Opposition parties unite in Sindh to protest against ‘election fraud’

In a joint press conference held in Karachi on Friday, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), along with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) announced plans to stage a protest outside the Sindh Assembly on Saturday. The announcement was made by key leaders including JDA Chief Coordinator Sadruddin Shah Rashidi, JUI-F Sindh chief Maulana Rashid Soomro, JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, and PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Shaikh. During the press conference, Rashidi asserted, "Our protest is against the bogus election because notes were used instead of votes." He emphasised that the peaceful struggle would persist until the return of the public mandate, noting the coalition's determination to challenge what they perceive as electoral malpractice. Read more: PPP, PML-N meet to fine-tune coalition in Balochistan Dr Safdar Ali Abbasi highlighted their rejection of the election results, citing successful sit-ins in Jamshoro and Moro as evidence of public discontent. He reiterated their commitment to peaceful means, stating, "We will protest against elections as per our legal and constitutional right." He added, "Our struggle is peaceful, not a stone has been hurled anywhere. We will protest against elections as per our legal and constitutional right. We are seeking new elections." Responding to questions, JI's Hafiz Naeem declared solidarity with the GDA, confirming their decision not to take oath alongside PTI members. He criticised the “distribution” of seats between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P). Also read: After PPP, PML-N woos other coalition partners for govt formation PTI's Haleem Adil Shaikh echoed these sentiments, accusing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of complicity in "mandate theft." He stressed incidents of rigging and asserted PTI's legitimate claim to 22 National Assembly seats in Sindh. JUI-F's Rashid Soomro warned against obstructing the planned protest, holding the administration accountable for any resulting consequences. He recalled past protests with notable political figures and called upon supporters to mobilise for the upcoming demonstration. The decision to protest comes ahead of the Sindh Assembly session scheduled for February 24, where newly elected members are set to take oath.

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Senate interior panel advances crucial bills

Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Thursday unanimously passed a bill to amend the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 [The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024]. During the session, significant bills were discussed, reflecting the committee's commitment to legislative excellence and public welfare. Firstly, the committee unanimously passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with a notable emphasis on safeguarding the dignity of the deceased. The bill also proposed an increase in fines to Rs500,000, signaling a stern stance against violations of human rights in the country. This unanimous decision underscores the committee’s dedication to upholding the sanctity of the law. In a subsequent development, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri withdrew the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This decision came as the relevant Ordinance, which the amendment sought to address, had already been repealed in 2018. Another significant legislative action was the passage of Senator Shahadat Awan's Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill introduced crucial amendments to sections 292, 293, and 294 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), along with subsequent amendments in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Despite concerns raised about potential misuse of proposed sentence enhancements, the bill was passed with necessary amendments, highlighting the committee's diligence in refining legislative proposals for optimal effectiveness. However, the committee deferred deliberations on the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which Senator Shahadat Awan had introduced. This bill focused on Sections 513 and 514 of the CrPC, indicating the committee's judicious approach to prioritizing legislative matters based on their urgency and significance.Additionally, the National Database and Registration Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023, introduced by Senator Fawzia Arshad, underwent thorough scrutiny. The committee passed this bill with amendments, showcasing its commitment to enhancing administrative procedures and ensuring the efficacy of regulatory frameworks. Beyond legislative matters, the committee addressed pressing issues raised by Senator Danesh Kumar. Concerns about commuter difficulties at check posts along the Balochistan-Karachi route and the demolition of a Hindu Temple in Mithi District, Tharparkar, were thoroughly discussed. The committee recommended the establishment of a joint check post to streamline security procedures and ensure a seamless experience for commuters. Furthermore, it advocated for fair treatment of encroachers, stressing equitable enforcement of the law irrespective of social or religious affiliations. The Senate Standing Committee on Interior operates with a sense of duty and responsibility towards the nation. Senators Saifullah Abro, Danesh Kumar, Fawzia Arshad, Kamil Ali Agha, Shahadat Awan, Waqar Mehdi, and Aon Abbas, along with senior officials from relevant departments, collectively work towards legislative excellence and public welfare. Through their deliberations and decisions, they uphold the principles of justice, accountability, and progress for all citizens.

