ISLAMABAD, APR 21: Polling is underway for by-elections on around two dozen National Assembly and provincial assembly seats on Sunday (today) amid suspension of cellular and internet services in specific districts of Punjab and Balochistan to maintain law and order situation during the electoral process.

The voting for the first major by-poll, which are taking place after the February 8 general elections, started at 8am and will continue till 5pm today without any interval.

A day earlier, the federal government announced that cellular services will remain temporarily suspended in specific districts of Punjab and Balochistan during the by-elections on April 21-22.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a statement, saying that the decision has been taken to safeguard the integrity and security of the electoral process.

Army deployed during by-polls
Meanwhile, at the request of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the federal government has approved the deployment of Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) troops during the polling process.

The government said that it would use the armed forces units as a quick response force.

The notification mentioned that the CAF and Pakistan Army units would be used as second and third tiers of security and they would be available with immediate effect till April 22 in 21 constituencies.

PML-N worker killed amid clashes with PTI
As the polling was taking place, a clash between Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers took place in PP-54 in Narowal.

During the incident, a PML-N worker, Muhammad Yousuf, was killed after the opponents hit his dead with a stick during the fight, said the police.

The police said that the worker was taken to hospital where he succumbed to injuries, adding that the polling was stopped in this constituency.

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said that PTI cannot win elections through hooliganism. He added that the killers will be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, an argument broke out between workers of both parties in NA-199 constituency of Lahore.

The police said that the clash took place at polling station number 171 of Lahore College, adding that the workers grabbed and dragged each other.

However, the police took the workers to their camps to resolve the matter.

Meanwhile, another clash broke out between SIC and PML-N workers in PP-139 constituency in Sheikhupura. The workers beat each other, injuring three people.

The police said that the fight took place over election camp, adding that they took two people into custody. The polling had stopped briefly due to firing, however, it resumed after a while.

Another incident took place in Rahim Yar Khan during which workers of two political parties clashed and broke windows of cars. The fight happened in PP-266 constituency.

On the other hand, SIC’s candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Mayo for PP-164 constituency, while speaking to Geo News, claimed that the police arrested their worker Chaudhry Shabbir Gujjar and has been taken to a police station.

He alleged that there have been complaints of rigging in the constituency, adding that they have informed the ECP about the matter.

Where are by-polls being held?
The elections are being held on five NA seats, 12 Punjab Assembly seats, two each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Assemblies and one in Sindh Assembly.

The NA seats include NA-8 and NA-44 (KP) NA-119 and NA-132 (Punjab) and NA-196 (Sindh). Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won one seat in the form of NA-207, Nawabshah from where Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has been elected unopposed.

The provincial assembly seats include PK-22 and PK-91 (KP), PB-20 and PB-22 (Balochistan) and PS-80 (Sindh). The Punjab Assembly seats where the by-polls are taking place include PP-32 (Gujrat), PP-36 (Wazirabad), PP-54 (Narowal), PP-93 (Bhakkar), PP-139 (Sheikhupura), PP-147, PP-149, PP-158, PP-164 (Lahore), PP-266 (Rahim Yar Khan) and PP-290 (Dera Ghazi Khan).

The NA-119 (Lahore) was vacated by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and PML-N’s Ali Pervez Malik is up against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed SIC’s Shahzad Farooq for the seat.

Moreover, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) candidate Muhammad Zaheer and six independent candidates are also vying for the seat.

Meanwhile, elections are also being held on PP-147 (Lahore), which was vacated by PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz. PML-N’s Malik Riaz, SIC’s Muhammad Madni, Shahrukh Jamal, TLP’s Muhammad Yasin and eight independent candidates are aiming for the slot.

The seat PP-149 (Lahore) was vacated by Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party’s (IPP) Abdul Aleem Khan. IPP’s Shoaib Siddiqui, SIC’s Zeeshan Rashid, TLP’s Muhammad Zaheer and 11 independents are seeking to win the seat.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vacated NA-132 (Kasur) and two of his provincial assembly seats in Lahore, PP-158 and PP-164, while retaining his NA-123 seat in the National Assembly.

A very tough contest is expected in NA-132 on which SIC’s Muhammad Hussain Dogar is contesting against PML-N’s Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan, whereas the TLP is also in contest.

PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz, SIC’s Moonis Elahi, TLP’s Muhammad Munir and 19 independent candidates are vying for the PP-158 seat vacated by PM Shehbaz.

Meanwhile, SIC’s Muhammad Yousuf, PML-N’s Rashid Minhas are eyeing the PP-164 slot.

Meanwhile, in Sindh, voting is taking place on NA-196 (Qamber Shadadkot). This seat was vacated by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

In KP, the polling is taking place on NA-44 (Dera Ismail Khan) seat which was left vacant after Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur retained his provincial assembly seat, PK-113.

By-poll is also being conducted on the NA-8 (Bajaur) seat, the election for the seat was suspended ahead of the February 8 general elections after one of the candidates Rehan Zeb Khan was murdered.

ISLAMABAD, APR 21 /DNA/ – To celebrate and recognize the commendable efforts of organizations towards environmental stewardship through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and environmental compliance and conservation, Devcom-Pakistan (Development Communications Network) will confer the Pakistan Environmental Award upon the best green initiatives to mark the World Environment Day (WED) on June 4.

Speaking to this scribe about the new initiative, Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed said a number of corporate organizations and projects have delivered exemplary outputs but lack due appreciation and recognition. The Pakistan Environmental Award will also encourage every organization in the corporate sector to adopt the green technologies, environmental compliance, and engage the communities in environmental conservation and protection. The event will include the presentations of best practices and a conference to explore the way forward for a climate resilient Pakistan.

Munir Ahmed said: In an era where the preservation of our planet is more crucial than ever, the corporate sector in collaboration with the government and the citizens can take numerous CSR initiatives besides playing a pivotal role in promoting sustainable practices. The industry shall take measures in mitigating the adverse impacts of business operations on the environment. CSR embodies the responsibility of organizations to operate in a manner that not only benefits their bottom line but also contributes positively to society and the environment. Pakistan’s corporate sector organizations have numerous CSR initiatives that have contributed towards conservation and protection of Environment but remain low-profiled.

Devcom-Pakistan aims to spotlight those companies that have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future by recognizing their efforts with an exclusively designed award and providing them an opportunity to narrate their CSR for Environment success stories to the relevant stakeholders and media.

Munir Ahmed said the Pakistan Environmental Award will be given in 12 categories including the Sustainability Leadership Award to recognize the companies or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in implementing sustainable practices across their operations. The Carbon Footprint Reduction Award will honour the organizations that have significantly reduced their carbon emissions through innovative strategies and initiatives. The Renewable Energy Excellence Award will acknowledge companies or projects that have made remarkable contributions to the adoption and promotion of renewable energy sources. The Water Conservation Achievement Award shall be celebrating initiatives that have led to significant reductions in water usage, conservation of water resources, or innovative water management practices. The Biodiversity Conservation Award has to recognize the efforts to preserve and protect biodiversity through habitat restoration, conservation projects, and sustainable land management practices. The Waste Reduction and Recycling Award will highlight the organizations that have implemented effective waste reduction, recycling, and waste-to-resource initiatives, leading to minimize waste generation and increased recycling rates.

He said the other six awards including the Green Product Innovation Award will be honouring companies that have developed innovative and sustainable products or technologies that contribute to environmental protection and resource conservation. The Environmental Education and Awareness Award will be given to the initiatives that have successfully raised awareness about environmental issues, promoted eco-conscious behaviors, and empowered communities to act in their vicinity. The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Award will be acknowledging efforts to build resilience to climate change impacts through adaptation strategies, resilience-building projects, and community engagement. The Supply Chain Sustainability Award will celebrate companies that have implemented sustainable practices throughout their supply chains, promoting transparency, ethical sourcing, and fair labor practices. The Community Engagement for Environmental Impact Award will recognize organizations that have engaged with local communities to address environmental challenges, promote sustainable development, and foster environmental stewardship. The Corporate Ecosystem Responsibility Award will spotlight the companies that have demonstrated a holistic approach to environmental responsibility by considering the broader impacts of their operations on ecosystems and biodiversity.

ISLAMABAD, APR 21 /DNA/ – President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi will undertake an official visit to Pakistan from 22 to 24 April 2024. This will be the first visit by any Head of State to Pakistan after the general elections in February 2024.

The Iranian President will be accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister and other members of the cabinet, senior officials as well as a large business delegation.

