokesperson added.

Earlier in the day, the Indian minister said in his interview New Delhi would divert water by constructing a canal, and that Pakistan would be “starved” of water it had been receiving “unjustifiably.”

While Islamabad has pursued diplomatic channels to raise awareness of the issue globally, it has also warned that any Indian attempt to block river flows will be treated as “an act of war.”
With input from Reuters


Pakistan, Turkiye leaders vow diplomatic push to halt Israel’s military campaigns in Mideast

Updated 21 June 2025
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Pakistan, Turkiye leaders vow diplomatic push to halt Israel’s military campaigns in Mideast

  • The Middle East situation came up during a meeting between Ishaq Dar, Asim Munir and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
  • Both sides stressed the urgency of halting ‘Israeli aggression’ in Gaza, ensuring unhindered humanitarian aid

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday and agreed to step up diplomatic efforts to halt Israel’s military campaigns in the Middle East, as regional tensions threaten to escalate further.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, where Muslim-majority nations are grappling with regional crises.

Two of the bloc’s key members — Pakistan and Iran — have recently faced military escalations with regional adversaries. While Pakistan’s brief but intense standoff with India last month ended in a ceasefire, Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, launched over a week ago, have shown no signs of letting up.

“The leaders [of Pakistan and Turkiye] expressed strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks in blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law, reiterated support for Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and its right to self-defense under the UN Charter, agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and urged the international community to play its part in restoring peace and stability in the region,” the Foreign Office in Islamabad said in a statement.

“Both sides emphasized the urgency of galvanizing efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza,” the statement added.

As Iran and Israel continue to trade fire, European and regional powers are racing to contain the conflict and bring Iran back to the negotiating table to resume nuclear negotiations that broke down when Israel launched its strike on Tehran and other cities.

During Saturday’s meeting, Dar underscored Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Turkiye.

The two sides reaffirmed their desire to deepen cooperation, particularly in light of Turkiye’s diplomatic support for Pakistan during last month’s flare-up with India, which saw both nuclear-armed neighbors exchange missiles, drone fire and airstrikes before tensions subsided under international pressure.

Dar also congratulated Erdoğan on receiving an award from the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum in recognition of his leadership and the successful organization of the ongoing OIC ministerial session.


PM Sharif orders early Hajj planning, calls for private scheme reform

Updated 21 June 2025
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PM Sharif orders early Hajj planning, calls for private scheme reform

  • A major portion of the quota for private Hajj operators remained unutilized this year
  • Shehbaz Sharif says no negligence in serving Hajj pilgrims next year will be tolerated

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the religious affairs ministry to begin preparations for the 2026 Hajj immediately, while calling for urgent reforms to the country’s private Hajj scheme following a situation that left thousands of pilgrimage slots unused this year.

Pakistan received a quota of 179,210 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, which was evenly divided between the government and private Hajj operators.

While the government filled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims, a major portion of the private quota remained unutilized due to delays by companies in meeting payment and registration deadlines.

Private operators, however, blamed the situation on technical glitches such as payment issues and communication breakdowns.

“Preparations for next year’s Hajj operation must begin immediately,” the prime minister said, according to a statement released by his office.

“The operational plan should be developed in accordance with the Hajj policy issued by Saudi Arabia,” he continued. “No negligence in serving pilgrims next year will be tolerated.”

Sharif also emphasized the need to “regularize” the private Hajj scheme.

Previously, Pakistan’s religious affairs minister, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, had confirmed that over 67,000 private-sector slots went unused, despite a last-minute effort to reclaim some of the allocation.

The shortfall prompted criticism and concerns over regulation and the capacity of private Hajj companies.

The prime minister has also asked the religious affairs ministry to submit a detailed Hajj action plan with clear deadlines and start preparing for next year’s Islamic pilgrimage.


PM Sharif seeks action after two police officers shot dead in northwest Pakistan

Updated 21 June 2025
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PM Sharif seeks action after two police officers shot dead in northwest Pakistan

  • The officers had stopped to get water when they were ambushed by gunmen on a motorbike
  • The prime minister praises the efforts of police officials fighting militancy on the front lines

PESHAWAR: Two police officers were shot and killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on their mobile patrol van in Swabi, a district in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directing authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The attack took place around 10:00 p.m. Friday night near a roadside kiosk within the jurisdiction of the Gadoon police station, according to Abdul Majid, a senior police officer in Swabi.

The officers had briefly stopped to get water when they were ambushed by gunmen on a motorbike.

“Terrorists riding a motorbike opened fire on the police party,” Majid told Arab News over the phone. “Two officers were martyred on the spot.”

Militant attacks in KP, particularly by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have increased in recent years, with security forces, government officials and civilians often targeted.

The Pakistani military and law enforcement agencies have launched intelligence-based operations to curb the violence, but attacks have persisted.

Following the shooting, a large police contingent was deployed to the area to secure the scene, collect forensic evidence and launch a search operation.

No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation is ongoing. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Swabi attack and expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the police officers.

“We pay tribute to the martyrs and pray for patience for their families,” he said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Sharif directed authorities to investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

“The war against terrorism will continue until this scourge is eradicated from the country,” he said, praising the efforts of police officers fighting on the front lines.