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Pakistan to seek $6b in new IMF loan

Pakistan plans to seek a new loan of at least $6 billion from the International Monetary Fund to help the incoming government repay billions in debt due this year, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing a Pakistani official. The country will seek to negotiate an Extended Fund Facility with the IMF, the report said, adding that the talks with the global lender were expected to start in March or April. Pakistan averted default last summer thanks to a short term International Monetary Fund bailout, but the programme expires next month and a new government will have to negotiate a long-term arrangement to keep the $350-billion economy stable. Ahead of the bailout, the South Asian nation had to undertake a slew of measures demanded by the IMF, including revising its budget, a hike in its benchmark interest rate, and increases in electricity and natural gas prices. The IMF did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment on the Bloomberg report. Pakistan's finance ministry could not be immediately reached for comment. Days ago, the international credit rating agency Fitch had warned that the close outcome of the Feb 8 general elections and resulting near-term political uncertainty may complicate efforts to secure a financing agreement with the International Monetary Fund. “This looks set to be a coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party, despite the strong performance by candidates associated with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the elections,” the credit rating agency had said in its report on Pakistan’s economy released on Monday. The report stated that a new IMF deal, to succeed the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) expiring in March 2024, was key to the country’s credit profile. Read also: Imran wants IMF programme halted over 'election fraud' “We assume one will be achieved within a few months, but an extended negotiation or failure to secure it would increase external liquidity stress and raise the probability of default.” It noted that while Pakistan’s external position had improved in recent months, with the State Bank of Pakistan reporting net foreign reserves of $8 billion as of Feb 9, 2024, up from a low of $2.9 billion on Feb 3, 2023, “nevertheless, this is low relative to projected external funding needs, which we expect will continue to exceed reserves for at least the next few years”. “We estimate Pakistan met less than half of its $18 billion funding plan in the first two quarters of the fiscal year ending June 2024 (FY24), excluding routine rollovers of bilateral debt.” It added that the “sovereign’s vulnerable external position means that securing financing from multilateral and bilateral partners will be one of the most urgent issues on the agenda for the next government”. “Negotiating a successor deal to the SBA and adhering to the policy commitments under it will be critical to most other external financing flows, not just from the IMF, and will strongly influence the country’s economic trajectory in the longer term.” Fitch highlighted that finalising a new IMF deal was likely to be challenging. “The current SBA is an interim package and we believe any successor arrangement would come with tougher conditions, which may be resisted by entrenched vested interests in Pakistan.” Nonetheless, it added, “we assume any resistance will be overcome, given the acute nature of the country’s economic challenges and the limited alternatives”. Read: Political instability can mar IMF programme: Fitch It warned that if the political instability continued, discussions with the IMF would be prolonged, assistance from other multilateral and bilateral partners delayed, or implementation of reforms hampered. “We believe a government will assume office and engage with the IMF relatively quickly, but risks to political stability are likely to remain high.” The report also warned that public discontent could rise further if the PTI remained sidelined as the election revealed continued strong public support for the party. It highlighted the government’s “poor record” of completing the IMF programmes, saying that less than half of its 24 IMF programmes had disbursed more than 75% of the funding available. “However, there has been fair progress on targets under the current SBA. Moreover, we perceive there is stronger consensus within Pakistan on the need for reform, which could facilitate the implementation of a successor arrangement.” It further warned that policy risks could rise again over time if external liquidity pressures eased, either as a result of initial reform successes or developments outside Pakistan, such as a substantial drop in oil prices. “This could lead to the renewed build-up of economic and external imbalances. We believe Pakistan’s external finances will remain structurally weak until and unless it develops a private sector that can generate greater significantly more export income, attract FDI or reduce import dependence.”