During the visit, President Raisi will meet the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Senate and Speaker, National Assembly. He will also visit Lahore and Karachi and meet with the provincial leadership.

The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts. They will also discuss regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism. Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and religion. This visit provides an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman-for-life Imran Khan penned a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) seeking superior judiciary’s meaningful intervention being the custodian of the Constitution and the ultimate arbiter of justice, as the state of the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution has fallen to the new lows, fearing if the foregoing situation were to prevail, it would be fatal to any civilized order in the world.

Speaking at a press conference along with Intazar Hussain Panjutha, Focal Person to Imran Khan, PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan divulged that PTI Founding Chairman wrote a seven-point letter to the CJP about the prevailing state of the rule of law and supremacy of the constitution in Pakistan.

“As, what I believe to be the majority of our populace, faces the wrath of the State, now is the time for you to prove whether your declared belief in the principles and values espoused by Pakistan’s founding fathers, and your proclamation of the supremacy of the Constitution, are for real or were mere hollow rhetoric,” the letter reads.

He said that Imran Khan reminded that the new lows to which the state of the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution has fallen in Pakistan have caused the gradual emergence of the law of the jungle and the enactment of the primitive doctrine that might is right.

Raoof demanded that the CJP should fulfill his constitutional and legal responsibilities otherwise he did not have the right to remain in the office and should relinquish his position instantly.

During the press conference, he highlighted that PTI Founding Chairman addressed seven matters in his letter including matter of petitions already pending in the SC, while others involve facts and circumstances that glaringly call for prompt intervention at the Judiciary’s own motion, but, in each case, it has so far been in vain.

He revealed that one of the seven issues was of Toshakhana case against Nawaz Sharif and said that NAB had instituted proceedings against Nawaz for having procured a luxury vehicle from the Toshakhana “through dishonest and illegal means for personal benefit and interest”. However now, all of a sudden with statements of 15 out of 25 witnesses already recorded, NAB prosecutors are proposing to the Accountability Court to exonerate him in an open and shut case, making a mockery of our justice system by clearly siding with thieves at the behest of its puppet Chairman Nazir Ahmed Butt.

Another matter is of the violent subjugation of the police by our armed forces in Bahawalnagar during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, Raoof said that the clash between state institutions should serve as an eye opener on the lop-sided state of uniformed vigilante justice in Pakistan. 

However, he said that sadly, an entire nation has been put on notice on the retaliation that can ensue if the police were to raid the home of someone who is backed by guns, tanks, artillery and soldiers – we are all given a message that there is a line the police cannot cross in the performance of its duties involving someone who stands above them in the pecking order.

However, he said that when the police repeatedly crosses every single line known to a civilized society by raiding, vandalizing and looting the homes of our unarmed citizens, no one comes to the rescue of these defenseless men, women and children.

“Disappointingly, our Judiciary, instead of stepping in, has remained a bystander in the face of all these excesses rather it has even acted as a facilitator when women, both young and old have been implicated in one case after another: when freed on bail from a case involving one locale in Lahore to be arrested for an alleged crime simultaneously committed in another locale several kilometers away, and when freed from that, to be arrested yet again for a crime allegedly committed several hundred kilometers away in Mainwali,” he added.

Imran Khan urged CJP that the lines drawn by our Constitution between the various pillars of the State are getting blurred into non-existence, and this has to be stopped before it is too late, Raoof said.    

About the letter penned by six IHC’s judges, Khan reminded the CJP that the Judiciary must take unified and decisive action to secure its independence and to hold accountable those who consistently undermine it by use of force or the threat of use of force. 

“To date, however, the action taken by the SC on the subject has been meek and indecisive, which calls for strict action on part of the apex court towards speedily setting the system right. Failing that, the people’s confidence in the justice system of Pakistan, which is undergoing significant erosion already, will stand dismantled and demolished,” the letter reads.

About PTI’s detainees of May 9 incident, Khan categorically stated that over ninety percent of the people who are incarcerated and undergoing trial for the incidents on 9th May 2023 were peaceful and unarmed protestors who did not indulge in any violence whatsoever. 

