Will ensure punishment for those who put pressure on government employees: PM

• Independent Urdu live updates on government formation and other political activities after general elections 2024 in Pakistan.

1. The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on the petition to declare the elections null and void till February 21
2. Notice issued to petitioner Brigadier Retired Ali Khan
3. The decision to continue the protest sit-in of the four-party alliance in Quetta

February 19 at 7:05 PM

Will ensure exemplary punishment for those who put pressure on government employees: PM

Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwarul Haq Kakar has said that the people gave a divided mandate by clearly expressing their right to vote on February 8.

In a statement issued on Monday, the caretaker prime minister said some elements with a proven record of violent behavior are now using different tactics, including using social media as a weapon for blackmail and putting pressure on public servants. included.

‘So that they become loyal to violent gangs rather than the state.’

According to Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar: ‘This move is a clear violation of the Constitution including Article 5 and other articles and laws of the country.’

The Prime Minister further said that the State of Pakistan will defend the civil servants in performing their constitutional duties. Will take action against these violent trolls and ensure exemplary punishment.’

He said that there should be no doubt about our commitment to these honorable civil servants serving the people of the state and Pakistan.

February 19 at 3:46 p.m

PTI members join Sunni alliance council: Barrister Gauhar

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has decided to join the Sunni Ittehad Council to get reserved seats for women and minorities in the national and provincial assemblies.

PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali said in a media interview that the independent candidates who won the February 8 elections with the support of his party have joined the Sunni Ittehad Council and the statements in this regard were handed over to the sworn party. have done

He further said that the aforesaid affidavits will soon be handed over to the secretariats of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Barrister Gohar Ali said that PTI will be able to get reserved seats for women and minorities after the alliance in Parliament with the Sunni Unity Council.

PTI’s prime ministerial candidate Umar Ayub Khan, spokesman Rauf Hassan, Sunni Ittehad Council’s Hamid Raza and MWM’s Maulana Raja Nasir Abbas were also present with him on the occasion.

February 19 at 3:30 p.m

Islamabad High Court: Suspension of notification of success of three constituencies

Islamabad High Court Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the intra-court appeals of the three constituencies of Islamabad and suspended the notification of success of the successful candidates in these three constituencies.

According to correspondent Mona Khan, the independent candidates supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf challenged the notification of success of the winning candidates.

During the hearing on Monday, the Islamabad High Court suspended the notification of victory of PML-N candidate Tariq Fazal Chaudhry from NA-47, Anjum Aqeel from NA-46 and Khurram Nawaz from NA-48.

PTI-backed independent candidates Shoaib Shaheen, Ali Bukhari and Aamir Mughal challenged the notification issued by the Election Commission.

February 19 at 2:50 p.m

After the indecisive elections of February 8, 2024 in Pakistan, a new round of talks between Pakistan Muslim League-N and Pakistan People’s Party is going to begin on Monday evening for the purpose of forming a government in the country, in which there is great success. Expected.

According to Pakistan’s official radio: ‘The coordination committees of Pakistan Muslim League-N and Pakistan People’s Party will hold the fifth round of talks on government formation today (Monday) in Islamabad.’

Senator Ishaq Dar, a senior leader of the PML-N and head of the party’s coordination committee, told the media that the final points on various proposals between the two sides are yet to be decided in the week-long consultation.

However, Ishaq Dar has expected ‘significant progress’ between the two parties in the meeting on Monday evening.

The Muslim League-N and the People’s Party have failed to prepare a clear plan of action for the coalition government in the fourth round of negotiations on Sunday.

Pakistan Muslim League-N and Pakistan People’s Party, which were part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) during the three-and-a-half-year rule of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, are contenders to end the country’s February 8 political deadlock.

No political party in Pakistan has been able to get a simple majority in the National Assembly in the elections of February 8, due to which the only way to form a government is a coalition between the political parties.

In Pakistan’s 12th parliamentary elections, 92 candidates supported by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf won as independents, while the Muslim League-N emerged as the largest political faction in the National Assembly with 75 seats. Former President Asif Ali Zardari’s People’s Party came second with 54 seats.

The PML-N and the People’s Party have established coordination committees after the February 8 elections, with the aim of settling issues related to the formation of a coalition government.

The People’s Party has offered its support to the Muslim League-N to form a federal government due to a divided mandate, while former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party is still reluctant to form a government without allies.

The talks between the Muslim League-N and the People’s Party, which have been traditional political rivals in the past, have revolved around appointments to key positions in the new administration.

Both the parties are also trying to include the small parties that succeed with less seats in the expected political alliance between them (PPP and MLN) in return for inclusion in the future federal cabinet.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was represented in Sunday’s talks by its senior leadership including Senator Ishaq Dar, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Senator Azam Nazir Tarar and Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.

