After Punjab, K-P governor also proposes Oct 8 as date for elections

In a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday, Governor Ghulam Ali has proposed delaying elections to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly until October 8, days after the electoral body postponed polls in Punjab to the same date.  "Since ECP has postponed the election date for the general elections of Punjab province to October 08, 2023, therefore, it is also suggested that same October 08, 2023, be proposed/appointed as election date for general elections of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the best public interest as well as in the interest of the state," the governor wrote in his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Sikandar Sultan Raja. Similar to the election commission, Ghulam also cited the deteriorating security situation as the reason for the delay. "Your good office must note that subsequent to my last letter, fresh wave of terrorist activities had taken place in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on daily basis," he added. Read more: Govt lauds ECP's decision to postpone Punjab elections The governor told the ECP that the surge in terrorist activities, including attacks on army and police stations, had resulted in fatalities and injuries. The attacks have occurred on a daily basis, he said, adding that the incidents included cross-border fire in North Waziristan, an IED blast on an army vehicle in Kohat, encounter with terrorists in South Waziristan, terrorists fire on a police station Bara, attack on a police station in DI Khan, and a terrorist ambush resulting in the martyrdom of senior Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officer Brigadier Mustafa Kamal Burki and the injury of seven others. The governor proposed that the provincial elections, originally scheduled for May 28, also be delayed until October 8 as done for Punjab province.  Earlier this month, in a meeting with President Arif Alvi, Governor Ali told had the president that the law and order situation in the province was not satisfactory. However, Alvi had suggested to Ali to implement the Supreme Court order on the election date, according to a statement from the the Press Wing of the President's House. On Wednesday, the ECP delayed the Punjab election until Oct 8 on the grounds that it could not conduct transparent and peaceful polls on the previously scheduled date of April 30.  Subsequently, the ECP withdrew its notification regarding the elections in Punjab and postponed the voting for the provincial assembly until October 8, 2023, adding that a fresh election schedule would be announced in due course. Also read: President asks PM to 'push' for Punjab, K-P polls on time Earlier this month, the Supreme Court ordered that President Arif Alvi should announce the date of the Punjab Assembly election, while the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) governor would set the election date for the K-P assembly in consultation with the ECP. A five-judge larger bench of the apex court on March 1 gave a 3-2 split verdict on a suo motu case about the election date for the two provincial assemblies after holding hearing for two days. The Punjab Assembly was dissolved by then chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in January on the instructions of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Imran had also ordered the dissolution of the K-P Assembly, which was also dissolved in the same month. The PTI chief has been holding rallies and protests in different cities to force the federal government for calling early election in the country. The dissolution of the Punjab and K-P assemblies was also part of his efforts for early elections. The federal government has been opposing the early elections. It says that elections should be held on the same day once the incumbent government completes it constitutional term. The government side argues that holding elections separately would increase political crisis. Both the sides, however, admit that the deadlock has led to political instability and deteriorated economic situation.

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Overpricing in Ramzan bazaars irks citizens

Inflation-hit citizens visiting Sasta Ramazan bazaars set up in various areas of the garrison city to buy daily-use items at cheaper rates have complained about the exorbitant rates amid unprecedented inflation. Although the district administration has established several Sasta Ramzan bazaars and Fair Price shops in the city and Cantt areas to ensure the supply of essential items including vegetables, gram flour, dates, fruit, and chicken at affordable prices during the fasting month, people said the relief was insignificant given the scale of current inflation. Citizens said this Ramazan is like no other as they are finding it increasingly hard to put food on the table for iftar and sehri. They dubbed the discount offered to them at these bazaars a joke and said a meager Rs30 to Rs40 difference in comparison with the open market is a farce, to say the least. People visiting the market to buy fruit for Iftar on the first day of the holy month returned empty-handed as apples were available at Rs450 per kg, guavas at Rs300 per kg, melon at Rs200 per kg, bananas at Rs300 per dozen and dates at Rs500 to Rs700 per kg. A citizen said that the administration failed to curb the hike in food prices a week before Ramazan and the new prices of essential commodities were implemented to rob the people. Citizens Mohammad Ramzan, Bashir Ahmed, Gulshan Malik, and Yasir Shabbir said that the rates of various items are reduced for those observing the holy month all over the world but in our country, Ramazan is considered an occasion to gain maximum profit, they said. They further said the inflation is so high that they can’t even buy the basic food items for Iftar. The citizens said that the authorities concerned have failed to enforce official prices, due to which those who earn profit by creating artificial inflation keep fleecing the people. Before the advent of the fasting month, the Rawalpindi district administration had fixed new prices of essential commodities besides making 16 Ramazan Sasta Bazaars, 34 Fair Price Shops, and 8 Sasta Saheri Bazaars functional to help mitigate the impacts of high inflation on the low-income strata. Sources in the administration said that 10 Ramazan Sasta Bazaars have been set up in the Cantonment areas and one each in Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kallar Syedan, Kahutta, Gujar Khan, and Taxila.   Published in The Express Tribune, March 24th, 2023.

