LAHORE, NOV 23 /DNA/ – Muhammad SaimTahir won the title of the 11th Vice Admiral H.M.S. Chaudhry Amateur Golf Cup 2025. Abdul Rauf Ali and ShahnazMoeen secured top positions in the Senior Amateur and Ladies categories, respectively. Chief of Staff, Pakistan Navy, Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

While addressing the ceremony, the Chief Guest congratulated the winners on their remarkable achievements and commended all participants for displaying high standards of golf, with exceptional skill, precision, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. He also acknowledged the unwavering support and contributions of the sponsors, media, and the management of Defence Raya Golf & Country Club, whose collective efforts ensured the event’s resounding success.

The four-day-long Golf Cup was held from 20 to 23 November 2025 at Defence Raya Golf & Country Club, Lahore. Around 185 golfers from across Pakistan participated in the event. Competitions were held in multiple categories, including Amateur, Senior Amateur, and Ladies.

The 11th Vice Admiral H.M.S. Chaudhry Amateur Golf Cup is a regular national-level golf event featured in the calendar of the Pakistan Golf Federation and the national golf circuit. The event reflects Pakistan Navy’s enduring commitment to fostering sportsmanship, physical excellence, and a strong national sports culture.

The closing ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including officers, organizers, sponsors, golfers, and their families.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 23 /DNA/ – Pakistan strongly condemned the Indian Defence Minister’s delusional and dangerously revisionist remarks regarding Pakistan’s Sindh province. Such statements reveal an expansionist Hindutva mindset that seeks to challenge established realities and stands in clear violation of international law, the inviolability of recognized borders, and the sovereignty of states.

We urge Mr. Rajnath Singh and other Indian leaders to refrain from provocative rhetoric that threatens regional peace and stability. It would be far more constructive for the Government of India to focus on ensuring the security of its own citizens particularly vulnerable minority communities. It should hold accountable those who incite or perpetrate violence against them and address discrimination rooted in faith-based prejudice and historical distortions. India would also do well to address the persistent grievances of the peoples in its northeast, many of whom continue to face systematic marginalization, identity-based persecution, and cycles of state-enabled violence.

We call on India to take credible steps toward the genuine resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people under occupation. Pakistan remains committed to peaceful resolution of all disputes with India on the basis of justice, equity and established international legal norms. At the same time, as in the past, Pakistan is firmly resolved to safeguard its security, national independence and sovereignty.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 23 (APP/DNA): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Sunday stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was boycotting the majority of constituencies in the by-elections, cautioning that the move was bound to carry political repercussions.

Talking to media after attending the 29th National Age Group Swimming Championship (Boys) 2025 and the 24th Championship (Girls), he expressed the confidence that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will secure a clear lead.

 Tarar stated that political boycotts carry inevitable costs, emphasizing there was no room for such decisions in democratic practice.

He noted that the strong voter turnout in the by-elections signaled public confidence in the government’s performance, adding that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) appeared poised to secure a clear lead.

He noted that the Sunday’s by-elections witnessed a robust voter turnout, with citizens from across social and economic divides stepping forward to exercise their democratic right.

In Lahore, unusually large crowds gathered at polling camps, while Dera Ghazi Khan reported a steady flow of voters throughout the day. Elderly citizens, young people and women turned out in significant numbers, reflecting broad public participation in the electoral process, he said.

Tarar stated that the PML-N candidate enjoyed a strong position in Lahore, with party teams actively involved throughout the polling process. He further noted that voter turnout for the party has been highly encouraging across Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan.

He observed that even long-silent voters returned to the polls, attributing their renewed participation to the government’s performance. He further highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership is earning recognition both at home and abroad, while Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has delivered notable achievements within the province.

He stated that Pakistan’s armed forces enjoyed global recognition for their capabilities, while the country’s economy had also drawn international appreciation. He expressed the confidence that today’s election would be decided on the basis of performance and delivery.

Responding to a query on the Indian aircraft crash at the Dubai Airshow, the minister said investigations were underway and cautioned that it was too early to draw conclusions. He noted that, at this stage, it remained unclear whether the incident was the result of a technical fault or another cause.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP/DNA): The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Controller General of Accounts and the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues, has undertaken a series of initiatives aimed at improving the pension disbursement system for overseas Pakistani retirees.

According to a document available with Wealth Pakistan, the government is addressing longstanding issues related to pension disbursements, data integration and logistical challenges, ensuring that pensioners residing abroad receive their benefits without delay.

The Finance Division is working to further strengthen the pension and General Provident Fund (GPF) management system by improving data integration between autonomous bodies and the AGPR system. Enhancing this linkage will help streamline the processing of pensions and GPF contributions for employees on deputation.

Since many civil servants working in autonomous bodies operate under separate pension contribution mechanisms, better coordination will ensure smoother and more accurate pension transfers.

To achieve this, the Finance Ministry is planning to develop a more robust and unified tracking system that will securely record pension histories and ensure timely and accurate transfer of contributions.

