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High-stakes by-polls to decide Punjab chief minister’s fate on Sunday

A Pakistani election official seal ballot boxes after after polls closed at a polling station in Lahore on July 25, 2018. (AFP/FILE)
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Updated 17 July 2022
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High-stakes by-polls to decide Punjab chief minister’s fate on Sunday

  • The by-polls are seen as a popularity test for the ruling PML-N and the opposition PTI parties 
  • Top leaders of both parties have addressed rallies in all 20 constituencies to sway the masses 
Updated 17 July 2022
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: By-elections for 20 high-stakes Punjab Assembly seats have dominated Pakistan’s political landscape as two major parties, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been vying for the maximum number of seats that will also determine the fate of Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz. 

Shehbaz won the slot in an April election with the support of 25 dissident PTI lawmakers, but the election commission later disqualified the dissidents and announced fresh polls on 20 general seats as five of them were elected on reserved seats for women and religious minorities. Of these 20 dissidents, ten won the 2018 general elections as independent candidates and later joined the PTI for the party to form the government in Punjab. 

The by-polls, which are scheduled to be held on Sunday, are also seen as a popularity test for the ruling PML-N and the opposition PTI parties. Top leaders of both parties, including PTI chairman Imran Khan and PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz, have addressed public gatherings in each of the 20 constituencies to mobilize the masses ahead of the polling day. 

Political analysts expect a close contest among PTI and PML-N candidates in each constituency, though a large number of independents and candidates of other parties, including the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Jamat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-P), Awami National Party (ANP) and Tehrik-e-Jawanan Pakistan (TJP), are also contesting the elections. 

Habib Akram, a political analyst and a TV talk show host, said the results of the by-elections on 20 seats would be crucial as they would dictate the future of the Shehbaz government in Punjab. 

“If we go by the public sentiment in each constituency, then the PTI should easily win 15 out of 20 seats,” Akram told Arab News. “People in these constituencies feel that this is a make-or-break moment for the country due to the PTI’s narrative of a ‘regime change conspiracy’.” 

He said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of nine parties that overthrew the Khan government in the center through a no-trust vote in April, had failed to deliver on its promises. 

“The PDM’s narrative of inflation stood defeated badly just within weeks of their government when they raised fuel and electricity prices to a record level,” Akram said. “People are now buying the narrative of PTI across the Punjab province.” 

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), said the result of the by-elections would also impact the federal government, therefore, both parties put in their best to win the maximum number of seats. 

“This election will also determine if the PTI’s narrative of foreign conspiracy has resonated with the public. The PML-N is blaming the PTI for poor governance and inflation during its tenure and trying to persuade the public in its favor,” he told Arab News. 

“Apparently, the PTI has gained popularity in Punjab after its ouster from the government, but it is yet to be seen if this popularity would convert into votes on July 17.” 

Here is a list of all 20 constituencies and the candidates who won the 2018 general elections from there: 

PP-7 Rawalpindi 

Raja Sagheer Ahmed won the seat as an independent candidate in 2018 and later joined the PTI. Six candidates are currently contesting the election in this constituency, including two independents. 

The main contest is expected between PTI’s Mohammad Shabbir Awan and Raja Sagheer Ahmed of PML-N. Other candidates include JI’s Tanveer Ahmed, Mansoor Zahoor of TLP, Raja Waseem Ahmed and Nazakat Hussain. 

PP-83 Khushab 

Malik Ghulam Rasool Sangha won the seat as an independent candidate in 2018. A total of ten candidates are contesting the by-election in this constituency, including seven independents. PML-N has fielded Amir Haider Sangha, PTI has nominated Hassan Malik and TLP has named Zammurad Abbas Khan its candidate. 

PP-90 Bhakkar 

Saeed Akbar Khan won the PP-90 seat as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. Nine candidates are currently vying for this seat, including four independents. 

Khan has this time been nominated by PML-N, Abdur Rauf by JUI-P, Irfanullah Khan Niazi by PTI, Mohammad Amjad Jamil by TLP and Naveed Ahsan Niaz by JI. 

PP-97 Faisalabad 

The seat was won by Mohammad Ajmal as an independent candidate in 2018. He too later joined the PTI. A total of 12 candidates are currently running for the provincial assembly seat, including seven independents. They include Naveed Shafee of TLP, Mohammad Sohaib Aslam of Pakistan Nazriyati Party (PNP), Mohammad Ajmal of PML-N, Ali Afzal Sahi of PTI and Ali Ahmad of JI. 

PP-125 Jhang 

Faisal Hayat won the seat as an independent candidate in 2018. A total of ten candidates are now vying for this seat, including eight independents. The main contest in the constituency is expected between Hayat, who has been nominated by the PML-N, and PTI’s Mian Muhammad Azam. 