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Vawda takes a dig at Maryam, calls her ‘Buzdar 2’

Former federal minister Faisal Vawda took aim at PML-N Chief Organiser and nominated chief minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, calling her “Buzdar 2,” referring to the former Punjab chief minister from PTI. Taking to X, Vawda criticised Maryam's recent speech, saying it was heavily edited. He also lambasted Maryam's announcement of a door-to-door delivery service. گھنٹوں کی ایڈیٹنگ کے بعدپہلی ریکارڈڈ تقریر۔ نامزد وزیراعلی پنجاب بزدار 2 مریم صاحبہ کا پاکستان کو مسائل سے نکالنے کیلئے پہلا اعلان پنجاب پینڈا سروس (ڈیلیوری سروس) جس سے مُردوں کے سرٹیفکیٹ طلاق کے سرٹیفکیٹ اور پیدائش کے سرٹیفکیٹ گھر گھر پہنچائے جائیں گے۔ میاں صاحب گھبرانا نہیں۔… — Faisal Vawda (@FaisalVawdaPTI) February 21, 2024 Maryam had outlined plans for a PML-N government initiative to provide ten services, including home delivery of marriage, death, property, and birth certificates. In a scathing remark, Vawda added, "Mian sahib, don't panic. Step forward, no one is with you."

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Indian-origin girl accepts Islam, marries Sialkot man

A German Sikh girl of Indian origin has tied the knot with a young man from Sialkot after embracing Islam. Jaspreet Kaur, now known as Zainab, exchanged vows with Ali Arsalan, as confirmed by the certificate of acceptance of Islam issued by Jamia Hanafia Sialkot. Kaur, hailing from Ludhiana in Indian Punjab, is the daughter of Sangara Singh. Prior to the marriage, Kaur embraced Islam at Jamia Hanafia Sialkot, where she adopted her new Islamic name. The union between Kaur and Arsalan took place during Kaur's visit to Pakistan for a religious pilgrimage, which began on January 16. Kaur, who also holds an Indian passport, was granted a single entry visa until April 15. Read more: Indian actor embraces Islam Administrators of Jamia Hanafia revealed that Kaur is one of over 2,000 non-Muslims who have embraced Islam at their institution. Reports suggest that Kaur and Arsalan became acquainted while abroad, leading to Arsalan extending an invitation for Kaur to visit Pakistan, culminating in their marriage.

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PTI, GDA and JI join forces to protest against ‘election fraud’

A new political alliance is taking shape in Sindh as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) join forces to protest against the alleged electoral irregularities witnessed during the February 8 polls. Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashidi, Chief Coordinator of GDA Sindh, convened a meeting at his residence where he hosted Haleem Adil Shaikh, President of PTI Sindh, and Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Ameer of JI Karachi, among others. Discussions centred on the prevailing political landscape and concerns over purported electoral malpractices during the recent general elections, fostering the groundwork for collaborative efforts. Following the deliberations, Sardar Abdul Rahim, Information Secretary of GDA, conveyed the collective decision to initiate a unified struggle. Read more: After PPP, PML-N woos other coalition partners for govt formation Rashidi extended invitations to the leaders of both parties to attend the upcoming GDA meeting scheduled for February 23, setting the stage for broader coordination. Amidst a backdrop of governmental and electoral commission disarray in the face of opposition pressure, the possibility of an abrupt announcement regarding the Sindh Assembly session for swearing-in was deliberated upon. Consensus was reached among the leaders to mobilise party members and supporters for a vigorous protest across Sindh should such an announcement materialise. Plans for a definitive course of action will be finalised during the forthcoming meeting on February 23, following thorough consultations.  

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HVT among two terrorists killed in DI Khan IBO

Security forces on Thursday killed two terrorists, including a high-value target (HVT), during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, the military said in a statement. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, the operation was conducted on the reported presence of terrorists. During the conduct of the operation, an intense fire exchange took place between troops and terrorists as a result of which a high-value target, terrorist ring leader, Ashraf Sheikh and a terrorist named Burhan Ullah were killed. The statement said that weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists. Read also: Terrorist killed in North Waziristan IBO The ISPR said that a sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. It further added that the locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism. Earlier in the week security forces killed a terrorist during an IBO in North Waziristan district. During the conduct of the operation, according to ISPR, an intense fire exchange took place between Pakistani troops and terrorists as a result of which a terrorist named Naikman Ullah was killed.

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