LAHORE: February 10 –
Families enjoy a boat ride in Greater Iqbal Park.
LAHORE: February 10 –
Political Secretary to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and newly elected MPA Jameel Ahmed Soomro along with party workers laying flower wreath on the grave of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at Ghari Khuda Bakhsh.
LARKANA: February 10
APP24-100224
LARKANA: February 10 – Chairman District Council AIjaz Ahmed Laghari congratulating to Political Secretary of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and newly elected MPA Jameel Ahmed Soomro for winning the provincial assembly election 2024 at his residence Noor Colony.
General Elections witness participation of 60 mln voters
ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): Approximately 60 million voters went to the polls on February 8 to elect their representatives in 265 National Assembly and 590 Provincial Assembly constituencies in one of the country’s most competitive political contests.
According to the preliminary report of the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), more than 1.1 million election officials performed election duties.
They ensured the integrity of voting and counting processes at the polling stations, which largely remained free of controversy.
Additionally, more than 0.7 million police and military officials stood guard across the country and outside polling stations, ensuring peace and order on Election Day.
FAFEN acknowledged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for setting in place a hassle-free process of accreditation for observers, indicative of the Commission’s greater focus on increasing the transparency of electoral processes.
General Polls 2024: ‘Independents’ steal spotlight by winning 100 NA, 90 KPK assembly seats
ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): Independent candidates continued to consolidate their lead in the General Elections 2024 over mainstream political parties, especially in the National and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies, throughout the result announcement process.
They won 190 seats in the National and KPK assemblies, according to the results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) till Saturday.
According to available results (Form-47) from 255 National Assembly constituencies, independent candidates secured 100 seats, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) 73, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) 54, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) three, Istehqam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) two, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan 17, Grand Democratic Alliance one, Pakistan Muslim League-Zia one, Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Pakistan (MWMP) one, and PML three seats.
Out of 295 Punjab Assembly-seat results, independent candidates won 137 seats, PML-N 137, PPPP 10, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan 1, IPP 1, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) 7, and PML-Z 1.
For the Sindh Assembly, PPPP secured 84 seats, independent candidates 13, MQM-P 28, GDA 2, and Jamaat-e-Islami 2, out of the total 129 constituencies’ results.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, independent candidates clinched 90 provincial assembly seats, PML-N 5, PPPP 4, JUI 7, JI 3, Awami National Party (ANP) and PTIP one each, out of 112 seats.
In Balochistan, PML-N secured 9 seats, PPPP 11, JUI 9, independent candidates 6, JI 1, Awami National Party 2, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) 4, and one each by Balochistan National Party-Awami and National Party (NP), as per the results announced for 48 seats so far.
According to the ECP, over 128 million registered voters were scheduled to exercise their democratic right by casting votes for candidates participating in elections for the national and provincial legislatures. The polling was held for 265 seats of the National Assembly and 590 seats of provincial assemblies.
Voting took place on 51 seats of the Balochistan Assembly, 128 out of 130 seats of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, 296 out of 297 seats of the Punjab Assembly, and 130 seats of the Sindh Assembly.
Polling was held in 855 constituencies out of overall 859; however, due to the death of the candidate, voting was not held in NA 8, PP 266, PK 22, and PK 91.
It was the 5th consecutive general poll for the transfer of power from one democratic setup to another since the dawn of the 21st century (2002-2024), reflecting the nation’s solid commitment to democracy, democratic values, and norms.
The polls were held overall smoothly and peacefully as no major untoward incident was reported throughout the country on Election Day with active participation of citizens who came out in droves to exercise their right to vote for electing candidates of their choice.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ensured elaborate arrangements in collaboration with security departments and other state institutions to conduct the election in a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful manner across the country.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has put on hold the results of NA- 88, PS-8 and PK-90 due to certain reasons while the announcement for awaited results of nine NA seats, Punjab one and three Balochistan would be made in due course of time by the ECP.
Whereas the re-polling on the withheld sets will be on February 15, and as per the ECP, the results are to be announced the same day.
Rescue 1122 launches motorcycle ambulance service
ABBOTTABAD, Feb 10 (APP): Rescue 1122 has rolled out a regular motorcycle ambulance service in Abbottabad. Secretary Anayatullah Waseem inaugurated the motorcycle emergency response service.
Following the directives of Director General Dr. Khateer Ahmed, District Emergency Officer Muhammad Arif Khattak facilitated the provision of motorcycle ambulances to Rescue 1122 Abbottabad.
The motorcycle ambulances are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and equipment, adhering to international standards.
These include essential items such as first aid kits, pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, cervical collars, nebulizers, glucometers, and portable oxygen cylinders, among others.
DEO Arif Khattak outlined the initial phase of the project, highlighting the provision of two motorcycle ambulances to Rescue 1122 Abbottabad.
Moreover, he emphasized plans for the expansion of this service in the near future, underscoring Rescue 1122’s commitment to delivering prompt, immediate, and internationally standardized emergency facilities to the residents of Abbottabad.
Indonesian Embassy facilitates nationals at early voting event
ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): The Committee for the Indonesian General Elections with the support of the Indonesian Embassy in the federal capital conducted an advance polling event on Saturday at the premises of the Embassy.
This early voting was held for the upcoming general elections in Indonesia scheduled to be held on 14 February 2024, said a news release.
The event provided an opportunity for the Indonesian nationals in Pakistan to participate in the electoral process as well as fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among the Indonesians and their families.
The elections in democratic Indonesia will determine not only the new President and Vice President but also parliamentary and local representatives.
On this occasion, the Embassy made comprehensive arrangements to facilitate more than 800 citizens along with their families from all over Pakistan to participate in the voting process including Islamabad Capital Territory.
