Analysts suggest 'favourites' to win polls should advocate level playing field for all

Political observers have said that political figures, especially those who are being dubbed as “favourites” of powers that be, should demand a level playing field for all contestants of the upcoming general elections and win in a fair contest for the credibility of the electoral process. The observers, speaking during the Express News political talk-show, "Experts," moderated by anchor Dua Jamil, emphasised that banishing a key political player from the electoral arena would only make the entire democratic exercise controversial, leading to political instability in the country. “The new political favourite (ladla) first demanded the removal of the rival team’s captain, then dispersal of its players, followed by a demand for a pitch of its liking. However, after all this he realised that it is still difficult to win; therefore, he insisted on snatching the bat from it,” said Naveed Hussain, Chief Editor of The Express Tribune while sharing his insights on the current political situation using cricketing jargon. تجزیہ کار محمد الیاس کس کو وزیراعظم دیکھنا چاہتے ہیں؟ بتادیا کہ بہتر وزیراعظم کون ہوگا@itsmeayazkhan @MuhammadIlyaspk @s_faisalhussain@RanaAamirilyas @navidjourno @Duaakanwal1 pic.twitter.com/KCdeUlwAp4 — Experts (@express_experts) January 4, 2024 Read also: PTI moves SC to restore 'bat' electoral symbol “If the favourite political party believes in the power of people and power of vote, then it should call for a level-playing field for all, return the rival team its captain, players, and bat, so that the game can be won on merit," he said while referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which alleges that it has been denied a fair chance to contest the election. سیاسی جماعتیں انتخابات جیتنے کے لیے کس کو قائل کررہی ہیں؟ تجزیہ کار فیصل حسین کا اہم تجزیہ@RanaAamirilyas @itsmeayazkhan @s_faisalhussain@Duaakanwal1 @MuhammadIlyaspk @navidjourno pic.twitter.com/h0nNZv9aUn — Experts (@express_experts) January 4, 2024 Hussain referenced reports from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) which express scepticism about the credibility and transparency of the upcoming elections. “I would say if the results of the 2018 elections were controversial, the 2024 elections have become controversial even before they take place,” he added. ن لیگ نوازشریف کو آفیشلی وزیراعظم کیوں نامزد نہیں کررہی، سنیےتجزیہ کار ایاز خان سے@MuhammadIlyaspk @RanaAamirilyas @navidjourno @s_faisalhussain@Duaakanwal1 @itsmeayazkhan pic.twitter.com/yUycxvY3FH — Experts (@express_experts) January 4, 2024 Amir Ilyas Rana, Express News Bureau Chief in Islamabad, echoed Hussain's sentiments, stating that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had become a party by pursuing an appeal. He expressed hope that PTI would regain its "bat" symbol, relying on the Supreme Court as the ultimate institution of justice. Read: Political analysts sceptical of PPP manifesto’s feasibility Ayaz Khan, Group Editor at Daily Express, raised concerns about the influence of the establishment on political matters, noting that engaging with politicians might not be productive if decisions are made elsewhere. پی ٹی آئی کا ٹکٹ لینے کے لیے کون کتنے روپے مانگ رہا ہے پی ٹی آئی کس نئی مشکل میں پھنس گئی؟ تجزیہ کار عامر الیاس رانا کا بڑا انکشاف@MuhammadIlyaspk @navidjourno @RanaAamirilyas @Duaakanwal1 @itsmeayazkhan@s_faisalhussain pic.twitter.com/B2UVo7oqcP — Experts (@express_experts) January 4, 2024 He emphasised the need to address crucial issues at the appropriate forums, suggesting that leaders should focus on resolving matters in the right context. Khan also expressed scepticism about the ECP's actions, stating that its involvement in a review appeal implies external direction. He questioned the fairness of the process and pondered the potential influence on the upcoming Supreme Court judgment. پاکستان کا اگلا وزیراعظم کون ہوگا؟ تجزیہ کار نوید حسین کی بڑی پیش گوئی@RanaAamirilyas@Duaakanwal1 @itsmeayazkhan @MuhammadIlyaspk @navidjourno @s_faisalhussain pic.twitter.com/hzKLpVjcF8 — Experts (@express_experts) January 4, 2024 Reflecting on the evolving role of the judiciary, he mentioned the significance of the bench's composition and remarked on the Chief Justice's statement about not watching the media during hearings. He raised questions about imposing personal preferences on the public and apologised for his previous remarks to avoid any contempt of court issues. Turning to the electoral symbol's importance, Khan stressed its significance in influencing voters. He expressed confidence that the PTI would reclaim its symbol through the Supreme Court, emphasising the court's role as the highest institution of justice. In his perspective, Faisal Husain, Express News Bureau Chief in Karachi, stressed the importance of understanding the motives behind withdrawing the “bat” symbol. He highlighted escalating tensions between the former PTI chief, Imran Khan, and the establishment, questioning why political parties were not capitalising on the ongoing power struggles in social media and traditional media. Mohammad Ilyas, Express News Bureau Chief in Lahore, foresaw challenges for PTI's election campaign without the “bat” symbol and Imran Khan. He predicted that PTI, unwilling to leave an empty field, would struggle to contest the election vigorously and secure the targeted seats.