PP-127 Jhang 

Mehar Muhammad Aslam won the seat as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. A total of ten candidates are contesting the election in this constituency, including seven independents. They are Mehar Muhammad Nawaz of PTI, PML-N’s Mehar Muhammad Aslam and Muhammad Usman of TLP. 

PP-140 Sheikhupura 

Mian Khalid Mehmood won the seat as a PTI candidate in 2018, but deserted his party in 2022 and voted for Hamza Shehbaz in the chief minister’s election. 

A total of ten candidates are vying for this seat, including six independents. They include Javed Iqbal of TLP, Khurram Shahzad Virk of PTI, Muhammad Tauseef of JI and Mian Khalid Mehmood of PML-N. 

PP-158 Lahore 

Abdul Aleem Khan won the seat on PTI’s ticket in 2018. A total of 14 candidates are contesting the election in this constituency, including eight independents. They are Jamil-ur-Rehman of the PNP, Rana Ahsan of PML-N, Umair Awan of JI, Muhammad Bilal of TLP, Muhammad Zahid Khan of Awami National Party (ANP) and Mian Muhammad Akram Usman of PTI. 

PP-167 Lahore 

Nazir Ahmed Chohan won the seat as the PTI candidate in 2018. A total of 11 candidates are now contesting the election in this constituency, including six independents. They include Hasnain Ahmed Shahzad of TLP, Khalil Ahmed of JI, Shabbir Ahmed of PTI, Nazir Ahmed Chohan of PML-N and Wakif Tehmasab Kayani of TJP. 

PP-168 Lahore 

Malik Asad Ali won the 2018 election as the PTI candidate. Nine candidates are currently vying for this seat, including five independents. They are Amjad Hussain Abbasi of TLP, Usman Ghani of JI, Muhammad Nawaz Awan of PTI, and Malik Asad Ali of PML-N. 

PP-170 Lahore 

Muhammad Amin Zulqarnain won the seat as the PTI candidate in 2018. Eight candidates are currently contesting the election in this constituency, including four independents. They are Jamil Ahmed of TLP, Muhammad Amin Zulqarnain of PML-N, Malik Zaheer Abbas of PTI and Waqas Ahmad Butt of JI. 

PP-202 Sahiwal 

Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial won the seat as the PTI candidate in 2018. Eight candidates are now contesting the by-election, including five independents. They include Umair Saleem of TLP, Muhammad Ghulam Sarwar of PTI and Malik Noman Ahmad Langrial of PML-N. 

PP-217 Multan 

Muhammad Salman won as an independent candidate in 2018. Four candidates are currently taking part in the by-election, including Zahid Hameed Gujjar of TLP, Sajid Ismail of JI, Mohammad Salman of PML-N and Makhdoom Zain Hussain Qureshi of PTI. 

PP-224 Lodhran 

Zawar Hussain Warraich won the seat as the PTI candidate in 2018. A total of ten candidates are running for the seat now, including six independents. They include Intizar Ahmad Attari of TLP, Hafiz Abdul Shakoor of JUI-P, Zawar Hussain Warraich of PML-N and Muhammad Amir Iqbal Shah of PTI. 

PP-228 Lodhran 

Nazir Ahmed Khan won the constituency as the PTI candidate in 2018. Six candidates are currently contesting the election, including Syed Arshad Ali Shah of TLP, Izzat Javaid Khan of PTI, Nazir Ahmed Khan of PML-N and three independents. 

PP-237 Bahawalnagar 

Fida Hussain won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. Six candidates are vying for the seat now, including Syed Aftab Raza of PTI, Sabir Manzoor Wattoo of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Nazriati (PTI-N), Fida Hussain of PML-N, Mian Rashid Mahmood Wattoo of TLP and two independents. 

PP-272 Muzaffargarh 

Syeda Zehra Basit Bukhari won the 2018 election as the PTI candidate. Nine candidates are currently contesting the election, including Muhammad Ibrahim of TLP, Syeda Zehra Basit Bukhari of PML-N, Mohammad Moazzam Ali Khan of PTI and six independents. 

PP-273 Muzaffargarh 

Muhammad Sibtain Raza won the seat as the PTI candidate in 2018. Six candidates are now contesting the election, including Muhammad Shafi Khan of TLP, Muhammad Sibtain Raza of PML-N, Munawar Hussain Bukhari of Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto), Yasir Arafat Khan of PTI and two independents. 

