Indonesian Embassy Facilitates Nationals at Early Voting Event  

DNA

Islamabad: The Committee for the Indonesian General Elections with the support of the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad conducted an advance polling event today at the premises of the Embassy. This early voting was held for the upcoming general elections in Indonesia scheduled to be held on 14 February 2024. The event provided an opportunity for the Indonesian nationals in Pakistan to participate in the electoral process as well as fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among the Indonesians and their families. The elections in democratic Indonesia will determine not only the new President and Vice President but also parliamentary and local representatives.

On this occasion, the Embassy made befitting arrangements to facilitate more than 800 citizens along with their families from all provinces of Pakistan to participate in voting process including Islamabad Capital Territory. While another approximately 200 Indonesian nationals will exercise their democratic right to vote in the Indonesian Consulate General in Karachi on this Sunday.

In addition to serving as a platform for exercising political rights, the event transcended its primary purpose and evolved into a vibrant social gathering. Attendees, both old acquaintances and new friends, seized the opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the joyous occasion together. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, music, and the taste of Indonesian cuisine as participants enjoyed the bazaar featuring food stalls, a musical event, health facilities, and a children’s play area.

“This event is designed not only as a political event, but also as a moment of sharing happiness for Indonesians despite political differences,” said Mr. Arrozi M. Munib, Head of Indonesian General Elections Committee in Islamabad. “The ballot process was done smoothly with no significant hurdles on the ground,” added Mr. Zulfikar Alamsyah, Head of General Elections Supervisory Committee.

Moreover, the Embassy extended invitations to Pakistani think tanks and journalists, highlighting the significance of the electoral process in fostering strong democratic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan and further amplified the message of cross-border cooperation and mutual respect.

One of the distinctive features of the event was the marking of voters’ fingers with special purple ink, symbolizing their active participation in the electoral process. This visible demonstration of civic duty underscored the commitment of voters to shaping the future of their homeland through democratic means.

Expressing his views on the election arrangements, Ms. Solehatun from Haripur expressed her gratitude to those involved in the general election process particular the Embassy and all Committees for efficiently organizing the voting process, ensuring a smooth and democratic experience for all. “It was no tense faces. All I saw were smiles and happiness,” said Babar, a Pakistani national from Gujranwala, who accompanied his Indonesian wife during the event. The Embassy’s meticulous attention to security ensured that voters felt safe and secure throughout the electoral process, contributing to the overall success of the event.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 10 (DNA) – The Foreign Office of Pakistan has taken note of statements from certain countries and organizations on the general elections held in Pakistan on 8 February 2024.

We are surprised by the negative tone of some of these statements, which neither take into account the complexity of the electoral process, nor acknowledge the free and enthusiastic exercise of the right to vote by tens of millions of Pakistanis.

These statements ignore the undeniable fact that Pakistan has held general elections, peacefully and successfully, while dealing with serious security threats resulting primarily from foreign sponsored terrorism.

Some statements are not even factual. There was no nationwide internet shutdown. Only mobile services were suspended for the day to avoid terrorist incidents on the polling day. The elections exercise has demonstrated that the concerns of many commentators were misplaced.

Pakistan held the elections as part of its commitment to building a stable and democratic society. While we value constructive advice from our friends, making negative commentary even before the completion of electoral process is neither constructive nor objective.

Pakistan will continue to work towards building a vibrant democratic polity. Every election and peaceful transition of power brings us closer to that goal. We do this not on account of the concerns expressed by others but because that is the aspiration of our people and the vision of our founding fathers

RAWALPINDI, FEB 10 (DNA) – COAS Gen. Syed Asim Munir has congratulated the entire Pakistani Nation, Caretaker Government, Election Commission of Pakistan, Political Parties and all winning candidates on successful conduct of General Elections 2024. Free and unhindered participation by Pakistani people to exercise their right of vote demonstrated their commitment to democracy and the rule of law as enshrined in Constitution of Pakistan.

Leadership and personnel of law-enforcement agencies deserve our highest appreciation for creating a safe and secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds. The constructive role played by national media, civil society, members of civil administration and judiciary enabled the successful conduct of the largest electoral exercise in national history.

Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism will be well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces imbibed with national purpose. Elections and democracy are means to serve people of Pakistan and not ends in themselves. The nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation which does not suit a progressive country of 250 Million people. Elections are not a zero-sum competition of winning and losing but an exercise to determine the mandate of the people.

Political leadership and their workers should rise above self-interests and synergise efforts in governing and serving the people which is perhaps the only way to make democracy functional and purposeful.

As the people of Pakistan have reposed their combined trust in the Constitution of Pakistan, it is now incumbent upon all political parties to reciprocate the same with political maturity and unity. As we move forward from this national milestone we must reflect on where the country stands today and where our rightful place should be in the comity of nations.

COAS wishes that these elections bring in political and economic stability and prove to be the harbinger of peace and prosperity for our beloved Pakistan.

Glad to see more women participating in the drill

ISLAMABAD, FEB 10 (DNA) – Australia notes the initial results of Pakistan’s general elections held on 8 February 2024.

As a friend of Pakistan, Australia has consistently called for a free, fair, inclusive and credible election process – in line with Pakistan’s Constitution and its international obligations.

We express our condolences for the loss of life incurred by terrorist attacks in the lead-up to and during elections. Australia welcomes the increase in the number of women registered to vote and the fact that millions of Pakistanis chose to vote.

It is regrettable, however, that the Pakistani people were restricted in their choice, since not all political parties were allowed to contest these elections.

Australia supports a democratic, stable and prosperous Pakistan which upholds its commitments to democratic principles including human rights, media freedoms, freedom of expression, and freedom of association.

As a long-standing partner we look forward to working with Pakistan towards a shared vision of an open, stable, prosperous and inclusive region. DNA

Says PTI emerged largest party as people roared their approval for Khan to be next premier: Raoof 

Warns any effort to derail decision will have deadly consequences

Vows all legal, constitutional rights to be used to deal with polls tampering bids

Says it would be a herculean task to buy consciousness of PTI ideological candidates

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan announced that PTI has been emerged as a single largest political force in the center as well as in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab, as people have not just spoken but they have roared their approval for PTI Chairman-for-life Imran Khan to be Pakistan’s next prime minister.

Addressing a press conference regarding the results of general elections 2024 here on Friday, PTI Central Information Secretary has said that credit goes to the public for a massive and unprecedented turnout to vote for PTI despite all adversarial circumstances, clearly reflecting their resilience, courage and passion.

Raoof Hasan warned that any effort to derail the decision of the people, as is being feared, will have deadly consequences and the power-wielders must learn to respect people’s choice.

He recalled that PTI had been facing worst reign of terror and fascism for the last two years after toppling of Imran Khan-led government through a regime change conspiracy, as political space was constantly shrinking for us as neither we were allowed to hold a corner meeting what to talk of a public gathering.

PTI Central Information Secretary highlighted that the police raided the homes of PTI’s leaders and tortured workers and leaders whenever they tried to hold even a corner meeting, as all brutal and coercive tactics were used to force them to quit the party.

He lamented that when the results started pouring in last night and the trend clearly showed that PTI was taking a clear lead in the center, KP and Punjab, the polls manipulators first slowdown the process of declarations of results and subsequently halted the process altogether to tamper with the results.

Raoof Hasan pointed out that though the process of declaring polls results were going on a snail pace, PTI candidates were clearly winning with huge margin at several constituencies including Islamabad at night. However, he added that ironically, their clear victory were converted into defeat in the morning because political engineering were going on behind the scene. 

Lashing out at the ECP, PTI Central Information Secretary said that the role of the electoral watchdog always remained a very questionable, as every time its system collapsed suddenly at the eleventh hour to tamper with the polls results and it only restarted after completion of the engineering process.

He made it clear that PTI was emerging as a lead political force in the center, KP and Punjab but efforts were afoot to manipulate the results in the center and Punjab to establish governments of their choice.

However, Raoof Hasan vowed that PTI would exercise all legal and constitutional rights to frustrate all bids to tamper with the elections results.

PTI Central Information Secretary highly appreciated the party workers and people for turning the table over the political opponents, which, he added, was a clear proof of the historic power exercised by their beloved leader despite being in incarceration, which is unprecedented in the political history.