People’s Party was represented by former Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Saeed Ghani, Sardar Bahadur Khan Sahar and Nadeem Afzal Chan.

The People’s Party, which had previously been a part of the PDM government headed by Shahbaz Sharif after the fall of Prime Minister Imran’s government in 2022, also supported the nomination of him (Shahbaz Sharif) as the prime minister by the Muslim League. Who is

However, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s party has so far indicated its support for the minority government to be formed in the near future without committing to join the coalition.

Pakistan is currently in a state of political uncertainty as independent candidates backed by Imran Khan’s party form the largest group in parliament.

But independent MNAs belonging to PTI also do not have a simple majority and it is not possible for them to get a share in certain seats without being affiliated to any party.

Currently, several political parties and candidates in the country are protesting against the results of the February 8 elections, while many others, including the PTI, have challenged the results in court.

February 19 at 1:16 p.m

Approach to Islamabad High Court for permission to meet Imran Khan’s lawyers and party leaders

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court, in which the stand has been taken that “lawyers and party leaders are not allowed to meet Imran Khan despite court orders.” is being given, so the court should issue an order allowing the meeting.

In the petition, it has been taken that the lawyers are not being allowed to take the documents, even one page, inside the Adiala Jail, privacy is not even provided during the meeting of the lawyers with Imran Khan, the Adiala Jail administration On behalf of the lawyers’ documents are seized and returned after 24 hours, Imran Khan wants to meet Shehryar Afridi, Shandana Gulzar Khan, Asad Qaiser and Faizur Rehman for political consultation, so the court Adiala Jail administration. To issue orders to Imran Khan to provide lawyers and party leaders with the right to meet separately.

Secretary Home, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Superintendent Adiala Jail have been made parties in the petition.

February 19, 10:49 am

The Committee of Election Commission is starting the investigation today on the statement of Commissioner Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta is seen during a press conference in Rawalpindi on February 17, 2024 (Ghulam Rasool/AFP)

The Special Committee of the Election Commission is starting an investigation from today on the allegations of former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta, who admitted to rigging the general elections 2024.

According to the Election Commission, during the special committee investigation, the statements of the returning officers of 13 constituencies of the National Assembly and 26 constituencies of the Provincial Assembly of Rawalpindi Division comprising the areas of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Tella Gang and Murree will be recorded.

In this regard, efforts are being made to obtain the transcript of the statement of Commissioner Rawalpindi through the concerned authorities.

Two days ago, former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta announced his resignation admitting irregularities in the general elections.

While giving a press conference at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaqat Ali Chatta said that “I did injustice in Rawalpindi Division during the elections, we changed the losing candidates to a lead of 50, 50 thousand, Rawalpindi Division. 13 MNAs were losers, they were given 70, 70 thousand and played with the country.

Liaquat Ali Chatta said, “I accept the responsibility of election rigging in Rawalpindi Division and hand myself over to the police announcing my resignation from my post. I should be executed in Kachhari Chowk, Rawalpindi.”

February 19 at 9:57 am

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has adjourned the hearing on the petition to declare the general elections null and void till February 21, 2024 and has issued a notice to the petitioner Brigadier Retired Ali Khan through the Ministry of Defence.

According to correspondent Mona Khan in Islamabad, the plaintiff submitted the application to the Supreme Court to withdraw the petition filed regarding the annulment of the elections of February 8, 2024.

Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa has ordered the concerned police station to find and produce the applicant after the applicant withdrew the application.

The Chief Justice has ordered that ‘Such Supreme Court cannot be laughed at, we will hear this case.’

Justice Qazi Faiz Isa remarked that ‘Do they file petitions only for fame? It will not happen.’

The Chief Justice asked the Additional Attorney General to ‘present him in any way possible.’

Justice Qazi Faiz Isa said that ‘the petitioner had revealed himself to be a former brigadier of the army.’

Retired Brigadier Ali Khan petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the general elections null and void.

In the petition, the stand was taken that after the rigging of the pre-elections and the delay in the results, the democratic principles are under threat, so the Supreme Court should order fresh elections under its supervision within 30 days.

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, was scheduled to hear the petition on Monday.

According to the cause list of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, apart from the Chief Justice, this bench also included Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali.

In the petition filed, it has been argued that all the political parties are raising voice regarding the rigging of the elections, so they should be declared null and void.

In the petition, it was requested that after declaring the elections null and void, the High Court should hold general elections under its supervision within 30 days.