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Awards conferred on 40 recipients

Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman conferred civil awards on 40 recipients for outstanding performance in various walks of life including sports, art, literature, culture, medicine, business and religion during a solemn ceremony held at the Governor’s House on Thursday. The 40 civil awards include four posthumous awards as the Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhter Zaman read the citations of the nominees. Sitara-i-Imtiaz was bestowed upon Dr Muhammad Ali, Tauqir Ahmad Nasir (actor), Muhammad Shafi known as Shakir Shujaabadi, Chaudhry Shafy Hussain, Muhammad Babar Azam, Attaur Rehman (late), Allama Muhammad Raza Saqib Mustafai, Abdul Rauf Rufi, Dr Muhammad Aqeel Babri, Dr Muhammad Arif Hasan Khan, Dr Muhammad Ashraf Tahir and the posthumous recipient Riaz Shahid whose award was received by his son actor Shan Shahid. Presidential Award for Pride of Performance was awarded to Parveen Rizvi known as Sangeeta, Muhammad Hafeez Tahir, Ghulam Qadir known as Qadir Ali Shagan (Late), Altaf Hussain known as Tafu. Khan, Nargis Shaheen, Syed Afzal Ahmad (late), Sher Dad Khan alias Sher Miandad Khan, Muhammad Javed, Muhammad Qamar Sultan, Farhat Abbas Shah, Rana Fazal Hasan, Arshad Nadeem, Ahsan Ramzan and Muhammad Noah Dastgir Butt. Among the recipients of Tamgha-i-Imtiaz were Muhammad Salim Ahmad, Muhammad Ashraf Chaddar, Dr Muhammad Younis, Dr Salman Ayaz, Dr Nusratullah Chaudhry, Jameel Ahmed Pal, Dr Waheed Ahmed, Neelam Ahmed Bashir, Muhammad Iqbal, Shafiq Ahmed Chishti, Ziaur Rehman Farooqi (late), Hasan Javed and Shahzad Asghar Ali.   Published in The Express Tribune, March 24th, 2023.

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Ministers back ECP decision to delay polls

A day after the electoral supervisor postponed the Punjab election to October 8, federal ministers on Thursday mounted a concerted drive to back the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision, saying that was the best bet keeping in view the country’s precarious economic and security situation. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that general election across the country should be held together for political and economic stability. The ECP had postponed the elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa keeping in view the security, political and economic challenges, he said, adding that unfortunately an onslaught had been started on social media against the decision without even reading the facts. Addressing a news conference, the minister said that it was the mandate of the ECP to conduct free and fair elections in the country under Article 218 of the Constitution. The ECP didn't consider the current situation suitable for polls, he said, adding that a surge in terrorism incidents had been witnessed in the country during last few months and the ECP had taken this decision after the state institutions apprised it about the security issues. Read more: PTI to move SC against ECP's polls delay The security institutions were currently busy with borders, internal security and census, he said, adding that in this situation, it was not possible to get heavy deployment for the polls as well. The minister said that the Article 224 of the Constitution asked for the general elections at the same time across the country, adding that Article 254 also gave provision to postpone the polls due to the extraordinary situation. There were several examples in the past when elections were postponed due to certain reasons, he said. He said that the election had been taking place at the same time since 1997. The law minister said, “We have to use the country's resources in a good way for economic boost as there is a need to increase exports and decrease imports as well for this purpose.” Also read: Rashid asks apex court to take suo moto notice of Punjab polls delay He said that the general elections couldn't be taken place without the new digital census in the country which would take around six weeks to be concluded. Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb on Thursday said that the decision of the ECP to postpone the Punjab Assembly elections was in the interest of Pakistan. "The Election Commission took the decision keeping in mind the economic, political, and security situation," she said in a statement. The minister said that the ECP had saved the country from a big constitutional crisis and this decision would bring political stability in the country. Marriyum maintained that under Article 218 of the Constitution, the ECP had to ensure transparent, impartial, and fair elections. Article 224 required that at the time of elections, caretaker governments should be established at the federal and provincial level, she maintained. The minister stated that the ECP took this decision after consulting all stakeholders. There were reservations that because of one man's ego, elections were being forced on two provinces, she said. If elections in two provinces were held on April 30, it would have created a controversy for forever as the terms of Punjab and K-P assemblies would have ended six months before the National Assembly and other two provincial assemblies. The process of the census was ongoing in the country and it was not possible to hold elections in two provinces before the census and in other provinces after the census.