The Finance Division is also working to improve disbursement of pensions to employees of abolished or merged entities through smoother processes. While many pensioners have been receiving their benefits without difficulty, the Division recognizes the need to further streamline procedures for those nearing retirement or approaching superannuation, particularly in matters such as leave encashment and GPF withdrawals. To strengthen this transition, the Finance Division has emphasized prioritizing these cases and putting in place measures that fully safeguard the rights and entitlements of all pensioners.

A large number of Pakistani retirees living abroad will soon experience greater ease in managing their pension payments, as efforts are underway to simplify account opening and verification procedures.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is developing a dedicated online platform that will enable biometric and facial-recognition verification from anywhere in the world. Through this system, overseas pensioners will be able to submit their proof-of-life certificates remotely, eliminating the need for travel to Pakistan for physical verification.

Once launched, the platform will greatly reduce inconvenience for pensioners and help ensure the timely and uninterrupted disbursement of pensions. The system is in its final development stages and is expected to be rolled out in the near future.

The Finance Ministry has also instructed the SBP to work closely with banks to synchronize their systems and implement the proposed online application, ensuring the smooth flow of pension payments to overseas retirees.

These reforms are part of the government’s broader efforts to modernize the public sector pension system and provide better services to Pakistan’s pensioners, regardless of their location.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP/DNA):Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), in collaboration with the Comparative Education Society of Asia (CESA), has planned to organize the 14th Biennial International Conference from November 23 to 25. 

This year’s conference will focus on the theme “Challenges for Inclusive and Equitable Education,” aiming to present practical research and policy recommendations for promoting equity, inclusion, and sustainability in the field of education.

The opening session of the conference will be addressed by national and international renowned educationists, including Bella Jamil, CEO of the Institute of Education and Awareness (Lahore), Professor Manzoor Ahmed, Chairman of the Early Childhood Development Network of Bangladesh, Manjula Withana Pathirana, Director of the National Institute of Education of Sri Lanka, and Professor Dr Nasir Mahmood, Vice Chancellor AIOU. Researchers, teachers, policymakers and representatives of educational institutions from various Asian countries including Pakistan will also participate in the conference, said a press release on Saturday.

During the conference, participants will present their research insights on the challenges and opportunities facing the region in the context of inclusive education, gender equality, educational technology, special education, early childhood development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The conference will also serve as an important forum for strengthening educational cooperation among Asian countries, exchanging best practices and formulating common strategies for educational reforms to ensure quality, equitable and accessible education for every child and individual in the region.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 23: Polling has concluded for the by-elections in six National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly constituencies, where voters turned out in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Haripur and several other areas.

The vote, which began at 8am under strict security measures, continued uninterrupted until closing time at 5pm.

By-elections were held in six National Assembly constituencies — NA-18 (Haripur), NA-96 (Faisalabad), NA-104 (Faisalabad), NA-129 (Lahore), NA-143 (Sahiwal) and NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan).

Polling was also held in seven Punjab Assembly constituencies, PP-73 (Sargodha), PP-87 (Mianwali), PP-98 (Faisalabad), PP-115 (Faisalabad), PP-116 (Faisalabad), PP-203 (Sahiwal) and PP-269 (Muzaffargarh).

The seats became vacant largely due to the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers convicted in cases related to the May 9, 2023, riots following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that the election material, including ballot papers, has safely reached the polling stations, foolproof security arrangements have been made, and specific instructions have been issued to authorities concerned to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections.

NA-18 and NA-129 are among the few high-profile constituencies where the electoral contest will be of paramount interest. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed disqualified MNA Omar Ayub Khan’s spouse Ms Shehnaz will face Babar Nawaz of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) in NA-18, while the late Mian Azhar’s nephew Arsalan Ahma,d is being seen as a potential rival to PMLN’s Hafiz Mian Nauman in Lahore’s NA-129, The News reported.

Speaking to the media in Faisalabad after casting his vote, Adviser to PM on Political Affairs said that no one was arrested or stopped in the entire constituency and there was no chance for anyone to complain.

“Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of a development project was stopped due to elections in the constituency,” said Sanaullah adding that in by-elections is between 25% and 30%.

Security, code of conduct

As per the code of conduct released for the armed forces/civil armed forces, the personnel will perform their duties in accordance with the role of the  Armed Forces defined in Article 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the law and within the confines of the mandate assigned to Armed Forces to assist the ECP.

Their deployment is meant for the provision of a secure environment for easy and secure access of voters to the polling station. Wherein, the police will be first-tier responders, while civil armed forces as second-tier responders (standby/ quick reaction mode only) and Pakistan Army as 3rd tier responders (in-situ Quick Reaction Force Mode).

The code of conduct outlines that security personnel are to be deployed outside selected highly sensitive polling stations and must concentrate exclusively on ensuring a secure environment. 

