ISLAMABAD : The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday submitted dates for local government elections in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Cantonment Boards in the Supreme Court.

The election commission in its reply to the apex court informed that the local government elections in Punjab will be held in three phases, while the first phase of the local council polls will be held on June 20, in the second phase on July 16 and in the third phase on August 08.The schedule for Punjab local council poll will also be announced in phases, the ECP said.

The ECP further said that the polling for local council election in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be held in two phases, the first phase elections in the province will be held on April 08 and the second phase of election will be held on May 29.

The schedule of the first phase of the polls will be announced on February 12, while the next phase on March 25, the election commission said.

Moreover, the Cantonment Boards’ elections will also be held on April 08 and May 29, the ECP said.

“The election commission held two sessions over the instructions of the supreme court to consider over the local government elections in the provinces, Islamabad and the cantonment boards,” the ECP said in its reply to the court. “The minutes of the meetings have also been submitted to the court”.

“The matter of local council elections in Sindh and Balochistan have been postponed till February 11 meeting,” the election commission said.

It is to be mentioned here that the Supreme Court had earlier ordered the ECP to submit the progress report over the matter in the court.

The supreme court had also ordered the election commission to submit deliberations of its sessions with regard to the local government elections.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 (DNA) – Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at Islamabad today.

Professional matters pertaining to Pakistan Air Force were discussed during the meeting.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 – Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of surface to surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi, capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads upto a range of 290 kilometers. This training launch was the culminating point of the Annual Field Training Exercise of Army Strategic Forces Command.

The training launch was witnessed by Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, senior officers from Strategic Plans Division, Army Strategic Forces Command, Scientists and Engineers of the strategic organizations.

Commander Army Strategic Forces Command appreciated the operational preparedness and display of excellent standard in handling and operating the weapon system. He also expressed full satisfaction on the training standards of participating troops, attained throughout this training activity.

President, Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Service Chiefs have congratulated all ranks of Army Strategic Forces Command, the scientists and engineers on successful conduct of today’s launch.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 (DNA) – Pakistan National Council of the Arts in collaboration with Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur hosted a book launch titled “TRAGEDY IN KASHMIR” authored by (late) ABDUL HAQ SUHARWARDY, the first and only Kashmiri origin Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir after partition. The author has comprehensively covered the struggle for freedom by Kashmiri Muslims despite the atrocities put forward before the partition.

The book also covers the narrative of the foul play and sinful plot of Nehru family and the British raj that made the heavenly valleys of Kashmir into a living hell for their true citizens. The story of how Muslim majority districts of Gurdaspur and Batala were given to India to establish a road connection to India.

The tragedy of Kashmiri leadership, Sheikh Abdullah whose lack of foresight ended up in the debacle of the Indian Occupation of Kashmir. Finally, the heroic struggle of the tribal people and Poonchi exarmy servicemen who were successful in liberating what we now know as Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit and Baltistan.

The book traces how the Kashmiris, a race of strong fighters in the days of Sultan Shahabuddin, changed over 200 years of Sikh oppression and subjugation. Yet they rose up against Dogra Raj in 1930 and were able to develop an indigenous political movement.

The development of the Muslim Conference and later its division into the National conference led by Sheikh Abdullah and a Muslim conference which was a popular party but lacked a recognizable public leader. How Mr Nehru identified Mr Abdullah and developed a strong relationship with him, showering him with favors to induce him to support accession to India. It details the background intrigues involving the Radcliffe commission, the British government in India with Indian leaders to pave the way of accession to India by subterfuge and clever manoeuvring.

The chief guests for that ceremony were Mr. Shafqat Mehmood, Federal Minister for Education & National History & Culture Division., Senator Walid Iqbal, Chairperson of the Senate Committee for Defence along with DG, PNCA, Dr. Fouzia Saeed. Renowned anchor and media person Mr Ahmed Qureshi hosted the book launch followed by the presentations of Dr Zarqa Suharwardy who briefly demonstrated the essence of book and role of todays youth towards Kashmir Cause.

Mr. Shafqat Mehmood, Federal Minister for Education & National History & Culture Division in his remarks stated that this is a very important time in the history of Kashmir and this book on the bases of content and ideology is most relevant and resonates to the current situation. He appreciated the efforts of Dr Zarqa and DG PNCA for making this event happen.

Senator Waleed Iqbal enlightened the sacrifices of Kashmiri people and suggested a way forward under the vision of Dr Allama Iqbal.DG PNCA Dr Fouzia Saeed gave a brief insights on PNCA activities on Kashmir Solidarity Day and shared her thoughts on the extra ordinary efforts by Dr Zarqa in these critical times. Other speakers of that evening were Mr. Farhan Bukhari, International Journalist and Ghulam Safi, Convener Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir (THJK) Host Mr Ahmed Qureshi concluded the session and showed his gratitude towards distinguished chief guests, speakers and the worthy participants for making that launch successful.=DNA

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