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Govt forms JIT to probe 'attack' on Judicial Complex

The federal government announced the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Thursday to probe the "attack" on the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) in Islamabad. Earlier this month, Islamabad police lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and over a dozen other PTI leaders for allegedly attacking police officers, destroying property, setting vehicles on fire, and causing chaos in and outside the FJC. The clashes continued for hours when Imran arrived at the FJC to attend a hearing in the Toshakhana case, with the judge taking Imran’s attendance through a court official as the PTI chief was present at the FJC’s gate but could not attend court proceedings due to the protestors’ attack on the law enforcers. Also read: PTI to move Supreme Court against ECP’s 'unconstitutional' delay on Punjab polls Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah announced the formation of the JIT, which he said would complete its investigation within 14 days. "Imran deliberately created an environment so that the court would be unable to hold its proceedings," said the minister. He said that Imran Khan intentionally "attacked" the court complex after preparations, adding that the "terrorists" will be brought to justice. Sanaullah claimed that an "armed mob" entered the FJC by force and created chaos. "They attacked court rooms, destroyed CCTV cameras and hurled abuses against police officials," he added. He said that Imran Khan had instructed some people to bring the mobs to the court otherwise he would not issue them  the PTI party ticker that they were hoping for. Earlier in the day, a six-member JIT was constituted to investigate 10 cases registered against PTI workers for allegedly attacking police and creating a law and order situation outside Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore while resisting compliance of court orders by the Punjab government last week. According to a notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, nine cases have been registered at the Race Course police station and one at Civil Lines police station against the PTI workers. Read more: Govt constitutes JIT to probe attack on courts, law enforcers SSP Imran Kishwar has been appointed as convener of the team whereas SP Aftab Phulawan will also be included as a member of the squad. Out of the six-member team, three members will be included from Intelligence Bureau, Inter-Services Intelligence and the Military Intelligence. The JIT will conduct and finalise investigation into the cases and submit a detailed report. PTI had initiated its Jail Bharo Tehreek on February 22 outside the Punjab Assembly forcing the government to announce early elections.

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‘Double standards’: Sherry slams PTI for 'hiring' US lobbying firm