February 19 at 9:31 am

The decision to continue the protest sit-in of the four-party alliance in Quetta

Workers of Balochistan National Party, Pashtun Khawa Milli Awami Party, Hazara Democratic Party and other parties protest in Quetta on February 17, 2024 against the alleged rigging of general elections 2024 (AFP / Banaras Khan)

At the meeting of four-party alliance of Balochistan at the residence of Pashtun Khwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai in Quetta on Sunday, it has been decided that the protest sit-in of Quetta will continue.

According to Azam Ulfat, a journalist from Quetta, in the meeting, the workers of all parties were instructed to play their positive and constructive role to continue and expand the protest until the unconstitutional act of obstructing the democratic rule of the country is stopped. Don’t give up.

Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, National Party chief Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, Hazara Democratic Party chief Abdul Khaliq Hazara and four members from all other parties participated in the meeting.

In the meeting, rejecting the 2024 elections outright, terming these elections as the ‘most disgraceful, scandalous and rigged’ elections in the history of Pakistan.

It was decided in the meeting that the protest against the results of these elections will continue as the entire country has rejected the recent elections.

It was also decided in the meeting that along with continuing the protest, efforts will be made to expand the protest by contacting other democratic parties.

In the meeting of the four-party alliance, the coordination committee has been instructed to convene a meeting immediately and present the plan for the future protest program.

February 19 at 8:45 am

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, will today hear the petition related to annulling the general elections held in Pakistan on February 8, 2024.

According to the cause list of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, apart from the Chief Justice, this bench also includes Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali.

In this petition filed by a citizen Muhammad Ali, it has been argued that all the political parties are raising voice regarding the rigging of the elections, so they should be declared null and void.

In his application, the petitioner has criticized the elections at the global level before the Supreme Court and has also included questions on the performance of the Election Commission within the country.

The petition has requested that the Supreme Court should declare the elections null and void and within 30 days the Supreme Court should conduct general elections in the country under its supervision.

February 19 at 8:12 am

The election tribunals will hear the election petitions today

The Election Commission of Pakistan will hear election complaints in the election tribunals to be established across the country from Monday.

In this photo dated February 8, 2024, voting continues during the general elections in Peshawar, Pakistan (Independent Urdu).

According to the cause list to be released on the website of the Election Commission of Pakistan, two tribunals have been established to hear the election complaints of Punjab, Sindh Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The first bench will consist of Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Babar Hasan Bharwana while the second bench will include Shah Muhammad Jatoi and Justice retired Ikramullah Khan. The two benches have 49 and 38 acquittals respectively.

Election Tribunals are established under Section 140 of the Election Act. These tribunals will have the powers of civil courts.

How long does it take for electoral fraud allegations, legal remedies and redress?

The election excuse can be submitted within 45 days of the name of the successful candidate in the official gazette. Electoral excuses will be dealt with in 180 days under the Election Act.

An appeal can be filed in the Supreme Court against the decision of the Election Tribunal within 30 days.

February 18 at 11:09 PM

No alliance with PTI: Maulana Fazlur Rahman

Maulana Fazlur Rehman talking to journalists in Islamabad on Wednesday November 8, 2023 (Independent Urdu)

Maulana Fazlur Rahman, head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam F, has said that there is no unity with Tehreek-e-Insaf for government formation and there is no possibility of a joint struggle in the near future.

Talking to Saleem Safi in the program ‘Jirga’ of private TV channel ‘Jeo News’, he said that there is a ‘mountain’ between his party and PTI, which is not easy to cross.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that his party has reservations about Tehreek-e-Insaf getting seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and election rigging.

He said: ‘Politicians do not refuse to negotiate and solve the problem.’

The head of the Jamiat made it clear that there was no alliance with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and there was no immediate prospect of a joint struggle.

Regarding the PTI delegation’s meeting with him, Maulona Fazlur Rahman said that guests are not sent back in Pashtun culture.

This is not the first time that PTI people have come. They have come before. We have always respected them.’

He added that a ‘culture’ has developed where meetings between the two parties are automatically termed as ‘alliances’.

February 18 at 8:55 p.m

Don’t be afraid of officer threats: Maryam Nawaz

Pakistan Muslim League-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz addressing an election rally in Okara on January 15, 2024 (screen grab Pakistan Muslim League-N YouTube)

Maryam Nawaz, the nominated candidate of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz for the Chief Ministership of Punjab, has said that those who instigate the bureaucracy to break the law will be dealt with according to the law.

He said that ‘threats to the bureaucracy mean to create chaos in the state system, the open waiver of which is to invite disaster.’

‘Officers should not be intimidated by threats, perform their duties according to the law.’

Maryam Nawaz further said that if the security of the officers is threatened, they will be dealt with with iron hands, the security of the officers will be ensured.

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