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ARY NEWS

Zahid Mashwani

  • PDM ‘names’ Yousuf Raza Gilani as candidate for Senate chairman

    PDM ‘names’ Yousuf Raza Gilani as candidate for Senate chairman

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has approved the name of newly-elected Senator Yousuf Raza Gillani as the joint candidate of the opposition alliance for the Senate chairman, ARY NEWS reported quoting sources.

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman chaired a meeting of PDM leaders at Sindh House in Islamabad which was attended by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz and others.

    According to sources, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) nominated Yousuf Raza Gilani for Senate chairman as PML-N and Awami National Party also supported his candidature from the platform of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

    Speaking during the PDM meeting headed by its chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Bilawal Bhutto said that they were given the challenge to ensure an upper hand in Senate and they had successfully achieved it.

    “I congratulate all of you over the victory,” he said and asked as to what would have happened if they had boycotted the Senate polls if PPP had not intervened.

    No-confidence motion in Punjab

    Besides this, the sources privy to the details said the PPP has also suggested giving authority of the no-confidence motion in Punjab Assembly to the PML-N.

    “The PPP will give the suggestion for the non-confidence motion at the PDM platform while the PML-N being the majority party will have a final say in this regard,” they said while divulging the decisions of the opposition alliance’s meeting headed by Fazlur Rehman.

    “PPP will completely back the PML-N in the no-confidence motion,” they said.

    The Punjab Assembly currently has 369 members of which the treasury benches have the support of 191 of them while PML-N has 166 lawmakers, followed by PPP with seven MPAs.

  • Senate elections: ECP responds to PM, ministers’ statement

    Senate elections: ECP responds to PM, ministers’ statement

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday expressed its disappointment over the allegations raised by PM Imran Khan during his address to the Nation, ARY News reported.

    In its declaration issued after the meeting to review the prime minister and the federal ministers’ statements, ECP said it cannot do any amendment against the law and if anybody has reservation, the constitutional way is open for all.

    “We cannot neglect the constitution to please anyone.”

    The meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja was attended by the members of the ECP, secretary and the officials of the law wing. The returning officer (RO) Islamabad briefed the participants about the Senate polls.

    The meeting reviewed allegations of horse-trading leveled by PM Imran Khan and the federal ministers, said sources and added that the ECP will issue a declaration about the meeting.

    On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi along with his cabinet fellows, Shibli Faraz and Fawad Chaudhry had lamented that the ECP was responsible to hold free and fair polls, however, it failed in performing its duty.

    Read more: Senate results: ECP takes notice of federal ministers’ press conference

    On Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had raised questions over the performance of the Election Commission of Commission (ECP) for not taking action against individuals “buying” votes for their candidates in recently held Senate polls 2021.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan had said this while addressing the nation, a day after he had decided to take a vote of confidence following the ruling party suffered a setback when its candidate Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh lost a Senate seat from Islamabad to a joint candidate of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani.

  • Senate results: ECP takes notice of federal ministers’ press conference

    Senate results: ECP takes notice of federal ministers’ press conference

    ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of federal ministers’ press conference in the wake of Senate elections results, citing sources, ARY News reported. 

    The ECP has sought a record of the press conference of federal ministers from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), sources said and added that action would be taken after reviewing the record, sources said.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi along with his cabinet fellows, Shibli Faraz and Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday had lamented that the ECP was responsible to hold free and fair polls, however, it failed in performing its duty.

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that the Senate results boosted their narrative that a market was established by the opposition to buy votes. “Imran Khan’s narrative proved true,” he had said adding that Khan had in the past took action against 20 KP lawmakers over selling their votes.

    Read more: ‘PM Imran Khan to take vote of confidence from Parliament’

    The former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) stalwart Yousuf Raza Gilani won his senate seat from Islamabad where he was vying against Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf’s (PTI) Hafeez Shaikh for which the polling was conducted in the National Assembly.

  • ECP wants PTI’s enraged Liaquat Jatoi to prove Senate ticket sale allegations

    ECP wants PTI’s enraged Liaquat Jatoi to prove Senate ticket sale allegations

    ISLAMABAD: The vigilance committee of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of PTI leader Liaquat Jatoi’s statement in which he accused his own party leadership of selling a Senate election ticket for millions of rupees.

    The meeting of the vigilance committee was attended by the officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) in Islamabad.

    The committee decided to write a letter to Liaquat Jatoi for the provision of documented proofs supporting his Senate ticket sale allegations.

    Earlier, the former chief minister of Sindh and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Liaquat Jatoi had alleged that the PTI leadership sold a Senate ticket to Saifullah Abro for Rs350 million.

    Read more: PTI candidate sends legal notice to Liaquat Jatoi over Senate ticket allegations

    The committee formed by the ECP has been tasked to provide necessary information and records to the ECP, as well as present a report if an inquiry is required to be conducted.

    A telephone helpline was established where the citizens could register complaints at 051-8848888.