PP-282 Layyah 

Muhammad Tahir won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. A total of ten candidates are taking part in the election, including Qaiser Abbas Khan of PTI, Muhammad Shahid Iqbal of TLP, Muhammad Tahir of PML-N, Muzammil Abbas of PPP (Shaheed Bhutto) and six independents. 

PP-288 Dera Ghazi Khan 

Mohsin Atta Khan Khosa won the seat as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. Six candidates are now contesting the election, including Sardar Mohammad Saifuddin Khosa of PTI, Abdul Qadir Khan of PML-N, Irfanullah of TLP and three independents. 

Topics: Pakistan Punjab Elections Chief Minister Punjab

Pakistan forms task force against Islamabad protesters as Imran Khan’s party seeks action against ministers

Updated 29 November 2024
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Pakistan forms task force against Islamabad protesters as Imran Khan’s party seeks action against ministers

  • Task force will be headed by the interior minister and will identify those who ‘spread violence’ in the capital
  • PTI’s information secretary shares 12 names, saying the party has evidence they were killed in Islamabad
Updated 29 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday formed a task force to identify and prosecute individuals involved in last week’s protest in Islamabad, as the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claimed 12 supporters were killed in clashes and demanded police cases against top government ministers.
The PTI protest began on November 24 as the party supporters demanded the release of jailed leader, former premier Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated for over a year.
The government had warned against demonstrations in the federal capital, but protesters gathered in defiance, resulting in a crackdown against them. While PTI accuses the government of using live ammunition to kill and seriously injure demonstrators, officials claim PTI activists fired on security forces, killing five personnel.
The task force, headed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, was announced as Sharif chaired a high-level security meeting, with Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir in attendance, in Islamabad.
“The task force will ensure those responsible for spreading chaos and violence on November 24 are identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the PM Office said in the statement.
Meanwhile, PTI’s Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram, speaking at a news conference in Peshawar, alleged that the government had indiscriminately targeted protesters, sharing names of 12 individuals the party said were killed.
He said videos and evidence from the protest site near the parliament building in Islamabad corroborated the party claims, adding that the actual death toll could be higher as many were missing or critically injured.
“We strongly demand police complaints be lodged against the prime minister, the interior minister and information minister,” he said. “Without this, public unrest will continue to grow.”
“We urge the judiciary to step forward and ensure these killers are brought to justice,” he added.
The government has also announced plans to create a federal riot control force, saying it would be equipped with international-standard resources and skills to prevent such protests in the future.

Topics: PTI protest PTI protests Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan, China hold joint military drill amid Beijing’s concerns over attacks on nationals

Updated 29 November 2024
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Pakistan, China hold joint military drill amid Beijing’s concerns over attacks on nationals

  • Warrior VIII, which began on November 19, aims to bolster counterterrorism capabilities
  • Pakistan’s army chief interacted with the participants of the exercise and praised their morale
Updated 29 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Friday visited the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) in Pabbi, located in the Gujrat division of Punjab province, to observe a joint counterterrorism exercise between the Pakistan Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, said an official statement.
The three-week “Warrior VIII” exercise, which began on November 19, is the eighth iteration of bilateral training aimed at bolstering counterterrorism capabilities and enhancing military cooperation.
The exercise comes as China’s security concerns in Pakistan have grown following a spate of attacks targeting Chinese nationals working on dozens of lucrative projects in the country.
“The COAS was briefed on the scope and conduct of the exercise,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said. “He also interacted with the participants of the exercise.”
Thousands of Chinese nationals have been working on the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for nearly a decade, with several of them being targeted by different militant groups operating in Pakistan.
Earlier this year, in March, a suicide bomber attacked a convoy near Besham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing five Chinese engineers. A few months later, in October, a bombing near Karachi airport targeted Chinese workers ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Islamabad.
Beijing has voiced concerns over the safety of its citizens working in Pakistan and has reportedly proposed a joint security mechanism.
However, the foreign office said this month the two countries have a “robust dialogue and cooperation” on a range of issues, including counterterrorism and the security of Chinese nationals in the country.
It also expressed the government’s resolve to work with Chinese authorities to ensure the safety and security of their nationals, as well as their projects and investments.
According to Voice of America, Warrior VIII is the first joint counterterrorism exercise between the two countries in five years.
The ISPR said General Munir also praised the professionalism and high morale of the officers and soldiers participating in the joint military exercise.