“The State, however, is acting as judge, jury and executioner in all these trials, first, directly through military courts, on the Constitutionality of which the SC has been dragging its feet for longer than it should, and, secondly, in an indirect manner, by holding guns to the heads of the Subordinate Court Judges who are conducting the trials,” it said.

He said that a constitutional petition calling for an independent, transparent and thorough inquiry into May 9 violence should be fixed for hearing at the earliest in the interest of complete justice.

Imran Khan pointed out that Commissioner Rawalpindi Division made a startling revelations in a press conference admitting his responsibility for manipulating election results on 8th February; however where he disappeared now from public view, are a mystery to all and sundry. 

“Is the SC so helpless in this regard that it does not deem this a matter of public importance with reference to the enforcement of fundamental rights and the entire nation whose mandate has been stolen feels very strongly about this,” he added.

Moreover, Khan said that a series of petitions, including one filed by PTI, pressing that the general election of February 8, 2024 was not conducted honestly, fairly and in accordance with law, have been pending in the SC, which should be fixed too.

Besides, Khan urged CJP to fix the party’s petition regarding the subject of allocation of reserved seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies because the way the matter has been handled by the ECP, and by Speakers of several of the Houses concerned was unknown to and unrecognized by our Constitution.

Imran Khan warned the CJP: “Inaction on your part and that of the SC in the face of each of the aforementioned matters of grave importance would exacerbate the Constitutional crisis the country is already faced with and push it closer and closer to the abyss.” 

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing,” (Albert Einstein)

Speaking on the occasion about unlawfully incarcerated PTI workers and leaders especially female including Sanam Javed, Aliya Hamza and Dr. Yasmin Rashid, who, he said, were being politically victimized and subjected to state fascism for their loyalty with Khan and PTI.

He made it clear that the power-wielders and the puppets should bear in mind that they neither break Imran Khan nor his workers and support through such coercive and brutal tactics and all such shameful tactics would fall flat.

On the occasion, he criticized Punjab government for unleashing a reign of terror ahead of the by-polls and the plan to suspend mobile services to rig the polls. However, Raoof made it clear that the nation would give a bigger surprise in the by-elections then the general elections.

Speaking on the occasion, Intazar Hussain Panjutha expressed alarm that the initial medical assessment of Bushra Bibi proved their apprehensions regarding her health true and valid because it established that her condition was not good.

Intazar Panjutha revealed that Bushra Bibi had wounds in her stomach and alimentary canal (digestive tract) because the food she was being provided was not suitable.

He revealed that physically she was also not well and her lips were so much affected that even she cannot even speak properly, adding that the doctor also advised to provide her an appropriate food. Intazar strongly condemned the treatment being meted out to the former first lady who had nothing to do with politics. He said that the biopsy report would be received after a week. 

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) made it clear that the US government’s action of imposing sanctions on entities supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program sent shock waves across the length and breadth of the country and demanded of the federal government to come clean on the very sensitive issue and bring the facts before the nation forthwith.

PTI Spokesperson, in a strongly-worded reaction to the US administration’s sanctions on four companies supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan missile program, said that the news was very sensitive and concerning and PTI would not tolerate any kind of attack on national interests or any attempt either knowingly or unknowingly to endanger national security and defense of the country.

He made it clear that Pakistan’s peaceful missile program was of paramount importance for national security, defense and minimum defense capability.

PTI Spokesperson stated that the US administration’s move triggered an unprecedented wave of concern across the country pertaining to the missile program.

He went on to say that it was not possible to blindly believe on the government devoid of public mandate to deal with issues relating to defense and foreign affairs.

PTI Spokesperson asked that the federal government, especially the Ministry of Defense should clear their position on the US administration’s step and what strategy they were intending to adopt in this regard.

He said that the government should apprise the nation as what would be the impact of the sanctions of the US administration on the defense, especially the missile program of Pakistan.

OTTAWA, APR 20 /DNA/ – The Pakistan High Commission in Canada recently hosted an enchanting exhibition titled “A Filigree of Treasures and Traditions: Pakistani Jewelry Introduced.” The event aimed to celebrate Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage through the lens of its exquisite jewelry craftsmanship.

Distinguished guests including ministers, parliamentarians, and dignitaries were captivated by the display of timeless pieces adorned with modern elegance. The exhibition featured a stunning array of designs that showcased the intricate artistry and cultural significance of Pakistani jewelry.