  • Senate polls: ECP forms vigilance committee to curb electoral malpractices

    Senate polls: ECP forms vigilance committee to curb electoral malpractices

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has established a telephone helpline and constituted a vigilance committee to stop electoral malpractices in the Senate elections to be held on Wednesday (tomorrow), ARY News reported on Tuesday.

    The vigilance committee members include officials of ECL, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

    The committee has been tasked to provide necessary information and records to the ECP, as well as present a report if an inquiry is required to be conducted.

    Read: Supreme Court gives opinion on presidential reference

    A telephone helpline was established where the citizens could register complaints at 051-8848888.

    The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) also made contacts with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director-general, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and NADRA chairpersons to seek recommendations for stopping the electoral malpractices in the Upper House polls.

    Moreover, a management system was also established to collect complaints by the election commission besides the establishment of a special monitoring cell which will be made functional for 24 hours for looking over the electoral process by the CEC.

    Earlier in the day, the ECP said that the Senate elections slated for March 3 (tomorrow) will be held through secret ballot as per the “past practice”.

    Read: Senate 2021: ECP sends ballot papers for printing

    An ECP meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja in the chair deliberated the SC opinion and decided to implement it in letter and spirit, according to a statement.

    “The Commission is taking all possible steps and measures to fulfill its constitutional duty to check that corrupt practices in the Senate Elections are guarded against,” the ECP said.

    “The Commission also decided that due to time constrain, ensuing Senate Election scheduled for 3rd March, 2021 will be conducted as provided in the Constitution and Law as per past practice.”

    The ECP decision came a day after the Supreme Court gave its opinion on the presidential reference, ruling that the elections for the upper house of Parliament have to be conducted through secret ballot as required under the Constitution.

  • ECP orders re-polling in NA-75 Daska

    ECP orders re-polling in NA-75 Daska

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ordered on Thursday re-polling at all polling stations of NA-75 Sialkot-Daska over rigging, ARY News reported.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan after hearing arguments from PTI, PML-N and RO had reserved the judgment. Riots were reported during the polling day and the masses were not provided the right to vote in a true manner.

    Terming the polling null and void in the NA-75 Daska, the ECP has ordered re-polling in the constituency on March 18.

    PML-N welcomes the decision 

    Reacting to the judgment, Pakistan Muslim Leauge -Nawaz leaders hailed the ECP’s verdict and termed it historic. PML-N candidate Nausheen Iftikhar thanked the people of the constituency and party leadership for bestowing confidence in her.

    The people of NA-75 were tortured but they remained in ques to cast their vote, the PML-N candidate claimed.

    Waiting for the detailed verdict: Shibli Faraz

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said that the federal government is waiting for a detailed judgment of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the NA-75 by-poll.

    The future strategy would be devised after the detailed verdict and our legal team will decide about the future course of action.

    Read also: Presiding officers found involved in rigging, admits NA-75 RO

    Earlier, the Returning Officer (RO) of the constituency had admitted that presiding officers of 23 polling stations were found involved in rigging.

    In his report along with the record of the pollings, submitted in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), RO Athar Abbasi had said that the investigation revealed that presiding officers were involved in rigging.

    PML-N candidate in the constituency, Nausheen Iftikhar had raised reservations over the results by stating the difference between the Form 45 copy available with her and with Presiding Officer ‘different’.

    Read more: Maryam urges ECP to hold re-election in NA-75    

    According to POs, PML-N candidates secured 3500 votes from the 23 polling stations, while Nausheen claimed to get 5000 votes, Returning Officer said in his statement.

    Apparently, it appears that the results were altered, RO claimed and suggested re-polling on the 23 polling stations.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the ECP had seized the electoral record of by-polls in NA-75 Daska on Saturday after rigging allegations were levelled against each other in the constituency by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    Read more: Maryam Nawaz spotted with prime suspect in Daska by-polls murder case

    Prime Minister Imran Khan had advised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate of NA-75 to ask for re-polling in 20 polling stations of the Daska constituency.

    In a series of tweets, the prime minister had said that “opposition is crying hoarse over in the by-elections in the Daska constituency” and added that he had always struggled for fair and free elections.

  • Presiding officers found involved in rigging, admits NA-75 RO

    Presiding officers found involved in rigging, admits NA-75 RO

    ISLAMABAD: The Returning Officer (RO) of NA-75 Daska By-poll has admitted that presiding officers of 23 polling stations were found involved in rigging, ARY News reported.

    In his report along with the record of the pollings, submitted in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), RO Athar Abbasi said that the investigation revealed that presiding officers were involved in rigging.

    PML-N candidate in the constituency, Nausheen Iftikhar raised reservations over the results by stating the difference between in the Form 45 copy available with her and with Presiding Officer ‘different’.

    According to POs, PML-N candidates secured 3500 votes from the 23 polling stations, while Nausheen claimed to get 5000 votes, Returning Officer said in his statement.