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Electric shock for K-Electric consumers as power price surge

K-Electric consumers are bracing for yet another jolt in their electricity bills following the approval from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for an increase in power rates, set to surge up to Rs2.87 per unit. Nepra's decision to greenlight the hike in power tariffs stems from the quarterly adjustment considerations. K-Electric had formally petitioned for a substantial increase of Rs5.170/kWh for the quarter ending March 2023. The power regulator has worked out quarterly adjustment of Rs3.37 per unit. However, with the reversal of previous quarter amounting to Rs0.5055 per unit, the net impact of increase in electricity rates will be Rs2.8680 per unit. The power regulator had conducted a public hearing on May 31, 2023. K-Electric, in its adjustment requests, has certified that it dispatches as per economic merit order from its own generation units with the available in fuel resources and import from external sources. It also certified that the cost of fuel and power purchase claims do not include any amount of late payment surcharge/mark-up/interest. Read also: NEPRA considers hike of Rs4.66/unit The power regulator based on the information, data and record provided by K-Electric, has analysed the quarterly adjustments of K-Electric and accordingly discussion on the issues pertaining to quarterly adjustment. The power regulator noted that as per the information submitted by CPPA-G, the energy claimed by K-Electric, is in reconciliation with the energy reported by CPPA-G. Regarding cost for the energy purchased from national grid, K-Electric has claimed an amount of Rs19,646.42 million including capacity charges and variable O&M. K-Electric had requested an amount of Rs8.143 million as previous adjustment for the quarter July 2022 to December 2022. The power regulator has decided to allow the amount of Rs8.143 million due to revision in market operator fee rates. K-Electric, in the instant quarterly adjustment claimed an amount of Rs1,142 million due to the fact that impact of negative FCA for July 2022 earlier not passed on to the residential consumers up-to 300 units, has now been passed on to such consumers in light of NEPRA's decision dated March 09, 2023 regarding staggering of FCAs of KE. Here it is pertinent to mention that as per practice, the amount of negative monthly FCAs is not passed on to the residential consumers consuming upto 300 units. However, the federal government in its motion on February 16, 2023 requested the authority to pass on the impact of negative FCA to residential consumers as well. Read: Hearing on KE tariff adjustment on Dec 20 The authority has made an amount of Rs1,142 million claimed by KE as part of the instant quarterly adjustment. KE had requested adjustment of tax on undistributed reserves for the FY 18 and FY 19 amounting to Rs686 million and Rs444 million respectively, through quarterly adjustment for the quarter ended March 2023. KE further submitted that in case of reversal of decision by the Supreme Court, KE will have the right to claim back this amount in subsequent periodic/quarterly adjustment. Based on the above, a negative amount of Rs1,130 million has been adjusted as previous adjustment in the quarter ending March 2023. K-Electric had requested NEPRA to allow cost of insurance premium of around Rs9.727 billion, in light of the KE's determination October 9, 2017, as a separate period cost in the next quarterly adjustment. The amount claimed by KE includes decision of the authority in the matter of quarterly adjustment of K-Electric limited for the quarter ending March 2023 premium paid to Sinosure to provide coverage for Chinese component and to Euler Hermes for providing coverage for German component. The authority after considering the submissions of K-Electric, has decided to condone the delay in filing of the request by KE and has decided to allow the premium paid to Sinosure for coverage of the Chinese component and to Euler Hermes for providing coverage for the German component of financing. The authority has further decided not to allow the withholding tax being adjustable. Accordingly, the authority has decided to allow an amount of Rs9.146 billion, to K-Electric, as cost of debt-insurance premium as a separate cost in the instant quarterly adjustment i.e. quarter ending March 2023. K-Electric in its request has requested its quarterly adjustment based on the projected units to be sold in the next quarter of 4,881 GWh. Now KE has provided its actual sent out units for the months of April — June 2023, which after adjusting for allowed losses works out as 4,458 GWh. Accordingly, the same have been used in the calculation of quarterly adjustment.