Topics: Pakistan Army Pakistan China Ties joint military exercises

European aviation safety agency lifts Pakistan airline ban — minister

Updated 29 November 2024
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European aviation safety agency lifts Pakistan airline ban — minister

  • The development will revive PIA’s flights to Europe, strengthen the government’s privatization drive
  • Pakistan’s Airblue has secured Third Country Operator authorization to fly to European destinations
Updated 29 November 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights after a span of four years, Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced Friday, commending all the relevant officials who made the breakthrough possible.
The ban on PIA flights was imposed in 2020 after a crash in Karachi killed 97 people, followed by a former Pakistani aviation minister’s statement claiming that nearly 40 percent of local pilots held “dubious” licenses.
This statement raised global concerns about safety oversight, leading to the grounding of PIA’s European operations.
The suspension added to PIA’s financial troubles, as the debt-ridden national carrier continued to incur losses amid its struggle to recover from a tarnished reputation. The government also faced difficulties privatizing the airline, a condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during recent loan negotiations, due to its precarious financial situation.
“It is a momentous day to announce that the European Commission and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted the suspension on PIA flights to Europe,” the aviation minister wrote in a social media post.

He also announced that the decision granted Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization to another Pakistani airline, Airblue, marking a significant development for the aviation sector.
TCO authorization granted by EASA allows non-European airlines to operate commercial flights into, within or out of European Union airspace.
Airblue, Pakistan’s second-largest airline, operates domestic and regional routes and is expected to explore European operations following the TCO authorization.
Responding to the development, PIA lauded the lifting of the ban as a testament to its adherence to international safety standards.
“This milestone ensures that the entire nation can once again travel directly to European destinations with their national airline,” the airline said in a statement, adding it had worked tirelessly over the past four years to meet EASA’s safety requirements.

“The PIA administration will remain fully compliant with EASA and its rules and regulations,” it added.
Asif credited the lifting of the suspension to reforms in Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), which he said were aimed at aligning the regulator with international standards.
“I am grateful to the European Commission and EASA for conducting a transparent process and our commitment to ensuring aviation safety in Pakistan,” he said in the social media message.
The development is expected to help revive PIA’s European operations and strengthen the government’s privatization efforts by improving the airline’s appeal to potential investors.

Topics: Pakistan International Airlines Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)

Pakistan receives 38,000 Hajj applications in 10 days

Updated 29 November 2024
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Pakistan receives 38,000 Hajj applications in 10 days

  • Total number of applications received so far is 11,000 more than during the corresponding period last year
  • Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210, evenly split between the government and private tour operators
Updated 29 November 2024
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Friday that 38,000 Hajj applications had been received in the first 10 days of the submission period, 11,000 more than during the same period last year.
The surge comes as Pakistan prepares to send 179,210 pilgrims for the annual Islamic pilgrimage in 2025, under a quota evenly divided between government and private Hajj schemes.
“By the tenth day, 38,000 Hajj applications have been received,” a ministry said in a statement, adding that designated banks would continue accepting applications over the weekend. The final deadline for submissions is Dec. 3.
Pilgrims under the regular Hajj scheme can secure their booking with an initial payment of Rs200,000 ($719), according to the statement.
Pakistan has steadily improved facilities for pilgrims in recent years.
One key initiative is the Makkah Route Initiative, which streamlines immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete formalities at their departure airports.
Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of travelers.
Efforts have also included the launch of a mobile application, Pak Hajj 2025, to provide pilgrims with essential updates, flight details and navigation assistance in Saudi Arabia.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, attracts millions of Muslims annually to Makkah, with Pakistan consistently being among the largest contributors of pilgrims.

Topics: Hajj 2025 Pakistan Hajj Pakistan Hajj mission Hajj applications

ICC talks continue on fate of Pakistan Champions Trophy

Updated 29 November 2024
AFP
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ICC talks continue on fate of Pakistan Champions Trophy

  • Event’s fate has been hanging in the balance since India declined to visit Pakistan
  • ICC meeting adjourned without a decision but will reconvene ‘in the next few days’
Updated 29 November 2024
AFP

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) said talks were continuing to settle uncertainty around next year’s Champions Trophy, sources told AFP, after India refused to travel to host nation Pakistan.
The event’s fate has been hanging in the balance since earlier this month, when the ICC said India had declined to visit Pakistan for the eight-team tournament.
The nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent’s partition in 1947 and that rivalry is often reflected on the cricket field.
A meeting by the Dubai-headquartered ICC was held briefly on Friday but adjourned without a decision, according to several sources with knowledge of the talks who were not authorized to speak to media.
“All parties continue to work toward a positive resolution,” said one source, adding that “it is expected that the board will reconvene in the next few days.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board has previously ruled out proposals allowing India to play in a neutral third country, insisting the full schedule from February 19 to March 9 must be staged on their turf.
Another source said the “Pakistani stance remains the same” following Friday’s brief meeting.

Topics: ICC ICC Champions Trophy 2025 champions trophy Pakistan cricket Pakistan Cricket Board

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