Politics

Imran Khan ‘still PTI chairman’ as ECP issues details of political parties

Published

11 months ago

Farwa

Imran still listed PTI chief, despite Gohar assuming charge.
GDA is the only political alliance to contest elections.
Polls are scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024.

ISLAMABAD: The details of political parties enlisted with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) were issued five days after the issuance of the election schedule, The News reported on Thursday.

The ECP, in a briefing to the press, stated the enlistment of 175 political parties and one alliance concerning their participation in the upcoming general election, scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024.

The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) will be the only political alliance to contest the general polls under the leadership of Pir Pagara Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi. The ECP also notified a change in the name of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Islahat (PTI) to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarian (PTIP), which is headed by Pervez Khattak.

According to the ECP list, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf continues to be led by Imran Khan, despite Barrister Gohar Ali Khan being recently elected as its new head. The issue of PTI’s intra-party election conducted on December 2, 2023, remains undecided, as ECP reserved its judgment after hearings.

Shehbaz Sharif is the head of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), whereas Asif Ali Zardari leads the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) and his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is the chairman of PPP.

Likewise, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui heads Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQMP), Abdul Aleem Khan is the president of newly-formed Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), whereas Asfandyar Wali Khan heads the Awami National Party (ANP), Sardar Akhtar Mengal is the president of Balochistan National Party (BNP), Maulana Fazlur Rahman is the ameer of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUIF), Sirajul Haq is ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the National Party is headed by Dr Abdul Malik, veteran politician Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is the president of Pakistan Muslim League (PMLQ), Mehmood Khan Achakzai is Chairman of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Majlis-e-Wahdat-Muslimeen (MWM)is headed by Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Sheikh Rashid Ahmad heads Awami Muslim League (AML) as per the ECP list.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson said the decision of a two-member bench of the electoral body regarding the delimitation of Hafizabad district was issued on November 26, 2023. And, after the direction of the Islamabad High Court, the second order of the five-member bench was issued on December 8, 2023. He explained that both the orders had been uploaded to the ECP website and that its purpose was to provide awareness and guidance to the public about it.

Separately, he said that some misconceptions were being spread in the media about delimitation. The rules of delimitation under the Elections Act, 2017 and rules are clear, the details of which are given below:

2. In the second phase, the quota extracted under Rules 8(2) is divided among the population of the district for the determination of seats of the districts, thereby determining the seats of that district. In this, if the remaining population is less than 0.5 after giving full seats to a district, then it is ignored. If the population is more than 0.50, then it is given one seat, for example, if according to the population of a district, its share of seats is 4.49, then it is given 4 seats. If its share of seats becomes 4.52, then that district takes 5 seats, provided there is no other district whose fraction is higher than that for example, 4.56.

It is necessary to specify that the first seat will be given to the district whose fraction is the highest i.e. 4.80, 4.75, 4.70, 4.66. If there is a seat in the province, then a district gets a seat at 4.50 and if the seats are eliminated keeping in mind the fraction and the lower fraction, even if it is 4.51 or more, it is ignored.

“The procedure for determination of seats is clear in Section 18 of the Elections Act, 2017, Section 8 of the Elections Rules. The Election Commission cannot make any changes in it and this work is done by the entire Commission (Chief Election Commissioner and four members of the Election Commission). However, due to the high number of objections to the initial delimitation, they are heard by the Election Commission or three-member benches,” he explained.

The electoral authority, he noted, also wants to clarify that Hafizabad district has a population of 1,319,909, while the quota of one seat of the National Assembly is 905,595, which is 1.46 because under Rules 8(2), the rest of the population is less than 0.5, so one seat is allocated. In this way, the population of Gujranwala is 4,966,338 and, according to the above quota, its share of seats is 5.48; its fraction is also less than 0.5, so it has also been given 5 seats.

The ECP also clarified that according to the law, the commission was not obliged to club any district with another district.

Latest News

Reaction to the PTI protest call by Fazlur Rehman

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on a private television station, said that the PTI is always coming to the streets, which really lessens the impact of a protest.

He also suggested to the PTI leadership that rather than carrying on with the agitation, it should finally put a hard hand down, which would be the final nail in the coffin.

He continued, citing the JUI protests as an example, saying, “We had a strong grip over our protesters and workers, so neither road was closed nor any property damage occurred during protests.”

The PTI has the right to protest, but Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the party’s agitation strategy as insufficient, stating that it is currently being “exposed which maynot be a good sign’.

Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, promised not to go back home unless the PTI founder was freed. During their demonstration, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, encouraged the party officials to come up with strategies to avoid being arrested.

According to an alleged audio recording, she stated that November 24 will be a loyalty test for PTI members.

Additionally, the government of Islamabad has enforced section 144 for a period of two months, which prohibits processions, rallies, demonstrations, and meetings of five or more individuals in the city.

As per the notification, the prohibition forbade meetings in any public space inside the boundaries of Islamabad, including the Red Zone, which encompasses important government buildings, diplomatic missions, and other sensitive sites.

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PTI representatives conjecture in the media over Imran’s approval of bail: FIA investigator

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

The hearing on the PTI founder’s bail application in the Toshakhana-2 case has resumed at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), with Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb serving as the presider.

The hearing was attended by the defense attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, and FIA prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi.

Judge Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb told the FIA prosecutor to “leave the media alone and exempt yourself from them” in order to avoid commenting on the media. The statement followed the prosecutor’s assertion that the bail would be granted, which had previously been reported by media sources.

In addition, the court questioned whether the receipts in question were issued in the name of Bushra Bibi or the PTI founder itself. Bushra Bibi’s name was on the receipts listed in the challan, according to Barrister Salman Safdar.

Defense arguments
The defense expressed displeasure about the case’s 3.5-year registration wait. The prosecution has swore in Sohaib Abbasi and made Inamullah Shah a crucial witness without requiring them to take an oath.

Barrister Salman Safdar highlighted that multiple agencies, including NAB, FIA, Police, and the Election Commission, have initiated actions related to the Toshakhana case, suggesting procedural redundancy.

Regarding a phony Toshakhana receipt, he contended, the Kohsar Police Station has also filed a case.

Position of the prosecution
The FIA prosecutor, Umair Majeed Malik, maintained that the valuation of the jewelry set mentioned in the case would be explained in the prosecution’s evidence.Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked, “If the media does not spread sensationalism, how will they conduct their business?” He dismissed rumors about his health, stating that he was present and hearing the case despite such reports.

Status of Co-Accused
The court was informed that Bushra Bibi, a co-accused in the case, is currently on interim bail and awaiting a decision by Judge Afzal Majuka. Barrister Salman Safdar expressed hope that Judge Majuka would soon announce his verdict.

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Naqvi visits Fazl to express gratitude for contributions to the 26th amendment.

Published

4 days ago

Farwa

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi convened with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to deliberate on issues of shared concern and the current political landscape in the nation.

In today’s meeting in Islamabad, Mr. Naqvi asked about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s health and sent his best wishes for the JUI chief’s well-being and future pursuits.

Naqvi extended his appreciation to Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his crucial contribution to the enactment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he characterised as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s legislative history.

Following the meeting, Naqvi commended Mr. Fazlur Rehman’s commitment to the nation, asserting, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman has consistently prioritised Pakistan’s interests, and his contributions to the country are indispensable.”

The experienced politician reaffirmed his dedication to Pakistan and its populace, stating, “Our priority has consistently been Pakistan and the well-being of its citizens.”

Senator Kamran Murtaza attended the meeting.