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Acceptance of Shehbaz’s nomination papers challenged

An appeal was filed on Tuesday in the election tribunal, challenging the acceptance of the nomination papers of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif. The appeal alleges that Shehbaz was "identified as the mastermind of an alleged criminal attack on the Supreme Court on November 28, 1997.” The applicant, Shahid Orakzai, filed the appeal from NA-132, contending that Shehbaz was present on the day of the alleged attack at the Prime Minister's Secretariat along with his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif. Orakzai further argued that Shehbaz's presence at the Prime Minister's Secretariat was reported to the Supreme Court on oath by the then advisor to the prime minister for information and broadcasting. The country's top court did not question him about the agenda of the meeting with the then-prime minister, it added. The applicant informed the election tribunal that then chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif, spent the night at the PM’s house and was at the Punjab House for an event. He claimed that a secret breakfast for PML-N parliamentarians — gathered from the Rawalpindi division — was hosted by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the then Minister for Petroleum. Read also: Faizabad sit-in commission summons Shehbaz on Jan 3 According to Orakzai, a group of MNAs, MPAs, and senators was urgently summoned well past midnight on the orders of Shehbaz Sharif to secretly enter the court by exploiting their status and influence, as entry was restricted by the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The applicant requested the election tribunal to take note of the secret political breakfast at the Punjab House which is not mentioned in the inquiry report of Islamabad Police. He pledged to identify the ringleaders of the alleged attackers. Orakzai urged the tribunal to verify the stated facts from the inquiry report in possession of the registrar of the Supreme Court. He claimed that he had attempted to move the Election Commission of Pakistan on December 26, 2023, but was prevented from entering. The applicant called on the election tribunal to reject Shehbaz Sharif's nomination papers and cancel the vote of the proposer and seconder for their alleged abetment of the attack on the Supreme Court before they cast their ballots on February 8.

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PTI will not boycott elections ‘under any circumstances’: Gohar

Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Barrister Gohar Khan, on Tuesday reiterated the party's commitment to participating in the upcoming elections despite having "reservations" about the system. Addressing the media outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail after meeting former prime minister Imran Khan, he emphasised the importance of political engagement in the electoral process. Gohar confirmed that an initial consultation with Imran Khan had taken place regarding the distribution of party tickets for the upcoming elections. He assured that the party would finalise the candidates' tickets within the next two days and reiterated the party's commitment to not boycott the elections under any circumstances. He informed that the meeting with the Imran Khan occurred in Adiala Jail, following the orders of the Islamabad High Court. He shared that it was decided that candidates who had held press conferences against the party would not be considered for tickets. Gohar highlighted the significance of elections as a crucial process and stressed the necessity of a transparent and free electoral system that involves the participation of all political parties. Read also: PTI to participate in polls even without ‘bat’ symbol: Gohar Expressing concerns about rejected nomination papers, the PTI chief highlighted that a significant number of candidates faced rejection of their nomination papers, alleging interference and obstruction during the filing process. Despite these setbacks, Gohar confidently stated that all PTI opponents would be defeated in the upcoming elections. He conveyed a plea to the judiciary, emphasising that their role was crucial at this juncture. He warned against singling out a particular party, asserting that such actions could have detrimental effects on democracy and the economy. Addressing concerns about the fairness of the electoral process, Gohar stated that PTI was prepared to face any opponent, and would play their U-18 and U-19 teams, metaphorically illustrating their determination to compete. He revealed that they had approached the Supreme Court to provide a level playing field to PTI, stressing that the people would ultimately decide the outcome of the polls. Turning his attention to the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Gohar mentioned the engagement of IPP patron-in-chief Jahangir Tareen's lawyer with the Peshawar High Court. He urged the ECP to uphold its responsibility to conduct free and fair elections, expressing dissatisfaction with the current supervisory setup.

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Media's election surveys draw ECP’s ire