Climate Minister Senator Sherry Rehman on Thursday came down hard on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) for taking a “U-turn” on its anti-US rhetoric as the latter reportedly hired a private US consulting firm, Praia Consultants, to promote the party’s image and improve ties with the US. In a flurry of tweets, the minister said the signing of the agreement with the US lobbying firm exposed the PTI’s “double standards and hypocrisy”. Wow! Yet another American lobbyist hired in $$$ by PTI to improve relations with the United States. U turns cost money…from conspiracy memo to piling up the influence buying 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/xIkIk2XEqN — SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) March 22, 2023 The federal minister said that many countries appoint lobbyists, and so do political parties, but this case was particularly bizarre because it came from a party that attempted to pose itself as a [political] martyr of the “US meddling”. “If that was the case, why are they now locked in a desperate attempt to buy the influence of the US decision-makers after the failure of the ‘Cipher Conspiracy’ narrative and earlier lobbying efforts? PTI’s double standards and U-turns have been exposed many times,” she said. Also read: ‘It’s behind me’: Imran Khan takes a U-turn on ‘US conspiracy’ narrative “Now, they are constantly taking the services of lobbying companies for their publicity in the US. His [Imran Khan] concocted narrative has been exposed numerous times that show he was planning to ‘play’ with Pakistan’s interests for his own personal politics,” she alleged. The minister continued, “Despite previously blaming the US for their ouster from power, the PTI hired an American lobbying firm Fentone Arlook LLC in October of last year, only to quickly backtrack on their criticism of the US within a month. It’s now apparent that hiring of lobbyists is not with Pakistan’s interests and integrity in mind, but rather as a means to influence the country’s domestic politics for their own gain. This brazen use of self-interest above national interest is a clear indication of PTI’s willingness to compromise Pakistan’s interests for the sake of their own political agenda.” According to the agreement, it allows the consulting firm to arrange meetings between the PTI leaders and US decision-makers, and to provide guidance on the content of these meetings. The minister highlighted that normally political parties engage in lobbying for improving relations between the two countries, but it’s the opposite case here. “What makes PTI different from others is the sheer hypocrisy of their actions. They [PTI] have actively campaigned against foreign influence in the past, while engaging in it themselves. Imran Khan must answer for his false narrative of an American conspiracy against him, which he peddled for months before suddenly retracting. His actions have impacted Pakistan’s foreign policy and image, and it is time for him to take responsibility for the damage caused, for which we are still paying. This Ciphergate scandal compromised Pakistan’s foreign relations with its key partners, which showed that Imran Khan is willing to sacrifice anything for personal gain and power.” Also read: Imran meets US lobbyist in Bani Gala The agreements between PTI-USA and the consulting firms are publicly available on the US Department of Justice Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) website and can be examined by anyone. “The people of Pakistan have the right to know who is representing them and what interests they are promoting. It is time for PTI to answer over their ‘two-faced behaviour’ and be held accountable for the showcasing fault lines between their words and deeds,” said the minister.

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Rawalpindi gets 16 Sasta Ramazan bazaars

The Rawalpindi district administration has fixed new prices of essential commodities besides making 16 Ramazan Sasta Bazaars, 34 Fair Price Shops, and 8 Sasta Saheri Bazaars functional to help mitigate the impacts of high inflation on the low-income strata. Sources in the administration said that 10 Ramazan Sasta Bazaars have been set up in the Cantonment areas and one each in Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kallar Syedan, Kahutta, Gujar Khan, and Taxila. They said Sasta Sehri Bazaars have been established at Kartarpura, Landa Bazaar, Kashmiri Bazaar, Pir Wadhai, Sadiq Abad, and Lal Kurti areas of the garrison city. Local officials with magisterial powers will monitor prices at these bazaars daily. Other Sasta Ramazan Bazaars have been set up at Committee Chowk, Allam Iqbal Park, Haidree Chowk, Dhok Hasso, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Gulzar Quaid, Morgah, Chungi 22, Chakri and in Chauhar Chowk. Altogether, 60 price control magistrates have been appointed in the district. All essential items including chicken, pulses, rice, beef, and grocery items are available at these bazaars. All these markets will be converted into Eid Bazars on the 20th of Ramazan. Meanehile, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has issued a notification regarding the new prices of pulses, bread, milk, yogurt, rice, and other grocery items. On other hand, dairy unions, Nanbai associations, and other traders' unions have rejected the news prices, calling them irrational. They also announced that not a single commodity will be available at these prices. Leaders of the associations demanded of the deputy commissioner and all assistant commissioners to withdraw the notification. They said if the administration wanted them to sell items at such low prices, then it should make all these items available for them at the wholesale level. On the other hand, the Environment Protection Department has started a crackdown against the illegal use of polythene bags. A senior research officer at the Environment Protection Department, Ameen Baig, confirmed that a ban is in effect on the use of black, blue and polythene bags of other colours across Punjab. Shopping bags less than 15-micron width cannot be used also, he said. In case of violation, a magistrate can send the violator behind the bars for up to 3 months and can impose a fine of Rs50,000.   Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2023.

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