    Apparently, it appears that the results were altered, RO claimed and suggested re-polling on  the 23 polling stations.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the ECP had seized the electoral record of by-polls in NA-75 Daska on Saturday after rigging allegations were levelled against each other in the constituency by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    Read more: Maryam Nawaz spotted with prime suspect in Daska by-polls murder case

    Prime Minister Imran Khan had advised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate of NA-75 to ask for re-polling in 20 polling stations of the Daska constituency.

    In a series of tweets, the prime minister had said that “opposition is crying hoarse over in the by-elections in the Daska constituency” and added that he had always struggled for fair and free elections.

  • ECP seeks more evidence from petitioner in Senate poll video scandal

    ECP seeks more evidence from petitioner in Senate poll video scandal

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has heard the petition against the 2018 Senate election video scandal and sought more evidence from the petitioner to take further action accordingly, ARY News reported on Monday.

    A five-member commission headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the petition of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Murtaza Javed Abbasi against the video showing lawmakers allegedly involved in horse-trading during 2018 Senate polls.

    Murtaza Javed Abbasi and his lawyer Jahangir Khan Jadoon appeared in the hearing.

    Read: Video showing horse-trading during Senate elections surfaces

    The PML-N leader demanded ECP holding a thorough inquiry over the horse-trading video scandal through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The election commission asked the petitioner to submit more evidence to act accordingly.

    Jahangir Khan Jadoon told the five-member commission that those who could be watched in the video are all lawmakers.

    CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja said some of the persons in the video have delivered statements.

    Read: Senate election video scandal: Cabinet body decides against conducting forensics

    The petitioner said that the lawmakers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are being strongly criticised after the video surfaced. He alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central leaders Pervez Khattak and Asad Qaiser were involved in the matter as it will also come under the definition of horse-trading for paying their lawmakers by a political party.

    Abbasi added that two members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) were not ready to give any statements despite being seen in the video.

    Irshad Qaiser questioned what will the petitioner say about the votes lawmakers cast to the Senate chairman. Another member of the commission, Altaf Ibrahim, remarked that no one is ready to accept [electoral] defeat.

    Read: Committee formed to probe against Senate horse-trading meets in Islamabad

    CEC said that the next hearing of the petition will be conducted after the Senate elections. The chief election commissioner adjourned the hearing till March 9.

    On February 9, a video had surfaced which exposed the horse-trading during Senate elections in 2018 by some party lawmakers who could be seen as counting bundles of currencies and hiding it inside the bag.

    The video obtained by ARY News had shown how the loyalty of 20 lawmakers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was changed after horse-trading during Senate elections in 2018. The lawmakers had been ousted from the political party by the central leadership after holding a thorough investigation.

    Read: PM forms committee to probe against Senate horse-trading in 2018

    On February 15, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had filed a petition in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against a video scandal.

    Prime Minister and Chairman PTI, Imran Khan, Speaker National Assembly, Asad Qaiser and Defense Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Director-General (DG) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been made respondent in the plea.

  • NA-75 by-poll: ECP withholds results over fears of alteration

    NA-75 by-poll: ECP withholds results over fears of alteration

    ISLAMABAD: Following returning officer fears about alteration in the results of 20 polling stations, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ordered to withhold the results of the NA-75 by-election, ARY News reported on Saturday.

    Election Commission, in a statement, said that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) contacted IGP Punjab, Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to know the whereabouts of the missing polling staff.

    The authorities assured to trace the missing staff.

    After much effort, presiding officers resurface along with polling bags about 6 am.

    The statement further states that it is not possible to release unofficial results without full inquiry into the incident; however, the district returning officer and returning officer are sending a report to the commission and the provincial election commissioner and joint provincial election commissioner has been directed to reach office of returning officers.

    Read more: Two ‘PTI supporters’ killed in firing outside polling station during Daska by-polls

    On the complaint of PML-N candidate on NA-75 Sialkot, the RO had forwarded reference to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate on NA-75 Nosheen Iftikhar had moved a plea to the CEC to withhold the results.

  • Sadiq Sanjrani accepts resignation of senator Sitara Ayaz

    Sadiq Sanjrani accepts resignation of senator Sitara Ayaz

    ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani has accepted the resignation of a senator Sitara Ayaz who had tendered her resignation yesterday, ARY News reported on Monday.

    Senator Sitara Ayaz had sent her resignation to the Upper House chairman Sadiq Sanjrani yesterday.

    The Senate Secretariat apprised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the resignation of senator Sitara Ayaz. The commission was informed that Ayaz’s seat should be declared vacant after the approval of her resignation by the Senate chairman.

    Read: At least 100 candidates submitted nomination papers for Senate elections: ECP

    Ms Ayaz’s resignation was submitting at a time when the government is going to hold polls on 48 seats of the Senate on March 3.

    Sitara from Swabi had been elected as the senator representing Awam National Party (ANP) and she had also served as a minister in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet from 2008 to 2013.

    However, the political party had expelled Sitara in October 2019 after terminating her basic membership following the charges of violating the ANP constitution and discipline.