The country’s polls oversight authority has taken notice of the violation of its election code of conduct by some media houses and directed the media regulator to take action against them. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has written a letter to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) highlighting that some media houses have violated Clause 12 of the media's election code of conduct by carrying out polls and surveys of various constituencies. The ECP on October 13 issued separate codes of conduct for various stakeholders—national observers, national media, international observers and media as well as political parties, contesting candidates and election agents—in connection with the upcoming general elections. Clause 12 of the Code of Conduct for National Media says that print and electronic media—including all journalists, newspapers, channels as well as social media influencers— shall refrain from holding entrance and exit polls on their official accounts on social media. “[They are also barred from] conducting any kind of surveys at any polling station or constituency which may influence the voters’ free choice of casting votes or hinder the process in any way,” it said. The letter directs the PEMRA chairman to take prompt and immediate action against the electronic media channels in strict alignment with Clause 12 of the Code of Conduct for National Media. Read also: ECP issues guidelines for poll observation, media coverage “A compliance report in this regard be also shared with the office as soon as possible for placing it before the Election Commission [of Pakistan],” it stated. An exit poll is a survey conducted with voters right after they have cast their votes in an election. It aims to understand how people voted and to predict the outcome of the election before the official results are announced. An entrance poll is similar to an exit poll but differs in its timing. Instead of surveying voters after they cast their votes, entrance polls are conducted with voters as they enter the polling station or voting area to vote. Another type of election surveys are pre-election surveys which are conducted in the lead-up to an election. These polls assess voters' opinions, intentions, and preferences regarding candidates, issues, and political parties. Opinion polls are another way to gauge public opinion on various political issues, government performance, or political leaders, without necessarily being directly tied to an election. Election surveys can influence the perception of the electorate, media coverage, and even political strategies during a campaign. However, their direct impact on the election outcome is debatable and can vary based on several factors Installation of cameras Meanwhile, the Provincial Election Commission of Punjab has decided to get closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) installed at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations across Punjab in order to ensure peaceful and transparent arrangements for the 2024 elections. Punjab Inspector General Police (IGP) Dr Inam Ghani has issued orders to additional IGs, regional, city, and district police officers to implement the election commissioner’s order. (With input from Saleh Mughal in Rawalpindi)

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LPG price jacked up by Rs19 per 11.8kg

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) on Monday notified an increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for the month of Jan 2024. The price of an 11.8-kilogramme domestic cylinder has been increased by Rs18.52, which translates into a rise of Rs1.56 per kilo. The price of commercial cylinder has been increased by Rs71 while the government producer price has been increased by Rs1,560 per metric ton. Now, the LPG will be available at Rs256 per kilo instead of Rs255 and domestic cylinder will be available at Rs3,025.87 instead of Rs3,007.35. Read also: SSGC plans IPO for LPG subsidiary The commercial cylinder will be available at Rs11,642 instead of Rs11,571. The LPG industry calls for introducing a better LPG policy to provide cheaper, better quality and abundant LPG to the poor people in this inflationary situation. The natural gas crisis is intensifying across the country. The LPG industry says that at present, there is a daily production of 2,000 metric tons of LPG across the country while the local consumption has crossed 5,000 tons. Up to 60% domestic requirement is met through imported LPG. Bad policies and high taxes have adversely affected the LPG industry as LPG distributors are calling for making LPG tax free. They are demanding abolishment of unnecessary taxes on LPG.

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LHC quashes FIR, orders release of PTI leader Latif Khosa’s son

Lahore High Court's (LHC) Justice Ali Baqar Najafi has quashed the First Information Report (FIR) against Khurram Latif Khosa, the son of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Punjab governor Latif Khosa, ordering his release. The verdict comes after the prosecution failed to establish its case, particularly regarding the insertion of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the FIR. The decision follows the habeas corpus petition filed by Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, seeking the recovery of his son and junior lawyer Ali Murtaza. Justice Najafi criticised the law officer for delays in producing the detenue before the court. During proceedings, the petitioner's lawyers argued that police officials were unwilling to disclose the whereabouts of Khurram Latif Khosa. Justice Najafi warned that the Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab would be summoned if court was not satisfied. Read more: PPP's disgruntled Sardar Latif Khosa finds home in PTI Facing persistent delays, Justice Najafi directed the law officer to produce Khurram before the court by 6pm. Subsequently, in the evening hours, he was presented before the court. Petitioner's lawyers contested police claims, asserting that there was no evidence supporting allegations of Khurram tearing police uniforms, snatching wireless sets, and threatening officials. The law officer mentioned video clips, but Justice Najafi demanded their presentation, revealing a lack of such evidence. Renowned lawyer Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan highlighted the malafide in the case, emphasising contradictions in police statements. Aitzaz argued for converting the habeas corpus into bail, alleging malafide by the police and suggested quashing the FIR. After detailed arguments, Justice Najafi reserved the decision. He also ordered the release of the accused persons from handcuffs. In the final announcement, Justice Najafi quashed the FIR and warned against future unwarranted FIRs against lawyers. Khurram, speaking to the media, expressed resilience, stating that such acts would not deter him. He affirmed his support for former prime minister Imran Khan, saying he will remain with him.

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