He further stated that PTI Founding Chairman would never strike a deal with the powers that be until establishing ascendency of democracy and its acceptance in true sense, adding that PTI would use legal and constitutional means to block the undue inference of non-political forces in political affairs.

However, Raoof Hasan stressed the need that time was ripe to let the democracy flourish in the country and allowed the party enjoying a genuine public mandate to constitute government with full authority. He suggested that the powers-wielders should shun the past practice of stealing public mandate to establish a weak government because it would be neither sustainable nor capable to steer the country out of the prevailing quagmire. 

To a question, he reiterated that PTI wanted formation of an independent judicial commission on May 9 incidents so as to identify and punish the actual culprits.

Raoof Hasan also demanded that an empowered commission should be constituted to probe February 9 polls fraud in order expose the elements involved in polls tempering so as to hold them accountable.

Answering another question, PTI Central Information Secretary stated that PTI did not believe in avenge, as there was a special chapter in PTI manifesto of “wounds healing”, thus we will leave no stone unturned to heal the wounds of the country inflicted on it during the past 75 years.

Raoof Hasan went on to say that undoubtedly, Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif would make all-out efforts and become active again to buy the consciousness of PTI elected candidates. However, he vowed that PTI was purified and transferred drastically during the last two years; hence it would be a hard nut to crack to buy the consciousness of PTI ideological candidates this time around.

He vowed that PTI would exercise all constitutional and legal rights to protect and safeguard its reserved seats. Raoof Hasan said that Nawaz Sharif, who was all-set to deliver his victory speech like he did in 2013, walked out of the meeting last night in great anger after seeing his and his party humiliating drubbing.

To another question, he replied that PTI has already started consultation process regarding future course of actions but physically meeting did not possible since most of the elected candidates are either in jails or underground.

Jenangir Tareen contested from NA-149 and NA-155 Lodhran-2 but was unable to clinch victory as per unofficial results

Bureau Report

LAHORE (DNA) – Jahangir Tareen, the chairman of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), faced defeat in both constituencies of the National Assembly in the Feb 8 polls.

Tareen contested from NA-149 and NA-155 Lodhran-2 but was unable to clinch victory as per unofficial results.

The results from 369 polling stations in Lodhran revealed that PML-N candidate Sadiqque Khan Baloch emerged victorious in NA-155 with 117,671 votes, while Tareen garnered only 71,128 votes.

Similarly, Tareen suffered defeat in NA-149 Multan where he secured 50,166 votes. PTI-backed independent candidate Malik Amir Dogar triumphed in NA-149 with 143,613 votes.

Rizwan Hans, the PPP candidate, secured the third position in NA-149 with 14,625 votes, according to unofficial results.

Jahangir Tareen’s defeat in both constituencies marks a significant setback for his party and raises questions about his future political endeavours.

KSE-100 shares index falls below 62,000 mark by losing 2,145.53 points or 3.34%

Nazir Siyal/DNA

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened the day on a negative note as the benchmark KSE-100 index plunged over 2,000 points on Friday as uncertainty surrounded election 2024 results.

The KSE-100 shares index, the benchmark of the country’s capital market, fell below the 62,000 mark by losing 2,145.53 points or 3.34% during the intraday trading.

Capital market expert Muhammad Sohail said that the index fell by 3% due to the “unexpected” results of the elections.

The stocks, a day before the general elections in Pakistan, closed on a higher note, boosted by a pre-election rally and hopes of an upgrade in the country’s credit rating, but trading volumes remained thin as investors stayed cautious.

The PSX gained 344.85 points or 0.54% to close at 64,143.87 points on Wednesday.

The highest index of the day remained at 64,196.62 points while the lowest level was recorded at 63,927.29 points.

S&P Global Ratings is expected to review Pakistan’s sovereign rating post-election and it was reported that it could raise it to ‘B’ if the new government shows commitment to fiscal reforms and an International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 9: (DNA) – Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Latif Khosa, Asad Qaisar, Kh. Asif, Bilawal Bhutto.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 9: (DNA) – Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Barjis Tahir, Amir Muqam, Javed Latif etc. While PPP big wig from Lalamusa Qamar Zaman Kaira also lost in the elections 2024.