They must not disallow any eligible voter from entering, except those found possessing weapons, explosives or creating a disturbance. The personnel are not to assume the duties of polling staff, take custody of any election material, or interfere in the functions of polling officials or the counting process.

Meanwhile, the ECP has also issued a code of conduct for the media, emphasising that unofficial results from a polling station should not be broadcast until at least one hour after polling concludes. Such results must be clearly indicated as unofficial and partial.

Broadcasters are warned that violations will lead the commission to approach the authorities concerned for disciplinary action. Only the Returning Officer concerned is authorised to release the final and official result of any constituency.

Also, the Punjab Inspector General Police (IGP) in a statement said that over 20,000 police personnel have been deployed for security.

“Voters will be provided with a peaceful environment,” the IGP said, adding that Section 144 of the CrPC was in effect and there arms ban violation — along with other prohibitions — will not be tolerated.

“Out of 2,792 polling stations, 408 are highly sensitive, 1,032 are sensitive,” the police official said, nothing that the polling process was being continuously monitored and that the police had the support of the Pakistan Army and the Punjab Rangers.

NA-129 — Lahore

NA-129 is in focus as PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) face off, with the ruling party aiming to reclaim the seat while PTI contests without its symbol.

Over 558,364 voters will choose a new representative following the death of former Punjab Governor Mian Muhammad Azhar, father of PTI’s Hammad Azhar. Mian Azhar had won the seat in 2024 as a PTI-backed independent before joining the Sunni Ittehad Council.

Chaudhry Arsalan Ahmad, Mian Azhar’s nephew, is nominated by Hammad Azhar, while PML-N’s Hafiz Mian Nauman, who lost to Mian Azhar by over 30,000 votes in 2024, is his main rival.

A total of 17 people are contesting in the constituency including independent candidates.

Faisalabad NA seats

Faisalabad has a busy day with four seats up for grabs. NA-96 alone has 16 people contesting, with PML-N’s Talal Badar Chaudhry facing a long list of independents.

There are 587,124 registered voters here and 345 polling stations. The seat was left empty after PTI’s Rai Haider Ali Kharal was unseated.

NA-104 is a smaller field, where PML-N’s Raja Daniyal is up against four independents. The constituency has around 557,000 voters and 375 polling stations. Chairman Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Sahibzada Hamid Raza, had held this seat before his disqualification. PP-116 features PML-N’s Rana Shehryar and five independents.

There are 190 polling stations for roughly 276,000 voters. The seat became vacant after Muhammad Ismail Sila’s disqualification in a May 9 case.

In PP-115, five candidates are in the race. PML-N’s Tahir Jamil is the main party-backed candidate, while the rest are independents. The seat was vacated after PTI’s Sheikh Shahid Javed was disqualified.

NA-18 — Haripur (KP)

In Haripur, nine candidates are vying for a seat in NA-18. PTI-backed independent Shehrnaz Omar Ayub is among the front-runners, with Pakistan PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan and Pakistan People’s Party’s ( PPP) Erum Fatima also in the mix.

Six other independent candidates have filed their papers as well. The constituency has a little over 753,000 voters, and 602 polling stations are operating today.

The seat had fallen vacant after PTI leader Omar Ayub’s disqualification in a May 9 case.

NA-185 — DG Khan

Eight candidates are contesting NA-185. A close fight is likely between PML-N’s Mahmood Qadir Leghari and PPP’s Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa.

There are 226 polling stations set up — separate stations for men and women, along with mixed ones. The seat became vacant after Zartaj Gul Wazir’s disqualification.

PP-87 — Mianwali

By-election is also being held in PP-96 Mianwali III where 193 polling stations, of which 65 have been declared sensitive, have been set up for a total of 283,272 registered voters.

The seat became vacant after the disqualification of former PA opposition leader Ahmed Khan Bachar. PMLN-‘s Ali Haider Noor Khan, independent candidate Awaz Khan Niazi and JUP’s Khalid Masood Khan are among the candidates contesting for the provincial seat.

A total of 1,500 security personnel have been deployed in the constituency for security.

PP-98 — Faisalabad I

PP-98 has 10 candidates. A close contest is expected between PML-N’s Azad Ali Tabbasum and independent Muhammad Ajmal Cheema.

There are 171 polling stations for nearly 290,000 voters. The seat had fallen empty after PTI’s Junaid Afzal Sahi was unseated and later sentenced in a May 9 case.

PP-73 — Sargodha

PP-73 has five candidates in total. PML-N’s Mian Sultan Ali Ranjha is up against four independents. The seat was declared vacant after PTI’s Ansar Iqbal Heral was disqualified and later given a 10-year sentence in a May 9 case.

PP-269 — Muzaffargarh

In PP-269, 17 candidates are trying their chances. PPP’s Alamdar Abbas Qureshi faces competition from independents Iqbal Khan and Abdul Hai Dasti.

The seat opened up after Qureshi stepped down before a recount request by Iqbal Khan was to be taken up.