While another approximately 200 Indonesian nationals will exercise their democratic right to vote in the Indonesian Consulate General in Karachi on Sunday.
In addition to serving as a platform for exercising political rights, the event transcended its primary purpose and evolved into a vibrant social gathering.
Attendees, both old acquaintances and new friends, seized the opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the joyous occasion together.
The atmosphere was filled with laughter, music, and the taste of Indonesian cuisine as participants enjoyed the bazaar featuring food stalls, a musical event, health facilities, and a children’s play area.
“This event is designed not only as a political event but also as a moment of sharing happiness for Indonesians despite political differences,” said Arrozi Munib, Head of the Indonesian General Elections Committee in Islamabad.
“The ballot process was done smoothly with no significant hurdles on the ground,” added Zulfikar Alamsyah, Head of General Elections Supervisory Committee.
Moreover, the Embassy extended invitations to Pakistani think tanks and journalists, highlighting the significance of the electoral process in fostering strong democratic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan and further amplifying the message of cross-border cooperation and mutual respect.
One of the distinctive features of the event was the marking of voters’ fingers with special purple ink, symbolizing their active participation in the electoral process.
This visible demonstration of civic duty underscored the commitment of voters to shaping the future of their homeland through democratic means.
Death anniversary of Amjad Islam Amjad observed
ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): The first death anniversary of renowned playwright and literary icon Amjad Islam Amjad was observed on Saturday.
Born on August 4, 1944, in Lahore, he made valuable contributions in the fields of drama and poetry. Besides, Amjad Islam authored more than 40 books in his career.
He received many awards for his literary work including Pride of Performance and Sitara-e-Imtiaz.
Some of the most acclaimed TV plays he wrote for PTV include Waris, Dehleez, Samandar, Waqt, Fishaar, Raat, Din, Eendhen, and Inkaar.
He also wrote some plays for children including Jadu Ki Sheeshi, Bahadur Shehzada, and Daal Mein Kala.
Amjad Islam Amjad passed away on February 10 last year in Lahore due to a heart attack.
Ambassador Tirmizi represents Pakistan at Abu Dhabi Dialogue
ABU DHABI, Feb 10 (APP): Pakistan’s envoy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi represented Pakistan at the Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) here on Saturday. Pakistan is the current Chair of the ADD.
Junaid Murtaza, Community Welfare Attache (CWA), Pakistan Consulate General, Dubai delivered the statement on behalf of Pakistan.
In his remarks, he said that the forum provided an important opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue regarding the safe, orderly, and regular labour movement in one of the largest temporary labour migration corridors.
He further said that Pakistan was of the view that the Abu Dhabi Dialogue served as a platform for multilateral and multi-dimensional collaboration, bringing together leaders, policymakers, experts and stakeholders. It provided a mechanism to foster interconnectivity, enhance collaborations, and promote the exchange of ideas for lasting solutions related to temporary labour migration, he added.
The CWA said that Pakistan considered that the deliberations held at the ADD would help in addressing the challenges and exploring opportunities to ensure the protection of migrant workers and enabling countries of origin and destination to get maximum benefits from the temporary labour migration.
He informed that the Chair and Secretariat had prepared a series of reports with the help of experts that would be presented to the Ministers at the Seventh Ministerial Consultation on Sunday. Pakistan suggested to devise a comprehensive Social Security paradigm within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s labour migration corridor and also provide an enabling environment for migrant workers in their respective home countries for their dignified return and reintegration.
Pakistan thanked the government of UAE for its resolve to act as the Permanent Secretariat of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue and appreciated the role of the Advisory Committee, experts and researchers in their assistance in formulating policy directions for governmental representatives of ADD member states.
President’s Trophy: Dahani’s seven-wicket haul puts SNGPL in commanding position
RAWALPINDI, Feb 10 (APP): Shahnawaz Dahani took a seven-wicket haul for SNGPL as WAPDA were bundled out for a paltry 140 in 34.4 overs on the second day of the final of the President’s Trophy Grade- 1 here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Saturday.
At stumps, SNGPL were 121 for five in 36 overs, leading by 460 runs.
Resuming their first innings with a deficit of 474 runs, WAPDA batters had no clue to face fiery spell from right-arm fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani. Dahani, who has represented Pakistan in 13 white-ball matches, claimed seven wickets for 42 runs in 12.4 overs. The 25-year-old fast bowler was supported by another pace bowler Mir Hamza, who bagged two wickets for 30 runs.
For WAPDA, captain Iftikhar Ahmed was the only notable run-getter, as the right-handed batter top-scored for his side with a 59-ball 52, smashing four fours. Test batter Umar Akmal was another contributor with the bat, scoring run-a-ball 28, laced with six boundaries.
WAPDA were bowled out for 140 in 34.4 overs, handing SNGPL a lead of 339.
SNGPL, in return, didn’t enforce a follow-on and managed to score 121 for five in 36 overs, when stumps were drawn.
Test opening batter Abid Ali, top-scored for SNGPL in the second innings with 38 off 59 balls, which included six fours. The first innings centurion Saud Shakeel returned undefeated on 18 off 47 balls.
For WAPDA, left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, bagged three wickets for 43 from 16 overs.
Scores in brief:
SNGPL 479-7, 80 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 161, Saud Shakeel 123 not out, Kamran Ghulam 101, Mubasir Khan 44; Tahir Hussain 2-78, Iftikhar Ahmed 2-105) and 121-5, 36 overs (Abid Ali 38, Kamran Ghulam 28; Asif Afridi 3-43)
WAPDA 140 all out, 34.4 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 52, Umar Akmal 28; Shahnawaz Dahani 7-42, Mir Hamza 2-30)